February 16, 2020stcmuseum

Remembering Tom Hopkins

The St. Catharines Museum & Welland Canals Centre is mourning the loss of a wonderful and dedicated volunteer, Tom Hopkins. Tom passed away on Thursday, February 6, and will be greatly missed by everyone here at the Museum.

Tom was a regular volunteer docent at the St. Catharines Museum.

Tom was a great storyteller and could always be found in the Museum Galleries or on the Viewing Platform sharing stories of local history with our visitors. Tom was a lifelong musician, and he was especially enthusiastic about the vibrant music history here in the City as well as the memories he has here as a young adult.

As a tribute to Tom, we would like to share sound clips of two of the many stories he loved to tell here at the Museum. Tom contributed these stories as part of our People and Places Exhibition Audio Guide in 2018.

Hanging out at the Russell House

A decorative lintel and lug sill from the Russell House was on display as part of the 2018 People and Places exhibition. STCM 1998.90.13.
The old Russel House Hotel Sign is on permanent display at the St. Catharines Museum. The sign and building is pictured here in 1994, shortly before being demolished. STCM S1994.2.25.28.
The Russel House Hotel. STCM T2003.2.4.

The Music Scene at the Queen Street Y.M.C.A

Front of the old Y.M.C.A / Y.W.C.A building on Queen St., 1937. STCM S1937.98.7.1.
The old Y.M.C.A / Y.W.C.A sign that once hung on the Queen Street building, on display at the St. Catharines Museum’s “People and Places” exhibition in 2018. STCM X2010.14.1.

Thank you Tom, for all that you have shared with us here at the St. Catharines Museum. We miss you greatly!

Sara Nixon is a public historian and Public Programmer at the St. Catharines Museum & Welland Canals Centre.

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