Bertie Hall: Safe House

One of Fort Erie's outstanding landmarks, Bertie Hall was built circal 1830 by William Forsuth Sr. in the gracious style common to Greek Revival architecture. His sons-two of nineteen offspring by two wives- Brock and Nelson were well known abolitionists and smugglers of contraband. Overlooking the Niagara River, Bertie Hall was a natural fit for their clandestine operations.

For freedom seekers travelling the Niagara Frontier, Bertie Hall is said to be the third stop along the Underground Railroad, preceded by The Michigan Avenue Baptist Church in Buffalo, New York, and the Buffalo River front. Slaves would cross the Niagara River under the cover of darkness, and once in Canada make thier way to this safe house near the International Railroad Bridge. Although never proven, rumour has it that an underground tunnel lined Bertie Hall to the Niagara River. This meant fleeing slaves could cover this leg of the journey virtually without detection. upon arrival of Bertie Hall, arrangements would be made for the fugitives to move to safer quarters further inland, away from the Canada/USA border.

The basement of Bertie Hall evokes an authentic experience of the space as it would have appeared as a safe house. The presumed entrance of the secret tunnel is marked and a collection of artifeacts and ephemera round out the story. Visitors to these underground rooms, are often moved to both tears and song.

Tours of Bertie Hall are available, Bertie Hall also houses the Mildred Mahoney Dolls House Gallery.

Crossing Reenactment

Courtesy of Eve Salter