07-05-2025
‘The Turtle' in Niagara Falls named one of country's ‘most endangered historic places'
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The former Native American Heritage Center in Niagara Falls, commonly referred to as 'The Turtle,' was named among the 'most endangered historic places' in the country by the National Trust for Historic Preservation on Wednesday.
The building on Rainbow Boulevard has been vacant since 1995 after it closed due to financial troubles. It was purchased and remains in the position of Niagara Falls Redevelopment, LLC, which once had plans to turn the property into a high-rise hotel.
In the meantime, local preservationists have attempted to get the vacant building under landmark status. The Niagara Falls Historic Preservation Committee recommended to the city in February 2024 that the building get that landmark status, but it was denied the following month.
It must be maintained and can't be demolished or altered without permission from the preservation committee with landmark status.
'We believe in the power of place,' said Di Gao, the senior director and research for the National Trust. 'That preservation of places that matter to communities allows us to honor the stories, events, people and places that define us.'
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The 67,000 square foot building was built in 1981. Its unique shape with a roof 'shell' and large porthole 'eye' windows became iconic in the area and invoking 'the Haudenosaunee creation story of the earth forming on the back of a giant turtle.'
'The Turtle is a prime example between post-modern and indigenous architecture. It is unique in the world,' Shaun Wilson, board chair of Friends of the Niagara Turtle, said.
The list released Wednesday by the National Trust for Historic Preservation contains 11 of the sites in the United States considered 'most endangered.' It includes another New York State site in the Catskills region as well as sites in Florida, North Carolina, Michigan, Arizona, Oregon, Virginia, Texas and California.
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Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.
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