News from the City of St. Catharines in Niagara, Ontario
Posted February 4th, 2026 on Niagara At Large
Throughout the month of February, the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre is inviting residents to learn more and celebrate Black history and culture in St. Catharines by exploring the last year of the exhibit, “Last Stop: In their Own Words”.
Last Stop challenges the traditional narratives of the local settlement of refugee Freedom Seekers in St. Catharines in the 1850s. Also watch for the museum’s Black History Month blog series every Saturday this February.
The City is also proud to partner for Future Black Female’s Annual On Stage Variety Show, on Saturday, Feb. 21 from 1 to 5 p.m., at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre – an unforgettable afternoon highlighting the creativity, brilliance, and diversity of Black talent in the Niagara Region.
This high-energy show promises a captivating mix of musical performances, comedy, dance, and spoken word, all curated to showcase the richness of Black artistic expression.
From emerging voices to seasoned performers, audiences will experience an afternoon full of inspiration, entertainment, and storytelling brought to life on stage. There will also be an exciting vendor market curated by BlackOwned905. Tickets are pay what you can, including free.
St. Catharines Public Library will host two presentations during Black History Month, both registration encouraged; walk-ins welcome as space permits. Harriet Tubman in Niagara (Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Merritt Branch) with guest speaker Rochelle Bush, owner and operator of Tubman Tours Canada and a descendant of freedom seekers.
Public Archaeology and History of the Cataract House Hotel: The Underground Railroad at the Niagara River Borderlands (Feb. 11, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Merritt Branch). Join Douglas Pirelli, Director of Archeological Survey, University of Buffalo, to discover more about the Cataract House Hotel, the busiest Underground Railroad crossing on the Niagara frontier. Its predominantly African American wait staff orchestrated the escapes of freedom seekers into Canada.
A variety of other events and programs are also taking place in St. Catharines to mark Black History Month. Watch the City’s social media channels and website for more information. The St. Catharines Downtown Association is also compiling a list of community activities on its website.
NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space Below and by sharing the Niagara At Large site at www.niagaraatlarge.com with all of your friends and associates.
Visit us every day on www.niagaraat.arge.com and on Doug Draper’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/doug.draper.180 and encourage everyone else you know to do the same. Let’s build local news and commentary media!
Niagara At Large 