Arts, Culture and Heritage

Museums, Heritage, Galleries and Historical Societies

Canada. Parks Canada - Fort George National Historic Site

51 Queen's Parade
Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON
L0S 1J0

Offers military demonstrations at different times throughout the year, self guided tour for individuals and various topic/interest tours. Off season the grounds are open but there are no exhibits open and tours are available by appointment only.
Call this office regarding Fort Mississauga information. Guided tours are available for schools and commercial buses. Must call to make an appointment.

https://www.pc.gc.ca/fortgeorge

Office: 905-468-6614

Sat-Sun 10 am-5 pm, Apr 6-May 17 * Mon-Sun 10 am-5 pm, May 18-Sep 2 * Wed-Sun 10 am-5 pm, Sep 4-Oct 27

Fort Erie Museum Services - Fort Erie Railway Museum

400 Central Ave
Fort Erie, ON
L2A 3T6

A A railway museum featuring the Canadian National Steam Locomotive 6218, CN 79138 caboose, and the historic Ridgeway and B-1 train station buildings.

There are displays of artifacts outlining the rail history of the area and a gift shop.

https://www.museum.forterie.ca

Office: 905-894-5322

Fax: 905-894-6851

Mon-Sun 9 am-4:30 pm, Victoria Day-Labour Day
The park is open year round.

Fort Erie Museum Services - History Museum, Fort Erie - 3388 Hwy # 3

3388 Hwy # 3
Fort Erie, ON
L0S 1N0

Outdoor site located where part of the Battle of Ridgeway took place on Jun 2, 1866. Use the interactive timeline and map wall to follow the battle and its aftermath. A memorial and cairn are also located at this site to honour the soldiers who fought and died protecting this land in a battle which prompted the confederation of Canada.

https://www.museum.forterie.ca

Office: 905-894-5322

Mon-Sun during daylight hours

Fort Erie Museum Services - History Museum, Fort Erie - 402 Ridge Rd N

402 Ridge Rd N
Fort Erie, ON
L0S 1N0

https://www.museum.forterie.ca

Office: 905-894-5322

Fax: 905-894-6851

Mon-Sun 9 am-4:30 pm, Jun-Aug
Mon-Fri 9 am-4:30 pm, Sep-May

Fort Erie Museum Services - Mewinzha

Peace Bridge Authority Building; 100 Queen St
Fort Erie, ON
L2A 3S6

Public Access to this building is temporarily suspended.

A historical gallery.

Mewinzha: A Journey Back in Time
Pronounced as Meh-Whinge-ah * a native word meaning a long time ago * features archaeological artifacts recovered from the Peace Bridge Site alongside First Nations artwork.

The Bridge that Peace Built
Located on the second floor * traces the history of river crossings between Buffalo and Fort Erie and includes a viewing area of the bridge

https://www.museum.forterie.ca

Office: 905-894-5322

Mon-Fri 9 am-3:30 pm

Grimsby Historical Society - Archives

Carnegie Building, 25 Adelaide St
Grimsby, ON
L3M 4G5

The present day Grimsby Historical Society was formed in 1949 and has since been collecting archival material relating to the history and people of Grimsby. Established to organize and preserve the material and make it accessible to the public.

The collection includes diaries, directories, publications, scrapbooks and family history documents. The organization now has material on the government of North Grimsby Township, as well as several gifts of family histories to help those conducting genealogical research within Ontario.

Also keeps files on more than one hundred area families. Some files containing considerable genealogical information, particularly on the Cline and Nelles families.

Also located at the Archives is a growing collection of resources relative to Grimsby streets and homes.

The Archives has a number of Genealogy Specialists available to assist in discovering family history.

https://www.grimsbyhistoricalsociety.com

Office: 905-309-0796

Mon, Fri 9 am-1 pm * All other times by appointment

Grimsby Museum

6 Murray St
Grimsby, ON
L3M 4G5

A museum that interprets the town of Grimsby from the arrival of the Loyalists through to the 21st century. In addition to the main Grimsby history gallery, temporary and travelling exhibitions are offered throughout the year. Education programs for schools and youth groups. Access to archives collection available by appointment.

https://www.grimsby.ca/Museum/Main/

Office: 905-945-5292

Fax: 905-945-0715

Hours vary, contact for information

Grimsby Public Art Gallery

18 Carnegie Lane
Grimsby, ON
L3M 1Y1

Features:

• Regular exhibitions, tours and programs
• Art classes and Workshops for children and adults
• March Break and Summer Art Camps for children
• Gift shop with Canadian handcrafted gifts
• Special events throughout the year

https://www.grimsby.ca/Art-Gallery

Office: 905-945-3246

Tue, Wed, Fri 10 am-5 pm, * Thu 10 am-9 pm * Sat 12 noon-5 pm

Historical Society of St Catharines

St Catharines, ON

A group that promotes awareness of the history of the St Catharines area through speakers and publications.

https://stcatharineshistory.wordpress.com

Office: No public telephone number

Fourth Thu 7:30 pm, Sep-Nov, Jan-Jun

Lincoln (Town of) - Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre

3800 Main St
Lincoln, ON
L0R 1S0

The museum has moved into its new, purpose built museum facility in Jordan. The new museum boasts space for exhibits, programming, meetings, and events. The museum runs weekly programming for adults, children, and groups. Check out the museum's website for more information.

The musuem is available is a cooling centre when temperatures are expected to reach 31°C or higher and as a warming centre when the temperature is -15° C or colder.

https://lincolnmuseum.ca/

Office: 905-563-2799

Fax: 905-562-7786

Tue-Sun 10 am-5 pm

Mayholme Foundation

525 Ontario St
St Catharines, ON
L2N 6P5

A non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the study, collection and preservation of family history and local history in the areas of old Lincoln and Welland Counties.

Repository for local family histories, books, family files, microfilm film and offers small seminars for genealogists. Archive for written materials related to the history of the Niagara Peninsula.

https://www.mayholme.ca

Office: 905-934-1173

Thu, Fri 10 am-3 pm or by appointment

Niagara Artists Centre

354 St Paul St
St Catharines, ON
L2R 3N2

Non-profit, artist-run charitable organization which has visual art exhibitions, film screenings, music, videos, performance and poetry. Video film and production equipment as well as facilities are available. There is also an information resource centre available to the public.

https://www.nac.org

Office: 905-641-0331

Gallery Wed-Fri 12 noon-5 pm, Sat 12 noon-4 pm

Niagara Falls (City of) - Niagara Falls Museums - Battle Ground Hotel Museum

6137 Lundy's Lane
Niagara Falls, ON
L2G 1T4

This site is owned by the City of Niagara Falls, and run by the Recreation & Culture Department.

The Battle Ground Hotel Museum is located on the grounds of the Lundy's Lane Battlefield. The building was bequeathed to the City of Niagara Falls on the death of the prior owner, Ruth Redmond. The restored 1850's tavern displays furnished period rooms and artifacts from the War of 1812. The Battle Ground Hotel Museum is the only illustration of a 19th Century Inn which exists as a product of the commemoration of the War of 1812, and also as an element of early Ontario tourism.

https;//www.niagarafallsmuseums.ca

Office: 905-358-5082

Wed-Sun 10 am-5 pm, Victoria Day-late Aug

Niagara Falls (City of) - Niagara Falls Museums - Niagara Falls History Museum

5810 Ferry St
Niagara Falls, ON
L2G 1S9

This site is owned by the City of Niagara Falls, and run by the Recreation & Culture Department.

The Museum is housed within the old Stamford Township Hall that was originally built in 1874, and now includes a large addition that was opened in 2012. This facility features three galleries telling Niagara Falls stories with engaging hands-on exhibitions. These galleries include: The Gale Family "War of 1812" Gallery, The Niagara Falls Community Gallery, and a temporary gallery space that was sponsored by the Ontario Power Generation Company and features multiple travelling and in house exhibits each year.

The Museum is also located within steps of the Drummond Hill Cemetery, the focal point of the Battle of Lundy's Lane, considered the "bloodiest battle" of the War of 1812.

Offers various group and school tours, events, programming, and a gift shop.

https://www.niagarafallsmuseums.ca

Office: 905-358-5082

Fax: 905-358-0920

Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun 10 am-5 pm * Thu 10 am-9 pm

Niagara Falls (City of) - Niagara Falls Museums - Willoughby Historical Museum

9935 Niagara Pkwy
RR 3 Niagara Falls, ON
L2E 6S6

This site is owned by the City of Niagara Falls, and run by the Recreation & Culture Department.

This one-room schoolhouse provides the setting in which to experience the charm of early life in the area known as Willoughby. Visitors can admire former report cards and photographs and observe the markings on the floor where the desks were bolted down. Early life is shown through farming tools and family heirlooms.

Located a short distance from the site of the Battle of Chippawa (5 July 1814), the Willoughby Historical Museum also provides multiple displays explaining the intricacies and experiences of different peoples at this battle and throughout the War of 1812.

Visitors are invited to enjoy two interactive exhibits: take a turn weaving on the loom, or connect a call through the telephone operating system which is still working.

https://niagarafallsmuseums.ca

Office: 905-295-4036

Office: 905-358-5082

Wed-Sun 10 am-5 pm, Victoria Day to Labour Day

Niagara Falls Art Gallery and Niagara Children's Museum

8058 Oakwood Dr
RR 2 Niagara Falls, ON
L2G 0J1

The Niagara Falls Art Gallery has 3 educational facilities around Niagara to provide professional art programming along with subsidiary organizations: the Niagara Children's Museum & the Art Gallery Of Welland.

• Exhibits
• Workshops
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Art Classes
• Camps
• School Programs

https://www.niagarafallsartgallery.ca

Office: 905-356-1514

Program hours vary

Niagara Parks Commission (The) - Laura Secord Homestead

29 Queenston St
Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON
L0S 1L0

A historical landmark and tourist attraction that is open to the public. Tours are also available.

Also offers light refreshments, ice cream, Laura Secord chocolates and a selection of souvenirs.

https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit/heritage/laura-secord-homestead/

Office: 905-262-4851

Hours vary, see website

Niagara Parks Commission (The) - Mackenzie Printery & Newspaper Museum

1 Queenston St
Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON
L0S 1L0

The Printery houses Canada's oldest printing press, built circa 1760. It was at this site that William Lyon Mackenzie printed the first edition of his newspaper, The Colonial Advocate.
The Printery offers exhibits which are interactive and hands-on for visitors.

https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit/heritage/mackenzie-printery/

Office: 905-262-5676

Hours vary, see website

Niagara Parks Commission (The) - McFarland House

15927 Niagara Pkwy
Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON
L0S 1J0

McFarland House was restored by The Niagara Parks Commission and opened to the public in 1959. Built in 1800, the house is one of the few buildings in Niagara-on-the-Lake that survived the War of 1812. The glass-enclosed McFarland Conservatory Tea Room offers lunches and afternoon tea. Seasonal tours of the historic home and heritage garden are available daily by Niagara Parks interpreters, as well as Christmas programming in December. The house is located in a park setting, with playground facilities and a baseball diamond. A covered picnic pavilion seats 250 people and has running water and washroom facilities nearby.

https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit/heritage/mcfarland-house/

Office: 905-468-3322

Hours vary, see website

Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre - Arts Centre

247 Ricardo St
Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON
L0S 1J0

An art hub offering visual art programs, exhibitions and events.

https://www.niagarapumphouse.ca

Office: 905-468-5455

Tue-Sun 11 am-4 pm * hours may vary, see website for updates

Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum

43 Castlereagh St
Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON
L0S 1J0

One of Ontario's oldest local history museums, the museum's collection of over 50,000 artifacts, archives, books and photographs is housed in Ontario's first purpose-built museum. Displays focus on local history, both military and domestic. The permanent exhibition, "Our Story", chronicles the history of the Town from the earliest inhabitants to the present day. Temporary exhibitions are changed once or twice a year with a variety of topics.

https://www.notlmuseum.ca/

Office: 905-468-3912

Fax: 905-468-1728

Mon-Sun 10 am-5 pm, May-Oct * Mon-Sun 1 pm-5 pm, Nov-Apr

Pelham Historical Society, The

Pelham, ON

A group that encourages interest in and promotes knowledge of the Pelham area. The Society's Historical Collection and Archives can be accessed through the Pelham Public Library or through the website.

https://www.pelhamhistoricalsociety.ca/

Office: No public telephone number

Call for information

Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum

280 King St
Port Colborne, ON
L3K 5X8

Historical and marine museum with village and tea room on-site. The museum and archives offer a wide variety of tours, programs, and workshops for the public and for educational groups.

https://portcolborne.ca/en/recreation-and-leisure/historical-and-marine-museum.aspx

Office: 905-834-7604

Fax: 905-834-6198

Museum Mon-Sun 12 noon-5 pm, May-Dec * Tea Room Mon-Sun 2 pm-4 pm, Jun-Sep

Port Colborne Historical Society

Port Colborne, ON

A social group hosting monthly guest speakers on local and Canadian history. Annual donate to the Port Colborne Museum and provide two high school scholarships.

Office: No public telephone number

Call for information Meetings: Third Mon 7 pm-9 pm, Sep-May at Portal Village Retirement Home

RiverBrink Art Museum

116 Queenston St
Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON
L0S 1L0

A public art museum featuring exhibitions from the art collection of Samuel E Weir, as well as on loans from Canadian and international collections.

The museum holds approximately 1,400 works in the permanent collection, including paintings, works on paper, sculpture, and decorative arts. The focus of the collection is historical Canadian art, with additional holdings of European art (particularly British and French) and American art. The collection contains works from some of Canada's most significant artists: Tom Thomson, Emily Carr, members of the Group of Seven, Cornelius Krieghoff, Paul Kane, and Marc Aurèle de Foy Suzor-Coté.

The RiverBrink Reference Library contains over 4,000 books on fine and decorative arts, history and Canadiana. In addition, the collection includes 500 rare and limited edition books, available for consultation by appointment. These include books such as A New Discovery of the Vast Country in America (London 1698) by Father Louis Hennepin and Travels Through the Canadas (London 1807) by George Heriot.

RiverBrink presents a variety of educational programming and artist-led workshops.

https://www.riverbrink.org

Office: 905-262-4510

Fax: 905-262-4477

Tue-Sun 10 am-5 pm, Victoria Day Weekend-Oct 31
Wed-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Nov 1-Victoria Day Weekend

St Catharines (City of) - St Catharines Museum & Welland Canals Centre

1932 Welland Canals Pkwy
St Catharines, ON
L2R 7K6

A public historical museum whose purpose is to acquire, preserve, research, exhibit and interpret artifacts and archival records, along with their associated information, relative to the history of St Catharines and the Welland Canals for the education and enjoyment of the public

The museum has both permanent and temporary exhibits. Galleries feature the Welland Canals, Community Heritage, and travelling exhibits. Special theme areas have been developed about the Military, Transportation, Industry, Sports, and the African-Canadian heritage of St Catharines. An Archives incorporates collections of Library holdings, photographs, maps, plans, and municipal, corporate and personal papers dating back to the late-19th century.

The Museum is also home to the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Museum, a separate gallery showcasing the history of lacrosse.

Available (during regular operating hours) as a warming centre when temperatures are exceptionally cold.

https://www.stcatharinesmuseum.ca

Office: 905-984-8880

Toll Free: 1-800-305-5134

Museum and Centre Mon-Sun 9 am-5 pm
Reference Library Mon, Wed, Fri 12:30 pm-4:30 pm by appointment

St Catharines (City of). Community, Recreation and Culture Services - Morningstar Mill

2714 DeCew Rd
St Catharines, ON
L2R 6P7

A living history museum featuring a collection of historic buildings adjacent to the Bruce Trail and the DeCew Falls. Also on the site is a Miller's house built by Wilson Morningstar in the 1890s. Restored to the 1920s-30s time period, guided tours of the house are available.

http://www.morningstarmill.ca

Office: 905-688-6050

Sat, Sun, Tue, Thu 8 am-4 pm
Dates: Victoria Day Weekend - Thanksgiving

The Friends of Niagara National Historic Sites - Brock's Monument

Brock's Monument, 14184 Niagara River Pkwy
Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON
L0S 1L0

Brock's Monument National Historic Site is owned and maintained by Parks Canada. The Friends of Niagara National Historic Sites operate the seasonal programming, including educational tours for schools and the public.

Operates two gift shops, one located in the Visitors' Reception Centre at Fort George and the other at Brock's Monument. Oversee the interpretive programs at Brock's Monument.

Special events are organized to generate awareness and funds to support initiatives. Funds are then used, along with grants, to hire approximately twenty students for positions in the interpretation program at Fort George, Brock's Monument and Gift Shop.

http://www.friendsoffortgeorge.ca

Office: 905-468-6621

Mon-Sun 10 an-5 pm, May 13-Labour Day weekend

Wainfleet Historical Society

Wainfleet, ON

A group for people interested in the history of Wainfleet Township and area. Monthly meetings from September to May feature guest speakers. A member of the Ontario Historical Society.

Office: No public telephone number

Contact for information

Welland Historical Museum

140 King St
Welland, ON
L3B 3J3

A non-profit, community museum focusing on the history of Welland and Pelham.

https://wellandmuseum.ca

Office: 905-732-2215

Mon-Sat 10 am-4 pm

West Lincoln Historical Society Archives

Smithville Train Station; 288 Station St
West Lincoln, ON
L0R 2A0

Hold meetings to discuss historical topics. Have compiled a book on the history of West Lincoln and have restored the Smithville Train Station which has been designated a historic site.

2009 have compiled a book on Smithville, called Memories of Smithville 1787 to 1950.

2021 Our member Joanne McLaren published a book "Veterans of West Lincoln W.W.I "

Tours of the Archives & Railroad Museum in the lower level are available during working hours.

The train station is the home of the West Lincoln Historical Society Archives which contains information about families and places in the West Lincoln area.

https://www.wlhs.info

Office: 905-957-0138

Tue, Wed 10 am-4 pm, Apr-Nov