Mission Statement The mission of the North Tonawanda History Museum is to assemble, preserve, protect, and exhibit collections pertaining to the history of North Tonawanda, its people and community life, focusing especially on our rich immigrant heritage and role as an important shipping and manufacturing center strategically located on the historic Erie Canal and Niagara River in the 19th and 20th centuries. As a research and educational institution, we plan to be both an active participant in the historical and cultural tourism focus of North Tonawanda and a focal point for students of all ages to participate in historical studies and activities of the City.
The North Tonawanda History Museum will provide leadership to the North Tonawanda community in the promotion of historic awareness and interpretation of the people's history in the community.
As a lifelong resident of
William M. Davignon, 9th District Legislator, Niagara County
The North Tonawanda History Museum has, in its short history, accomplished some remarkable feats as well as coalescing the community around its history and heritage. For too long, we have ignored our past in North Tonawanda. The North Tonawanda History Museum is on a track that will eventually provide a facility to house our historical past as well as our antique boat heritage. The Chamber views these efforts as instrumental to our effort to expand the tourism appeal of the Erie Canal and Gateway Harbor Park.
Kurt Alverson, Executive Director, Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas
The North Tonawanda History Museum is emerging as an outstanding educational resource for the staff and students of our school district as an interactive museum that catalogues and celebrates the rich history of our City. Through its collection and programs, the NT History Museum has the potential to be an invaluable source of curricular and instructional materials that will help expand and enhance learning opportunities for our students at all levels. Once in a permanent location, I envision the NT History Museum collection providing the reference and first-hand resource material for developing a complete course in the history of North Tonawanda for inclusion in our school curriculum.
John H. George, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools, North Tonawanda City School District
The dedication of a group of volunteers has been unwavering in bringing the Museum into existence. We are pleased and honored to work with them in future endeavors to bring to life the history of our community. Thank you for considering to help fund the financial needs the Museum now faces as it continues to forge a position as a cornerstone of the North Tonawanda culture.
Margaret A. Waite, Library Director The North Tonawanda History Museum is dedicated to conveying the rich history of our city. Their vision is an interactive museum and history center in a former industrial building, as part of the eventual total commercial development of the waterfront on our portion of the Historic Erie Canal. The building in which the Museum hopes to establish the permanent museum overlooks the Canal, which is itself part of our city's history. Honorable David J. Burgio, Mayor, City of North Tonawanda
The NT History Museum may be a relatively new organization, but it has already contributed significantly to the cultural well being of our citizens and our visitors. Whether visiting the on-line museum, the standing museum, or participating in one of the walking tours of our city, one can gain a new understanding of the contributions of the people of the Tonawandas to the growth of
It is my great pleasure to submit this letter of support on behalf of the North Tonawanda History Museum (NTHM). I am delighted to give this effort my full support. As a North Tonawanda native and the City's representative in the State Senate, I know that a museum celebrating the unique history of our community is long overdue. The NTHM has already achieved significant success in its programs and exhibitions, and it is now prepared to take its mission to the next level.
Honorable George D. Maziarz, New York State Senate, 61st District
The Lumber city Development Corporation, serving the economic development needs of the City of North Tonawanda, enthusiastically lends our support to their effort to fund completion of a feasibility study for the re-use of a wonderful part of North Tonawanda's industrial heritage--a building which formerly housed the Buffalo-Niagara Electric Railway Powerhouse, then the Herschell-Spillman carrousel manufacturing facilities, and ultimately the many Rand entities, beginning with Kardex and Kardex-Rand. The Rand family played an important role in our city's history for generations, as residents and business people, including Benjamin Long Rand, who also served as Mayor.
The all-volunteer North Tonawanda History Museum has been tireless in their efforts to convey the rich history of our city. Their vision for an interactive museum and history center as part of the eventual total commercial development of this property fits with our organizational goals of developing North Tonawanda economically, while embracing the City's tremendous historic and natural resources. The proposed interactive museum could result in the creation of a true downtown/waterfront anchor attraction leading to increased awareness of all that North Tonawanda has to offer, and to increased investment in the surrounding areas. James Sullivan, Director, Lumber City Development Corporation |
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Approved by the Board of Trustees - February 19, 2004 |
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