ANNUAL HAMPER RAFFLE S C H E D U L E O F E V E N T S

Nov 30/ Dec 1 -

Rotary Holiday

House Tour

December 1 -

1812 Phoenix

Soiree

December 8 -

NOTL Christmas

Parade

December 18 -

Raffle Draw,

4:30 pm

January -

Museum Closed

for exhibition

change over

February - Free

admission for

residents of NOTL

February 1 -

New exhibition

opens: Battlefield

Niagara

February 11-

Annual Members

Trivia Night

The Year of Niagara’s Community in 1812 Winter 2012 Newsletter

Museum Chronicles

The Society is holding our annual hamper raffle again this year, but

with a slight twist. This year the baskets will be full of wine...just

wine...without all the other filler! A gift certificate to Cheese Secrets

is also included in each basket. Don’t miss out on your chance to

win one of these great prizes! Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5 and

can be purchased at the Museum. Anyone interested in helping to

sell tickets on behalf of the Society can get in touch with Amy.

Do you have some wine on your rack that isn’t your favourite? We

are also looking for donations of wine (or other alcohol) for the

hampers. Your gift will help us raise funds for our operations.

Donations with a receipt of purchase are eligible for a tax receipt.

For health & safety reasons, homemade wine will not be accepted.

At our Annual General Meeting on

October 11th, the Society unveiled a

new permanent plaque dedicated to

our Honourary Life members.

Pictured to the left is Board member

Terry Boulton with Honourary Life

members Richard Merritt and Richard

Taylor (absent were Chris Allen and

Joy Omrsby).

During the AGM, we also announced the addition of Lorraine Joyner to the Board (stepping

in for Linda Rodeck whose term had ended). We are sad to see Linda go, but know that

Lorraine brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Board.

Finally, we were pleased to accept a cheque for over $9,000 from Brian Merrett from the

Region’s Niagara 1812 Legacy Council. The Legacy Council donated the cost of the tent for

the Brock Ball. We are extremely grateful and thank them for their support!

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AT THE AGM

MUSEUM STAFF Sarah Maloney - Managing Director sarahmaloney@niagarahistorical.museum Amy Klassen – Society Administrator amyklassen@niagarahistorical.museum

CONTACT US 43 Castlereagh Street, PO Box 208 Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0 Phone: 905-468-3912 | Fax: 905-468-1728

Niagara Historical Society & Museum

MUSEUM HOURS The Museum is open daily year-round. May-October: 10 am to 5 pm | November-April: 1 pm to 5 pm

The Museum is closed: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Eve.

THE NIAGARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM WISHES TO THANK THE TOWN OF NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE AND THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO FOR THEIR ONGOING SUPPORT

@NHS_Museum Niagara Historical Society & Museum

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dennis Kam, President Karen McGrath, VP Museum Julian Rance, VP Society Martin Richardson, Treasurer Terry Boulton, Secretary Neil Rumble Amalie Enns Charles Jackson Elizabeth Surtees Steve Hinchliffe Lorraine Joyner Jim Collard, Town Representative

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS Joy Ormsby Richard Taylor Dr. Richard Merritt Christopher Allen

Page 2

Museum Chronicles

Strategic plan update 2012 was an extremely busy year for the Society & Museum and we accomplished many more of the goals on our

strategic plan:

Produced a second Bicentennial calendar for 2013

Produced a commemorative exhibition for the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 focusing on the civilian

experience - Niagara on the Eve of War

Compiled the 1812 research that was completed previously into a virtual map of the town at

www.niagaraeveofwar.ca

Put a new roof on Memorial Hall

Held a successful fundraiser - the Brock Ball - which raised $32,000 for the Society

Produced a play based on the War of 1812 which ran four times each week throughout the summer and was

paired with our 1812 walking tours

Held a very successful monthly lecture series based on the War of 1812 with additional lectures, book launches,

a fashion show and a children’s program, all in an effort to educate the community about life in Niagara in 1812

Many of these accomplishments would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of our wonderful volunteers. We thank all our volunteers for their ongoing commitment to preserving the heritage of Niagara-on-the-Lake and for making our Museum one of the best! Our 2012 exhibitions, lectures and Petticoats, Boots & Muskets program were all made possible through the support of the Government of Canada. The lecture series was also generously sponsored by Niagara’s Finest Inns. The Planning and Physical Plant committee of the Board is currently developing a new strategic plan that will guide the Society’s vision over the next several years. Please stay tuned for updates in the new year.

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT - Dennis Kam

It’s now time to catch our breath as the year comes to an end. It has been an extremely active year for the Society and the Museum. Final preparations for the Brock Ball began in earnest in the early Spring and the pace did not let up until the Brock ‘coatee’ made its retreat back to the War Museum in Ottawa. The 1812 Phoenix Soiree on December 1st appropriately caps our year, and then we begin again.

Many thanks to all members who responded to Amy’s calls for assistance on the various special ‘projects’, all the while often continuing to volunteer for their regular duties working in the gardens, on building maintenance or on cataloguing and preserving our collection, etc.

The Museum will be closed in January as we gear up for the 2013 activities. There will be time to install a new exhibit in Memorial Hall, do some redecorating and rekindle our enthusiasm for what will surely be another event-filled year. At the same time, the Board of the Niagara Historical Society will be launching a strategic planning exercise to refresh and extend our existing plan and to identify new goals and priorities. Any suggestions or comments you may wish to give the Board members in this context would be welcomed.

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not thank Sarah and Amy publically for the hard work and long hours put in by them over the past year – their considerable contributions were critical to the success of every single one of our many 1812 commemorative exhibits, events and activities.

Winter 2012 Newsletter

Page 7

The War of 1812 Bicentennial commemoration provides a unique opportunity to reflect upon the sacrifices of those who fought and gave their lives for the defense of Canada. Our tendency to commemorate the heroic deeds of the soldiers, officers and First Nations warriors can obscure a deeper understanding of the wartime experiences of civilians and especially of women in Niagara. With the men away serving with the militia, and occupying armies causing shortages of much-needed supplies, Niagara women endured severe hardships during the course of the War. Women’s participation in the war is generally overlooked in favour of a grand narrative of military tactics, but women were instrumental in galvanizing a less-visible resistance to the American forces.

Recently, an interesting story of women’s bravery was uncovered within the collection at the Niagara Historical Museum, suggesting that actions like Laura Secord’s famous walk occurred more than we may have thought. The incident occurred during the American occupation period of Niagara in 1813. Intelligence came to the Americans that a militia Captain by the name of John Lampman was on leave and was visiting his home in Queenston. Hoping to make him their prisoner, the Americans executed a midnight raid on several homes in the village. The search party first reached the home of the Collards, capturing one of their men and inquiring the way to the Lampman residence. Overhearing this, Betsy, one of the Collard girls, decided she would try to reach Lampman's house before the search party and warn him of their intentions. According to the story, Betsy used vines to descend from the second floor of their home and ran two miles after midnight to the Lampman residence. When she reached Lampman’s front door and warned him about the American scouts, she saddled his horse so that when the Americans arrived at his front door, John was able to quickly mount his horse and make an escape.

Helping to corroborate the story is an early map of Queenston lot divisions that hangs in the Museum gallery. Adjacent to the large lots belonging to the Collard family were a number of lots that belonged to the Lampmans.

Betsy Collard’s heroism reinforces the fact that women played an active part in resisting the Americans during the war of 1812. By deciding to warn John Lampman about the search party, Betsy risked her life so that a militia Captain could continue his service in the defense of Upper Canada.

- Submitted by Nicholas Clemens

WOMEN IN THE WAR OF 1812: The Story of Betsy Collard

You may think that the end of 2012 will bring the end of the War of 1812 commemorations...not quite!

This year’s exhibition, Niagara Eve of War, explored domestic life at the beginning of the War of 1812. We focused on a few local individuals, religion, the economy, education, society and, of course, the Battle of Queenston Heights. In 2013, Battlefield Niagara will focus on the Battle of Fort George and the local experiences during the American occupation and burning of Niagara and St. Davids. Since this will be our last exhibition on 1812, we’ll also take a look at the commemoration of the centennial of the war. How did we remember 1812 in 1912?

2012 has been such an amazing year and we are so pleased with the community response to exploring local history! So far this year, the staff has processed over 250

research requests and our attendance, both online and on site, is up significantly! We also had 26 separate donors with 230 items in total added to the collection. A few highlights from our acquisitions include: an 1812 Officer’s shaving kit, an 1812 reminiscences letter written by Elizabeth Quade, daughter of lighthouse keeper Domenic Henry, 42 metal badges of WWI Canadian Battalions, a trunk owned by a child from “Our Western Home”, RJR pottery pieces, John and Mary Crooks archives, St. Davids schoolhouse photos, a 1940 panoramic of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment at Camp Niagara, and an 1812 leave pass for a Lincoln Militia soldier.

I can’t wait to see what will come out next year, especially with the Centennial of the First World War coming in 2014!

A NOTE FROM THE MANAGING DIRECTOR - Sarah Maloney

Page 6

Museum Chronicles

A Walk Through History In September, the Museum attempted to uncover cryptic tales, truths and local lore buried beneath the ancient trees

of St. Mark’s Cemetery in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Led by the “Gravedigger”, the audience met several “spirits” of the

people buried at St. Mark’s. From home children to Rev. Addison himself, shipwrecked sailors to Great War heroines,

these fascinating tales were a hit among audiences!

The Museum led 8 theatrical walking tours of St. Mark’s Cemetery as part of a larger program across the Region.

Similar tours took place in St. Catharines, Grimsby, Pelham, Welland and Niagara Falls. A WALK THROUGH HISTORY is a

project of the NIAGARA CULTURAL CAPITAL OF CANADA 2012 program. Funding support from the Department of

Canadian Heritage and the Region of Niagara is gratefully acknowledged.

The Museum also thanks St. Mark’s Church for allowing us to use their historic cemetery, Barbara Worthy for

writing the script and Donald Combe & Fred Habermehl for research consultation. Last, but not least, a huge thank you

to our volunteers who bravely portrayed these characters, most with no acting experience at all!

CAST (pictured above) Steve Steele……………………...The Gravedigger

Rick Meloen……………………...Robert Wilson

Judy Mantle……………………...Elizabeth Ascher

Paul Byrne………………………...The Reporter for the “Foam”

Shipwreck

Emily Byrne……………………….Mary Davis (Rye girl)

Mary Alice Hanson…………….Edith Hutchins (Rye girl)

Denise Ascenzo………………….Eliza Taylor

Bob Augustine…………………...Rev. Robert Addison

Sheila Hill…………………………..Grace Moogk

Roy Roden………………………….Peter Moogk

Pam Mundy……………………….Matilda Boulton

Donna Lindhurst………………..Catherine Ked

Pam Mundy as Matilda Boulton

Winter 2012 Newsletter

Page 3

TRIVIA NIGHT The Society will be holding the Third Annual

Members Trivia Night on February 11th at 7 pm.

You are invited to attend a free evening that will

test your knowledge beyond just the history of

Niagara-on-the-Lake. Don’t be intimidated and

think you won’t know anything as there is bound

to be a category you are good at! Come for a fun

evening, make some new friends and challenge

yourself to learn something new.

Call the Museum to reserve your space as

seating is limited. Tables of 4 or 6 are available

for those who want to put together a team.

Members only please.

Membership Dues At our Annual General Meeting in October 2012, increases to our Society membership fees were announced, effective January 2013. This change was made due to the increased cost of conducting business, including the printing and postage for the newsletter. The Society fees have not changed since 2007. Changes in membership pricing: Individual: From $25 to $30 per year Family: From $40 to $50 per year Lifetime: From $200 to $300 for an individual or $500 for a couple Please remember to renew your membership and keep in mind all the benefits of being a Niagara Historical Society Member:

Our quarterly newsletter 10% off gift shop purchases Free admission to the Museum Free admission to our lecture series Advance notice of special events Free admission to other participating Museums

in Niagara (contact us for a complete list of participating sites)

2012 was an exciting time to be a member of the historical Society and 2013 will be no exception. Be sure to renew and take full advantage of all of the programs we will be offering!

Renewal forms have been included in your this mailing for annual members.

Stock up on your 2013 Bicentennial calendars!

This special edition calendar makes a great gift

for friends and family. Calendars are $12 each or

2 for $20 and features images from the 1812

collections of the Niagara Historical Society &

Museum and RiverBrink Art Museum. The gift

shop is also stocked with other 1812 gifts and

Christmas items, so come check us out for your

holiday shopping!

WHEN PLANNING YOUR ESTATE, REMEMBER THE

NIAGARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND LEAVE A

LEGACY TO THE PRESERVATION OF THE HISTORY

OF NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE.

Page 4

Museum Chronicles Winter 2012 Newsletter

Page 5

BATTLE OF QUEENSTON HEIGHTS COMMEMORATION 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Queenston Heights

During the weeks surrounding the Anniversary of the Battle of Queenston Heights, the Museum was pleased to

present some special lectures and exhibits. Stephen Sheaffe, ancestor of Roger Hale Sheaffe presented a talk on

October 9th. He and his family visited Canada and brought with them the artefacts of their ancestor, which are now

owned by the Office of the Lt. Governor of Ontario. Sheaffe’s coat, sword and pocket watch were on display at the

Museum for the month of October, the first time they were displayed in Canada. On October 11th, renowned

historian Donald E. Graves spoke about some lesser known participants in the War of 1812 to a packed house.

Finally, the Museum was honoured to display Sir Isaac Brock’s coat, on loan from the Canadian War Museum, for two

weeks. We thank the volunteers that helped greet visitors in our galleries during this special exhibit.

These additional programs were a great compliment to the re-enactment that was held at Queenston Heights and the

anniversary weekend proved to be an extremely busy one at the Museum in terms of visitors and gift shop sales! For

the two weeks we had Brock’s coat on display, we had almost 700 visitors (up from 200 during a typical October in

previous years).

Previous page: Re-enactment of the Battle of Queenston Heights (image courtesy of Tony Chisholm); Brock’s funeral (image

courtesy of Tony Chisholm); Stephen, Paul and Glenda Sheaffe (ancestors of Roger Hale Sheaffe) with Richard Merritt; Sir Isaac

Brock and Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe’s coats on display at the Museum (image courtesy of Robert Miller); Brock’s coat with the

infamous musket ball hole (image courtesy of the Canadian War Museum).

NEW PUBLICATIONS FROM OUR MEMBERS

Don Cummer has won first prize for the 16th annual "Writing for Children" award offered by The Writers' Union of Canada. "The Burying Grounds," a children's story set in Niagara before the War of 1812, was described by the jury as "a deep piece of pure writing with evocative language and an extraordinary sense of time and place." The prize is offered to unpublished writers of children's literature. The story is taken from a novel Don is writing about the children of pre-war Niagara. He hopes to announce the details of a publishing contract shortly.

Barbara Nattress’ fictional book “Dreams in the Mist: Loyalist House Season 1” draws from historical facts and her family history to tell a story of a bed and breakfast owner whose fate seems tied to the past. Nattress has conducted research on her family history, and most of the book is based on research on her family’s involvement in the War of 1812. A book launch was held at the Museum in November.

A second book launch took place in November for “From the Mouth of the Lower Niagara River” which brings together the research of four historic communities - Lewiston, Queenston, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Youngs-town. Several authors from these four communities contributed to the publication, including local members Jim Reynolds and Linda Fritz, American members Toby Jewitt and Karen Noonan, and Museum friend Jim Smith.

The Society is continuing its publishing tradition with the reprinting of 2 popular publications: “Slavery and Freedom in Niagara” by Nancy Butler and Michael Power before the end of this year, and “Stones, Saints and Sinners” by Donald Combe and Fred Habermehl in 2013.

We are also currently editing a book on Prisoner of War Camps called “Captured in the War of 1812”, written by member/volunteer David Hemmings and Joshua Lichty, who worked on contract with us this past summer. This book was made possible from a federal grant from the New Horizons for Seniors fund and will be released shortly.