Museum Chat Live! E1101 – Hearing History: Steam Whistle

On this episode of Museum Chat Live!, host Sean embarks on another sonic journey through time in the Hearing History series. This time, it’s all about the steam whistle. Find out where this unique sound-making device came from and what role it has played in the history and culture of St. Catharines.

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.

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 […]

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!

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.

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!

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.

One Hour in the Past E802 – The Electric Powered Wheelchair

On this episode we’re explore the important history of the electric powered wheelchair, and our research takes us through the history and importance of mobility aids today.

One Hour in the Past E801 – The Egg Carton

We’re cracking open season 8 of One Hour in the Past with the history of the egg carton. The episode is filled with a surprising amount of unintended egg puns and lots of egg-sellent history. Enjoy the episode!

Museum Chat Live! E1006 – Supercut 2: Victorian Tweets

Enjoy this look back on our Season 6 3-part miniseries about the Victorians which was produced during the run of our temporary exhibition Victorian Tweets.

Museum Chat Live! E1005 – Food, Glorious Food Blog Series Wrap-up

On this episode of Museum Chat Live! we’re chatting local food history and baking as we wrap up our (now beloved) Food, Glorious Food Blog Series. The series was a chance for Abbey Stansfield (public programmer) and Kathleen Powell (curator) to explore local food history by baking through historic recipes in our collection. This bake-off was a way to explore food history in a first-hand way and draw attention to our temporary exhibit of the same name, on display at the Museum through the autumn of this year. Listen in for a chat about food history, writing a blog series together, challenges in baking historic recipes, the things we learned, and most importantly: our favourite desserts!

Museum Chat Live! E1004 – Beyond These Walls: Interpreting History Out in the Community

E1004 On this episode of Museum Chat Live! Sean discusses trends in museum outreach programming. He explores how museum interpretation […]

Museum Chat Live! E1002 – Hearing History: Film Projectors

This podcast episode is in our Hearing History series, exploring local history through sound. Today’s sound is the film projector, which has […]

Museum Chat Live! E906 – Merritt’s Speech, November 30th, 1824

Today’s episode of Museum Chat Live! brings a reading of an excerpt of Merritt’s speech from 200 years ago to our ears. Edited and read by museum volunteer Des Corran, you can hear the optimism with which Merritt would cling to over some very challenging years of construction ahead.

VMLS via Podcast – Unearthing Niagara’s Industrial History

On today’s episode we’re sharing to provide a lecture presented on December 13, 2022 which provided an update on her work at the Shickluna Shipyard archaeological dig.

VMLS via Podcast – Ponderous Fraus, Mynheers, and Jaded Farm Horses

On today’s episode we’re sharing “Ponderous Fraus, Mynheers, and Jaded Farm Horses, or Early St. Catharines Before the First Welland Canal” with special guest Brian Narhi.

One Hour in the Past E706 – The Machine Gun

On this episode of One Hour in the Past, Kathleen and Adrian explore the scientifically complicated history of the machine gun and its remarkable and terrible impact in 19th and 20th century warfare. Also: it’s the season finale and the mystery theme linking all of this season’s episodes is revealed!

One Hour in the Past E705 – Sewing Machines

On this episode of One Hour in the Past, Kathleen and Adrian explore the local history of sewing machine manufacturing, a patent war, and the pivotal role of the lock stitch!

One Hour in the Past E704 – Plastics

They said they weren’t a science podcast, but Kathleen and Adrian are back with some more fascinating science-based historical research into the history of plastics. Specially on this episode: how not to pronounce “phthalate.”

VMLS via Podcast – Queenston: A Working Neighbourhood

On today’s episode we’re sharing “Queenston: A Working Neighbourhood” presented by special guest Paul Miller, minister of Westminster United Church.

VMLS via Podcast

On today’s episode we’re sharing “Discovering Niagara’s Freedom Trail” with special guest Rochelle Bush. Special Guest Rochelle Bush, trustee and historian of Salem Chapel, British Methodist Episcopal Church National Historic Site and proprietor of Tubman Tours Canada, will speak about Niagara’s Freedom Trail – the loosely connected network of important heritage sites, museums, and other historical places connected to the story of freedom and the Underground Railroad throughout Niagara.

One Hour in the Past E702 – Gyroscopes

On this episode of One Hour in the Past, Kathleen and Adrian try to muster all their brainpower to tackle the interesting yet complex history (and functions) of the gyroscope. Science!

VMLS via Podcast – One Dish, One History

On today’s episode we’re sharing One Dish, One History: There Were People Here Before 1876 with special guest Karl Dockstader. Radio host, and of the Oneida bear clan Centre Karl Dockstader will walk us through a part of Niagara history that is underexplored. We’ll talk about the friendships and agreements that formed to make settler people living here in Niagara possible and how that friendship may need to be rekindled to keep Niagara viable.

Museum Chat Live! E905 – Hearing History: Internal Combustion Engine

This episode is in our Hearing History series, taking full advantage of the podcast format by exploring local history through sound. Today’s […]

VMLS via Podcast – Emancipation Day

On today’s episode we’re sharing a very special lecture presented by Dr. Natasha Henry-Dixon, president of the Ontario Black History Society, and the topic expert on Emancipation Day.

VMLS via Podcast – The Indigenous Underground Railroad

On today’s episode of VMLS via Podcast we’re sharing a lecture titled “The Indigenous Underground Railroad” with special guest Dr. Roy Finkenbine, professor of history and Director of the Black Abolitionist Archive at the University of Detroit Mercy. This lecture was originally recorded on April 26, 2022.

VMLS via Podcast – Return to Civvy Street and Postwar St. Catharines

On today’s episode of VMLS via Podcast we’re sharing a lecture titled Return to “Civvy” Street: Postwar St. Catharines originally presented in March, 2022 by Sara Nixon.

VMLS via Podcast – From Anatevka to St. Catharines: the History of the Jewish Community in St. Catharines

On today’s episode of VMLS via Podcast we’re sharing a lecture titled From Anatevka to St. Catharines: the Early Years of the Spiritual Home of the Jewish Community, presented by special guest Howard Slepkov. This lecture was originally recorded on March 1, 2022.