annual report - Niagara Historical Society Museum

2014
ANNUAL
REPORT
Preserving Niagara-on-the-Lake’s heritage since 1895
Page 2
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
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Niagara Historical
Society & Museum
@NHS_Museum
The Society & Museum wishes to thank the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and
the Province of Ontario for their ongoing support.
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
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PROGRAMMING & EVENTS
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.
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
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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
Page 6
COLLECTION & RESEARCH
The Museum acquired 436 items in 2014 from 24 separate donors. These acquisitions include:
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Oil painting of 86 Gage St.
1916 Bell Tent
c.WWI era binoculars and case
Brass wall sconce from the Queen's Royal Hotel
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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
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.
FUNDRAISING
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:
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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.
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.
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2013 DONORS
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
Pam Mundy at the Phoenix Soiree
GRANTS & FOUNDATIONS
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.
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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
Statement of Revenues & Expenditures - Year ended December 31, 2014
Statement of Changes in Net Assets - Year ended December 31, 2014
For a full copy of the audited financial statements by Bridgman & Durksen,
Chartered Accountants, please contact the Museum.
43 Castlereagh Street, PO Box 208
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario L0S 1J0
p: 905-468-3912 e: [email protected]
www.niagarahistorical.museum