In the early 1880s, Robert Warren, postmaster for Niagara, and others from Toronto wanted to establish a summer camp based on the ideas of the Chautauqua movement. They founded The Niagara Assembly (formerly the Fort George Assembly) and purchased the Crooks property in 1886 so they could build the Canadian Chautauqua. This cottage no longer exists — it is believed to have burnt down in 1958.