Cultural

The courtroom, with its magnificent domed ceiling, hosts public and private functions and houses the Shaw Festival's Court House Theatre.  It was the original home of the Shaw Festival, and is now one of Shaw's three venues scatted through the town.   

Historical

The Court House was constructed in 1847 and designed by notable architect, William Thomas, who also designed Brock's Monument at Queenston Heights, as well as St. Lawrence Hall and St. Michael's Cathedral in Toronto.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Historic Sites pamphlet states that it is, "A fine example of Classical Revival style, the facade displays ornate window heads, keystones carved in the form of faces, string courses of varying styles and intricacy, bracketed cornices and an elaborate stone balustraded portico supported by graceful columns."

It was the site of a controversial extradition decision of Solomon Moseby, a slave who sought asylum in Niagara from "his master" in Kentucky.  A protest of people of colour followed the decision, and two of the protesters were killed.

Further Information

Court House, Chamber of Commerce and Visitor & Convention Bureau:  www.niagaraonthelake.com

Niagara Falls Museum, Black History page with Owen A. Thomas, Niagara’s Freedom Trail P 54-55:  www.niagarafallsmuseum.ca/blackhistory.html

Shaw Festival Theatre: www.shawfest.com/web/content.asp?docid=6_1_2

Niagara's Freedom Trail: A Guide to African-Canadian History on the Niagara Peninsula by Owen A. Thomas.  For the Niagara Economic Development Corporation.  Prepared, published and reprinted with the assistance of the Ontario Heritage Foundation and the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration.  Fourth revised edition 2007.  The book is available at the Gateway Niagara Information Centre in Grimsby for $9.95 plus GST. 

Walking Tour including the Court House was taken from Exploring Niagara by Hans Tammemagi:  www.infoniagara.com/attractions/notl/walk.html