What Happened to the Old Canals? Part 3: The Dumping Ground

In part three of our blog series about the old canals, we look at how and why the old canals have been abandoned and slowly erased from the landscape.

What Happened to the Old Canals? Part 2: The Modern City

In part two of our blog series about what happened to the old canals, we look at the establishment of the modern city and its impatience for the old canals.

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.

Stories From the Front: St Catharines’ Wartime Sources Part Three

Within days of Canada declared war on Germany in 1914 the 19th Lincoln Regiment and the 44th Lincoln and Welland Regiment were placed on active duty. The men from these regiments were charged with protecting potential targets in Niagara including the hydroelectric sites, bridges, railways and the canal.

VMLS via Podcast – Lost and Forgotten: the Third Welland Canal

Today’s lecture explores the hidden history of the Third Welland Canal. As one of the first major infrastructure projects following Confederation, the canal was a huge success but today is mostly forgotten. Please enjoy “Lost and Forgotten: the Third Welland Canal” originally presented on October 27, 2020.

Narratives of Fugitive Slaves – Part 2

I have seen hundreds of escaped slaves, but I never saw one who was willing to go back and be a slave. I have no opportunity to see my friends in my native land. We would rather stay in our native land, if we could be as free there as we are here. I think slavery is the next thing to hell. If a person would end another into bondage, he would, it appears to me, be bad enough to send him into hell, if he could.

Know Your Neighbours Special Edition Pt. 8 – Lt. Col. William Hamilton Merritt IV, M.D.

  Lt. Col. William Hamilton Merritt (IV), M.D. (1865-1924) Lt. Col. William Hamilton Merritt, M.D., a native of St. Catharines, […]

Know Your Neighbours Special Edition Pt 6 – Emily Lena Merritt and Catharine Nina Merritt

Catharine Nina Merritt (left) and Emily Lena Merritt  (Wendy Young Collection 2001.134.30 and 2001.134.39) Catharine Nina Merritt (1859-1926) Catharine Nina and […]

Know Your Neighbours Special Edition Pt 5 – William Hamilton Merritt Jr.

William Hamilton Merritt Junior  (William Hamilton Merritt II) (1822-4860) William Hamilton Merritt Junior was the son of the Honourable William Hamilton […]

Know Your Neighbours Special Edition Pt 4 – The Merritt Family

  Jedediah Prendergast Merritt (1820-1900) Jedediah Prendergast Merritt was born on June 1st, 1820 in St. Catharines to parents; Honourable […]

Know Your Neighbours ~ Special Edition Pt 1: The Merritt Family

Get to know the personalities that built the City of St. Catharines. This Special edition of “Know Your Neighbours” features the Merritt family