| For a time, Bertie Hall was the third stop on the Underground
Railroad, which led slaves to Freedom in the Canadian north. Slaves would cross
the Niagara River under the cover of darkness, and once on the Canadian shore,
make their way to Bertie Hall to regroup and hide out. A mysterious tunnel is
said to have led from the river's shore to the building's basement, but while
local legend supports this claim, no turnnel has been found to date. Visitors
to the Gallery can descend into the basement and search for the tunnel entrance
and view the slave quarters exhibit. Bertie Hall is a major historic landmark
of the Niagara Region. It was constructed by William Forsyth Sr. in 1833, and
named in honour of Sir Peregine Bertie III, the Duke of Anacaster and the 19th
Baron of Willoughby. The building was built in a Greek Revival architectural style
and it's main entrance faces out across the Niagara River. Bertie Hall has
a rich history of being a safe house for escaped fugitive slaves. Legend has it
that after crossing the Niagara River, slaves hid in the basement of the hall
until arrangements could be made to transport them further away from the American/Canadian
border. Bertie Hall was owned by the Forsyth Family up until 1872. Throughout
the years the building has had many owners: Stephan Jarvis between 1872 and 1875,
John Crabb between 1875 and 1892, Robert Barrett between 1892 and 1905, Frank
Pattison between 1905 and 1968 and Mr. John Killbridge between 1968 and 1981,
the buildings last private owner. Mr. Killbridge sold the property to the Niagara
Parks Commission in 1981. The building now houses the Mildred M. Mahoney Jubilee
Dolls' House Gallery. Ê Bertie Hall is located in Fort Erie on the Niagara
Parkway at address number 657. For operating hours or to inquire about tours please
call Bertie Hall at (905) 871-5833. | 
