Public information sought for two heritage properties in Niagara Falls
Published February 23, 2023 at 2:03 pm
Two heritage homes in Niagara Falls need repairs but before the restorations begin, Niagara Parks, which owns both, is looking to the public for additional information on them.
Niagara Parks is asking the public to go online “to view archival imagery, video content, and to complete a short survey about their knowledge of (the two properties) Oak Hall and Queen Victoria Place.”
It’s all part of their group’s heritage planning process, in which the survey results “will then be incorporated into the development of heritage assessments for the buildings, which both require capital investment.”
That said, Niagara Parks does have a lot of basic knowledge of the two homes built up over the years.
They note that Oak Hall has stood on a hill overlooking the Niagara River for over 200 years.
“Originally built by the Clark family, the home has been expanded by a series of owners, including Sir Harry Oakes, the well-known Canadian businessman who bought the home in 1924. The Oakes family sold the home to Niagara Parks in 1959 and it became the headquarters of the Niagara Parks Commission in 1982.”
Videos
As well, they have a great deal of background on Queen Victoria Place.
“Constructed in 1904, Queen Victoria Place has an established presence within the core area of Queen Victoria Park, sitting directly across from the Falls, just north of Table Rock and nestled at the foot of Murray Hill below the Fallsview tourism district,” said Niagara Parks.
“The building features a distinctive copper roof and walls of boulder stones that came from the riverbed just south of the Horseshoe Falls. The building has served as a former residence of the Commissioners of Niagara Parks, a popular dance hall and today houses a restaurant, retail store and coffee shop.”
The survey questions are designed to “prompt members of the public to share their knowledge, stories and/or personal connections to these buildings, as well as their opinions on their heritage value.”
The results of the survey will assist Niagara Parks in assessing the historical significance of both Oak Hall and Queen Victoria Place, which will guide the future planning for both sites.
To view the webpage and complete the survey, please visit HERE.
Queen Victoria Place features a distinctive copper roof and walls of boulder stones that came from the riverbed just south of the Horseshoe Falls.
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