Things to do / Travel Guide
The region of western New York and south-central Ontario is rich with visible history. The Finger Lakes region is the birthplace of the women's rights and suffrage movement; Buffalo, New York is home to several important presidential sites; and Toronto has made a concerted, city-wide effort to preserve its own historical roots. In the western New York and south-central Ontario region, the number and variety of historical sites and landmarks will pleasantly surprise you.
Western New York
If you've ever taken an interest Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, or any others of Mark Twain's famous or infamous characters, make a small detour to Elmira College in Elmira, NY. There, you can visit Twain's octagonal writing study - the very writing desk and chair in which he brought his work to life! The Elmira College also has a public exhibit on Twain and at the end of Walnut Street in Woodlawn Cemetery, you'll find Twain's burial site and memorial.
If the birth of the women's movement intrigues you, make sure to schedule a stop at the Women's Rights National Historical Park Visitor Center, in Seneca Falls, New York.
The Susan B. Anthony House is located in Rochester on Madison Street, and also worth a stop if you happen to be in the neighborhood. The house features a number of her personal belongings.
If you are a presidential history enthusiast, Buffalo, New York has a couple of historical sites that should be included on your itinerary. At the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site in Buffalo, visit the library where Vice President Theodore Roosevelt took the oath of office after President William McKinley was assassinated. This is one of the few inaugural sites outside of Washington, D.C. Also in Buffalo, visit the Forest Lawn Cemetery, where President Millard Fillmore is buried. The tall McKinley Monument obelisk in Niagara Square was erected in 1907, six years after President William McKinley's assassination.
A fine location to catch up on a bit of the region's military history, Old Fort Niagara, along Robert Moses Parkway, features 22 acres of well-maintained lawns and 18th-century stone structures. It was used as a military outpost by the French and British, followed by the U.S. army, who officially left Old Fort Niagara in 1963. Today, Old Fort Niagara frequently holds historic reenactments of battles, as well as period dances.
Toronto
The city of Toronto has taken special pains to make its historical sites vibrant and interactive for visitors and Torontonians alike. The Historic Fort York comprises Canada's largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings, and is also the site of the famous Battle of York. Visitors can expect to hear period music and experience musket demonstrations. At the restored Enoch Turner Schoolhouse and Historic Zion Schoolhouse, you can experience a typical school day in the 19th century. If you are interested in experiencing Toronto during the pioneer times, head to the Black Creek Pioneer Village, a Victorian-era settlement with more than 30 restored buildings. You will meet artisans and historically-costumed interpreters who reenact village lifestyle in a fun and interactive way.
Historical Sites in Toronto, Niagara Falls, Finger Lakes in Western New York and South Central Ontario
Historical-Sites
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