Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

The first meeting of the new Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Area Commission will be held on Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. The meeting will be chaired by OPRHP Deputy Commissioner for Historic Preservation J. Winthrop Aldrich.

Sponsored by Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte and Senator Antoine M. Thompson, the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Area was established in New York State statute in July 2008. The heritage area encompasses the city of Niagara Falls.

"The seating of the Underground Railroad Heritage Commission is an important step in telling the world the story of the Niagara region's involvement in the Abolitionist movement." said Assemblywoman DelMonte. "The commission can move forward with confidence that financial resources exist to develop and implement a management plan that will explore the cultural, historical, and academic connections of the Underground Railroad while opening new economic development opportunities in the north end of the city."

The law established a 14-member Commission to work with local leaders and citizens to draft and implement a management plan to develop, preserve and promote the area's unique historic, cultural and natural resources. Members of the newly appointed commission include: Percy W. Abrams, PhD; Bill Bradberry; Zachary Casale; Tom DeSantis; Denise Easterling; Renae Kimble; Tricia A. Mezhir; Carol Murphy; Mark A. Onesi; Anthony Restaino; Seneca Vaught, Ph.D.; Kenneth J. Wagner; and Charles Walker. A representative of the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation sits on the commission as an ex-officio non-voting member. This meeting will outline the responsibilities and structure of the commission and provide background on existing efforts to promote the history of the Underground Railroad in Niagara County.