As it happens, several years ago, Old Fort Niagara raised enough money to buy a spectacular War of 1812 American flag captured by the British at Fort Niagara and taken to Great Britain as a trophy. The flag is almost identical to the one which inspired the United States National Anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner". A building where the flag could be displayed exists. It is an old warehouse adjacent to the Fort's parking lot.

Conversion of that building into a modern Visitors Center will premit the flag to be properly displayed and for visitors to be appropriately welcomed. This, combined with the opening of the Officers Club and its magnificent murals to the public and the creation, withing its walls, of a state-of-the-art Museum, will re-establish the Fort Niagara Historical complex as a premier tourist destination.

As a first step, careful and thoughtful planning is needed to make the best possible use of the two historic buildings. The Old Fort Niagara Association, with the support of the Officers Club Museum Coalition, is seeking an initial grant from the State of New York for $286,000. The money will be used for professional design work to examine the buildings and their connecting walkways. The design work will provide the basis for proposals to restore the buildings to state-of-the-art historic sites.

Once initial design work is completed, additional funding will be sought both from the public and private sectors to complete the Visitors Center and Officers Club Museum complex.

A demonstration of public support for this project is vital to its success. New York State residents may wish to contact their NYS Senator and Member of Assembly to voice support for the creation of the Fort Niagara Visitors Center and Officers Club Museum. This website hints at the potential of the Fort Niagara Officers Club Museum. Only continued public support will make it a reality.