Parks Canada and the Lincoln and Welland Regiment Foundation agreed to fund a new Military Heritage Centre for the Niagara Region. The museum is to be built on Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Fort George National Historic Site.
Antique cannon weapon. Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
The following appeared in Parks Canada’s announcement, issued on March 23, 2015:
Rick Dykstra, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced an agreement between Parks Canada and the Lincoln and Welland Regiment Foundation towards the creation of a new military museum in Niagara-on-the-Lake at Fort George National Historic Site.
Tracing their roots to Butler’s Rangers in 1777 and the settlement of Niagara in the 1780s, the Lincoln and Welland Regiment has a storied past and played a significant role throughout Canada’s military history.
Parks Canada has a long working relationship with the Lincoln and Welland Regiment Museum, who have a tangible link to this land where their soldiers defended Canada during the War of 1812.
Using a portion of the Lakeshore Property within the Battle of Fort George National Historic Site, a new Niagara Military Heritage Centre will reflect close to 250 years of Niagara’s military history.
Mr. Dykstra said, “Places like our Niagara National Historic Sites and the future Niagara Military Heritage Centre are testaments to the dedication of Canadians to their country and provide us with a tangible link to our history and opportunities to learn about our past. As we approach Canada’s 150th birthday, our Government encourages Canadians to reflect on the people and events that have shaped Canada into the strong, proud and free country that it is today.”
The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls, said, “A new Niagara Military Heritage Centre will honour 250 years of military sacrifice and Canadian determination in Niagara.”
Quick Facts
- Though they have been known by different names over the centuries, the Lincoln and Welland Regiment participated in many significant nation-building event in our history – from the American Revolutionary War to the War of 1812; the Fenian Raids to the South African War; the First and Second World Wars to the Korean Conflict; and peacekeeping missions overseas.
- The Lincoln and Welland Regiment won a Battle Honour for their brave actions at the Battle of Fort George during the War of 1812.
- The current Lincoln and Welland Regiment Museum is located in a series of buildings known as Butler’s Barracks National Historic Site, owned and maintained by Parks Canada.
- As Canada nears its 150th birthday in 2017, the Government of Canada invites Canadians to learn more about the major sites, persons and events that have shaped their country’s history. Canada’s national historic sites – including the national historic sites in Niagara – enable Canadians to experience their rich history and heritage in a special way and play a big part in the celebration of Canada 150.
