In this 3-episode series, host Sean Dineley lets a sampling of long-time St. Catharines residents do most of the talking. […]
Grab a Plate: Food Traditions in the St. Catharines Black Community
This year’s four-part Black History Month blog series is all about community. In previous blogs we have often focused on […]
VMLS via Podcast – The Daily Grind: Records of Freedom Seekers in St. Catharines
On today’s episode of VMLS via Podcast we’re sharing the history of early black residents of St. Catharines with a lecture titled: ‘The Daily Grind: The Records of Freedom Seekers in St. Catharines’ presented by Abbey Stansfield. This lecture was originally recorded on February 1, 2022.
The Sound of a Community II: Blues and Jazz in St. Catharines
This year’s four-part Black History Month blog series is all about community. In previous blogs we have often focused on […]
The Sound of a Community: Plantation Songs and Spiritual Music in St. Catharines
This year’s four-part Black History Month blog series is all about community. In previous blogs we have often focused on […]
History from Here: Burgoyne House at 15 Trafalgar Street
From town founders to politicians, from community to carpentry, and from brewers to Burgoynes, this classically designed brick home near […]
VMLS via Podcast – Upper Canada’s Black Defenders take on Niagara’s Wild West
On today’s episode of VMLS via Podcast we’re sharing about the Coloured Corps and the construction of the Second Welland Canal with a lecture presented by yours truly titled “Upper Canada’s Black Defenders take on Niagara’s Wild West.” This lecture was originally presented on February 15, 2022.
Artifact of the Week: Folk Arts Festival Button
This week’s artifact is a Folk Arts Festival button. This festival has been run in St. Catharines since 1969, making […]
Who Can Play? A History of Sports in St. Catharines’ Black Community
This year’s four-part Black History Month blog series is all about community. In previous blogs we have often focused on […]
Artifact of the Week: Welland House Table Knife
This week’s artifact is a table knife from the Welland House Hotel. The knife was made by the McClashan-Clarke Co. […]
Museum Chat Live! E901 – Finding Home: Tales from the StoryLab 1
In this 3-episode series, host Sean Dineley lets a sampling of long-time St. Catharines residents do most of the talking. […]
VMLS via Podcast – When the World Changed
On today’s episode of VMLS via Podcast we’re sharing the exciting story of the First World War as it looked to the residents in St. Catharines with a lecture given by our curator Kathleen Powell titled ‘When the World Changed.” This lecture was originally recorded on December 1, 2021.
Artifact of the Week: Chamber Pot
This week’s artifact is an ironstone china chamber pot used locally around the turn of the 20th century. With privies […]
Artifact of the Week: Wooden Drafting Table
This week’s artifact is a wooden drafting table that was used at the Riordon Paper Mill in Merritton before 1921. […]
VMLS via Podcast – Woe be to the Malefactors
On today’s episode of VMLS via Podcast we’re sharing the fascinating story of early St. Catharines with a lecture titled: “Woe be to the malefactors” presented by our friend, historian, and chair of the City’s Heritage Advisory Committee Brian Narhi. This lecture was originally recorded on November 2, 2021.
Artifact of the Week: McMahon Farm Grain Bagger
This week’s artifact is a grain bagger from the McMahon family farm in Port Dalhousie. Once a prominent dairy farm […]
Artifact of the Week: Browder Life Saving Machine
This week’s artifact is a life saving net used by the St. Catharines Fire Department from 1930-1960. This device was […]
Artifact of the Week: Christmas Tree Ornament
This week’s artifact is a c. 1950 blown glass Christmas tree ornament. The ornament was donated to the museum by […]
Artifact of the Week: Coffee Grinder
This week’s artifact is a hand-powered coffee grinder that was donated to the museum in 1967, its opening year, by […]
Artifact of the Week: 1969-70 Ontario Driver’s Handbook
This week’s artifact is a 1969-70 Ontario Driver’s Handbook. This was part of a package given to visitors during the […]
Artifact of the Week: Cream Separator
This week’s artifact is an Eskilstuna cream separator. This model was sold by Eatons around 1900. Cream separators use centrifugal […]
Neutral Niagara: Indigenous Pasts and Presents in St. Catharines
Part 3 of 3 Click here for Part 1 or Click here for Part 2 Toward the Present By the […]
Artifact of the Week: Carpet Stretcher and Tacker
This week’s artifact is a carpet stretcher and tacker used locally around the turn of the 20th century. L1967.129.3 Find […]
Neutral Niagara: Indigenous Pasts and Presents in St. Catharines
Part 2 of 3 Click here for Part 1 or Click here for Part 3 The Neutrals and Barbican Heights […]
Artifact of the Week: Avondale Dairy Crate
This week’s artifact is a milk crate from Avondale Dairy Ltd. dating to around 1940. Avondale started in 1931 as […]
Neutral Niagara: Indigenous Pasts and Presents in St. Catharines
Part 1 of 3 Discussing the Indigenous history of St. Catharines and the Niagara Region can be a particularly challenging […]
Artifact of the Week: Stoneware Wine Jug
This week’s artifact is a stoneware wine jug from the Ontario Grape and Wine Manufacturing Company. Later called Barnes Wines, […]
Artifact of the Week: Taylor and Bate Glass Ladle
This week’s artifact is a ladle used by the Taylor and Bate brewmaster to check beer clarity. Taylor and Bate […]
Artifact of the Week: Northumberland Steamship Whistle
This week’s artifact is a whistle from the steamship Northumberland which was built in 1891 and served as a passenger […]
History from Here: Garden City Arena
From proposal to fundraising to contracts to construction and completion all in about a year! In 1937, the people of […]
Artifact of the Week: Victory Loan Flag
This week’s artifact is a flag awarded to the County of Lincoln in 1918 for raising over $6,000,000 in Victory […]
Artifact of the Week: McKinnon Macettes Softball Uniform
This week’s artifact is Baseball uniform worn by the donor when she played centre field for the Macett’s Jr. Team […]
History from Here: Montebello Park
In the late 19th century, industrialization, labour movements, and a shift toward urban living meant a lot more free time […]
One Hour in the Past E606 – Murder Mysteries
On today’s episode of One Hour in the Past, Kathleen and Adrian take a deep dive into the world of literary murder mysteries, with lots of pop-culture pit stops along the way. Join us for a fascinating discussion on topics from the Queen of Mystery to board games and local murder mysteries.
One Hour in the Past E605 – Self-Published Materials
This episode is perfect for the pamphleteers of the 18th century to the bloggers and YouTubers of today. Kathleen and Adrian explore the fascinating democratization of publishing with an episode about self-published materials.
Another Successful Year for Guided Spirit Walks
We are so thankful to our audiences and our volunteers for another very successful Guided Spirit Walk season at Victoria Lawn Cemetery. The walks bring history to life through theatrical performances based on the histories of the folks who made an important mark in our city. Thank you also to the many folks who reached out with kind comments of enjoyment and enthusiasm! We appreciate it!
Artifact of the Week: “Hess” Pitchfork
This week’s artifact is a pitchfork manufactured by the Welland Vale Manufacturing Company in St. Catharines. It was used by […]
Museum Chat Live! E803 – Hearing History: Accordion Music
This episode is another sonic journey in our Hearing History series, taking full advantage of the podcast format by exploring […]
One Hour in the Past E604 – Science Fiction
Cue the trumpet fanfare from your favourite Hollywood sci-fi flick! On this week’s episode of One Hour in the Past, Kathleen and Adrian explore the fascinating pop-history of science fiction.
Artifact of the Week: Welland Vale Axe Head
This week’s artifact is an axe head manufactured by Welland Vale Manufacturing Company in St. Catharines, C. 1930 1986.133.1 Find […]