PW 1-07 Parliament Oak School and Harriet Tubman memorial



 


 


 


 

Textbox

As you walk past Parliament Oak School on your right, take a moment to see the encased metal memorial dedicated to Harriet Tubman – the famous African American woman born into slavery who escaped to Upper Canada. Making numerous extremely dangerous trips over the American border and into hostile territory, she risked her own freedom - and often her very life - to help dozens of family members and friends to escape along the Underground Railway and into Niagara. She was the most heroic and celebrated of the 'conductors' on this protected route to freedom, the last hope for thousands of enslaved African Americans in the 19th century.

Also, take a moment to view the inscribed mural and stone plaque depicting Upper Canada's first Parliament embedded in the front of the school building. In 1793, Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe and his fellow legislators passed the first legislation in the British Empire outlawing slavery here in Niagara on the Lake.

When you're ready, continue walking in the same direction along King Street, past the baseball diamond on your left.

In about 200 metres, the Royal Canadian Legion will be on your left, and the property known as The Wilderness will be on your right. You'll also see some magnificent sycamore trees lining the street, with their distinctive mottled bark.

Google Map



 


 


 


 

Above: As you walk past Parliament Oak School on your right, you will see the inscribed mural and plaque depicting Upper Canada's first Parliament and an encased metal memorial dedicated to Harriet Tubman.





 


 


 


 

Additional Resources

Ascenzo, Denise. 2017. Niagara's History Unveiled: Parliament Oak School. http://niagaranow.com/news.phtml/279


This point of interest is one of many on the GuideTags app –
a free digital interpretive guide that features thematic tours, routes, and discovery sessions,
and automatically tells geolocated stories about the places that surround us.
Download the app today, and start exploring!
Contact us if you would like to create your own content.
Report an error or inappropriate content.