The Mural of Father Hennepin at Niagara Falls is a work by Thomas Hart Benton painted on the buildings at the Niagara Power Project Visitors Center.
"the first recorded non-native sighting of the Falls took place in 1678, when a Recollet father by the name of Louis Hennepin stood on the edge and marvelled at what he must have felt was one of God’s natural wonders. He went on to write a book about his travels—Description de la Louisiane—which was widely read in Europe. His name is now on parks, streets and other memorials throughout the Niagara Region..." 1
Notes and References
- Father Hennepin and Recollets on Wikipedia
- Postcard on Niagara Falls Library website
- Niagara Falls: An Intimate Portrait By John Grant on Google Books - Page 26 Preview
- The mural went on display at the New York State Museum on Sept. 21, 1999 while the Visitors Center was under renovation. It was back in view in August 2001 when the Center reopened after its renovation. 2
Photos
Photos by David Monroe (amandme73) on Flickr - Niagara Power Project Visitors Center
Comments
Footnotes
1. Niagara Falls on TravelChannel.com
2. Museum Press Release and NY Power Authority Press Release
