This week’s artifact is a wooden darning egg from the early 20th century. This tool is used in the process […]
Artifact of the Week: Walker’s Headache Pill Container
This week’s artifact is a container for headache and pain tablets produced by the J.N. Walker Medicine Co. in St. […]
Artifact of the Week: Propeller-Shaped Novelty Pen
This week’s artifact is propeller-shaped novelty pen associated with Canada Steamship Lines. 2004.13.78 Find more information and other artifacts like […]
History from Here: Wellington Hotel at 15 Lock Street
Situated on a natural harbour at the mouth of Twelve Mile Creek, Port Dalhousie has been a hub of maritime […]
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.
Museum Chat Live! E904 – Hearing History: The Slap Shot
This episode is another journey in our Hearing History series, taking full advantage of the podcast format by exploring local history through […]
Artifact of the Week: Wooden Gavel
This gavel was made from wood from the HMS Victory, Horatio Nelson’s flagship during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. […]
History from Here: Power Glen
Unique geography has attracted engineering minds to the southwestern portion of what is now St. Catharines since the early days […]
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.
Museum Chat Live! E903 – Equatorial Emigrants: Tales from the StoryLab 3
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 – 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.
Artifact of the Week: Candy Mould and Cutter
This week’s artifact is a candy mould and cutter that came from Yurchuk Candies of St. Catharines. Yurchuk’s operated from […]
History from Here: The Castle Knightclub
When rock music was in its infancy in the 1960s, the youth of St. Catharines were ready. With a recently […]
Artifact of the Week: Wedding Card
This week’s artifact is a congratulatory card sent to Elizabeth Fraser and Albert Anderson for their wedding on February 19th, […]
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.
Artifact of the Week: Framed Embroidery
This week’s artifact is a piece of handmade floral embroidery. It was made by Jennie Lyons of St. Catharines c. […]
Museum Chat Live! E902 – Via Paraguay: Tales from the StoryLab 2
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. […]
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 […]