Wilma Morrison to be honoured by Niagara Falls
She spent a lifetime compiling, celebrating region’s Black history
The City of Niagara Falls will recognize the late Wilma Morrison, who councillors described as a dynamic and inspirational woman instrumental in bringing Niagara’s rich Black history to life for generations.
“For anyone that ever came into contact with Wilma, she basically dedicated her whole life to making sure that not only did we not forget about (Black history), but also that we celebrated it,” said Coun. Victor Pietrangelo.
Politicians Tuesday approved referring to staff a request from Niagara Military Museum, along with Rev. Lois Dix, from Nathaniel Dett Memorial Chapel of the BME Church of Canada, that the Historic Drummondville district of Niagara Falls be delineated on appropriate street signs as the Wilma Morrison Drummondville Historic District.
Morrison, who was well respected for her tireless advocacy of Niagara’s Black history for decades, died April 23. She was 91.
Morrison fought to save the BME Church in Niagara Falls from demolition in the 1990s. The Peer Street
church is where many former slaves congregated after fleeing the U.S. via Niagara’s Underground Railroad.
Thanks to Morrison, it was declared a heritage site in 2000. She has received numerous awards for her dedication to Black history and her volunteer efforts, including the Order of Ontario, the highest official honour the province can bestow.
Pietrangelo said it’s “appropriate” that council refer the military museum’s request to staff, and to also invite relevant stakeholders to provide further input.
“I think it would be a very nice tribute to Wilma. She dedicated her life to making sure that people understood the importance that Niagara Falls played and so I think we should honour her in that way.”
Coun. Wayne Thomson worked with Morrison at the health department.
“She was a nurse and for probably 15 to 20 years, I worked with her … and knew her very well,” he said, adding when he moved on to city hall, he worked with her to commemorate Black history. “She was a dynamic woman and I’m pleased to see she’s being recognized.”
In an email to the city, Jim Doherty, president of Niagara Military Museum, described Morrison as a “truly outstanding citizen.”
He said due to her accomplishments, the museum and Dix propose the Historic Drummondville district of Niagara Falls, home to escaped slaves and other black pioneer families and the Nathaniel Dett Chapel, established in 1836, be delineated on appropriate street signs as the Wilma Morrison Drummondville Historic District — also including the image of Escaping Slave seeking freedom in Niagara Falls, Canada.
Doherty said the signage should be of a type and design similar to the existing Lundy’s Lane Battlefield Historic District signage.
The proposal has support from Lundy’s Lane Historical Society.
In a letter to Doherty, president Michael Booth said the society “applauds” his initiative and “strongly” supports his request.
“We deeply respected her efforts, her many achievements and are truly saddened by her loss.”
As a result of Morrison’s “tireless” efforts, Booth said the stories of the escaping slaves, black pioneer families and their contributions to the military and the War of 1812 are preserved in history.
“Jim, I leave you with a final thought. Inside the gates of the Lundy’s Lane Cemetery you will find these words: ‘Our hope for the future, is in remembering the past.’ I believe Wilma would have agreed.”