TRIP CLIP AUDIO - LAURA SECORD BUILDING

Click to play or download Laura Secord Building TripClip (mp3 format).

Left: The entrance of the newly-named Laura Secord Building. Top right: An extended view of the Laura Secord Building from the North side of Church Street . Bottom right: The newly-minted signage for the Federal Government's Laura Secord Building. Photos: Ian Wood

GENERAL INFORMATION

In the year of the bicentennial anniversary of the War of 1812, the Government of Canada renamed the two-storey limestone federal building in downtown St. Catharines in honour of Laura Secord's role in the War of 1812. The building is designated as a recognized federal heritage building "due to to its historical associations, the workmanship of its construction, and the influence on the character of the area".The original tenants of the Laura Secord Building were Canada Post. In 2005, the building was renovated to accommodate the Canada Revenue Agency, which currently uses operates the St. Catharines Tax Office at 32 Church Street. 

The initiative to rename federal buildings in Ontario and Quebec after prominent Canadian figures in the War of 1812 was done to commemorate the 200 year anniversary of the War of 1812. Originally 32 Church Street was destined to be named the Sir Isaac Brock building but after some protest by the Parks Canada manager about possible confusion with Brock University, which has been expanding its campus to downtown St. Catharines, the building was chosen to be named after Laura Secord.

Photo Gallery

Hours of Operation

Tax Office - Not open to visitors. Exterior is publicly accessible from Church Street.

DIRECTIONS

From Toronto:
Take the Queen Elizabeth Way to Niagara. 

Take the Ontario Street/Regional Road 42 exit.
Turn right onto Ontario St/Regional Rd 42.  
Turn left onto Church St.
32 Church Street is on the right-hand side. There is street parking nearby.


From Niagara:

Take the Queen Elizabeth Way to Toronto. 

Take the Ontario Street/Regional Road 42 exit.

Turn right onto Ontario St/Regional Rd 42.  
Turn left onto Church St.
32 Church Street is on the right-hand side. There is street parking nearby.

Further Information

Public Works and Government Services Canada. (2012). Laura Secord Building. http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/comm/vedette-features/de-bn/de-bn-01-eng.html

Government of Canada. (2012- October 29). Harper Government Commemorates Laura Secord and the War of 1812. http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?nid=703759

Niagara This Week. (2012-November 6). Federal Building Renamed in Laura Secord's Honour. http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/3269082-fed-building-renamed-in-laura-secord-s-honour/

Metro News. (2013-January 20). Public Could Misake Laura Secord Building for Candy Store. http://metronews.ca/news/toronto/516672/public-could-mistake-laura-secord-building-for-candy-store-feds-feared/