County becomes full partner in 1812 commemoration

Niagara County Legislature Chairman William Ross (left) and Vice Chairman Clyde Burmaster (right) present a check to the Historical Association of Lewiston for the forthcoming War of 1812 Bicentennial commemoration. Accepting the contribution are Volunteer President of the Historical Association Bruce Sutherland (second from left) and Volunteer 1812 Director Lee Simonson (second from right).

The county allocated part of the funds it received from the Seneca Niagara Casino to help support the 1812 effort. The money will be used to host the binational Battle of Queenston Heights re-enactment this October, and for the Tuscarora Heroes Monument project that will be unveiled in December 2013.

Lewiston was on the front lines of the War of 1812 when the U.S. declared war on Great Britain. In December 1813, British troops attacked Lewiston, killed civilians and burned the town to the ground. Despite being outnumbered 30 to 1, the local Tuscaroras saved dozens of lives by holding back the attack and giving residents precious minutes to escape. It is a unique moment in American history when natives saved the lives of white settlers against a foreign invasion.