Celebrate Black History Month by exploring important dishes that link together food, celebration, and history for Freedom Seekers in 19th century St. Catharines.
People of the Parks Part 1: The Northwest
Welcome to our People of the Parks blog series. This four-part series is a companion to “You are Here,” our temporary exhibit […]
Food, Glorious Food! Part 1: Almond Macaroons
Welcome to the Food, Glorious Food blog series. This new, limited series is a companion blog series to the Museum’s […]
What Happened to the Old Canals? Part 1: Apathy and Indifference
In part one of a new series examining the fate of the old canals, we look at the centuries of “apathy and indifference” stuck to the Welland Canal.
They Said Canada Was…Part 3: Everything They Had There Was Imported
Explore the culinary history of Freedom Seekers in St. Catharines, focusing on the significance of sweet potatoes in their diet.
The Daily Grind: Introducing the Morningstars
Explore the rich history of the Morningstar family and their iconic Mountain Mills at Decew Falls in our new blog series, The Daily Grind.
They Said Canada Was… Part 2: That’s How It Came to Grow There
Explore the role of corn in 19th-century St. Catharines as culinary historian Abbey Stansfield uncovers the truths for Freedom Seekers.
Artifact of the Week: Edison Blue Amberol Wax Cylinder
This week’s artifact is a wax cylinder donated by a resident of St. Catharines. The cylinder contains an instrumental selection […]
Artifact of the Week: Bottle of J.D. Neelon Wine
This week’s artifact is a bottle of Pure Native Wine that was bottled and sold by J. D. Neelon of […]
Artifact of the Week: Christmas Tree Ornament
This week’s artifact is a handmade glass Christmas tree ornament that was made in Germany prior to the Second World […]
Museum Chat Live! Season 10 BONUS EPISODE: A Museum Panel Discussion on Spirit Walks
Just when you thought Museum Chat Live! was done for the year, we decided to send one more special episode […]
Museum Chat Live! E1010 – Supercut 3: Primary Sources
Throughout our celebration of season 10 we’ve put together a few “supercut” episodes looking back at some of our favourite moments and episodes. We revisited the series we put together about the history of the bridges of the Welland Canal, and we revisited the series about the Victorians called Victorian Tweets. On today’s last episode of season 10, we bring you a supercut compilation of our favourite instances where we used primary sources on the podcast.
Artifact of the Week: Merritton Centennial Glass
This week’s artifact is a glass mug commemorating the Centennial of Merritton’s incorporation as a village in 1874. 1975.9.2A Find […]
Artifact of the Week: Mitchell’s Old Irish Whisky Jug
This week’s artifact is a porcelain whisky jug likely dating to the late 19th or early 20th century. The whisky […]
Artifact of the Week: Walter Ostanek 8-Track Tape
This week’s artifact is a Walter Ostanek Band 8-track tape from 1971. Walter Ostanek is a popular St. Catharines-based accordion […]
People of the Parks Part 4: The Southeast
Click HERE for Part 1, HERE for Part 2, and HERE for Part 3 Welcome to our People of the Parks […]
Museum Chat Live! E1009 – A Niagara Christmas Carol: Fostering Community Connections Through History and Theatre
This podcast episode includes an interview with Foster Festival playwright and actor Jamie Williams and director Emily Oriold. Representing the […]
Artifact of the Week: St. Catharines Black Hawks Hockey Puck
This week’s artifact is a St. Catharines Black Hawks hockey puck from 1967-1972. The Black Hawks were a successful junior […]
People of the Parks Part 3: The Southwest
Click HERE for Part 1 and HERE for Part 2 Welcome to our People of the Parks blog series. This four-part […]
Artifact of the Week: Coal Bellows
This week’s artifact is a coal bellows from c.1875. This kind of implement was commonly used locally in the late […]
People of the Parks Part 2: The Northeast
Click HERE for Part 1 Welcome to our People of the Parks blog series. This four-part series is a companion to […]
Artifact of the Week: CSSRA Regatta Badge
This week’s artifact is a badge from the 1973 Canadian Secondary School Rowing Association Regatta. This event, also known as […]
History from Here: NS&T Lakeshore Division
From 1879 until 1950, St. Catharines, like most other cities in Ontario, was serviced by streetcars. With an increasingly urbanized […]
Artifact of the Week: UAW Local 199 Ribbon
This week’s artifact is a ribbon from U.A.W. 199 in St. Catharines. This is the General Motors union, which now […]
Museum Chat Live! E1008 – Hearing History: Bottle Cap
This podcast episode is in our Hearing History series, exploring local history through sound. Today’s sound comes from opening up an ice […]
Artifact of the Week: Mangle Machine
This week’s artifact is a mangle or wringer machine dating to the mid 19th century. This device was used to […]
Artifact of the Week: Nutmeg Grinder
This cast metal nutmeg grinder dates to the late 19th or earliest 20th centuries. It was used locally and is […]
Artifact of the Week: Brian Bellows Hockey Card
This week’s artifact is Brian Bellows hockey card from 1991, while he was playing for the Minnesota North Stars. Brian […]
History from Here: Barbican Heights Park
In the centuries before major European presence in this area, the primary residents of the Niagara Peninsula were the Neutrals. […]
Museum Chat Live! E1007 – Hearing History: Lakeside Park Carousel Band Organ
This podcast episode is in our Hearing History series, exploring local history through sound. Today’s sound comes from a musical […]
One Hour in the Past E806 – Pablum
It’s time for the big reveal. After an interesting discussion about pablum (ironic, we know), Adrian reveals the theme (and subthemes) that linked together the episodes of this season!
History from Here: Fairview Mall at 285 Geneva St.
In the years following the Second World War, North America was growing and evolving fast. New technologies, a baby boom, […]
Artifact of the Week: Sylvania Television Set
This week’s artifact is a Sylvania television set from 1953. 1987.111.1 Find more information and other artifacts like this one […]
14th Annual Guided Spirit Walks – Director’s Notes
Now in its 14th year, the annual Guided Spirit Walks at Victoria Lawn Cemetery are an excellent way to experience historical narrative lifted off the written page. It’s traditional (and sometimes required) for the writer/director to offer thoughts and perspective on the intentions and research behind the stories of the annual production.
One Hour in the Past E805 – The Wirephoto
In the most scientific episode since the infamous gyroscope episode in season 7, Kathleen and Adrian try to tackle the fascinating and very technical history of the wirephoto.
Know Your Neighbours – Delos White Beadle
In Canada, Delos White Beadle of St. Catharines, a prominent figure in horticulture and gardening, exemplified how legitimacy in horticulture became increasingly tied to institutional affiliation, publishing, and participation in formal associations.
Know Your Neighbours – Sidney Rose Badgley
The architect of Massey Hall in Toronto, Sidney Rose Badgley was born in 1850 in Ernest Township, Ontario near Kingston. As a young boy however, the family moved to St. Catharines. Badgley attended Grantham Academy on Church Street, a building that still stands today and is home to Bridges Niagara.
Artifact of the Week: Lunchbox
This week’s artifact is a metal lunchbox. which is similar to the ones used locally between the 1900s and 1940s. […]
One Hour in the Past E804 – The Electronic Wave Organ
Bet you didn’t know how an electronic organ works! Well, now you do! In another attempt at explaining science, Kathleen and Adrian explore the history of this impressive instrument, talk family electronic organs, and sports!
14th Annual Guided Spirit Walks – Historical Profiles
The challenge, which I always enjoy, is simultaneously selecting historic persons to include on the tour whose burials are located on an enjoyable walking tour route that also fit into the theme of that year’s tour, and whose life story can appropriately carry a relevant historical narrative.
Artifact of the Week: Box Making Machine
This week’s artifact is a box making machine from the Warren Bros. Ltd a knitting company that was based in […]
One Hour in the Past E803 – The Route Reference Computer
How does the mail get sorted? One of the first computerized and automated mail sorters was the Route Reference Computer. Despite its “state secret” level of confusing technical aspects, we learned a lot about the mail in this episode.