Congressman Kennedy Announces Over $73,000 in Federal Funding for Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Research

NIAGARA FALLS, NY – Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) joined Sara Capen, Executive Director of the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area, Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino, Legislator Jeffrey Elder, Niagara Falls NAACP President Renae Kimble, Niagara Falls Council Member Brian Archie, Niagara Falls Council President Jim Perry, and Mark Mistretta, Western Region Director, NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation at the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center to announce $73,214 in federal funding for archaeological excavation and research at the site of the historic Cataract House. 

“Niagara Falls has long been a beacon of liberty, and the Cataract House played a vital role in that legacy,” said Congressman Kennedy. “This funding will give us a greater understanding of the past, ensuring that future generations understand the sacrifices made by those who fought for the fundamental right to freedom. By preserving this critical history, we reaffirm our commitment to telling the full and unvarnished story of America’s past.”

“The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center is thrilled to be a recipient of the National Park Service Network to Freedom award,” said Sara Beilein Capen, Executive Director, Niagara Falls National Heritage Area. “Now more than ever, it is vital that the history of the Underground Railroad and Black Activism in Niagara Falls is preserved, protected and honored.”

“It is important that the legacy of African American ancestors fight for freedom is continually memorialized so that the complete history of America is never forgotten,” said Renae Kimble, President, NAACP, Niagara Falls Branch. “The Cataract House served as a place of refuge for many slaves who were fortunate enough to survive the dangerous journey through the south on their quest to escape slavery. Harriet Tubman and other abolitionists of the Underground Railroad assisted many slaves with their crossing the border at Niagara Falls to enter Canada where they were finally able to be freed from the institution of slavery. This grant will assist in ensuring that the stories of the many unnamed slaves and unnamed supporters are unearthed and documented so that we will never forget their valiant fight for freedom, justice, equality and inclusion as full fledged American citizens. Obtaining this grant show us that Congressman Kennedy understands the importance of preserving the history of freedom that was made right here in the City Niagara Falls.”

BACKGROUND

This funding, amounting to $73,214, awarded through the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program, will support efforts for the Cataract House to conduct archaeological excavation and research about Underground Railroad activism in Niagara Falls. The Cataract House, once located on the banks of the Niagara River, was more than a hotel — it was a key hub of the Underground Railroad. Its free Black waitstaff, led by figures like John Morrison, risked their lives to ferry enslaved individuals across the river to freedom in Canada. The federal funding will support excavation efforts to further uncover artifacts and historical insights from this important site.

In recent months, a federal funding freeze threatened this grant and similar projects across the country. However, thanks to the advocacy of community leaders and national organizations, the freeze was lifted, allowing critical preservation work to move forward.

In his remarks, Kennedy highlighted his commitment for protecting federal funding for projects like this one, saying, “The federal funding freeze put this grant in jeopardy. Thanks to the persistence of advocates and community groups, that freeze was lifted, allowing this project and others to move forward. Now, it is more important than ever to stand up as a community and defend institutions like the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center and the Cataract House. In Congress, there is strong bipartisan support for the work of the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area and those like it across the country, and I will defend funding for projects like this one in the upcoming budget process.”