On today’s episode of VMLS via Podcast we’ll hear a presentation from our own Sara Nixon with her lecture titled ‘A Model City: the 1913 St. Catharines Board of Trade Yearbook’. The lecture was originally recorded on May 11, 2021.
Museum Chat Live! E705 – Heritage Advocacy
On this episode of Museum Chat Live!, we discuss what heritage advocacy looks like on the local level, on the ground and at the grassroots. To help us navigate the many layers to identifying, protecting, and enhancing community heritage, we’ve invite Andrew Humeniuk onto the podcast. Andrew is a member of the the St. Catharines Heritage Advisory Committee and Executive Director of The Brown Homestead here in St. Catharines.
Stories From the Front: St Catharines’ Wartime Sources Part Four
John D. Hills was taken prisoner of war by the Germans after the raid at Dieppe in 1942. He remained a prisoner until his liberation in 1945.
VMLS via Podcast – The Fight for History with Dr. Tim Cook
On today’s episode of VMLS via Podcast we’ll hear from war historian and author Dr. Tim Cook. Tim’s book ‘The Fight for History’ looks at the significance of remembering the Second World War. This lecture was originally presented on April 27, 2021.
Stories From the Front: St Catharines’ Wartime Sources Part Three
Within days of Canada declared war on Germany in 1914 the 19th Lincoln Regiment and the 44th Lincoln and Welland Regiment were placed on active duty. The men from these regiments were charged with protecting potential targets in Niagara including the hydroelectric sites, bridges, railways and the canal.
Museum Classroom: William Hamilton Merritt Biography
Explore the history and narrative of William Hamilton Merritt and his involvement with the Welland Canals through this interactive biography activity.
Stories from the Front: St Catharines’ Wartime Sources Part Two
ohn “Jack” Hardy transcribed his diaries after the war to ensure that his experience fighting in Europe wasn’t lost.
VMLS via Podcast – The General: A Symposium with the Brock University Historical Society.
Today’s lecture, is a bit different. We were happy to host the students of the Brock University Historical Society in symposium on the series on April 13, 2021. You’ll hear lots of different voices and stories on this episode. For more information on the work of the Brock University Historical Society, please visit their Facebook page: facebook.com/brockhistoricalsociety.
VMLS via Podcast – Historic Welland Canals Mapping Project
Today’s lecture, originally presented on March 30, 2021, was presented by special guest Colleen Beard, map librarian emeritus at Brock University. Colleen’s Historic Welland Canals Mapping Project has mapped the routes of the three early Welland Canals and her presentation takes us through her website.
One Hour in the Past E506 – Museums
On this final episode of One Hour in the Past’s 5th season, Kathleen and Adrian take a deep dive – and one that is quite meta – into the history of Museums.
History from Here: Protestant Home of St. Catharines
An organization established and led by women. A charitable cause once considered “one of the worthiest among all the philanthropies in of the city.” An orphanage that served as a place of refuge, care, and comfort for children in need.
On this episode of History from Here, your host Sara takes you to the former site of the Protestant Home of St. Catharines on Ontario Street.
Museum Classroom: Careers on Land and Sea (Intermediate)
Explore the various careers of the Welland Canals on land and sea for grades 3-8. Understand the importance of each career through interactive activities and how each career helps support Welland Canal operations.
Museum Chat Live! E703- Cemeteries and Historic Interpretation
On this episode of Museum Chat Live!, co-hosts Abbey and Sara look at the development and evolution of the museum’s Guided Spirit walks over the past 11 years. To help us understand the Museum’s Spirit Walk journey, we speak to Adrian Petry, Visitor Services Coordinator at the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre. We also sit down with Guided Spirit Walk actors Ian Ashman and Kathie Leblanc to discover what is like to portray local historical figures and the impact Guided Spirit Walks has on the community.
One Hour in the Past E504 – Extreme Weather
On this episode of One Hour in the Past, Kathleen and Adrian explore the history of extreme weather and whether a tornado can move a 110 ton dinosaur.
One Hour in the Past E504 – Elections
On this episode of One Hour in the Past, Kathleen and Adrian explore the history of elections, with some interesting rabbit-hole discussions of the Chief Electoral Officer and campaign posters.
Behind the Scenes with Museum Kids- Why we chose Soapbox Derby as our Summer Edition theme
he local chapter of the St. Catharines All-American Soap Box Derby originally intended to provide mentorship for local youngsters and encourage community participation. The races very quickly became a staple activity of growing up in St. Catharines. Every year, beginning in 1947, youngsters would race to sign up for the race in the early months of the year.
One Hour in the Past E503 – Electric Vehicles
On this episode of One Hour in the Past, Kathleen and Adrian explore the history of electric vehicles.
Tapping into Spiritualism in the 2022 Guided Spirit Walks
This year’s Guided Spirit Walks at Victoria Lawn Cemetery roar loudly into the tumultuous era of the 1920s. The spirits on this year’s tour come from all walks of life; we hear from new immigrants arriving to St. Catharines to work on the construction of the Welland Ship Canal, a wealthy female philanthropist, an architectural visionary, a grieving widow, a proud wife, an unstoppable industrialist, and a journalist with a guilty conscience. While each may have little in common, the spirits are brought together, and connect to the audience, through our guide, the renowned spiritualist Jenny O’Hara Pincock.
One Hour in the Past E502 – Computers and Cell Phones
On this episode of One Hour in the Past, Kathleen and Adrian explore the history of computers and cell Phones and with just one hour for their research, end up in some very strange places.
One Hour in the Past E501 – Summer Music Festivals
On this episode of One Hour in the Past, Kathleen and Adrian explore the history of summer music festivals and their research led them to some unexpected places.
Museum Classroom: Knot Tying
Learn about the various types of knots that are used on the ships that pass through the Welland Canals through this interactive knot tying activity.
History from Here: Silver Spire United Church
On this episode of History from Here, Public Programmer Sara Nixon takes you to Silver Spire United Church, located in downtown St. Catharines, Ontario.
Enduring as the first Methodist congregation in St. Catharines. Surviving two devastating fires separated by almost a century. Continually adapting to serve the needs of its community. Silver Spire United Church has long stood tall in the face of devastation and transformation.
Museum Classroom: Flag Semaphore
Explore the various forms of communication through this interactive nautical activity that focuses on non-verbal communication.
VMLS via Podcast: Myths of the Underground Railroad
Today’s lecture, originally presented in February 2021, features public programmer Sara Nixon with a lecture about the most prevalent and persistent myths about the Underground Railroad.
VMLS vis Podcast – Visiting Abolitionists
Today’s lecture features very special guest, local historian, and trustee of the Salem Chapel, BME Church Rochelle Bush. Rochelle discusses how St. Catharines became a hub of abolitionist activity in the 1850s and 60s, and the famous names to visited St. Catharines to do their important work.
Museum Chat Live! E702 – Social Media, Museums & History-Telling
On this episode of Museum Chat Live!, co-hosts Abbey and Sara look at the ways social media platforms like Facebook are changing the way we access, understand and learn about history. We consider the relationship between social media, history-telling, and museums. To help us understand the role social media has played in shaping how we consume history, we speak to Chris Barany – founder and administrator of the Vintage St. Catharines Facebook group. We’ll chat with Chris about the intricacies of running a community-driven, history-focused Facebook.
History from Here: St. Catharines City Hall
Built in the midst of the Great Depression. Designed for a hopeful future of an ever-growing city. St. Catharines City Hall is a symbol of civic pride, modernism, and progress. Watch to learn the fascinating history of this municipal building.
Museum Classroom: Cargo on the Welland Canal (Intermediate)
Explore and learn about the various cargo materials that are shipped through the Welland Canals through this interactive cargo activity.
From the Shelves of Merritt’s Mercantile – Volume 2
For this installment of our Curator’s pick of books from our gift shop, I would like to highlight the book A Future in Doubt: The rise and demise of one small Jewish community and what it says about the future of synagogues everywhere, by Howard Slepkov. Published in January 2021, this book is not only a great history of the St. Catharines Jewish community, the building of the local synagogue, but it is also a really wonderful look at Jewish life in Canada in the 20th century.
VMLS via Podcast – Marking Time
Today’s lecture features Supervisor of Historical Services and Curator Kathleen Powell with a discussion of ‘Marking Time’ an exhibit that was on display here at the Museum, which featured textiles and fashion from the Museum’s collection which help to mark life’s significant milestones. It’s a bit more visual than our some of the other lectures, so visit our YouTube Play list to watch the lecture in-full.
Museum Classroom: The Welland Canal and Lock Building (Secondary)
Student will develop an understanding of the engineering required to build the current Welland Canal. It also see the equipment that the workers had to work with.
History from Here: Glen Ridge School
Built to meet the needs of the families moving to one of St. Catharines’ earliest residential suburbs. Designed in cohesion with the architectural features so characteristic to its neighbourhood. A lasting symbol of what can be achieved when a community works together. From its very beginning, Glen Ridge School and its surrounding greenspace have served its community as a place for learning, play, gathering, and identity.
On this episode of History from Here, Public Programmer Sara Nixon takes you to the former Glen Ridge School building at 101 South Drive in St. Catharines, Ontario.
VMLS via Podcast – Lost and Forgotten: the Third Welland Canal
Today’s lecture explores the hidden history of the Third Welland Canal. As one of the first major infrastructure projects following Confederation, the canal was a huge success but today is mostly forgotten. Please enjoy “Lost and Forgotten: the Third Welland Canal” originally presented on October 27, 2020.
The Remarkable Estelle Cuffe Hawley
Estelle Cuffe Hawley, here forever known as the ‘remarkable’ Estelle Cuffe Hawley (according to me, anyway) was described as strong-willed, engaged in the community, caring and hardworking. Cuffe Hawley led a life filled with energy, drive, poise, and, of course, hats! Estelle Cuffe Hawley’s penchant for hats won her pride of place in our ‘Hold onto Your Hats’ exhibit, now on display here at the Museum.
Building an “Open” Community Cookbook
On Family Day this year, We asked visitors to share their favourite family recipes with us on what we called “open community cookbooks” and the result was fantastic! Children, parents, and grandparents brought in recipes from home, or took the time to write out recipes on the cards provided. Recipes range from the Filipino dish Chicken Adobo, the “Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Ever”, and lots of other tasty dishes that brim with family tradition and heritage as evident from the names attributed to the recipes shared.
BHM Series Part Four- Prioritizing Education
Imagining a world where everyone isn’t guaranteed an opportunity to read and write is strange to us. While studying history, […]
VMLS via Podcast – Ontario’s Racially Segregated Schools
Today’s lecture features a very special guest. We were thrilled to welcome Natasha Henry, PhD candidate at York University and President of the Ontario Black History Society. Natasha’s lecture on racially segregated schools in Ontario was fascinating and we think you’ll really enjoy it. This lecture was originally produced on October 13, 2020.
STC StoryLab Presents: Family Memories
Families come in all shapes, sizes, and variations. What does family mean to you? Through the STC StoryLab oral history […]
History from Here: Former Zion Baptist Church
One of the earliest parishes to serve Freedom Seekers settling in St. Catharines in the mid-nineteenth century, the legacy of the Zion Baptist Church reflects the resilience of the community, that together, built new lives here and thrived as free people.
On this episode of History From Here, Sara takes you to the former location of the Zion Baptist Church on Geneva Street in St. Catharines, Ontario.
BHM Series Part Three: Letters From St. Catharines
Abolitionist William Still aided some eight-hundred Freedom Seekers in their journey to freedom on the Underground Railroad. Still, a clerk from Philadelphia, kept meticulous records regarding the part he played in the Underground Railroad. Still’s book: The Underground Railroad contains correspondence written by St. Catharines Freedom Seekers that he had aided. The contents of these letters vary in subject matter on everything from where to forward material goods from their old lives to the details of helping loved ones escape. Examination of these letters gives a better understanding of the transition period Freedom Seekers experienced when they reached St. Catharines and provides perspective on what they needed most to start their new life.