With the help of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum, you can witness this town's history come alive, through every house, street corner and sign post in some of its oldest and most distinctive settlements.
Located at the corner of Mississagua and Mary streets, Pepe’s was once a favourite stop in town, where locals could satisfy a sweet tooth with penny candy or ice cream.
"Fort Mississauga stands as a tower of strength on Lake Ontario. Built just after the War of 1812, this unique site reflects 150 years of British and Canadian military activity," writes Tony Chisholm.
This section of Queen Street is known to this day as the Sherlock block — back in the day, the Sherlock family operated a dairy, a livery stable, and several storefronts along Queen Street, including this one.
The Apollo 11 mission stood as a defining benchmark in human spaceflight for more than half a century. That is, until the Artemis II mission returned safely to Earth on April 10.
Until the 1920s, a horse and carriage was still the primary mode of transportation for many in Niagara. The Town of Niagara had a few livery stables such as Michael Greene (and later Jack Greene) on King Street and Daniel Waters on Prideaux.
To see the best tennis 125 years ago, you would have headed to the Queen’s Royal Hotel, now the site of Queen’s Royal Park off King Street in the Old Town district.
During the Second World War, the Niagara District Airpot was home to a flight school where military pilots completed their training in Tiger Moth biplanes before going on to serve in the war.
Historical storyteller Daryl Learn said he hopes to continue spreading awareness through events like Fort George’s — an attitude expressed by other re-enactors involved in the U.S. sneak attack demonstration.
The three-story, wedge-shaped brick complex on Ricardo Street, known as King's Point, contains the remnants of history that go back more than a few millennia. The lecture is set for July 17 at 7:30 p.m.
The garden party will once again be held at one of NOTL's most distinctive heritage homes — the Georgian-style residence at 83 Gage St., owned by Peter Howe and Judy McLeod.
Who won the War of 1812? That will be the big question when American historian Donald Hickey and Canadian Ronald Dale meet each other on a panel at the NOTL Museum on July 12.
"Not only did we defend our borders from our neighbours to the south and distinguish ourselves from them, but we also demonstrated to Britain that the settlers here in the colony had true grit to defend our homes," writes the NOTL Museum.
“It’s fascinating to me what Canada did in both world wars, particularly the Great War,” said Richard Moncrief, a re-enactor who travelled from Virginia to take part in the weekend's event. "It's worth the trek."
Eight fathers had the chance to get in uniform and learn how to launch a cannon, before getting to do it themselves in front of an audience — who cheered them on.
The Niagara branch of the United Empire Loyalists got its name from Col. John Butler, a Loyalist who led a group to fight Americans on behalf of the British: "Were it not for him, there may not be a Canada."
By the 1890s, warriors from Six Nations made up two companies of the 37th. This battalion attended Camp Niagara during the summer from time to time for training.
After a long period of disconnection from an important piece of family history, Claus, the oldest living descendant of the original Wilderness owners, got to see a private viewing of an indelible part of his family history before the end of his life.
Most college students hand in their work to a professor. Students from Willowbank in Niagara-on-the-Lake installed theirs at an 18th-century fortress in Nova Scotia last week.
Members of the Polish community, including those in NOTL and beyond, gathered to honour the Polish and Canadian volunteers who left home to train at Camp Kościuszko before heading to Europe to fight for Poland’s independence. "This place is very dear to me personally,” said Witold Dzielski, ambassador of Poland to Canada.
Janet didn’t just preserve history — she made it. Now, in 2025, the NOTL Museum is channelling the spirit of Janet and her iconic bun as it celebrates 130 years of getting things done.
In light of recent political shifts between Canada and the U.S. — notably in the form of a trade war and discussion about Canada become America's "51st state" — historical awareness may be more important than ever, said Fort George's site supervisor.
Janet Carnochan was a local powerhouse of a woman who worked as a teacher for 45 years and became the Niagara Historical Society’s first president. Janet, along with her board, opened Memorial Hall on June 4, 1907.
People have been fishing Lake Ontario and the Niagara River for as long as humans have inhabited these shores. The river, lake and creeks once had an abundance of fish, which allowed humans to develop an important relationship with our waterfront.
In recognition of the museum's 130th anniversary this year, the Niagara Foundation has chosen to name it the town's newest Living Landmark. The honour will be presented this November at Navy Hall.
