Exhibits - Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum

Current Exhibitions

THE PRETTIEST TOWN: Beyond the Bricks & Mortar (May 17, 2024 - April 6, 2025)

There is something about Niagara-on-the- Lake (NOTL) that makes people want to stay and keeps them coming back for more. It is almost hard to describe but you instantly feel it when you stroll along our historic streets. It is the thing that gives our Town its charm and is the foundation of our tourism economy. It is also the reason why our Town is continuously ranked as one of the most beautiful places in Canada. But what is “it”?

It is our built heritage.

These beautiful, old structures not only reflect the time in which they were built, but they also serve as a physical reminder of our past and connect us with the people, community, and events in our Town’s history. Explore the “storeys” of some of our Town’s heritage homes and why it is important to preserve them for future generations.

OUR STORY (Permanent exhibit)

This exhibition explore 9,000 years of history from Indigenous history to the tourism boom of the 1970s. The gallery contains such significant artefacts as a powder horn belonging to Chief Joseph Brant, the Indian Department Coatee worn by Daniel Servos during the American Revolutionary War, uniforms from the War of 1812 and other items from Niagara's long history.

Past Exhibitions

STRIKE A POSE: The Art of Self-Obsession (Dec 1, 2023 - Apr 29, 2024)

The desire to leave a mark on the world and to chronicle our lives is not a new concept. Over the centuries we have recorded our likeness through drawings, portrait paintings, sculpture, and in the past 180 years, through photography. While cellphone cameras and social media have made portrait-making and sharing second nature, portraiture and selfies share a few common themes—the love of capturing memories and our desire to be remembered.

This exhibition shows how the people of Niagara-on-the-Lake documented themselves, either through painting and drawings, or photography and pixels.

BOUND & DETERMINED: Chloe Cooley, Enslavement and the Fight for Freedom (June 2 - November 13, 2023)

The North Star. The Promised Land. Canadians pride themselves on knowing that our country was a safe haven for people escaping enslavement from the United States. However, what Canadians don't realize is that slavery existed here for over 200 years. About 600 enslaved people of African descent lived in Upper Canada (Ontario) up to 1834, and at least 80 lived in Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL).

2023 marks the 230th Anniversary of the passing of the first anti-slavery legislation in the British Empire, which was passed here in NOTL. And this is all thanks to a strong-willed Black woman named Chloe Cooley...

Co-Curators: Rochelle Bush, Natasha Henry-Dixon, Sarah Kaufman, and Shawna Butts.

This exhibition is available as a virtual exhibit on Google Arts & Culture.

All Along the Waterfront (May 18, 2022 - May 22, 2023)

An exploration of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s relationship with the Niagara River and Lake Ontario including industries, recreation, and environmental implications. This exhibition has started to be made available through a series of smaller stories on Google Arts and Culture:

Photographic Memory (November 9, 2021-April 30, 2022)

This exhibition explored photographs of the community from 1945 to 1985.

Making Her Mark: The Women of Niagara-on-the-Lake (October 28, 2020-October 24, 2021* Extended due to COVID-19)

This exhibit explored some of the women in Niagara-on-the-Lake’s history, including courageous environmentalists, heritage activists, artists, scientists, war heroes, teachers, matriarchs, politicians, and professionals. This exhibition was created in anticipation of our upcoming book, of the same title, and can be purchased: https://notlmuseumshop.square.site/product/making-her-mark-the-women-of-niagara-on-the-lake/543?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true

A Piece of Her Mind (November 12, 2019- April 25, 2020)

This display featured textiles entirely from the Museum’s collection and illuminated the lives of some of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s women through the samplers, quilts, and woven textiles that they created or were created for them.

Painting Niagara-on-the-Lake (November 27, 2018-May 4, 2019)

An exhibition of paintings depicting Niagara-on-the-Lake landscapes or built heritage. This exhibition has been made available through a series of smaller stories on Google Arts and Culture: https://artsandculture.google.com/search/exhibit?p=niagara-historical-society-museum

Camp Kosciuszko: The Polish Army at Niagara Camp, 1917-1919 (November 11, 2017-November 15, 2018)

An exhibition that commemorated the 100th anniversary of the opening of Camp Kosciuszko, where thousands of soldiers of Polish descent trained before being sent to fight in the First World War to help free Poland from 123 years of occupation. This exhibition has been made available through a series of smaller stories on Google Arts and Culture: https://artsandculture.google.com/story/5gXRwQnYiYr5Iw

Putting Down Roots (May 15, 2017-October 31, 2017)

Celebrating 150 years since Canada’s Confederation, this exhibition explored the history of the groups of people who settled, immigrated, or sought refuge in our community. This exhibition has been made available through a series of smaller stories on Google Arts and Culture: https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/niagara-historical-society-museum

Through the Voices of Beads (January 5, 2017-April 30, 2017)

This travelling exhibition from the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) featured Iroquois beadwork from the ROM and artist, Samuel Thomas.

Janet’s Gems (May 1, 2016 – October 31, 2016)

An exhibition that celebrated 120 years of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum’s collection. This history has been slightly altered and made available through our Google Arts and Culture: https://artsandculture.google.com/story/jQXhOV5_t-WhLA .

Life Under Canvas: Niagara Camp 1915-1919 (April 15, 2015-April 15, 2016)

This exhibition provided insight into the experiences of the men and women who trained at Niagara Camp for service during the First World War.

Enjoy Your Stay (November 1, 2014-March 31, 2015)

An exploration of early hotels and inns in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The Art of War: A Legacy of the Great War (February 1, 2014-October 14, 2014)

A commemorative exhibition marking the centennial of the First World War and featured paintings, sketches, war posters, trench art, and more.

Battlefield Niagara (February 1, 2013-December 31, 2013)

This exhibition was a continuation of Niagara on the Eve of War, and explored what was happening locally in 1813 during the War of 1812 including the Battle of Fort George, the occupation of Niagara by American Forces, and the burning of Niagara.

Niagara On the Eve of War (February 1, 2012-December 31, 2012)

Commemorating the bicentennial of the War of 1812, this exhibit focused on the local community during the War of 1812 and the first battle in Niagara: The Battle of Queenston Heights.