Independent Arrivals/Welcome & Orientation/Historic Niagara and the War of 1812

Arrive To: Independent arrivals and transfers to the program hotel after 3:30 pm. Please note that rooms are not generally available until mid to late afternoon.

Dinner: Your welcome dinner will take place in the hotel restaurant at 6:00 p.m.

Evening: INTRODUCTIONS: Following dinner, you will meet for introductions, a review of the program and site orientation. LECTURE: The Historic Niagara Region. A presentation will focus on the history of Niagara and the area's connections to the War of 1812. An expert from the Niagara-on-the-Lake Historical Society will bring this chapter of history to life.

Lodging: DoubleTree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton Niagara Falls

Meals Included: Dinner

The Freedom Trail - The Underground Railroad/Uncle Tom's Cabin/Buxton National Historic Site

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: FIELD TRIP: Uncle Tom's Cabin. Today we journey to the town of Dresden, en route to Chatham, to visit Uncle Tom's Cabin National Historic Site. Here we gain a greater understanding of the suffering and strength of the fugitive slave Josiah Henson at his home, better known as the Uncle Tom's Cabin National Historic Site.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch at Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Afternoon: LECTURE: The Underground Railroad Through the Eyes of Women. A presentation on “The Underground Railroad Through the Eyes of Women” will be delivered by Shannon Prince, followed by a book reading/discussion on Bryan Prince’'s latest book "One More River To Cross.” It’s a true story of a slave that was accused of attempted murder of his master and the UGRR through the eyes of women. Wagon ride to follow. Bryan and Shannon Prince are among the most sought after speakers on the Underground Railroad circuit - Bryan, with his historical expertise, and Shannon, as the curator of the Buxton Historical Site & Museum.

Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Buxton National Historic Site & Museum. Continue our journey south to Chatham-Kent to the Buxton National Historic Site. In the days before and during the American Civil War, Ontario served as the final stop on the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses that allowed enslaved African-Americans to escape to freedom in Canada. Alongside a local historian and expert on African Canadian heritage participants will stroll the streets of North Buxton, Canada's first Black settlement - home to many historic buildings and the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum, which recounts the area's proud story of early growth and self-sufficiency.

Dinner: DINNER & ENTERTAINMENT: Savor authentic African-Canadian soul food in the hall of a church originally built in the 1800s to serve the Elgin settlement of former fugitive slaves. After a day exploring Chatham-Kent's rich Black heritage at Buxton National Historic Site & Museum participants will enjoy an authentic three-course dinner served at the North Buxton Community Church Hall and hosted by the Buxton Ladies Auxiliary. The Soul Food dinner and gospel will include delicious traditional favorites and an uplifting, interactive musical experience to provide guests with an authentic culinary experience. The Goodwill Choir will perform uplifting gospels and spirituals, jazz and blues classics following dinner where participants can listen or sing along.

Lodging: Travelodge Chatham

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Return to Niagara Falls.

Lunch: Lunch in Niagara Falls.

Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Sir Adam Beck Generating Station: For millennia man has been fascinated by the overwhelming power of the Falls. Since 1958, Sir Adam Beck 2 Generating Station has captured that potential energy in one of Ontario's largest hydroelectric facilities. Participants will tour and learn about the facility - a wonderful example of a natural, non-polluting and reliable power source that has worked in harmony with the beauty of Niagara for over four decades.

Afternoon: LECTURE: The Geology of Niagara and the Falls. A presentation on the unique geology of the Niagara region will be delivered by an expert from Parks Canada. Learn about the natural history and geology of the Niagara Escarpment, the falls and the river.

Dinner: Dinner on your own to enjoy local fare or join the Group Leader (at a local restaurant).

Lodging: DoubleTree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton Niagara Falls

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Historic Niagara-on-the-Lake/Queenston Heights/Laura Secord Homestead/Battlefields of the War of 1812

Note: Walking up to 2 miles/3 kms over flat, even terrain in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: FIELD TRIP: Niagara-on-the-Lake. Discover the rich history of Niagara-on-the-Lake. With a local historian, learn about the history and experiences of the area from the First Nations peoples, to the arrival of the Europeans, to the War of 1812. A historian will lead an architectural walk in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Explore historic buildings along the way and hear about its past from wars, conflicts, rebellions, and threats that faced the city and the region in the course of its development.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Laura Secord Homestead and the Battlefields of the War of 1812. Laura Secord and Battlefields of War of 1812. Participants will embark on a beautiful and scenic journey along the Niagara Parkway, a roadway that follows the Niagara River through Niagara Parks from Fort Erie north to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Many battles in the War of 1812 took place along the Parkway where many well preserved military heritage sites stand today, adding rich historical significance to the area. We will explore this area with a local historian making stops at important points of interest. Participants will be introduced to some of the events, sites, and personalities associated with the war of 1812, with a specific focus on the battlegrounds on which the War of 1812 took place. Fort George, Battlefield of Chippawa Park, and the Drummond Hill Cemetery (where the Battle of Lundy's Lane took place), and Queenston Heights Park are some of the locations we will explore. Our journey would not be complete without a visit to the home of Laura Secord. During the war of 1812, this brave woman set out on a perilous journey in the service of her country, and stepped forever into the history and folklore of Niagara. Travel back in time to her lovingly restored homestead and be enchanted by stories of her adventures and surroundings.

Dinner: Dinner at the Skylon restaurant overlooking Niagara Falls.

Lodging: DoubleTree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton Niagara Falls

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: FIELD TRIP: Niagara College Wine and Culinary Institute. Travel to the Niagara College Wine and Culinary Institute, located in the heart of the Niagara wine region. This state-of-the-art facility features a wine-tasting lab and the Niagara College Teaching Winery - the first commercial teaching winery in Canada with three on-site teaching and research vineyards. Go into the field with a viticulture expert who will discuss the importance of the perfect 'terroir' - a combination of soil, climate and topography - and how it affects the flavor and characteristics of the award winning VQA wines. Visit the wine making pavilion and explore the production area and barrel cellar for a comprehensive look at the wine making process. Attend an interactive tasting seminar that will explore the "6 Scents" of wine. FIELD TRIP: Southbrook Vineyards. Travel to Southbrook Vineyard, a low-yield artisanal wine producer and Canada's first Certified BioDynamic wine estate. Meet the head Vintner who will guide you through the winery's sensory centerpiece - a stunning LEED certified glass pavilion. From the field, learn about Southbrook's Eco-friendly growing methods and how they care for the vineyard organically. Return to the tasting pavilion for a private tasting of their premium wines and signature fruit.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch at Southbrook Vineyards.

Afternoon: FREE AFTERNOON: Take the afternoon to explore on your own in Niagara-on-the-Lake or Niagara Falls.

Dinner: Dinner on your own to enjoy local fare or join the Group Leader (at a local restaurant).

Evening: Free evening to enjoy the Niagara region. You may remain with your Group Leader to continue exploring local sites or take the opportunity to head off on your own to discover Niagara.

Lodging: DoubleTree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton Niagara Falls

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Shaw Festival Backstage/Shaw Presentation and Pre-Show Chat/Matinee Performance - Major Barbara

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: EXCURSION: Backstage at the Shaw Festival. Go backstage and gain insight into the makings of a live theater production - from artistic development, to costume design, to the actors on stage. Hear about the different roles of theater members, choreography as well as what it takes to create a sell-out performance. LECTURE: Bernard Shaw. Meet with a theater expert who will discuss Bernard Shaw, acclaimed dramatist, literary critic, a socialist spokesman, and a leading figure in the 20th century theater. A freethinker, a supporter of women's rights and an advocate of equality of income, Shaw was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925. Learn about his life and works and the making of the Shaw Festival - a celebration of the dramatic works of Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries.

Lunch: Lunch on your own in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Afternoon: THEATRE PERFORMANCE: Attend a matinee performance of Major Barbara at the Shaw Festival. Have your ideals tested and your beliefs turned on their head in one of Shaw’s wittiest and most provocative plays. When arms dealer Andrew Undershaft is reunited with his Salvation Army daughter Barbara, each is sure the other’s profession is a source of morality. She invites him to visit her shelter – he agrees as long as she will come visit his cannon works. They are both convinced that the other will be converted. But who is right, who is wrong, who is good, who is evil is never – typical of Shaw – as simple as it seems.

Dinner: Farewell dinner at The Old Winery Restaurant

Lodging: DoubleTree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton Niagara Falls

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel is at 7:30 am.

Morning: Independent departures after breakfast.

Meals Included: Breakfast