Queenston in Niagara-on-the-Lake in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Seeds Of Reform

Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 3, 2025

1. Seeds Of Reform Marker

Inscription. On April 18, 1824, William Lyon MacKenzie planted five seeds from a honey locust tree in recognition of the publication of the first issue of his Colonial Advocate.

Thirty years later in 1854 when Mackenzie revisited Queenston he editorialized: "To commemorate the day that transformed a quiet, peaceful obscure trader into an ardent colonial politician and public censor, I then planted in front of my dwelling a row of acacia or locust trees, and a grape vine and had the pleasure last week of seeing them grow luxuriously."

Two of Mackenzie's trees, still stand guard at this historic site, a living memorial to an early Canadian publisher and political activist.

Erected 2002 by The Mackenzie Printery.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Horticulture & Forestry. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1824.

Location. 43° 9.735′ N, 79° 3.217′ W. Marker is in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is in Queenston. It can be reached from Queenston Street,

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on the right when traveling east. The marker is on the property of a museum called "Mackenzie Printery". The marker is just right of the main entrance to the museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Queenston Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake ON L0S 1L0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe

and in Niagara Canada.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Home of William Lyon Mackenzie (here, next to this marker); Gordon's Quarter Medium Press (a few steps from this marker); The Colonial Advocate (a few steps from this marker); 'Alfred' (within shouting distance of this marker); Brock's Cenotaph (within shouting distance of this marker); Indians at Queenston Heights (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line);

Seeds Of Reform - Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 3, 2025

2. Seeds Of Reform - Marker in context

The tree and marker are immediate right of the front entrance to the museum.

The Battle of Queenston Heights / la Bataille de Queenston (about 210 meters away); Brock Dead House (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Counter-Offensive Takes Shape / La contre-offensive prend forme (was about 120 meters away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. Interestingly, the marker spells Mackenzie's name two ways. Modern writings have standardized on a lower-case K.

The Mackenzie Printery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 3, 2025

3. The Mackenzie Printery

The marker is placed low to the ground, so is not visible from the parking lot. This "printery" is 200 metres north of Brock's monument, peaking through the foliage in the top-left.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 4, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.