Preserving Niagara-on-the-Lake’s heritage since 1895

2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Board of Directors 2014 Dennis Kam, President Elizabeth Surtees, Vice-President Society Julian Rance, Vice-President Museum Martin Richardson, Treasurer Steve Hinchliffe, Director Lorraine Joyner, Director Denise Ascenzo, Director Faith Bell, Director Richard Andrews, Director Terry Boulton, Secretary (term ended October, 2014) Karen McGrath, Director (term ended October, 2014) Doug Phibbs, Director (term started October, 2014) John Sayers, Treasurer (term started October, 2014) Jim Collard (Town Representative) Staff Sarah Kaufman, Managing Director Amy Klassen, Society Administrator Honourary Life Members Joy Ormsby Richard Taylor Dr. Richard Merritt Christopher Allen Robert Knight Membership 2014 Total Membership: 394 New Members in 2014: 41 Visitor Statistics 2014 Overall Attendance: 6,963 Website Visits: 16,147 Research Enquiries: 298 Tours Conducted: 50

The Society & Museum wishes to thank the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Province of Ontario for their ongoing support.

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MANAGING DIRECTOR’S REPORT

In 2014, the Museum turned its attention toward the centenary of the First World War. Our exhibition for the year, “The Art of War: A Legacy of the Great War”, was well received by members and tourists. Many visitors mentioned how much they enjoyed seeing this aspect of military history, one which is not often presented in Museums. This exhibit featured artwork, posters and artefacts created during or shortly after the First World War sourced from the Museum’s own collection, as well as from both private and public collections. We were fortunate to have on loan, from the Canadian War Museum’s Lord Beaverbrook collection, five rarely seen pieces by C.W. Jefferys of the Polish Soldiers in Niagara. Many local residents can name the major historic hotels and inns of our community, but many get their history mixed up. Did the Queen’s Royal burn down or not? When did Hotel Chautauqua exist, and where exactly was it? In the fall of 2014, the Museum set the record straight with the help of local collections and the Museum’s own collection with the exhibition “Enjoy Your Stay: The Historic Hotels and Inns of Niagara-on-the-Lake”. This exhibition was a favourite among locals. The Museum was honoured with a visit by the Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell. Staff enjoyed providing a tour through our exhibitions and showing off our new storage facilities, which were funded, in part, by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Her Honour enjoyed learning about the history of our community, and in particular, seeing a signature of one of her predecessors on display! In 2014, the Museum continued to expand our online collections database. With the assistance of an anonymous donor, we’re hoping to drastically increase the number of items online by the end of 2015. Make sure to check the database, which can be found through our website, to see what new and exciting things pop up! As part of our Strategic Plan, the Museum is actively reaching out to our community for events and programming. In 2014, the Museum continued its strong relationship with the St. David’s Heritage Committee and partnered on events commemorating the Burning of St. David’s. While maintaining this relationship, the Historical Society and Museum hopes to strengthen its ties with other communities in the coming years such as Queenston, Virgil and McNab.

Sarah Maloney with Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell

EXHIBITIONS In 2014, we started the year by commemorating the 100th anniversary of the declaration of the First World War. Our feature exhibition “The Art of War” brought together significant pieces of art that were created during the period, including several pieces on loan from the Canadian War Museum. The exhibit was extremely well received by visitors. One visitor wrote: “I saw an art exhibition in Calgary, Alberta, last year on war art but I have to say that this one made the reality of WW1 much more accessible and real.” Another wrote: “A most moving exhibit. It brought tears to my eyes.” In the fall, we opened “Enjoy Your Stay”, which explored the history of some of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s historic hotels and inns. Some highlights include some wonderful pieces from the grand Queen’s Royal Hotel, which several local residents loaned for the exhibit.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH The Niagara Historical Society & Museum continued to increase its outreach to the community and beyond. Staff represented the Museum at Simcoe Park on Canada Day and on Queen Street during the Peach Festival. We also continued the Heritage Ambassador program with the Niagara-on-the-Lake B&B Association, and hosted the Town’s annual Heritage awards at the Museum. Sarah Kaufman conducted several outreach presentations, including the NOTL Newcomers, the NOTL B&B Association, the Buffalo Historical Society and the Friends of Battlefield House (Hamilton).

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS Our Kid Curators summer program was another success in 2014. We did two full weeks of camp with a different theme each week. In July, our Kid Curators were Artists, and in August, they were Actors! The week-long programs were delivered by Mary Alice Hanson with assistance from our summer student Kristen Kollee. Local children became immersed in the history of the Niagara Region through a series of visits to important historical sites in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Queenston and St. Davids. Kid Curators would not have been possible without sponsorship from the Niagara-on-the-Lake B&B Association, the Shaw Festival and the St. Andrew Society. GARDEN PARTY ON THE EVE OF THE GREAT WAR In partnership with The Friends of Fort George and Parks Canada, we hosted a lovely event to commemorate the First World War: a garden party in the style of “Downton Abbey,” held inside and outside of the Officer’s Quarters at Fort George. Because of rain leading up to the event that day, we were unable to set up croquet but still enjoyed lawn bowling, card games and period music, with tea, sandwiches and sweets. Guests were encouraged to wear their “Downton” best and a prize draw was done for those who dressed in costume. The evening ended with a slide show, set to music, projected on one of the buildings. The show highlighted many images from our collection of the soldiers at Niagara Camp and local boys who fought in the war. We even included pictures taken that evening of our event guests.

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PROGRAMMING & EVENTS

GREAT WAR LECTURE SERIES Our monthly lecture series was sponsored by The Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Fund, Geoffrey & Lorraine Joyner and Niagara’s Finest Inns. We hosted seven expert speakers from March to September:

March 20: Fashion, What Goes Around Comes Around by Pam Mundy

April 17: Allward and the Vimy Memorial: Representing Canada's Coming of Age by Julian Smith

May 15: The Canadian Expeditionary Force – from Niagara Camp to Europe and Back Again by John Sayers

June 19: Posters, Propaganda, and Patriotism in Canada's First World War by Graham Broad, Western University

July 17: The Great War & The Great Divide: Canada's Homefront During WWI by Renee Lafferty, Brock University

August 21: Every Picture Tells a Story: Studying Photographs of Canadian Soldiers during the Great War, 1914-1918 by David Webb

September 18: Witnesses to History: Canada’s War Art by Laura Brandon, Canadian War Museum

THE PAST IS PRESENT - A HERITAGE FESTIVAL In 2014, we held our second heritage festival on the civic holiday Monday in August. With the help of Gathering Niagara, we hosted historic demonstrations, local artisans and gourmet food vendors on the Museum grounds. Over 500 visitors came to “The Past is Present” and it proved to be a successful community event with free admission, music and lots of activity on the grounds! THEATRICAL CEMETERY TOURS After rave reviews and sold out shows in 2012 and 2013, we continued our popular cemetery tours, focusing this time on the First World War and its impact locally. We thank St. Mark’s Church for allowing us to use its historic cemetery, Barbara Worthy (our Writer and Director), Donald Combe & Fred Habermehl for research consultation and all of our wonderful volunteer actors: Steve Steele, Rick Meloen, Judy Thornton, Mary Alice Hanson, Nick Clemens, Denise Ascenzo, Bob Augustine, Roy & Sheila Roden, Pam Mundy and John Klassen.

OTHER PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Two exhibit launches for members and VIP’s Four documentary screenings in March Walking tours of the town from June - September Participation in the annual Rotary Holiday House Tour and the

Santa Claus Parade Our annual Members Trivia Night A special lecture for National Aboriginal Day A special lecture in St. Davids to commemorate the burning of St.

Davids during the War of 1812 An author’s talk about Home Children Bus trip to Port Dover Remembrance Day performance and sing-a-long called “Pack Up

Your Troubles” Hosting the Famous & Infamous biography discussion group The Phoenix Hotel holiday cocktail party

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COLLECTION & RESEARCH

Museum staff assisted with over 295 research requests from researchers both on and off site. We also received a grant from the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors fund, allowing us to conduct extensive research on Niagara Camp during the First World War. This research project was lead by historian Dr. Richard Merritt and is accessible at the Museum. Items from the collection continue to be digitized and uploaded to our online database. Keep checking our “Collections and Research” section of www.niagarahistorical.museum, as we are always adding new content.

Pictured above: Richard & Joan Coyne and Elizabeth Oliver Malone at the Garden Party; volunteer Victor Packard with a firearms display at the Past is Present heritage festival; the cast of “Pack Up Your Troubles” (Lorne Kennedy, Pam Mundy, Doug Mundy, Penner Mackay, Barbara Worthy and Gabrielle Jones); Jessica Turgeon, Ryan Donnelly, Eric Whidden & Kaitlin Cain pose at the Phoenix Soiree.

Collection of images from Niagara Camp Tombstone of Col. Kingsmill c.1870s Collection of Betty Lane paintings c.1945 Rocking Chair from Queen's Royal Hotel

Oil painting of 86 Gage St. 1916 Bell Tent c.WWI era binoculars and case Brass wall sconce from the Queen's Royal Hotel

The Museum acquired 436 items in 2014 from 24 separate donors. These acquisitions include:

Phoenix Circle In 2014, the Phoenix Circle contributed $10,000 towards our operating costs. As a thank you for their generous donations, they enjoyed the following special receptions and presentations:

A guided tour of Old Fort Erie A guided tour of and talk on the old Welland Canal

system with Bob Sears, President of the Canadian Canal Society

A private tour of the historic, restored home of Bob Watson in Queentson

2014 Phoenix Circle members: Jean & Les Taylor, Geoffrey & Lorraine Joyner, Kelly & Janet James, Charles Jackson & Sandra Lawrence, David Murray & Elizabeth Surtees, Dennis Kam & Kathy Heit, Molly Enns, Steve Hinchliffe, David & Faith Bell, Dick & Diane Armstrong, and John & Judith Sayers. Raffle We expanded our annual raffle in 2014 and offered 6 different prizes:

Private cocktail party at the Museum - $325 value Downton Abbey period dinner for 6 - $240 value Gift basket of items made by local artisans - $200 value Museum prize package - $145 value Tea for 2 at the Prince of Wales Hotel - $65 value Gift certificate for the Sandtrap Pub & Grill - $25 value

This initiative raised just over $1000 thanks to the generosity of our prize donors. Museum Faire at the Agora-on-the-Common Our most successful fundraiser in 2014 was the “Museum Faire”. Held at Parks Canada’s new Agora, the event featured “the Liar’s Club”, a fun game where guests tried to guess which panelist was telling the truth about a unique artefact. With a large silent auction and wonderful community sponsors, the event raised over $10,000 for the Society (see page 8 & 9 for a list of sponsors and in kind donations). A special thank you must be given to our event committee: Tony Chisholm (Chair), Lorraine Joyner, Peter Martin (Parks Canada), Scott Finlay (Parks Canada), Rick Meloen, John Mather, Cheryl Morris, Sandra MacDonald and Vicky Downes.

FUNDRAISING

Pictured above: The Phoenix Circle at the home of Bob Watson; Luba and Warren Fraser selling raffle tickets at the heritage festival; Tony Chisholm, John Mather, Sandra MacDonald, Marg Mather and Amy Klassen at the Agora; Mary Alice and John Klassen in our cemetery tours.

2013 DONORS Page 8

Phoenix Circle Armstrong, J. Richard & Diane Bell, David & Faith Enns, Molly Hinchliffe, Steve Jackson, Chuck & Sandra Lawrence James, Kelly & Janet Joyner, Geoffrey & Lorraine Kam, Dennis & Kathy Heit Murray, David & Elizabeth Surtees Sayers, John & Judith Taylor, Jean & Les Sponsors Colewood Construction Limited Elizabeth Interiors Elltoft, Thomas Joyner, Geoffrey & Lorraine Konzelmann Estate Winery Niagara’s Finest Hotels Niagara-on-the-Lake Realty Nina Gelateria & Pastry Shop NOTL B&B Association Palatine Hills Estate Quartek group Reif Estate Winery Shaw Festival Theatre Silversmith Brewing Company Simpson's Pharmacy General Abbott, Dave & Cathy Adamson, Sally Aimia Alexander, Jim & Erika Ann Louise Branscombe Fund at the Niagara Community Foundation

Anonymous Ascenzo, Denise Babcock, Peter Boulton, Terry & Ruth Bray, Marilyn Bridgman & Durksen Chartered

Accountants Calder, Cameron Catling, Donna Chapman, Lois Cherwonogrodzky, Peter Clark, Drs. Kevin & Rebecca

Collard, Jim Cooper, Larry Cowan, Frances Davey, Albert Deyholos, Richard Forsyth, Bill & Joanne Garrett, Beverley Gemmell, Andy & Avril Habermehl, Fred Hemmings, David & Diane Historical Association of Lewiston Jackson, Chuck & Sandra Lawrence Johnson, Fred & Sonia Joyner, Geoffrey & Lorraine Kam, Dennis & Kathy Heit Landray, Elaine & Philip Lord, Barry & Gail Mather, John McClelland, Leonard McGrath, Karen Meloen, Rick & Janet Merritt, Dr. Richard Monette, Rick Moogk, Peter Murray, Lois Murray, David & Elizabeth Surtees Newcomers of NOTL Oliver-Malone, Elizabeth Paterson, Carmen Press, Joel Ratkovsky, Helen Reynolds, Jim & Pat Hartman Richardson, Martin Sayers, John & Judith Sears, Robert Simpson, Jacqueline Simpson's Pharmacy Slack, Nina & Bill St. Andrew Society of Niagara Tallman, Craig & Sue Turner, Wes Virgil Women's Institute White, Robert & Jacqueline Whitelaw, Thomas Young, William New Life Members Masson, Betsy Murray, Lois Phibbs, Doug

Memoriam Merritt, Dr. Richard in memory of

Pat Simon NOTL Horticultural Society in

memory of Georges Masson Rigby, Caroline in memory of

Rosemarie Blackwood In Kind Andrews, Richard Ascenzo, Denise Ashenhurst, Ron & Jan Baker, Richard Balance Fitness Barberian's Steakhouse Bjorgan, Emily Bridgman & Durksen Chartered Accountants Chateau des Charmes Chisholm, Tony Elizabeth Interiors Limited Gill, Peter Grape Escapes Wine Tours Greaves Jams & Marmalades Harvey, Trudy Hemmings, David & Dianne Il Gelato di Carlotta Jackson Triggs Winery Joyner, Geoffrey & Lorraine Kam, Dennis & Kathy Heit Klassen, Amy Land Rover Wine Tours Little Red Rooster Restaurant Masson, Betsy McFarland House Megalomaniac Winery Merritt, Dr. Richard Mikreations Morris, Cheryl Mundy, Pam Murray, David & Elizabeth Surtees Music Niagara Neob Lavender Niagara College, Teaching Winery and Brewery Niagara Helicopters Limited Niagara Parks Commission Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club

Niagara's Finest Inns Nina Gelateria Nogas, Fred & Val NOTL B&B Association NOTL War of 1812 Bicentennial

Committee Oliver-Malone, Elizabeth Ormsby, Joy Outlet Collection at Niagara Palframan, Carolyn Pekar, Dr. Tom Rance, Julian & Alice Rapunzel's Salon & Spa Redekop, Debbie Remple, Doug Sandtrap Pub & Grill Sayers, John & Judith Shaw Festival Theatre Shoppers Drug Mart Silks Country Kitchen Sothebys International Realty

Canada The Boot Shop The Fairmont Royal York Hotel Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake Traditional Neighbourhood

Developments Inc. Vintage Hotels Walker Industries White Oaks Fitness and Raquet Club Wine Country Vintners

Collection Allen, Chris Boulton, Terry Bracken, Peter Bradley, Hope Catling, Donna Cotter, Glenn Duff, Ann Estate of Dorothy Ure Goring, Ian Greaves, David Harrison, Roger Hind-Smith, Sandra Klassen, Amy Lopinski, John Magnacca, Allan & Betty Niagara Falls History Museum Noxon, Court Noxon, Nicholas Quick, Martin Sammy, Patricia Sauro, Elvino Sayers, John & Judith Simon, Pat Smith, Glenn Smith, Jim Tranter, Lorna Valencourt, Kevin

Grants and Foundations that supported projects in 2014: GOVERNMENT OF CANADA - Through the New Horizons for Seniors Fund, we were given $25,000 to complete research on Niagara Camp, host our 2014 lecture series, assist with exhibition costs for our 2015 display and contribute to the publishing of Richard Merritt’s book Training for Armageddon: Niagara Camp in the Great War, 1914-1919 (2015). YOUNG CANADA WORKS - Over $11,000 helped us hire two summer students - Spencer Alder, Collections Assistant and Kristen Kollee, Exhibitions & Program Assistant. MUSEUMS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM & ONTARIO TRILLIUM FOUNDATION - These two funders granted us $24,751 and $17,400 respectively to install new high-density shelving and re-organize “The Vault”, our archival storage space. SHAW FESTIVAL TOWN PREVIEW GRANT - $1000 assisted in funding our summer children’s program . NIAGARA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION - We received $500 from the Ann-Louise Branscombe Fund at Niagara Community Foundation. THE NIAGARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM IS ALSO GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY THE TOWN OF NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE AND THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO.

GRANTS & FOUNDATIONS

Pam Mundy at the Phoenix Soiree

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VOLUNTEERS The Society has over 100 dedicated volunteers who are vital to our success. In April, a luncheon was held to show appreciation for our wonderful volunteers. Nominations were made to the Ontario Voluntary Service Awards and to the Town of NOTL Volunteer Awards to recognize individual efforts. Volunteers are involved in almost all areas of our operation including:

Collections Management - assessing incoming donations, seeking out potential acquisitions Curatorial - cataloging, completing inventories, processing data entry, scanning the collection Research - organizing research and library materials, conducting research on the collection Exhibitions - installing displays Programs - conducting walking tours, acting in cemetery tours, organizing fundraising events, assisting at special events Facility - gardening, building maintenance Administration - distributing marketing materials, mailing newsletters

Without this support from these individuals, the Society would not be able to continue, as it has for over 100 years, preserving the rich heritage of Niagara-on-the-Lake and offering engaging exhibitions and programs for the community and visitors alike.

2014 AWARD WINNERS: Ontario Voluntary Service Awards Peter Babcock - 5 years Dennis Kam - 5 years Neil Rumble - 5 years Bob Knight - 25 years Glenn Smith - 25 years Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake Volunteer Award of Historical Contribution - Fred Johnson For over 10 years, Fred Johnson has been a volunteer member of the Museum’s Curatorial Committee. He comes to the Museum faithfully every Monday to catalogue and accession new items into the collection, complete small conservation projects and make sure the collection is stored properly. Fred also helps keep the Museum grounds looking great as part of the Gardening Committee. He helps maintain the gardens through weeding, planting, watering and yard clean up.

Pictured above: The cast of our Theatrical Cemetery Tours;; Glenn Smith and Bob Knight at the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards; Rick Meloen leading a walking tour.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For a full copy of the audited financial statements by Bridgman & Durksen, Chartered Accountants, please contact the Museum.

Statement of Revenues & Expenditures - Year ended December 31, 2014

Statement of Changes in Net Assets - Year ended December 31, 2014

43 Castlereagh Street, PO Box 208 Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario L0S 1J0

p: 905-468-3912 e: contact@niagarahistorical.museum www.niagarahistorical.museum