A Sit-Down with the Ladies of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum

By Martine Mackenzie

Of course, the natural inclination for visitors to the Niagara Region is to associate the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake with two things: The War of 1812, AND wineries. Then, they realize that there are also great restaurants to be found and excellent shopping, and they think, well, that’s it! We’ve seen it all! But if they were just to venture a little further off the beaten path, they would find the most amazing “nugget.”

Situated at 43 Castlereagh Street, is the “Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum.” In 1895, The Niagara Historical Society was established to foster an appreciation of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s rich heritage. Within a year, the Society had amassed a significant collection of artifacts, so the decision was made to open a museum in the local courthouse. In 1907, under the leadership of the Society’s president, Janet Carnochan, Memorial Hall was opened and history was made with Ontario’s first purpose-built museum.

I had the opportunity to sit down with the three most charming ladies who are the brains and beauty behind this amazing place – Sarah Kaufman, Managing Director and Curator; Amy Klassen, Director of Finance and Marketing; and Barbara (Babs) Worthy, Community Outreach Coordinator. I can’t forget to mention the furry mascot of the museum, Louis, who greeted me with happy barks.

“We are celebrating 130 years, and we’ve been collecting since 1895,” says, Sarah Kaufman. “Our collections are so varied – we have pieces from the Loyalist/Colonial time period; pieces from the Indian Council House which honor the early Indigenous history of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Of course, we have War of 1812 artifacts, along with a very unique collection of Laura Secord artifacts. This collection was owned by Laura herself and donated to us by her family.”

What many people don’t realize, both locals and visitors alike, is what a rich history the Town of Niagara-on-the Lake has outside of the obvious things that draw tourism.

The galleries of the Museum host a permanent exhibition, titled “Our Story,” which chronicles the history of the community, and temporary exhibitions which are mounted each year.

With artifacts from Indigenous settlements to the present day, the Museum is home to over 8,500 artifacts, 41,000 documents, 4,000 photographs, and 900 books. It’s easy to see why this place is a treasure trove of history.

“People come to see General Brock’s hat, and our collection of red coats, but they leave here with so much more,” says Sarah. “NOTL is so unique from other small rural towns. It was the first capital of Upper Canada, had the first library, and we have a really great early collection that represents all of that significant history. The War Museum in Ottawa often borrows pieces from our collections.”

The Museum is also a research partner when it comes to archaeological digs happening in the area.

“There are always digs in NOTL,” says Babs Worthy. “We have the King’s Point Collection here which has Indigenous pieces that were acquired during the dig that occurred before the development of King’s Point Condo. Whenever any development plan comes to NOTL, there has to be a dig first. The King’s Point Collection shows Indigenous activity in the area, with a focus on fishing, and the relationship the Indigenous peoples had with the Niagara River as a source for food and for trading with the use of portage as a means of travel.”

Babs goes on to add, “During a dig in Fort Erie, a piece of flint was acquired that is 40,000 years old!”

The Museum is now in the throes of an expansion project because quite simply, they have run out of space. The three independent buildings it currently occupies, merged, are:

The High School building (1875), Memorial Hall (1907), and the Link Building (1971).

“Our plans for expansion will allow us to be able to tell so many more stories,” says Amy Klassen. “Black history is nationally significant with the story of Chloe Cooley, the history of the Mosby Ride, and all of the major black movements in support of black lives that helped to change the refugee and extradition laws still used today.”

Sarah goes on to say, “And there’s the whole history of the wine industry in Ontario. NOTL is the birthplace of the industry and the start of the VQA with notable families like Bosc and Peller alongside Inniskillin. We are going to focus on how the grape growing industry has changed in our new exhibitions.”

Babs uses the term “undertold stories” as she goes on to say, “There are so many of these to tell that haven’t been revealed – we want to bring to life what happened right here. We would not be the Canada we are today without the significant historical events that happened in NOTL. She goes on to say, “1812 changed everything, and the role of that war and the Indigenous contribution enabled us to be what we are today. People want to preserve these stories and we want to tell them. We have the artifacts to back them up with enormous contributions coming from the volumes of things written down. For example, few people realize the contribution that the Mennonites brought with them to NOTL. They changed the farming techniques which allowed the wine industry to grow. With good governance, we can keep telling the stories.”

An excellent example of an undertold story comes from Amy Klassen. When asked what her favorite artifact in the Museum is, she points to a beautifully decorated and bespoke travel chest in the collection.

“We have several trunks from girls who came here as orphans from England and stayed at “Our Western Home” run by Maria Rye which was opened here in NOTL on December 1st, 1869. This was a program to get the waifs and strays off the streets of London, to bring them here to Canada, and teach them domestic skills so that they could be sent off to families throughout Ontario. All of their belongings were in their one trunk, each engraved with their names.”

Amy goes on to say, “Some had good stories and ended up with good families, and some ended up being mistreated. The home came under scrutiny but nothing was ever done as there was never any follow-up. NOTL was the foundation for a lot of women who ended up in Ontario and went on to build families of their own.”

Sarah adds, “This is a nugget story! There were literally thousands upon thousands of girls coming here. And now, we get visitors who are coming in to research their genealogy that is attached to this program. Many of these women never spoke of the ordeal they went through as part of this program. It was considered taboo – a deep, dark, secret.”

When asked about her favorite part of the collection, Sarah points to the 1812 collection. “It was the first collection I worked with when I joined the Museum. But I’m also fascinated with military history in general. We have two German machine guns captured at Vimy Ridge by Canadian soldiers during World War I. We also have an anti-tank gun from WWI and it’s truly a rare piece. Tanks were just in their early emergence at this time so this response to tanks that must have been created so quickly is truly fascinating.” Another historical tidbit that many don’t know about NOTL is that it served as a community training camp for Polish soldiers coming from the United States. Poland wasn’t a country at the time WWI broke out. Before the

United States joined the war, these young men came to NOTL to be trained by Canadian officers, amongst them, one Indigenous officer to get the skills needed to be able to go overseas and free Poland and help with the war effort. All of this is documented in the historical collection at the Museum.

Babs expands on the story. “The Spanish Flu also hit at that time, as it was likely brought in by the Polish soldiers from the U.S. There is a small cemetery here in NOTL that is actually on Polish land where the boys who succumbed to the flu are buried. Every year, on the second Sunday in June, members from the Polish Legion come to commemorate that cemetery. There is a strong connection to Poland and the Polish community here in NOTL.”

The Museum houses the Polonia Restituta medal, awarded to Elizabeth Ascher, the first Canadian to receive the honor as an outspoken advocate for the restoration of an independent Poland. She also looked after the young Polish soldiers during their time in NOTL.

Now, anyone coming into the town can immediately sense something different about it – sometimes it’s unrest, sometimes it’s peacefulness, but there is definitely something in the air.

“The whole town was a battlefield,” says Babs. “It was burned to the ground following the occupation of 1813. Bodies were buried where they fell – along the riverbanks, on farmland, everywhere. This whole area is just a cabinet of curiosities.”

It’s easy to see that this expansion project is something that is of grave importance to the NOTL community. “Our collections are growing and our archives are stuffed to the brim,” adds Babs. “We need programming and staffing space. We currently offer over 100 educational and entertainment programs which are all about life-learning and animating history. But we can do and be so much more! We are so thankful for our curious, enthusiastic, and eager membership, without whom, none of this would be possible.”

Babs is very grateful as she says, “They come in droves to all of our lectures, and activities, whether in-person or virtual. Then there are the tourists who come for the NOTL that they see advertised and realize the treasures we have.”

With a collection of over 53,000 pieces and growing, the staff of the NOTL Museum has grand plans for the expansion. “We are keen to become fully accessible to visitors and staff with an elevator and access hallways. The plans are for the expansion to happen behind Memorial

Hall with more storage collection, a main floor community space for programming and the main exhibition, and an upper gallery to house the temporary exhibitions, says Sarah. “We would love to expand our workshops and kids’ programs with cooking and for that, we need a kitchen. We have recipe books from the late 1800s for example. One in particular is from a local confectioner. Can you imagine the fun for people to bake something from that book using only the ingredients that were available at that time?”

With the expansion comes the potential to expand kids’ camps along with partnerships with hotels all over the Niagara Region offering conference groups a unique venue for off-site meetings or team-building activities. By reaching out to the community and tourism operators, the staff of the NOTL Museum hopes to revamp programs and exhibits based on what people want to see – those “undertold” stories that need representation too.

“People love after the war stories from the 1950’s,” adds Babs. “They want to hear about the smelly, noisy, unfiltered town that NOTL was back then when it relied heavily on the fishing industry before tourism became the main economy. By telling these stories, we can retain the character of this town.”

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum is a must-stop for anyone visiting the town. It’s an easy walk from the main thoroughfare and a great way to spend a leisurely afternoon, immersed in the beautiful history of the area.

I grew up in the area, was a tour guide during my high school years, and thought myself to be fairly educated in all things Niagara. I was wrong! This is why locals should make the trip to the Museum too.

Anyone who does visit will be greeted with the welcoming smiles and helping hands of Sarah, Amy, and Babs and of course the happy barks of Louis. There is something for everyone!

Thanks to Sarah, Amy, and Babs for the wonderful afternoon that last day of February, the 29th, LEAP YEAR!

Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum 43 Castlereagh Street, PO Box 208 Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0 t: 905 468 3912 • e: contact@nhsm.ca • notlmuseum.ca

FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2024

The POWER of MUSIC

Oakes Garden Theatre, Niagara Falls

Blackburn Brothers & Sean Stanley Trio

*Rain date Monday June 24, 2024

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2024

3rd Annual JAZZ PICNIC

The Brown Homestead, St. Catharines

Denielle Bassels

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2024

FUSION JAZZ in the VINEYARD

The Hare Wine Co., Niagara-on-the-Lake

Carl Mayotte Trio

THURSAY, JUNE 27, 2024

The STEINWAY GRAND Celebration

Ridley College, St. Catharines

Bryan Eng Trio

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2024

SOUL JAZZ in the VINEYARD

Quincy Bullen Band ft. Michael Dunston on Vocals

Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery, St. Catharines

SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 2024

MUSIC in the PARK

Battle of Beaverdams Park, Downtown Thorold FREE Community Event

Various Jazz & World Music Artists, artisan marketplace, Kids Zone, TENT TALKS, food & beverage vendors, and MORE!

PLUS!

JAZZ JAMS and Master Classes

Marshville

LABOUR DAY WEEKEND

Saturday, August 31st to Monday, September 2nd 10 am to 5 pm

Wainfleet Village Sports Complex Hwy #3 West, Minutes from Port Colborne

ADMISSION (Cash Only Please):

Seniors 65+: $7 on Saturday only

Adults: $8

Children under 10: Free FREE PARKING

A love letter to Canada – Just a 5 minute drive from the falls or an easy ride on the WeGo will take you to this 20,000 SQFT Canadian themed attraction. Enjoy a Maple Tasting in a real maple factory with an expansive souvenir gift shop. Hungry? Maple Leaf Place has you covered – step onto the outdoor patio and enjoy some of Niagara’s best wines, beers, and spirits under the shade of a giant canoe that’s right across the street from the roaring Niagara River. Plus, the best part? Admission and parking are both FREE, so you can take your time to explore and celebrate Canada. Don’t forget to take a picture with one of our giant Canadian icon statues at our own “Sel e Central”! Come to Maple Leaf Place and discover everything that our great country has to o er!