Timeline

1885

First mention of an interpretive museum next to Niagara Reservation

1992-2004

Various planning efforts call for the creation of a museum in Niagara Falls

• The 1992 Niagara Waterfront Master Plan
• The 1997 Citizens Visions for Niagara Falls Report
• The 2001 Rethinking the Niagara Frontier
• The 2002 Achieving Niagara Falls’ Future Report
• The 2002 Revealing Niagara Report
• The 2004 Niagara Falls Strategic Master Plan

1995

June 7 Local historian Paul Gromosiak proposes Niagara Historical Center in Buffalo News “Everybody’s Column” to “Inspire Visitors to See Points of Interest All Along the U.S. side of the Niagara River”

2001

September 24 Niagara Falls City Council, after hearing presentation by Paul Gromosiak, endorses application for feasibility study grant

2002

March 20 Governor George E. Pataki Announces $10M for “Niagara Experience Center” at Chamber of Commerce Meeting and in Convention Center Address

March 31 NEC Endorsed in Buffalo News Editorial

July 9 NEC holds public forum to gain citizen input

2003

July-August NEC, Inc. officially incorporated as a 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation and NEC Board of Directors established

2004

March 30 BRC Imagination Arts, Nick Winslow and Economic Research Associates hired by NEC, Inc.

September 28 Design Charrette Report and Phase I Market Analysis released

2005

January 12 Advisory Committee Formed; Mayor of City of NF and Regional Director of OPRHP named Ex Officio members

2006

July 4 Governor Pataki’s office announces $3 million grant to NEC from Casino Revenues

2006-current  Fundraising Phase

Upon receipt of financing:

5 months: Concept Phase

• Audience objective
• Written storyline
• Illustrations
• List of spaces
• Preliminary budget

14 Months: Design Detail and Construction Budget

20 Months: Production of Exhibits and Building Construction

7 Months: Installation of Exhibits

4-6 Weeks: Preview Opening

48 Months from financing: Grand Opening