Miriam Webster defines history as “a chronological record of significant events (as affecting a nation or institution) often including an explanation of their causes.”
Sounds boring right? If so, you haven’t truly experienced Niagara’s history.
Now, yes, this may be biased as I have a strong love for the study of history. However, I have been known to convince even the most sceptical people that it can be somewhat interesting - with the help of Niagara and the War of 1812, of course.
While growing up, I was frequently brought to Niagara to visit my grandparents and the rest of my mom’s family. My grandfather has always enjoyed imparting his knowledge of the history in the area as his fourth grandfather was the first Quaker to settle in the area. I spent many summers exploring the first schoolhouse in the Village of Jordan, learning how to use a rare wooden printing press at the William Lyon Mackenzie Printery, and racing my cousins up Brock’s Monument at the annual family reunion at Queenston Heights.
I quickly became determined to soak up any historical facts I could about the Niagara Region. I managed to find a way to incorporate the history of Niagara into every assignment and project I did, right up until university and college. I’ve “dragged” many friends on personal guided tours of historical areas such as Fort George, the Laura Secord Homestead, Queenston Heights Battlefield and many others. Each time I was told I should make a career of passing on my knowledge of the subject. Since those careers are few and far between, I am writing this blog instead.
Follow along as I explore the many different historical (and haunted) sites within the Niagara Region and explain their importance to the area’s heritage and why history CAN be exciting.
