Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, July 22, 2011 – Federal and provincial officials joined The Niagara Parks Commission today to celebrate recent renovations to McFarland House. The heritage home is the third and final building that received a facelift as part of a joint investment to revitalize the Commission’s War of 1812 heritage building collection.
Originally built in 1800, the Georgian-style McFarland House, located adjacent to the Niagara River Recreation Trail, is the oldest property owned by The Niagara Parks Commission. Upgrades to the facility include the construction of a new historically-inspired conservatory, the installation of modern washrooms, and the renovation of interior spaces to improve accessibility. These are the first large-scale improvements to the property since the site opened to the public in 1959.
“We are truly fortunate to have a functional heritage house open to visitors in the lovely community of Niagara-on-the-Lake, which brings history to life by showcasing what luxury living was like two hundred years ago,” said the Honourable Rob Nicholson, Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. “Our investment in McFarland House demonstrates our commitment to improving cultural infrastructure projects with historical significance to Canadians, and to celebrating the upcoming anniversary of the War of 1812.”
“Our government is proud to invest in important heritage sites like the McFarland House,” said Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor. “This investment builds on our support for the upcoming War of 1812 Bicentennial, will improve the visitor experience and helps ensure more people can re-discover the amazing history of this site for years to come.”
“Just imagine the changing landscape that has surrounded McFarland House and its hallways over the past 200 years -- from a well-appointed family home symbolizing the graciousness of 19th century life, to a hospital harbouring the sick and injured during the War of 1812,” stated Janice Thomson, Interim Chair of The Niagara Parks Commission. “The restoration of this site serves as a lasting tribute to the soldiers, residents and warriors of both nations who lived, served and fought along these lands now protected for future generations by The Niagara Parks Commission.”
The total eligible project cost is $8.94 million for the entire Niagara Parks Commission – War of 1812 project. The governments of Canada and Ontario have each committed $4.47 million toward the War of 1812 project, which includes the improvements to McFarland House, as well as a new visitors’ centre at Old Fort Erie, and the restoration of the Laura Secord Homestead.
Federal funding for this project comes from the Government of Canada’s $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which is supporting over 4,100 infrastructure projects across the country.
In June, Ontario had an increase of 40,000 jobs and the unemployment rate declined to 7.7 per cent.
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For additional information about investments in infrastructure, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.
For further information about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit ontario.ca/infrastructure.
For more information about McFarland House, visit http://www.niagaraparks.com/heritage-trail/mcfarland-house.html.
Contacts:
Vanessa Schneider
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Ron Planche
Office of Kim Craitor, MPP
905-401-5699
Tony Baldinelli
Niagara Parks Commission
905-371-0837
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148 or toll-free 1-877-250-7154
