February 7, 2024 Update: The Preservation Commission has approved the local landmark and now it moves to the Niagara Falls City Council for a decision. Thank you to over 1100 people who signed our letter of support (see map below) and to the hundreds of people who showed up to speak in person about the history, stories, memories, and events that happened here and how much potential it has for future generations. Once we have the meeting date, we will let you know. It should be early March 2024.
You can read an update here: https://www.niagara-gazette.com/news/local_news/local-landmark-application-okd-for-turtle-building/article_f4810d8e-c150-11ee-99f8-cbd5fffbf3b1.html
The Turtle currently sits vacant and is owned by an out-of-town owner. We are trying to secure a Local Landmark designation to add an additional layer of protection for its future. You can support our strong technical aid to the Niagara Falls Historic Preservation Commission in this local landmark effort by signing the letter in the link below!
The Turtle was built in 1977 as a cultural and educational center for the Native American community in Niagara Falls. Designed by Northern Arapaho architect Dennis Sun Rhodes, the center opened in 1981 as the Native American Center for the Living Arts. The building’s design was inspired by the Haudenosaunee legend of the Great Turtle, who carried the earth on its back after a great flood. The 67,000-square-foot building features a circular shape, a domed roof, and a turtle-shaped entrance. The building’s interior features a circular auditorium that can seat up to 500 people, along with ample exhibit space that once showcased the diversity and heritage of the Native American nations.
The Turtle is one of the few remaining examples of Native American architecture in Niagara Falls and a rare example of zoomorphic architecture in Western New York. It reflects the cultural values and artistic vision of the Native American people who created it. It also represents a significant period in the history of Niagara Falls, when the city was undergoing urban renewal and trying to attract tourists and visitors with new attractions and amenities.