Homeless Historians In Niagara, Ontario’s City of Throld Still Left On Hold

By Pamela Minns

This has been an ongoing saga and is a sorry story to come out of a City which is beginning to be noticed by other municipalities in the Region of Niagara, as one which is moving ahead — especially when it comes to our heritage.

A key monument to Thorold’a history, the Keefer Mansion (open today as a restaurant and in) was a home of one of the community’s founding families, involved in the construction of the first Welland Canal and a major grist mill here. Phoro by Doug Draper

“Heritage” is nearly always grouped with “Culture” when it should stand alone, since it is the foundation of our communities; it is what gives us an individuality and uniqueness that creates pride…it draws visitors and tourists, and furthermore, makes them want to return !

The sad part of this whole story is the lack of importance placed on our history, our culture, and our heritage, by the City of Thorold. Allowing Chestnut Hall – a city-owned, designated heritage building – attached to our library, which housed our Museum, to reach the stage where its contents were threatened with water damage, animal invasion and whatever else can occur in a building that has not been maintained and which badly needs attention – BUT with no monies allotted in the City budget year after year ! 

Following this, some months ago it was necessary to remove the artifacts from the Museum to another location to protect them.

The City has allowed all of this to happen and has shown so little regard for this record of our rich history that Mayor and Council is now “dickering” with the Culture groups who want space on the top floor of the new exquisite Seniors’ Centre. 

We need to remember that the Museum and its contents belong to the citizens of Thorold and some value and consideration needs to be placed on this collection by the City. We also need to remember that it was a few short years ago that the City received a provincial award for its work in heritage preservation —– what ever happened to that ?

All communities have museums – large and small ones, but they do have that pride in community that makes them want to display it to the world.

I have always said that “our future lies in our past”; the trend in tourism is not for “world tourist sites” but having “a cultural heritage experience” ! — and yet, we have allowed a travesty such as this to happen. Shame on you, Thorold Mayor & Council ! 

Pamela Minns is a Niagara, Ontario resident and long-time advocate for protecting and preserving heritage sites in the greater Niagara region.We are also proud to have her on our list of contributors of news and comment to NAL 

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