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: 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 […]
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: 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 […]
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 […]
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.