Tuscarora Heroes Monument facts for kids
The Tuscarora Heroes Monument is a special memorial in Lewiston, New York. It was built to thank the Tuscarora Nation for bravely saving many local people. This happened during a British attack on December 19, 1813, as part of the War of 1812.
The monument features three large bronze statues. They show two Tuscarora men rescuing a local woman and her baby from the attack. It's known as the biggest monument project in the United States for the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.
Most of the money for the monument came from the Town of Lewiston. Other groups like Niagara County, New York, the KeyBank Foundation, and the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area also helped. The Village of Lewiston allowed the monument to be placed in its park.
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How the Monument Was Planned
The idea for the monument came from a group of volunteers. They were part of the Historical Association of Lewiston, NY. Lee Simonson, who helped organize Lewiston's 1812 anniversary events, suggested the idea in 2009.
To share the story, Simonson wrote a book called "Tuscarora Heroes." It explained the British attack and how the Tuscaroras helped. The book came out in 2010. At the same time, a small clay model of the planned monument was shown. It was made by artist Susan Geissler. She was already famous for her work on Lewiston's Freedom Crossing Monument.
The main design of the statues stayed the same. However, the base where they stand changed a few times. The final design looks like a turtle's back. Stone pillars support a bronze plaque. This plaque lists the names of the known Tuscarora Heroes. It also lists the names of those who died in the attack. A colorful sign nearby tells the history with a timeline and map.
Unveiling the Monument
Thousands of people came to see the monument unveiled. This happened on December 19, 2013. It was exactly 200 years after the Tuscarora action. The event was called "Flames Through Lewiston." Hundreds of volunteers dressed up as American, British, and Native reenactors.
About a dozen Tuscarora people played the roles of the Tuscarora Heroes. Chief Leo Henry, a real Tuscarora leader, played his ancestor, Chief Solomon Longboard. Chief Longboard was the leader of the Tuscarora Heroes in 1813.
Local people of all ages also reenacted the escape from Lewiston. They dressed in pajamas and blankets, running down the same street their ancestors used. Some civilians were "killed" by British Natives, just like in the real attack.
What the Monument Means
The monument site has many special meanings. The statues stand on a concrete base shaped like a large turtle's back. The Iroquois people believe that the world was created on a turtle's back. The turtle's head points towards the American flag. This shows the alliance between Americans and Tuscaroras since the American Revolution.
Six northern white pine trees surround the statues. These trees represent the six nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. The Iroquois flag also flies at the site.
The Tuscarora Heroes Story
On the morning of December 19, 1813, the people of Lewiston, New York, woke up to a terrible surprise. Their small village was right on the Niagara River. This river forms the border between the United States and Canada. Suddenly, Lewiston was in the middle of a fierce war.
Hours earlier, British-Canadian troops had secretly taken Fort Niagara. They did this without firing a single shot. Then, these troops, along with their "Western Indian" allies, marched towards Lewiston. They carried torches, guns, and tomahawks. Their goal was to get revenge and burn Lewiston to the ground.
Lewiston had very few defenders. Its citizens had to run for their lives through the snow and mud. They hoped to escape the terrible attack.
Just when the people of Lewiston felt all hope was lost, the local Tuscarora men arrived. They ran down from their village on the Escarpment. They were the first to fight back against the enemy. The Tuscaroras used clever tricks to make it seem like there were many more of them. This made the enemy stop, fearing a trap.
Even though the Tuscaroras were outnumbered 30 to 1, they bought time. Their brave actions allowed the escaping residents to get to safety.
Fun Facts About the Monument
Volunteers tried for years to get special medals for the Tuscaroras. However, neither the federal nor the New York State governments gave any. Still, the National Park Service did provide financial support.
The exact GPS location where the Tuscaroras first fought is carved into one of the statues. The bronze monument and its plaza cost $352,000 to build. The Village of Lewiston, NY, gave the land for the monument. It's located at the corner of Portage Road and Center Street.
You can see live video from the monument site. Three webcams broadcast from there. A time capsule was buried in one of the pillars. It will be opened in the year 2213. Special coins and stamps were also made to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Tuscarora Heroes. A book about the monument project was released in 2014.
