History Walks by Reservation

The North Tonawanda History Museum is in its 4th year of offering 90-minute history walks. The walks will change from the fixed one-night a week for 16 weeks event presented in 2004, 2005, and 2006, to a “by advance reservation only” event.

Walks may be arranged for groups as small as three people and as large as thirty. Several options are possible on starting points. Walks may be planned around a lunch or dinner stop. Groups of ten and under are $5 for each person. For eleven to thirty walkers, the group rate is $55. Daytime and early evening times available. The walks can be scheduled from May 1 through September 15. Postponements due to rain will be rescheduled.

Call the Museum at 213-0554 to discuss tailoring something for your special event.

HISTORIC TREASURES TOUR 2009 - Check back for details for Historic Treasures Tour 2009 in the upcoming months.

North Tonawanda owners of historic homes interested in participating in the North Tonawanda History Museum's 2009 Historic Treasures Tour are invited to contact the Museum early.   Museum representatives will visit the homes and explain the event and what is expected of homeowners as well as what the Museum's role is.  Advance selection of homes is preferred in order to give homeowners sufficient time to take care of any maintenance or changes planned for their homes in order to be ready for the tour.  The 2009 tour will be in early August 2009.  Museum representatives will work with the owners of the homes selected for the 2009 tour to insure the success of the tour and their satisfaction from participation.

4th ANNUAL DINNER & MEETING - Check back for details on the 4th Annual Dinner & Meeting in upcoming months.










HAUNTED GARDENS on the EEEErie CANAL 2008

Check back in the upcoming months for details on the HAUNTED GARDENS ON THE EEEErie CANAL 2008.

Winter Walk 2008 - Check back in the upcoming months for details on Winter Walk 2008.










5th Annual North Tonawanda's Birthday Party - 2:00 PM-5:00 PM - DeGraff Community Center, North Tonawanda, NY

Annual “North Tonawanda’s Birthday Party” To Focus On The Niagara County Bicentennial

On Saturday, April 12 beginning at 2 p.m. at the DeGraff Community Center, the North Tonawanda History Museum will hold its 5th annual “North Tonawanda’s Birthday Party” program.  The event will conclude at 5 p.m.

The program is free and all are welcome.  Birthday cakes by Budwey’s Bakery and other refreshments will be served.  This year’s cakes will recognize the 200th Anniversary of Niagara County, the 200th Anniversary of the Town of Cambria, the 162nd Anniversary of the Town of Wheatfield, the 111th Anniversary of the City of North Tonawanda, and the 4th Anniversary of the North Tonawanda History Museum.

This year's celebration will focus on the 200th anniversary of Niagara County and the Niagara Historic Trail guidebook the History Museum is producing in coordination with historians from the county's 12 towns and 3 cities as part of the Bicentennial Celebration.   The self-guided Niagara Historic Trail guidebooks are to be released for purchase early in the fall.  The guidebook is intended to be used in conjunction with the cream and brown markers placed around the County as part of the original Niagara County 1975 Niagara Historic Trail project and the 1991 revision.

Today's City of North Tonawanda was originally part of the Town of Cambria which was established on March 11, 1808, when the County was established.  All of today’s North Tonawanda became part of the Town of Wheatfield when it was established on May 20, 1836, and remained part of it until we became a city on April 24, 1897.  Today’s North Tonawanda was also, along with today’s Town of Wheatfield, part of the Town of Niagara from February 14, 1816 until the establishment of the Town of Wheatfield.  Representatives of the Niagara County Bicentennial Committee, and the celebrating communities will have exhibits at the event.

Click here at any time to download an event flyer in PDF format for viewing in Adobe Reader. (Adobe Reader Free For Download By Clicking HERE)










4th Annual Historic Gardens Contest & Tour

The North Tonawanda History Museum announces its 4th annual Historic Gardens Contest and Tour.  This year’s tour will be a two-day event on July 26 and 27.  It will be a self-guided tour of gardens in historic North Tonawanda.

Linda Hankinson is Chair of this year’s contest and tour.  Hankinson was chair of the Historic Gardens Committee in 2007.  Additional members of her committee are Gail Bille, Suzanne Chank, Margaret Cheeley, Dale Rogers, Peter Trinkwalder, Museum Director Donna Zellner Neal and President John H. George.

Individuals, businesses, and civic groups or organizations wishing to participate in this year’s contest and tour should contact the Museum as soon as possible to register.  As in previous years, there will be three top winners in this fourth annual contest. 

Details will be available soon.  Guidebooks with accompanying maps will be available early in July from the North Tonawanda History Museum, at the event registration desk on both days and at the Museum’s Canal Fest booth for a $5 donation.  Sponsors are still needed. REGISTER YOUR GARDEN NOW.

Letters & Notes from Attendees of Events & Activities

From: Martha and Paul Manly, Clarence, NY - April 5, 2005

"Last year, on your Seaway Trail Walk, our two excellent guides introduced us to a North Tonawanda we did not know existed.  We were blown away by your beautiful homes.  They promised to send us information about your house tour.  We just wanted you to know how much we appreciate their following through with the information."


From: Nancy Sexton - August 18, 2005

Re: Historic Treasures Tour 7/31/05

   Our group ranged in age from 30-60ish. We toured 9 homes,took a carriage ride & partook of the Towpath Tea.  We all had a most enjoyable afternoon.  Congratulations & thank you to all who worked so hard to make this event possible.Every aspect of the event was so very well run--it's hard to believe that this was a first for you!  A special thanks to the homeowners who so graciously welcomed us into their lovely homes.

   I look forward to attending  Historic Ghosts of the Niagara Frontier in October at the Botanical Gardens.

   I wish you continued success in all of your future endeavors.

   PS I have phoned in a few words of thanks & congratulations to you to "Sound Off" in the "Tonawanda News".  Hopefully, it will appear soon---& intact!