The Black Pearl is Coming to Lewiston!

Get ready for Lewiston's newest summer weekend attraction!  The tall sailing ship, the Black Pearl, will docking in Lewiston for passengers on Saturday afternoons and evenings (hopefully starting in May.)

Price will be $40 for a one hour ride -- a spectacular Historic Cruise -- that will allow you see where slaves escaped across the Niagara River, and where the first battle of the War of 1812 was fought.  See where the first railway in North America was built and where Niagara Falls was born 12,000 years ago.

This is the first time Lewiston has hosted a tall sailing ship (70 ft. high) and visitors have had the chance to sail the Lower Niagara River.

Tickets will be available at the Silo Restaurant on a first come, first serve, basis.  We are planning to have cruises at 2, 4, 6 and 8pm on Saturdays, with lake cruises and charters on Sundays.

This is an important fundraising project for the Historical Association and we thank the Village of Lewiston for its wonderful cooperation and support! 

You can see pictures of the Black Pearl here: http://libertyexcursions.com/Black%20Pearl.html

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THANK YOU, HOME TOUR PATRONS AND VOLUNTEERS!

     Thanks to you, we had the most successful Home Tour ever!  Even the weather cooperated.  Everyone loved the new features and homes, including the dessert and wine at the Barton Hill.  We want to extend a special appreciation to those who were kind enough to open their front doors and allow the public to see the spectacular interiors which were decorated for the holidays.
     Our Historical Playhouse winner was Shirley Jones of Page Avenue in Lewiston.  Congratulations Shirley!  We understand it will be your granddaughter's playhouse.
     You can see a picture of what Shirley won here:
      http://historiclewiston.org/playhouse.html

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FREEDOM CROSSING MONUMENT UPDATES
New Pictorial Book Published
      
       People are still talking about the unveiling ceremony last October 14.  Hundreds of people were in attendance and, even during "off season" hundreds more have come to visit the Freedom Crossing site.  Thousands will be visiting the site this summer.
     Here are the latest updates:
     The Town of Lewiston has graciously donated non-tax funds to improve the lighting and landscaping, including spot lights and an underground sprinkler system.  Thank you, Town of Lewiston!
     We've published a new 32 page pictorial book that captures images that were taken from the beginning to the end of the project.  This soft cover, glossy, collectible book is a beautiful keepsake and shows the history of the Monument including the artist's original clay models.  You can own a part of history and obtain a copy for $35.
     A video has also been produced of the ceremony by videographer, Marc Barone, of Niagara Falls.  DVD copies are available for $10.
     You can get both the book and video by calling the Museum at 716-754-4214.

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FREEDOM CROSSING WEBCAM SPONSORS AND ADVERTISERS
http://historiclewiston.org/freedomcrossingwebcam.html

     The Freedom Crossing webcams are a huge hit!  Folks love looking at the live images online and, many times, seeing friends and loved ones waving at them from the Freedom Crossing site at Lewiston Landing on the Niagara River.
     Now, for the first time, we are offering limited sponsor and ad space on our Historic Lewiston website -- a tremendous opportunity to not only show your support but also promote your business or organization at same time.
     Click here to go to the live webcam site:
     http://historiclewiston.org/freedomcrossingwebcam.html

     Do you see boxes at the top of the page that say, "Your Link Here"?  Each box is available for $9 per month.  So, for example, if you wanted three boxes for your sponsorship or ad, the total would be $27 per month -- a great deal for being on one of Lewiston's most popular websites.  Not only that, but a clickable link back to your own website is an added bonus since that will increase your popularity with the search engines like Google.
     All proceeds will go to the Freedom Crossing Monument site and webcam project!  If you are interested in participating (only 9 banner spaces available) please call 716-754-8414 to reserve your space.  Thank you for your support!  (And this is not limited to just businesses.  Individual supporters can participate too.  So show your support for Freedom Crossing, and call today.)
    
     (Out of towners, if you ever want to see what the weather is like in Lewiston, just click on the webcams and see for yourself!)

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NOTES FROM ALL OVER

     ...The new UPS Store in Lewiston has become the proud sponsor of our latest placemats which are distributed at Apple Granny's and Tommy George's Villa.  The latest placemat covers the Solomon Moseby story.  You can see a copy of the placemat here:  http://historiclewiston.org/downloads/solomon_moseby.pdf

     ...A new interpretive plaque is being produced right now that will be placed at the northeast corner of 8th and Center Streets, the site of Hustler's Tavern, where the cocktail was invented.  It will be installed in the Spring.  Look for more colorful interpretive plaques in the future that will highlight Lewiston's rich history.

     ...Stay tuned for some VERY exciting news about a new attraction that is coming to Lewiston every weekend this Spring and Summer.  Some hints:  It's about history.  It's tall.  And it sails.

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Do you enjoy Historic Lewiston News?  Maybe your friends would too. Feel
free to forward this newsletter.  Better yet, just have your friends send
an email to: join@HistoricLewiston.org and we'll put them on the list.
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MEMBERSHIP TIME
New Lifetime Member Option - Easy Sign Up on PayPal

     Yes, it's Historical Association membership time -- a wonderful
opportunity to become a part of Lewiston's emergence as Western New
York's cultural centerpiece.

    Membership Options:
      Individual membership: $25 ($20 for seniors)  (may purchase one
      discounted ticket to the Tour of Homes)
      Family membership: $40 (may purchase two discounted tickets to
      the Tour of Homes)
      Patron membership:  $50 same as Family membership
      Business membership: $100 (includes four discounted tickets to
      the Tour of Homes)
      Lifetime Member, $150 ($250 for family)  (may purchase one
      discounted ticket to the Tour of Homes, two discounted tickets
      for family membership)

     HOW TO RENEW OR BECOME A MEMBER: The easiest way to join is to
use PayPal online here: http://historiclewiston.org/gift.html
     Otherwise just send a check payable to: Historical Association
of Lewiston, PO Box 43, Lewiston, New York 14092
     Be sure to include your name, mailing address, email address,
and phone number.  You can also call up 716-754-4214 and charge your
membership over the phone.
     Either way, you'll know you're doing your part in preserving and
promoting Lewiston's rich heritage.  Thank you!

REMINDER TO DUES PAYING MEMBERS: You can stop by the Museum to pick up
your free copy of American Heritage Magazine.  Call Pam at the museum, 754-4214,
to make arrangements.