There’s More to the Story
There’s always more information, stories, and artifacts than we can fit in an exhibit. Explore the contents below to learn more about the history of the First Welland Canal.
Image Gallery: Letters of Correspondence
View scans of letters of correspondence between William Hamilton Merritt, John Barentse Yates, and Oliver Phelps from 1824-1833 on display. These letters are courtesy of the Archives of Ontario.
Image Gallery: Welland Canal Company Documents
View scans of documents and indentures on display.
Image Gallery: Stock Certificates
View scans of the Welland Canal Company Stock Certificates on display.
Blog Series: “How the Story Goes: Reexamining the Story of the First Welland Canal”
This 4-part blog series examines (and reexamines) the way we share the story of the First Welland Canal and sheds light on the financial and construction challenges the builders faced.
Virtual Museum Lecture: “Open for Business: the Welland Canal in 1830”
This lecture looks at the first full year of operation of the Welland Canal in 1830 and how weather, finances, reputation, and an incomplete route impacted its performance.
Further Reading
The below list of sources are available at the St. Catharines Public Library.
- The Welland Canal Company by Hugh G. J. Aitken
- This Great National Object by Roberta Styran and Robert Taylor
- The Great Swivel Link: Canada’s Welland Canal by Roberta Styran and Robert Taylor
- Canada’s Canal City by John N. Jackson and Sheila M. Wilson