Recordings of the Virtual Museum Lecture Series, presented live on Youtube appear here in a podcast format for your enjoyment. To watch the full lecture with visual, please visit our Youtube channel St. Catharines Museum.

VMLS via Podcast

In the spring of 2020, we began to offer history lectures through our Virtual Museum Lecture Series live on Youtube. Now, with over 20 lectures, we’re happy to bring the lecture audio to the podcast format so that more people can enjoy these fascinating stories. If you want to catch the lectures in-full, take a gander at our YouTube channel – you’ll find us under St. Catharines Museum. We will release most of the 20 lectures over the next few weeks, and as we add more lectures to Youtube, so too will they eventually appear here on the podcast. We hope these lectures provide a bit of historical joy and also spark imagination and exploration into our City’s rich history.

More lectures are headed your way this fall. For details, please visit our website, stcatharinesmuseum.ca.

Today’s lecture was the very first to be presented way back in May of 2020. Next Stop: The NS&amp;T was presented by me, Adrian, and looks at the early history of the St. Catharines streetcar network.

Virtual Museum Lecture Series

VMLS via Podcast - Next Stop: The NS&T

Virtual Museum Lecture Series via Podcast

In the spring of 2020, we began to offer history lectures through our Virtual Museum Lecture Series live on Youtube. Now, with over 20 lectures, we’re happy to bring the lecture audio to the podcast format so that more people can enjoy these fascinating stories. If you want to catch the lectures in-full, take a gander at our YouTube channel – you’ll find us under St. Catharines Museum. We will release most of the 20 lectures over the next few weeks, and as we add more lectures to Youtube, so too will they eventually appear here on the podcast. We hope these lectures provide a bit of historical joy and also spark imagination and exploration into our City’s rich history.

More lectures are headed your way this fall. For details, please visit our website, stcatharinesmuseum.ca.

Today’s lecture on the Spanish Flu Pandemic in 1918 was presented by Curator/Supervisor of Historical Services Kathleen Powell on May 12, 2020.

Museum Chat Live!

VMLS via Podcast - The Spanish Flu

Virtual Museum Lecture Series via Podcast

In the spring of 2020, we began to offer history lectures through our Virtual Museum Lecture Series live on Youtube. Now, with over 20 lectures, we’re happy to bring the lecture audio to the podcast format so that more people can enjoy these fascinating stories. If you want to catch the lectures in-full, take a gander at our YouTube channel – you’ll find us under St. Catharines Museum. We will release most of the 20 lectures over the next few weeks, and as we add more lectures to Youtube, so too will they eventually appear here on the podcast. We hope these lectures provide a bit of historical joy and also spark imagination and exploration into our City’s rich history.

More lectures are headed your way this fall. For details, please visit our website, stcatharinesmuseum.ca.

The story of the first full operating season of the Welland Canal in 1830 is interesting because it challenges the dominant narrative of a well organized, well financed, well run, and generally successful endeavour, when in actuality, it was plagued with problems and failures.

VMLS vis Podcast - Open for Business: the Welland Canal in 1830

In the spring of 2020, we began to offer history lectures through our Virtual Museum Lecture Series live on Youtube. Now, with over 20 lectures, we’re happy to bring the lecture audio to the podcast format so that more people can enjoy these fascinating stories. If you want to catch the lectures in-full, take a gander at our YouTube channel – you’ll find us under St. Catharines Museum. We will release most of the 20 lectures over the next few weeks, and as we add more lectures to Youtube, so too will they eventually appear here on the podcast. We hope these lectures provide a bit of historical joy and also spark imagination and exploration into our City’s rich history.

More lectures are headed your way this fall. For details, please visit our website, stcatharinesmuseum.ca.

On today’s lecture, we join our public programmer Sara Nixon as she traces the tracks of the Underground Railroad and examines the legacy of Freedom Seekers arriving in St. Catharines in the 1850s. This lecture was originally presented on May 26, 2020.

VMLS via Podcast - Tracing the Tracks of the Underground Railroad

In the spring of 2020, we began to offer history lectures through our Virtual Museum Lecture Series live on Youtube. Now, with over 20 lectures, we’re happy to bring the lecture audio to the podcast format so that more people can enjoy these fascinating stories. If you want to catch the lectures in-full, take a gander at our YouTube channel – you’ll find us under St. Catharines Museum. We will release most of the 20 lectures over the next few weeks, and as we add more lectures to Youtube, so too will they eventually appear here on the podcast. We hope these lectures provide a bit of historical joy and also spark imagination and exploration into our City’s rich history.

More lectures are headed your way this fall. For details, please visit our website, stcatharinesmuseum.ca.

On today’s lecture, we join Curator and Supervisor of Historical Services Kathleen Powell as she talks about the history of Packard Electric and the early manufacturing of Oldsmobile and REO cars here in St. Catharines. The lecture was originally presented on June 2, 2020.

VMLS via Podcast - The Horseless Revolution

We are thrilled to bring our hit Virtual Museum Lecture Series to the podcast. Now, with over 30 lectures on YouTube, we’re so happy to bring the lecture audio to the podcast format so that more of you can enjoy these fascinating stories and join in on the historical adventures.

Coming up this winter, we’ll release the audio for lectures on topics such as the history of the largest cemetery here in Niagara, Ontario’s racially segregated schools, the Third Welland Canal, and much more.

More lectures are headed your way this winter over on YouTube. You can join in Live! or catch the lectures our playlist afterwards. Subscribe to our you’ll find us at St. Catharines Museum – so you don’t miss any of the fun. For more information on the lecture series, the impressive guest list, and lecture topics please visit stcatharinesmuseum.ca.

Today’s lecture, presented by Adrian Petry and Sara Nixon, explores the lives of Freedom Seekers as they settled in St. Catharines from their journeys on the Underground Railroad as recorded by Samuel Gridley Howe on behalf of the United States Congress Freedman’s Inquiry Commission in 1863. This lecture was originally presented on November 24, 2020.

VMLS via Podcast - The Howe Report

The Art of Nails

Miguel Chirinos, originally from Venezuela, has spent decades in Durham promoting Latino history and culture through educational projects, historical research, and community exhibits—highlighting figures like Simón Bolívar and Francisco de Miranda and their connections to the U.S. He’s also documented the contributions of Latinos in Durham, including their roles in education, architecture, and sports, while fostering cultural pride and historical awareness across generations.

Interview with Miguel Chirinos, 02/26/2025

Dr. Paula Harrell shares her remarkable journey as a pioneering African American woman with a Doctor of Musical Arts in organ performance, tracing her lifelong dedication to music from childhood piano lessons to church performances and academic achievements. She also recounts a traumatic encounter with the Ku Klux Klan in Durham during her youth, reflecting on its lasting emotional impact and the healing power of music throughout her life. Her story weaves together themes of resilience, heritage, and the pursuit of artistic excellence.

Interview with Paula Harrell, 07/15/2025

Gwen Bookman shares a rich family history rooted in Durham, highlighting her parents’ journey from rural North Carolina to becoming educators and entrepreneurs. She recounts her mother’s determination to pursue higher education despite segregation, her father’s role in the military and local grocery business, and the family’s lasting legacy through community service, education, and the arts. Their impact continues today through her sister’s bistro and art space, her brother’s pharmacy, and Gwen’s own career in law and academia.

Interview with Gwen Bookman

Steve Chalmers, former Durham police chief, shares his journey from growing up in the “Bottom” neighborhood to leading community-focused policing initiatives that emphasized prevention, mentorship, and public service over enforcement. He recounts the deep influence of his upbringing, education, and the “village” concept that shaped his values, ultimately inspiring programs like Men of Vision and the Hayti Reborn Justice Movement to support justice-involved individuals through holistic, collaborative community care. His story is a testament to the power of grassroots leadership and the enduring impact of community-driven solutions.

Interview with Steve Chalmers, 06/25/2025

In the most scientific episode since the infamous gyroscope episode in season 7, Kathleen and Adrian try to tackle the fascinating and very technical history of the wirephoto.

For footnote to this episode, please visit stcatharinesmuseumblog.com

One Hour in the Past E805 - The Wirephoto

It's time for the big reveal. After an interesting discussion about pablum (ironic, we know), Adrian reveals the theme (and subthemes) that linked together the episodes of this season!

For footnotes to this episode, please visit stcatharinesmuseumblog.com

One Hour in the Past E806 - Pablum

This episode in the Hearing History series explores the history of the Lakeside Park Carousel through the sounds of its incredible band organ!

Museum Chat Live! E1007 - Hearing History: Lakeside Park Carousel Band Organ

Dr. Linda Hubbard Curtis, a native of Durham, shared her family's deep roots in the community, tracing back to her grandfather, Dr. James Madison Hubbard Sr., and her grandmother, Mrs. Grizzle Hubbard. Her grandfather's significant contributions included serving on the board of North Carolina Central University and distributing Bibles at graduations. Dr. Curtis recounted her family's move to Los Angeles due to racial discrimination and their return to Durham. She detailed her educational journey, including her degrees from North Carolina Central University and Southern Illinois University, and her career in education, including roles at Durham Public Schools, Shaw University, and Meredith College. Dr. Curtis also discussed her establishment of Hope and Courage Agency, which provides holistic support for children aged 5-9, emphasizing academic, emotional, and cultural growth.

Interview with Linda Curtis, 08/19/2025

The official podcasts of the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre: Museum Chat Live! and One Hour in the Past. Find footnotes to podcast episodes at stcatharinesmuseumblog.com. Find us online at facebook.com/stcatharinesmuseum, Twitter and Instagram: @stcmuseum, and at stcatharinesmuseumblog.com. RSSVERIFY

VMLS via Podcast - The Howe Report

stcmuseum

Related tracks