The Niagara Foundation Honours Jim Alexander With Living Landmark Award for 2022 at Navy Hall

The Niagara Foundation has presented the 2022 Living Landmark Award to Jim Alexander. The Living Landmark Award has been given annually since 2006 to a person or persons that demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the quality of life in Niagara.

In introducing Jim to the 100 attendees at the dinner Saturday evening (November 12th) at Navy Hall, Niagara Foundation Past President Janice Thomson noted that “Jim’s commitment to supporting Niagara-on-the-Lake’s heritage runs deep. A few of the organizations, projects and celebrations that have benefitted from his leadership include the War of 1812 Bicentennial Committee, Friends of Niagara National Historic Sites, the Rotary Club, various Canada Day celebrations, and the Citizens Committee for Ontario Heritage Years. We are very pleased to give this award to Jim.”

Jim’s role as president of Old Niagara Workshops, and his expertise, has led to many commissions to restore architectural elements for historical properties in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Further afield, he has been engaged for projects for Parks Canada sites across Ontario and the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

“The Niagara Foundation believes that honoring residents who make this town a special place to live should be one of our priorities. As development and density pressures continue to challenge the heritage and built form here in Niagara-on-the-Lake, we will continue to be a voice that promotes the history, traditions and culture of the Niagara area,” said Lyle Hall, Foundation president.

At Living Landmark Award dinner (from left) The Niagara Foundation President Lyle Hall, Patty Alexander, Erika Alexander, Jim Alexander, Anna Lee Benjamin, The Niagara Foundation Past-President Janice Thomson. (photo by Ben Taylor)

Goettler Family Foundation Pledges $1 Million To Help Safeguard The Wilderness

The Niagara Foundation is pleased to announce a $1 million pledge by Lauren and Vaughn Goettler, and the Goettler Family Foundation, towards the acquisition, stabilization and protection of 407 King Street, better known as “The Wilderness.”

“We love our home in Niagara-on-the-Lake and think heritage attributes like The Wilderness contribute to making this a special place to live,” said Lauren Goettler.

“This generous gift will further the Foundation’s efforts to acquire the half interest in The Wilderness we don’t already have claim to,” said Lyle Hall, incoming Niagara Foundation President. “We want to acquire this heritage property and honour its unique place in the history and culture of Niagara-on-the-Lake.”

The Foundation claims its half-interest through the Will of Ruth Parker, one of three sisters who owned the property. Ruth passed away in 2013. The Executor of Ruth’s estate determined that The Niagara Foundation was the organization to respect her wishes that the heritage elements of The Wilderness be preserved and maintained for the benefit of the public.

The Goettler Family pledge kicks off a fundraising process that will extend into 2023. “This is a great start to a larger fundraising effort,” said Hall. “Acquisition is the first step. Then, we need to determine how best to realize Ruth Parker’s wish of preservation and maintenance of this historic property.”

“Our hope is that this gift provides a catalyst for others to step forward and assist the Foundation in this worthy cause.” said Vaughn Goettler. “Let’s do something we can be proud of for years to come.”

The Niagara Foundation is most grateful to Niagara-on-the-Lake citizens Lauren and Vaughan Goettler, and their foundation, for this most generous pledge towards The Niagara Foundation’s campaign to safeguard The Wilderness.