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Stories from the Museums
Explore local history, historic recipes, people, and the stories behind Hamilton's civic museums.
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Hidden Hamilton Military History: Whitehern at War
At Whitehern Historic House and Garden, military history is not the focus of the tour, even though that history is very popular with the public.
Echoes of Auchmar: A Visitor's Perspective
Seated on the Hamilton Escarpment at the intersection of West 5th Street and Fennel Avenue, sits Auchmar, a 19th century Gothic-Revival estate.
From the Vault: "Animal Life of the Sea"
A look inside the seaweed scrapbook in Dundurn's collection.
Hamilton's Surprising Connection to Early Online Gaming
Gaming culture is alive and well in Hamilton today.
Daisy French: Granddaughter of Dundurn
Much is known about the storied history of Sir Allan Napier MacNab, original resident of Dundurn Castle in Hamilton. However, the life of his granddaughter, Daisy French, has been a great mystery, until recently.
An Exploration in Heirloom Tomatoes
Hey tomato enthusiasts! Immerse yourself in this historical adventure of tomatoes, a culinary journey that traces its origin across the continents.
Emancipation Day: A Canadian Celebration
Each year on August 1st, communities across the globe, including Hamilton, Ontario, celebrate Emancipation Day, which commemorates the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833.
The Story Behind Hamilton's Unique Decoration Day Ceremonies
Why Hamilton's Decoration Day ceremonies look the way they do.
From Skirmish to Spectacle: The Battle of Stoney Creek Re-Enactment Story
Each June, the grounds of Battlefield House Museum & Park National Historic Site transform into an all-encompassing, immersive encounter with the past.
Edwardian Grapefruit Salad
The idea that the McQuestens would be eating grapefruit at all on Christmas day was still curious.
Hilda McQuesten's Tomato Soup
Walking by Whitehern on your way to the Central Branch of Hamilton Public Library, City Hall, or the TD Coliseum, you might notice how extravagant the house itself is.
Into the Blue at the Hamilton Children's Museum
The Hamilton Children's Museum has a brand-new addition, and the design is bright, cheery and eye-catching. But what inspired the colourful design?
Seeds, Soil, and Sun in Dundurn's Historic Kitchen Garden
In Dundurn Castle's Historic Kitchen Garden, the arrival of spring comes with a lengthy to-do list, much as it would have in the mid-19th century.
Digging Deeper with Cemetery Chronicles
Cemeteries are sacred and intimate spaces. They are places where people go to feel close to someone who has passed, where forgotten histories linger, and where natural quiet and greenspace invite reflection.
Liner Notes
As part of my research for the Punching In: the Work of Hamilton Music exhibition I spent some time reviewing Jackie Washington's archives at McMaster University.
Behind the Scenes of Hamilton Collections at Dundurn
If you've visited Dundurn National Historic Site recently, you may have turned a corner and seen some very not historic people and equipment.
Plum Cakes and Motherhood at Dundurn Castle
At Dundurn Castle, the MacNab family faced significant challenges during the years Lady MacNab battled tuberculosis.
From Staffordshire to Dundas: How Wedgwood Became Local
When you walk into the Beyond the Blue and White exhibit at Fieldcote Museum, you might find yourself doing a double take.
