CORRECTION: This article has been updated to correct information about previous Living Landmark award recipients, the year the Niagara Historical Society was founded, the number of times a Living Landmark award has been given to a group or organization, the date of this year’s award presentation dinner and a misspelling in a quote from Sarah Kaufman.
In 1895, the Niagara Historical Society was founded with a mission to give locals an appreciation for the legacy of the place where they lived.
Now, 130 years later, that society operates the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum, a collection of more than 50,000 local artifacts and archives.
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 Niagara Foundation announced on May 13 that the museum will receive its 2025 Living Landmark award. Primarily given to a single person, this is the fourth time the prize has gone to a group or organization.
“Getting an award like this is validation that what you’ve been spending your time doing is recognized — it’s a pat on the back in the community as a whole,” Lyle Hall, chair of the Niagara Foundation.
The award presentation dinner will be held on Nov. 15 at Navy Hall, recognizing the museum’s stewardship of its thousands of artifacts, documents, photographs and books, housed in its primary home on Castlereagh Street.
“This is the first year we’ve given it to an institution or an organization, and we thought it was appropriate given the museum’s 130th anniversary — they’re almost twice as old as we are,” said Hall.
The foundation previously honoured all citizens of Niagara-on-the-Lake in 2020, family members Norma Jane Lowrey and Blair Harber in 2016, and Niagara Foundation founders Norm Howe and Gerry Wooll in 2006.
“We recognize the role they’ve played in highlighting heritage and the history of the community through their expansion plans and ongoing programming,” he added.
Sarah Kaufman, CEO and curator of the NOTL Museum, said that while the museum does get community recognition, the Living Landmark award is an honour for all past and present members.
“We weren’t expecting it. I think our board and staff here were in shock and just overwhelmed with the honour,” said Kaufman.
The museum relies on members and donors to preserve everything from War of 1812 relics to everyday photographs.
“We work so hard with the community to promote this history in Niagara-on-the-Lake, history that’s very nationally and provincially significant,” said Kaufman.
“Recognition for the hard work members, staff and board have done to ensure the community doesn’t forget our history feels so important to get.”
Tickets for the November dinner will be available through the foundation in early fall.
