DeCew House Heritage Park:
Small Site… National Significance
(drone photo courtesy Khaldoon Ahmad, City of Thorold)
DeCew House Heritage Park is home to at least two incredible national stories – a well known story where a courageous woman arrived at DeCew House in June 1813 to warn the British forces of an impending American invasion, and an equally important but lesser known story, enabled by the creation of the First Nation Peace Monument at the site.
Built to honour and acknowledge the significant contributions of First Nations people in the building of Canada, the First Nations Peace Monument also offers a forward-looking testament to hope, justice, peace, and reconciliation with Indigenous people today.
Between 2017 and 2025, the Friends of Laura Secord and partners undertook several major improvements to enhance landscaping, signage, accessibility, aesthetics, and education at the First Nations Peace Monument site at Decew House Heritage Park. Also on the agenda was the installation of Sunflame,the long-awaited centerpiece of Douglas Cardinal’s evocative architectural sculpture.
Because of its profound historical and cultural significance and its close proximity to the Brock District, DeCew House Heritage Park is a must-see destination for residents and visitors to the area. It offers a rare opportunity to reflect upon these important Canadian stories which took place in Niagara, but which were significant enough to echo across the continent.
The Making of Sunflame
How the polished bronze centrepiece of the First Nations Peace Monument was created.
These combined projects – the monument completion, landscaping improvements, and the Niagara Indigenous Heritage Trail – have resulted in a greatly enhanced accessible tourism destination which memorializes events of national and international significance, provides important educational opportunities, and connects a constellation of recreational and heritage tourism assets.
Click here for more information on the First Nations Peace Monument
Why Celebrate Laura Secord?
Historica Canada produced a brief but informative mini-documentary about Laura Secord as part of their iconic Heritage Minute series.
Watch for a one-minute overview of her importance in the founding of our nation.
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