Here’s what transpired in the bicentennial year of Laura Secord’s famous walk…
HISTORY MEETS HIGH TECH: SCANNING LAURA SECORD in 3D!
Wednesday, June 12th, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Niagara Historical Society and Museum
43 Castlereagh St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
Left: Bronze Laura Secord bust sculpted by Canadian artist Mildred Peel, which was installed on her gravesite at Drummond Hill Cemetery in Niagara Falls in 1904 [Niagara Historical Society Museum].Middle: Scanner being used to create a 3D digital rendering of the bust. Right: 3D printer, which uses plastic resins to create a scaled-down version of the bust in three dimensions – one thin layer at a time [The Generator at One].
Laura Secord’s famous bust will soon be bathed in the eerie light of a three- dimensional digital scanner, capturing its every nuance and detail in a 3D shape file. The resulting digital image of the bust can be used for visualization, 3D animation, and – perhaps most excitingly – for the creation of exact 3D replicas of the famous bust at virtually any scale, created using state-of-the-art 3D digital printers at The Generator at One in St. Catharines.
Digital image guru Tobias Wiegand of Morro Images will be on hand to coordinate the project. Wiegand brings a wealth of experience in digital image creation to the initiative, drawing upon a wide portfolio of work in film, television, video games, and computer animation. Moving into 3d printing is a natural evolution for him and his company.
The goal is to use the technology to create an archival image of the famous Secord bust, and to use the resulting detailed digital shapefile to produce scale replicas of the sculpture that are accurate down to the finest detail. These bust models will be produced in a limited edition of 200 for the Bicentennial, and sold to subscribers as a fundraiser by the Friends of Laura Secord, the group which conceived of and commissioned the project.
Proceeds will be used to fund the creation of a wheelchair-accessible trail to the bridge at Laura’s Crossing, with a portion going to the Niagara Historical Society and Museum to preserve and support their collection.
The entire scanning process will take place onsite at the Museum on Wednesday, 12 June, from 1-3 p.m. The event is open to the public for the price of a regular museum admission.
Pre-orders for the limited edition bust replicas will also be taken that day. Proceeds will be used to fund the creation of a wheelchair-accessible trail to the bridge at Laura’s Crossing, with a portion going to the Niagara Historical Society and Museum to preserve and support their collection.
For further information, please contact the Friends of Laura Secord or The Generator at One.
LAUNCH OF LAURA SECORD COIN AND STAMP
Friday, June 21st, 2013 – 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Laura Secord Homestead
The Laura Secord Homestead in Queenston will be the location for the launch of Canada Post’s 2013 Laura Secord stamp and the Royal Canadian Mint’s 2013 Laura Secord 25 cent coin.
A COIN EXCHANGE will allow you to trade in your old cash for shiny new Laura Secord quarters.
Where else could you share in the excitement of such an important joint philatelic and numismatic event?
Have a slice of the big commemorative cake and join the fun!
Open to All – free!
WAR OF 1812 WOMEN:
ROSALEE PEPPARD IN CONCERT
Friday, June 21st through Sunday, June 23rd, 2013 at activities, destinations and waypoints along the Laura Secord Legacy Trail
Join celebrated oral ‘herstorian’ Rosalee Peppard as she sings, plays, and tells dramatic true stories of of the women who shaped Canada.
Following soldiers and privateers, trappers and warriors from Niagara to Nova Scotia, heroine Laura Secord and other dynamic women fought with daring and duty in kitchens, backyards, and battlefieds for their families and the future of Canada.
Experience the eyewitness accounts, true stories, and memorable original songs of Canada’s best-known musical oral historian. Rosalee’s shimmering vocals and haunting accompaniments connect listeners with a poignant, living past.
Open to All – free!
Learn more about Rosalee at www.rosalee.ca
LAURA SECORD COMMEMORATIVE WALK
Saturday, June 22nd, 2013 – 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Join thousands of Canadians at the Laura Secord Homestead in Queenston for this signature event celebrating Laura Secord’s legacy! Leave the Homestead through the same door Laura Secord did 200 years ago, and embark on your own walk into history! Hike the entire 20 miles (32km), or opt for a shorter “Laura Secord Experience”.
Walk the newly established Laura Secord Legacy Trail, which features interpretive multimedia resources that tell the story of Laura Secord, other pioneer women and men, and the First Nations people whose contributions helped define the nation that became Canada. Hike along ancient Indian paths and modern city streetscapes, forested trails and open meadows. Cross DeCew’s Field, where Laura Secord encountered the First Nations warriors who escorted her to DeCew House to deliver her message to Lt. Fitzgibbon.
Join in the activities at the Laura Secord Homestead and DeCew House during the day.
Parking for most events is at Niagara College, with shuttle bus service to the Homestead.
Click here for further information!
LAURA SECORD ON THE AIR
Saturday, June 22nd, 2013 – all day
Niagara College
(along the Laura Secord Legacy Trail)
Imagine reaching out around the world by ham radio to contact other people who have an interest in Laura and her legacy!
The Niagara Peninsula Amateur Radio Club (NPARC) will operate a Special Event Radio Station at Niagara College on June 22, to help celebrate the Laura Secord’s epic trek.
You are welcome to come and make radio contact with other “ham” radio stations around the world. You can even try your hand at Morse Code!!
The Club has received permission from Industry Canada to use the specal amateur radio callsign XL3S to communicate with the world, promoting the bicentennial of Laura Secord’s walk and celebrating the 200 years of peace and friendship that have ensued between Canada and the United States of America.
The portable “ham” radio station – a veritable “Laura Secord Special Event Communications Station” – will be located at Niagara College near the Laura Secord Legacy Trail to be close to the hikers and general public that will be in the area.
A special QSL card (radio contact postcard) will be sent to all contacts that are made during this event.
Drop by and discover your inner ‘ham’!
‘LAURA AND THE PRINCE’ CHURCH SERVICE
Sunday, June 23rd, 2013 – 10:00 a.m.
Holy Trinity Anglican Church
7820 Portage Road, Chippawa (Niagara Falls)
The elderly Laura Secord very likely met the 18-year-old Albert, Prince of Wales, at a memorable service at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Chippawa in September of 1860. A few months after their enconter, the future King Edward VII sent Laura Secord a gift of 100 pounds Sterling, vastly improving her financial prospects and publicly recognizing her heroism.
Join Reverend Terry Holub and the congregation at a special Sunday service to reflect on our history and commemorate the events that changed Laura Secord’s life.
DESCENDANTS’ DAY
Sunday, June 23rd, 2013
Niagara Historical Society and Museum
Share your walk experiences (if you can still walk!) with Secord and Ingersoll descendants from around the world, and meet descendants from the the FitzGibbon, Ducharme, Brant, and DeCew families.
Other Community Events
| LAURA SECORD ANNIVERSARY HIKE (Niagara Bruce Trail Club)
Saturday June 15th and Sunday June 16th, 2013 Follow in the footsteps of a Canadian heroine by hiking from Queenston to DeCew. This 30KM hike is challenging but memorable walk along the Bruce Trail starting where Laura began her walk so many years ago and ending at DeCew House where she passed on information about the enemy’s plans. NOTE: THIS EVENT IS NOT THE LAURA SECORD COMMEMORATIVE WALK PUT ON BY THE FRIENDS OF LAURA SECORD ON 22 JUNE. IT’S AN INDEPENDENT INITIATIVE WITH A LONG HISTORY HOSTED BY OUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES IN THE NIAGARA BRUCE TRAIL CLUB. BOTH WALKS ARE SURE TO BE GREAT FUN – CONSIDER PARTICIPATING IN BOTH EVENTS! PLEASE CONTACT THE NIAGARA BRUCE TRAIL CLUB REPRESENTATIVES DIRECTLY FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THIS EVENT (DETAILS BELOW). |
 |
| 2013 marks the 200th anniversary of Laura’s walk. For this year ONLY, the Niagara Bruce Trail Club will be offering the option of a two day hike. A special badge is being created for this momentous event.
Registration Options: 1. ONE DAY HIKE – Saturday June 15 only Visit the Niagara Bruce Trail website for details: |
|
| MUSIC NIAGARA PRESENTS
LAURA SECORD: AN OPERA A pre- Première Saturday, June 22nd, 2013 – 7:00 p.m. On the day of the 200th anniversary of Laura Secord’s brave adventure, Music Niagara presents a concert version of the entire score of this new work by Mark Richards, commissioned by Music Niagara. In the summer festival of 2012, Music Niagara presented a concert version of the first two acts of this new work-in-progress. This June 2013 concert will present the completed score. The full opera will be staged in 2014. |
Mark Richards, Toronto-based composer of Laura Secord: An Opera |
| The Laura Secord Opera project is supported by Walter M and Lisa Balfour Bowen.
Admission: $27.50 – includes a contribution towards the establishment of the Laura Secord Legacy Trail. Tickets available through the Shaw Festival Box Office office at 905-468-2172 or 1- 800-511-7429. Further information about the opera: www.laurasecordopera.com For more information on musical events celebrating Laura Secord, visit the Music Niagara website.
|
|
BATTLE OF BEAVERDAMS EVENT
Sunday, June 23rd, 2013 – Battle of Beaverdams Par
Join in the impressive festivities in the City of Thorold commemorating the victory at the Battle of Beaverdams.
OFFICIAL OPENING:
THE BRIDGE AT LAURA’S CROSSING
The long awaited suspension bridge over Twelve Mile Creek is ready for your visit!
Very near the spot where Laura Secord likely crossed Twelve Mile Creek in 1813, the Friends of Laura Secord (FLS) commissioned the installation of a unique suspension footbridge to allow hikers to follow in Laura Secord’s famous footsteps. Supported by generous private donations and public agencies, the bridge is now open to pedestrian traffic.
Join us for the official opening of this landmark feature of the Laura Secord Legacy Trail:
Saturday, June 1st, 2013, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Onsite at the Bridge at Laura’s Crossing
Laura Secord Legacy Trail, Short Hills Provincial Park
Directions:
Laura Secord Legacy Trail is accessible from the east shoulder of First Street Louth, just south of Pelham Street, St. Catharines. Use extreme caution on the roadways and trails, and come at your own risk.
PARKING – Google map
Important details:
Parking is limited. You may have to park on the shoulder of the road. USE EXTREME CAUTION when parking and walking on this busy thoroughfare.
Southbound traffic on First Street Louth: Park CAREFULLY on the wide shoulder of First Street Louth (uppermost ‘P’ on map). Cross to the trailhead just north of the bridge and follow the access road 450 m to the Bridge at Laura’s Crossing.
Northbound traffic on First Street Louth: Park in the small carpark in front of the Parks Ontario Utility Building, 2884 First Street Louth (lower ‘P’ on the map). Walk CAREFULLY along the road shoulder to the trailhead just north of the bridge and follow the access road 450 m to the Bridge at Laura’s Crossing.
Trails and access roads are unpaved and may be uneven, muddy, dusty, steep, and / or slippery. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear appropriate footwear.
LAURA’S COW: The Legend of Laura Secord
Saturday June 1st, 2013 – 7:00 p.m.
Laura Secord Secondary School
349 Niagara Street
St. Catharines, ON L2M 4V9
Tickets: laurascow@brownpapertickets.com
See preview article in the Niagara Advance here:
http://www.niagaraadvance.ca/2013/05/28/op era-puts-fun-and-humorous-spin-on- secord
