TONAWANDA FALLS LYCEUM

 Ely Parker was a Native American.  His birthplace was Tonawanda Falls, New York State at what was then commonly referred to as the Tonawanda Falls Reservation.  This land had been set aside by terms of the BIG TREE TREATY OF 1797 as a home-site for those Iroquois known as The Tonawanda Band of Seneca.  Over a period of time said real estate was wrested from its inhabitants by Land--Developers using unscrupulous means to establish their ownership.  Consequently a large portion of the Reservation ultimately became the property of non-Native Homesteaders.

 Ely Parker was instrumental in securing what today remains as the Tonawanda Reservation for his people.  Though he is  best remembered for his role in bringing to a close the WAR BETWEEN THE STATES, this Website is dedicated to his contributions to preservation of Iroquois Legacy in Western New York as well as his efforts on behalf of American Culture.

  The original TONAWANDA FALLS LYCEUM was "the brain-child" of Ely Samuel Parker.  It was known locally as "Ely's Place" due to the fact that his personal residence was "the original  Lyceum".

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