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 […]
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 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 […]
History from Here: St. Catharines Collegiate
In the 100 years since William Hamilton Merritt set up his first mill, St. Catharines was on its fourth canal […]
2023 Guided Spirit Walks – Meet Your Guide: Jane
The annual Guided Spirit Walks are back again this September and we’re excited to share the profiles of the historic people included this year, and our wonderful cast of volunteer performers who will portray them.
Artifact of the Week: Stan Mikita Hockey Stick
This week’s artifact is a commemorative hockey stick signed by Stan Mikita. Mikita grew up in St. Catharines and played […]
One Hour in the Past E603 – Newspapers
Extra, extra! On today’s episode of One Hour in the Past Kathleen and Adrian discuss the transitional and ever-changing nature of news media and the conservator’s nightmare: newsprint/paper!
Art in St. Catharines: The Merritt Family
While the Merritt family is revered for their contribution to the building of the canal, their relationship to the artistic […]
Artifact of the Week: Goffering Iron
This week’s artifact is a goffering iron from the second half of the 19th century. Also called a fluting iron […]
2023 Guided Spirit Walks – Dr. Chauncey Beadle
The annual Guided Spirit Walks are back again this September and we’re excited to share the profiles of the historic people included this year, and our wonderful cast of volunteer performers who will portray them.
Artifact of the Week: White Military Gloves
This week’s artifact is a pair of white gloves which belonged to Gerald Steele and were used with his Royal […]
One Hour in the Past E602 – Superheroes and Comic Books
On today’s episode of One Hour in the Past, Kathleen and Adrian explore the moon-booted-history of Superheroes and Comic Books!
2023 Guided Spirit Walks – Alpheus St. John
Our spirit walks often employ a few fictional characters to help advance plot or narrative and to help other characters along. Especially when we get a lot of volunteer interest, we can have a bit more fun with larger scenes, more dialogue, and more interesting characters. We’re so pleased to have some local students join us as the fictional granddaughters of Alpheus St. John. In their scene, they are particularly curious about figuring out the history of the name of St. Catharines!
Artifact of the Week: Boy Scout Uniform Shirt, 1948-1953
This week’s artifact is a Boy Scout uniform shirt which belonged to Bill Sinnett. In his youth, he was a […]
2023 Guided Spirit Walks – Elias Smith Adams and Susan Merritt
The annual Guided Spirit Walks are back again this September and we’re excited to share the profiles of the historic people included this year, and our wonderful cast of volunteer actors who will portray them.
For our next character/actor profiles, we meet Elias Smith Adams and Susan Merritt portrayed by Des Corran and Brenda Schultz.
Artifact of the Week: Firefighter’s Speaking Trumpet
This week’s artifact is a speaking trumpet from the St. Catharines Fire Department c. 1881. These devices were used to […]
One Hour in the Past E601 – Dictionaries
On today’s episode of One Hour in the Past Kathleen and Adrian discuss the simultaneously boring and cool history of dictionaries.
2023 Guided Spirit Walks – George Rykert
Fictional settlers, (representing real opinions from historical sources) Abigail MacDonald, Jessie Frey, and Sarah Bryan have a bone to pick with Rykert after his town plan is laid out in the most awkward and disadvantageous ways. The scene unfolds quickly into familiar rants about road quality, property development, and the beginnings of urban settlement in our town.
Artifact of the Week: W. Bell & Co. Organ
This week’s artifact is a W. Bell and Co. organ patented on February 24, 1887. This organ was made in […]
VMLS via Podcast – Home Sweet Home
On today’s episode of VMLS via Podcast we’re sharing a lecture about urban development in St. Catharines – a long and storied tale. This lecture was originally presented on November 16, 2021 by Sara Nixon.
2023 Guided Spirit Walks – Gertrude Yale
The annual Guided Spirit Walks are back again this September and we’re excited to share the profiles of the historic people included this year, and our wonderful cast of volunteer actors who will portray them.
For our first character/actor profile, we welcome back Gertrude Yale, played by Amanda Balyk.
Artifact of the Week: 1958 Minor Baseball Crest
This Canadian Legion (H.T. Church Branch) badge recognizes the 1958 minor baseball all stars. 2011.20.5 Find more information and other […]
Museum Chat Live! E802 – Why Does History Change? A Perspective on the Evolution of Museums
In this episode of Museum Chat Live! Sean discusses the history of museums since the late 1700s. He delves into […]
Artifact of the Week: Silverwood Quart Milk Bottle
This week’s artifact is a 1-quart glass milk bottle from Silverwood Dairy. Silverwood operated a plant in St. Catharines from […]
VMLS via Podcast – Canada’s Game in the Garden City
On today’s episode of VMLS via Podcast our Visitor Services Coordinator Adrian Petry gives a lecture about the rich and exciting history of hockey in our city. Hear stories from the early days of pick-up on a frozen Welland Canal to Stan Mikita and the big-league games here at the Garden City Arena.
Artifact of the Week: Festival Wine Glass
This week’s artifact is a wine glass from the 1976 Niagara Grape and Wine Festival in St. Catharines. The annual […]
