Explore the crucial role of kitchen gardens for Freedom Seekers in 19th-century St. Catharines, as they overcame myths about Canada.
They Said Canada Was… Part 2: That’s How It Came to Grow There
Explore the role of corn in 19th-century St. Catharines as culinary historian Abbey Stansfield uncovers the truths for Freedom Seekers.
Artifact of the Week: Edison Blue Amberol Wax Cylinder
This week’s artifact is a wax cylinder donated by a resident of St. Catharines. The cylinder contains an instrumental selection […]
Artifact of the Week: Bottle of J.D. Neelon Wine
This week’s artifact is a bottle of Pure Native Wine that was bottled and sold by J. D. Neelon of […]
Artifact of the Week: Christmas Tree Ornament
This week’s artifact is a handmade glass Christmas tree ornament that was made in Germany prior to the Second World […]
Museum Chat Live! Season 10 BONUS EPISODE: A Museum Panel Discussion on Spirit Walks
Just when you thought Museum Chat Live! was done for the year, we decided to send one more special episode […]
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.
Artifact of the Week: Merritton Centennial Glass
This week’s artifact is a glass mug commemorating the Centennial of Merritton’s incorporation as a village in 1874. 1975.9.2A Find […]
Artifact of the Week: Mitchell’s Old Irish Whisky Jug
This week’s artifact is a porcelain whisky jug likely dating to the late 19th or early 20th century. The whisky […]
Artifact of the Week: Walter Ostanek 8-Track Tape
This week’s artifact is a Walter Ostanek Band 8-track tape from 1971. Walter Ostanek is a popular St. Catharines-based accordion […]
People of the Parks Part 4: The Southeast
Click HERE for Part 1, HERE for Part 2, and HERE for Part 3 Welcome to our People of the Parks […]
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 […]
People of the Parks Part 3: The Southwest
Click HERE for Part 1 and HERE for Part 2 Welcome to our People of the Parks blog series. This four-part […]
Artifact of the Week: Coal Bellows
This week’s artifact is a coal bellows from c.1875. This kind of implement was commonly used locally in the late […]
People of the Parks Part 2: The Northeast
Click HERE for Part 1 Welcome to our People of the Parks blog series. This four-part series is a companion to […]
Artifact of the Week: CSSRA Regatta Badge
This week’s artifact is a badge from the 1973 Canadian Secondary School Rowing Association Regatta. This event, also known as […]
People of the Parks Part 1: The Northwest
Welcome to our People of the Parks blog series. This four-part series is a companion to “You are Here,” our temporary exhibit […]
Artifact of the Week: UAW Local 199 Ribbon
This week’s artifact is a ribbon from U.A.W. 199 in St. Catharines. This is the General Motors union, which now […]
Museum Chat Live! E1008 – Hearing History: Bottle Cap
This podcast episode is in our Hearing History series, exploring local history through sound. Today’s sound comes from opening up an ice […]
Artifact of the Week: Mangle Machine
This week’s artifact is a mangle or wringer machine dating to the mid 19th century. This device was used to […]
Artifact of the Week: Nutmeg Grinder
This cast metal nutmeg grinder dates to the late 19th or earliest 20th centuries. It was used locally and is […]
Artifact of the Week: Brian Bellows Hockey Card
This week’s artifact is Brian Bellows hockey card from 1991, while he was playing for the Minnesota North Stars. Brian […]
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!
14th Annual Guided Spirit Walks – Director’s Notes
Now in its 14th year, the annual Guided Spirit Walks at Victoria Lawn Cemetery are an excellent way to experience historical narrative lifted off the written page. It’s traditional (and sometimes required) for the writer/director to offer thoughts and perspective on the intentions and research behind the stories of the annual production.
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.
Artifact of the Week: Lunchbox
This week’s artifact is a metal lunchbox. which is similar to the ones used locally between the 1900s and 1940s. […]
14th Annual Guided Spirit Walks – Historical Profiles
The challenge, which I always enjoy, is simultaneously selecting historic persons to include on the tour whose burials are located on an enjoyable walking tour route that also fit into the theme of that year’s tour, and whose life story can appropriately carry a relevant historical narrative.
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!
Artifact of the Week: Decorative Ceramic Iron
This week’s artifact is a ceramic iron that was likely used as a decorative storage container. The item is undated […]
Food, Glorious Food! Part 7: Calla Lillies
Things are about to become a whole lot sweeter with Part 7: Calla Lillies, written and baked by Curator Kathleen Powell.
Artifact of the Week: Doultons Improved Foot Warmer
This week’s artifact is an early 20th-century stoneware foot warmer. This item was made in London and sold through the […]
Museum Chat Live! E1003 – Supercut 1: Canal Crossings
Throughout our 10th season, we will be including several “supercut” episodes which revisit clips from some of favourite episodes, themes, […]
History from Here: St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church at 49 Carlton St.
The area around Ontario and Carlton Streets is probably most remembered for McKinnon Industries and St. Catharines’ first General Motors […]
Artifact of the Week: Soap and Tray
This week’s artifact is a late 19th to early 20th century soap dish including a partial bar of soap. At […]
Food, Glorious Food! Part 6: Wartime Cake
In this edition of Food, Glorious Food, we’re back with another sweet treat: Wartime Cake, written and baked by Curator Kathleen Powell.