Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories

BRI-NK Foundation lecture on Terrapin Tower

by jmaloni

Submitted

Fri, Sep 12th 2014 05:00 pm

Co-sponsored by Oakwood Cemetery

BRI-NK Foundation will present a lecture on Terrapin Tower - a 19th century monument - at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, in the Earl Bridges Library, 1425 Main St., Niagara Falls (second floor auditorium). Lewis Buttery, founder of the BRI-NK Foundation and a researcher of the history of the Niagara Frontier, will present on the history of Terrapin Tower and its importance to the landscape of the Horseshoe Falls during the 19th century.

Terrapin Tower was built in 1833 at the brink of the Horseshoe Falls just off Goat Island. It became a dominating feature of the falls' landscape for 40 years until its demolition in 1873. The stonemason was Robert Nichols, an ancestral grandfather of Buttery. Nichols died in 1834 and is buried at Oakwood Cemetery. He is known as the builder of the Lewiston Presbyterian Church, which still stands.

Terrapin Tower was a prominent feature in more than 100 paintings, and by famous artists such as Frederick Church and Currier and Ives. It was featured in novels by famous authors and was admired by millions of tourist - some very famous, including royalty. Terrapin Tower was known worldwide.

Visit BRI-NK's website www.bri-nk.org for more information about the BRI-NK Foundation and its mission concerning the history of the Niagara Frontier.

BRI-NK Foundation is planning a series of lectures on various historical topics for the 2015 season. They include:

•The Buttery elevators at the Whirlpool Rapids

•The Great Gorge Railroad

For more information on these lectures, call 716-434-5051.


 

Hometown News

View All News