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Peter Buell Porter story to be told through gifts
By Don Glynn
Thursday, June 10, 2026

The Local History Department at the Niagara Falls Public Library will be enriched with two gifts that help tell the story of Peter Buell Porter, one of this area’s most famous residents through the centuries.

During the annual meeting Wednesday night of The Friends of Local History, a reproduction of a portrait of Maj. Gen. Peter B. Porter was unveiled. It was donated by Frederick and Helen Jerauld of Lewiston, and other Porter descendants.

The Jeraulds explained that the original portrait was given to them by Fred’s maternal grandmother (a Porter) and has been displayed in their home for the past 50 years.

In addition, people attending the meeting also will have an opportunity to see a copy of Gen. Porter’s last will and testament, a gift to the library from Nathan Calkins of East Aurora. Earlier, Calkins, a collector, said he believed the 30-page document was probably signed by Porter on Sept. 14, 1840.

Larry Steele, vice president of the Friends of Local History and a staunch volunteer in the ongoing efforts to upgrade the library collection, accepted the gifts on behalf of the board.

Porter, a native of Connecticut, served in the New York Legislature and in the House of Representatives, 1809-1813, where he was a leading spokesman for the “war hawks” and chairman of the committee that recommended preparations for war against Great Britain. He also served as Secretary of War in President John Quincy Adams’ administration, 1828-1829.

Before launching his military career, Porter was a partner in a firm that controlled transportation along the Niagara Falls portage, the legendary route between Lewiston and the upper Niagara River that bypassed the falls.

Porter’s son, Col. Peter A. Porter, was a casualty of the Civil War. He died while leading his troops at Cold Harbor, Va., on June 3, 1864. The colonel’s ceremonial sword, which had vanished years ago with countless items from the former Niagara Falls Historical Society, was recovered in 2003.

As a gesture of appreciation, the Jeraulds donated the portrait of the general.

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PAVING THE WAY: State Department of Transportation crews are completing preliminary chores to convert a northbound section of the Moses Parkway — across the top of the power plant — to two-way traffic, probably starting on June 15.

Double yellow lines for the extended “No Passing” zone were painted last week.

The single southbound lane that has been open atop the power complex will be closed to vehicles while the New York Power Authority begins a $13 million rehabilitation of the concrete facade at the Robert Moses Power Plant.

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ON THE MOVE?: If JoAnn Falletta, music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, shuffles off to Honolulu, Hawaii, to reportedly accept another role, it shouldn’t mean that she’ll be severing ties with the Queen City. After all, in addition to her work in Western New York, she also has served as the director of the Norfolk, Va., Orchestra.

The BPO has gained a strong following through its special summer series which included performances at Old Fort Niagara and at the Niagara Falls State Park.

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ACROSS THE BORDER: If you’re planning a trip to Canada, you may want to first check on the estimated waiting time to cross the international bridges.

The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission operates a toll-free number (1-800-715-6722) that provides timely updates on traffic conditions on the Rainbow, Lewiston-Queenston, Whirlpool Rapids bridges and the Peace Bridge linking Buffalo and Fort Erie.

A reminder: the Whirlpool Bridge is now restricted to NEXUS card holders, a system designed to expedite low-risk, pre-approved travelers.

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OUT OF THE PAST: On this date in 2001, Timothy McVeigh, a former Pendleton resident, was spending his last day on death row in the federal prison in Terre Haute, Ind.

McVeigh was executed for the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that killed 168 persons.

Contact Don Glynn at (716) 282-2311, Ext. 2246.
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