The Niagara Arts and Cultural Center in co-operation with the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area, will host the first annual March Along the Portage lecture & workshop series in preparation for the permanent Niagara Portage Interpretive Exhibit that will be opening at the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center this spring.
The free public lectures will focus on the historical legacy of the Portage and Niagara Falls. Each lecture will be conducted by local experts. All are free and open to the public.
The first three lectures will be followed by special common core workshops for all educators (public, private & home school) looking to learn more about incorporating information on the Niagara Portage into their curriculum.
An additional a “hands on history” event will be held on Saturday, March 29th. This workshop will focus on traditional fabric dying techniques and the history of fabrics and textiles that would have been transported along the portage.
March 13th, 4pm : Overcoming Obstacles: Formation and Impact of a Portage (Free)
Paul Gromosiak, Author “Niagara Falls: 1840-2000”
March 20th 4pm: Travel & Trade in the 19th Century
Dan Davis, Author “The Life and Times of The Suspension Bridge Village”
Lewis Buttery, Deveaux Historian (Free)
March 27th 4pm: I Fear ye Portage will be Difficult, Niagara & Pontiac’s War, 1763-1764
Robert L. Emerson, Old Fort Niagara Association (Free)
March 29th 12-4pm: Hands on History: Natural Dyeing Techniques Workshop
Susan Borden, Fabric Arts Instructor (Free Lecture / $25 materials fee)
All lectures will take place at the NACC, 1201 Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY.
More Information:
The Niagara’s Historic East Portage Road Exhibit: is the next phase in developing the NACC as a cultural tourism destination. This project began to formulate in 2008 when the NACC and Seaway Trail Inc. unveiled a cultural heritage interpretive panel about the Portage. The panel showcased the facts, and events associated with the formation of Portage Road. This new exhibit will foster a greater awareness of historically significant sites along the route, will act as an information distribution center, as well as highlight some of the current cultural treasures.
The March along the Portage lectures and workshops are designed to educate the public about the significance of the portage, and to allow teachers in the Niagara Area to take part in dialogue about the significance of the Niagara Portage and help develop excellent Common Core lesson plans and interactive activities for students.
The NACC is a 501c-3, Not-For Profit. Established in 2001, The Niagara Arts and Cultural Center has grown to become the largest multi-arts center in NY. The NACC is open to 7 days a week, is visitor ready, and offers a broad array of events and classes to the public. The NACC has taken a positive role in the community as an educational center and has positive impact in terms of economic development, historic preservation and neighborhood revitalization.
To register for workshops and lectures please contact:
Kelly Lang Buckley
Program Development Director
Niagara Arts and Cultural Center
1201 Pine Ave
Niagara Falls, NY 14301
Office: 716-282-7530
Cell: 716-359-5098
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