William Lyon Mackenzie railed against the Conservative elite of Upper Canada in the heart of Upper Canada's influential Niagara, much to the distaste of many in the area such as Loyalist James Secord, Laura Secord's husband, according to Peggy Dymond Leavey. It is also said that James Secord was helpful in frustrating Mackenzie's 1837-1838 Rebellion by keeping a fire at the mouth of Chippawa Creek in order to guide the British boats in the Niagara River near Navy Island, where Mackenzie and others were stationed. |
Step back in time and try your hand at setting type and working one of eight operating presses. Qualified staff provide guided tours, and there are interesting demonstrations and opportunities to "try it yourself". Working hot metal typecasters will cast type before your eyes. You will be visiting Canada's largest working printing museum. The restored Mackenzie House, a gift from friends and supporters of William Lyon Mackenzie when he retired from the provincial legislature in 1858, became a historic site museum in 1950 and is home, since 1967, to a recreated 19th-century printing shop. You can see "over 500 years of printing technology, amid the authentic ambiance of a period print shop." William Lyon Mackenzie was the great grandfather of Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King. Perhaps better known as the first mayor of Toronto and the leader of the Rebellion of 1837, Mackenzie was also the publisher of the Colonial Advocate newspaper from 1824 to 1834 and one of Canada's earliest printers. The paper was based in this house here in Queenston, Upper Canada, and was fond of critiquing the Family Compact, the informal name of the Conservative elite who controlled Upper Canada at that time.
Hours of Operation
Open seasonally only. All times subject to change. May 6 - June 30 Weekdays 9:30 am - 3:30 pm Weekends 11:00 am - 5:00pm July 1 - September 4 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Peggy Dymond Leavey. (2012). Laura Secord: Heroine of the War of 1812. Dundurn.
Owned by the Mackenzie Printery & Newspaper Museum Committee Managed by the Niagara Parks Commission
Prices do not include taxes. $4.50 Adults (13+ years) $3.50 Children (6 to 12 years) Children 5 and under are FREE!
This historic building is not wheelchair accessible.
1 Queenston St
Queenston, Ontario
L0S 1J0 Municipality Niagara Falls
Telephone
(905) 371-0254
Latitude: | 43.16223755910 |
Longitude: | -79.05368384670 |
UTM easting: | 658225 |
UTM northing: | 4780670 |
Niagara Parks Commission
Oak Hall Administrative Office
Niagara Falls, Ontario
L2E 6T2
Tel (905) 371-0254
Email npinfo@niagaraparks.com
Website