This is part one of a four part series on the research, scripting, writing, and staging of the 15th annual Guided Spirit Walks at Victoria Lawn Cemetery.

Each year our annual Guided Spirit Walks feature a fresh, new script featuring original research. Sometimes familiar names make a return to the walks, especially when the script is set in an era similar to their previous appearance. The script for 2026 only has one historic person previously featured, however. This is especially remarkable considering the tour route through the cemetery is similar to the last few years, highlighting just how historic and important Victoria Lawn is to the story of our city.

In part one of this year’s accompany blog series we’re sharing character biographies and a few glimpses into the curation of the themes and messages of this year’s tour, which contribute to our attempt to offer a view of what folks were thinking and experiencing in the community on the eve of the incorporation of the City of St. Catharines in 1876.

Don’t miss our annual theatrical tours through Victoria Lawn Cemetery, September 10-12 and 17-19. Tickets and information are available on our website.

Sidney Rose Badgley, 1850-1917
Old Cemetery, Section B

Cast on this year’s walk as a young and up-and-coming architect, Badgley is full of optimism and excitement for the changing world around him.

Badgley will be portrayed by Brandon Wilton.

We learn much about the career of this influential architect through his obituary:

“Funeral of Late Mr. S.R. Badgley

The mortal remains of the late S.R. Badgley who passed away in Wickliffe, Ohio on Saturday were laid to rest at Victoria Lawn Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon. The funeral service was conducted at the home of Mr. A.W. Gilleland, Queenston street by the Rev. S.E. Marshall following which interment took place in Victoria Lawn Cemetery. The pall bearers were six nephews, A.W., J.R., F.B., C.T. Gilleland, C.H. Badgley and F. Watson. Many beautiful floral offerings spoke of the high esteem in which the deceased was held.

Mr. Badgley was an architect of high renown both in America and in this country. In Canada he drew the plans for many public buildings and churches in Toronto, St. Catharines, etc. In this city Mr. Badgley planned among other buildings the Public Library and the Welland Avenue Methodist Church. His high talent is reflected in the structural monuments of many beautiful churches and public buildings throughout America. He was the architect who drew the plans for Massey Hall, Toronto. His plans for the local public library were drawn free of charge, his commission being given to the city for the purpose of beautification, this was at the time when J.B. McIntyre was Mayor of the city, and this building was erected during the first term of the present Mayor.

Mr. H.A. Massey selected Mr. Badgley to design his gift music hall in Toronto after being associated with him in preparing the plans of the celebrated Euclid Avenue Methodist Church in Cleveland. Mr. Badgley gave his services free of charge on this occasion.

This music hall, constructed in 1894, is today not only the largest music hall in America but has as fine acoustic properties as any on either side of the continent.

The late Mr. Badgley married a sister of a former mayor of St. Catharines, Mr. Gilleland and Mr. Q.W. Gilleland from whose home the funeral was held is a nephew. C.H. Badgley of the Roman Stone Company, Toronto is a relative as is also Miss Helen Badgley, a talented elocutionist, now teaching in Vancouver and with whom many in this city and district are acquainted.”

The St. Catharines Standard, May 2, 1917, p. 5

You can learn more about Badgley in a dedicated blog post from 2025.

Cornelia Jane Cook Collier, 1838-1898
Old Cemetery, Section A

Wives of politicos and industrialists in this period are rarely recognized for the behind-the-scenes influences they exerted over their husbands. Emphasized by their disenfranchisement, their memories often suffer erasure from the historical record.

In the case of Conelia Jane Cook Collier, coming from an established family and marrying into another helped propel her to a place of respect in the community. Daughter of early settler and miller Moses Cook, she grew up at the corner of Queenston Street and Eastchester Avenue and their home was known as Westchester Place. She married Henry Haight Collier (1818-1895) who held several civic positions and in 1876 was water workers commissioner.

Her obituary reads:

“Mrs. Cornelia J. Collier, widow of the late H.H. Collier, died Friday evening after a long illness. She had been an invalid for the past 10 years, but until the last week or so was well as usual, and the past few days death has been expected. Mrs. Collier was the daughter of the late Moses Cook and was born in the neighborhood of St. Catharines 61 years ago. She resided here all her life and won the respect of all who knew her and they were many. She was quiet and unassuming in manner, and lived a devout Christian life, being a faithful member of St. Paul Street church for many years. She was a sister of Mrs. W.B. Gilleland and Mrs. E. Gardiner, and leaves one son, H.H. Collier, and one daughter, Mrs. G.F. Camp, to whom THE STAR extends its sympathy.”

The Evening Star (St. Catharines), July 9, 1898, P. 1

Thomas R. Brownlee, 1832-1905
Died and buried in Chicago, Illinois

Thomas R. Brownlee was a member of the prominent local merchant family. He was a town reeve for at least 13 years. He and Calvin Brown were the only ones to stand for election of mayor in 1876. Brown had been leading the incorporation effort and so likely had more connections and name recognition. Brownlee was also in favour of the effort but felt that there were too many lawyers as members of council and desired a council more representative of the public. Almost all the members of the Brownlee family are buried at Victoria Lawn, including his father, mother, and brothers. Late in life he moved to Chicago to be close to his sons, where he died and is buried.

His obituary reads:

“BROWNLEE-In Chicago, on Saturday, Nov. 25^th, 1905, at 10 o’clock a.m., T.R. Brownlee, formerly or this city.

Funeral will take place in Chicago on Tuesday.

Word has been received in the city of the death of T.R. Brownlee and of W.H. Cordick, of this city. Mr. Brownlee was an old resident of St. Catharines and for many years carried on a grocery business at the junction of St. Paul and Queenston streets. At one time he was a member of the city council and, when St. Catharines was incorporated as a city, he ran against the late Calvin Brown for the honor of being the first mayor but was defeated. Mr. Brownlee left here about eight years ago to join his sons in Chicago. Not only was he foremost in the civic affairs, but by his many acts of kindness made many friends, who will regret to learn of his demise.”

We’re looking forward to sharing more about the historic persons included on this year’s annual Guided Spirit Walks at Victoria Lawn Cemetery as we approach the performances this September. For more information and tickets, please visit our website.

Adrian Petry is a public historian, Visitor Services Coordinator for the St. Catharines Museum, and is the writer and director of the annual Guided Spirit Walks.