By Rick Forgione Niagara Gazette

NIAGARA FALLS — The Town of Niagara has made plenty of history during the past two centuries — and the public will have the chance to experience it firsthand during a bicentennial celebration in 2012.

Topping what’s expected to be a long list of scheduled events will be a tour of 27 historic sites and homes, all of which are more than 100 years old with some even dating to the 1830s. Among the spots on the tour is a log cabin built in 1838 and thought to be the oldest structure in town. It’s located on the Martin Waggoner Farm, 1553 Tuscarora Road.

“We have a lot of historic homes in our town and we’re proud to show them off,” Supervisor Steve Richards said.

Other sites include the School House District No. 3 at 32001 Military Road, the John G. Binkley Home at 1670 Tuscarora Road and more than two dozen homes and structures built on farmland.

The town is starting the process of replacing and refurbishing information plaques that were installed at each historic site 35 years ago.

“The signs are pretty worn and dilapidated and some are missing,” Town Clerk Sylvia Virtuoso said. “The new ones will be in New York state’s colors of blue and gold and more visible to visitors.”

Virtuoso expects the tour to be among the highlights of next year’s celebration.

“There’s a lot of interest in the history,” she said. “These sites are part of how the Town of Niagara started.”

Town Historian Dorothy Rolling noted most of the historic structures were made of brick, stone or logs but have been modernized over time. Most still have people living there, she added.

“We’ve lost a few homes to fire ... but most of them are still standing for all to see,” said Rolling, a lifelong resident of the town.

Initially called Fort Schlosser and renamed the Town of Niagara in 1812, the local history of the town generally reflects the history of the Niagara Frontier, which is replete with settlements by Native Americans, Europeans and determined pioneers. The town’s 200th birthday coincides with the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

During its first 100 years, the town was mainly a farming community with much of the local activity centered around the Military Road area. Today, there is considerable commercial, residential and industrial development and Military Road remains a main artery for transportation and activity.

“I think people will be surprised that we have the amount of history we do.” Rolling said.

The town established a Bicentennial Committee and a funding line in the budget last year. Committee members have been meeting frequently to establish a list of events for the celebration.

“We’re in full swing right now,” Rolling said. “We’re doing our homework and research to pull this all together.”

Some dates still need to be finalized but a kickoff celebration will be held during the town board’s reorganization meeting in January. The main celebration will be June 1-3 and include a parade, fireworks, bands, barbecue, an Ecumenical mass and an antique car show.

Other tentative events include:

• An outdoor winterfest in February

• The town’s oldest citizens and businesses will be honored during a March meeting

• Kite flying and fishing derby day for children in April

In addition, the committee is working on a commemorative calendar featuring historic photos and tidbits that will be distributed to each residence and business.

A special brochure will the “200 Faces of the Town of Niagara” will include those deemed instrumental in the town over the past two centuries. Submissions can be sent to Virtuoso at svirtuoso@townofniagara.com. A photo and bio of the person should be included in the email.

“The town is doing great after 200 years and we’re proud of it,” Virtuoso said.

More information about bicentennial plans will be posted at www.townofniagara.com.

Contact Rick Forgione at 282-2311, ext. 2257.