Wainfleet Historical Society

06/04/2026

06/04/2026

Due to some rainy weather in May, we have rescheduled our tour of Oakwood Cemetery to this Saturday, June 6th at 9:30am.

If you are interested in joining us for a walk through history, register in advance by calling the Port Colborne Museum (905) 834 7604 or by email [email protected]

All tours last approximately 1.5 hours
Suggested donation minimum $10 per person

06/03/2026

On this day… in 1953 the coronation of Elizabeth II took place at Westminster Abbey, London. Elizabeth II ascended the throne at the age of 25 upon the death of her father, George VI, on 6 February 1952, being proclaimed queen by her privy and executive councils shortly afterwards. The coronation was held more than one year later because of the tradition of allowing an appropriate length of time to pass after a monarch dies before holding such festivals. It also gave the planning committees adequate time to make preparations for the ceremony.
During the service she was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).
Daniel G. Wiest, Owner & Publisher
Dan Wiest Around The Community

06/02/2026

Today is Decoration Day in Canada. This was the country's main day of honouring and mourning veterans until being superseded by Remembrance Day in the 1930s. Decoration Day had been started in 1890 by veterans of the Fenian Raids, specifically marking the Battle of Ridgeway, which took place on June 2, 1866.

This photo shows a Decoration Day ceremony held in St. Catharines in 1939. Though the holiday's significance was already fading by this time, it received a temporary boost due to the impending war in Europe. Tensions with Germany, combined with King George VI's scheduled Canadian visit less than a week later, had inspired a local air of patriotism and duty.

S1939.48.4.1

06/02/2026

On this day in 1866, the Battle of Ridgeway was fought between Canadian troops and the Fenians (Irish-Americans).
A victory for the Fenians, it left 33 dead and 38 wounded. It was the last battle fought within the current boundaries of Ontario against a foreign attack.

📸 LAC

06/02/2026

Special Event Happening June 21 in Niagara: relaunching the Niagara Land Trust, an all-volunteer community non-profit dedicated to protecting nature in Niagara, including some of the oldest hardwood forests in Canada! I'll be presenting on stage, along with others. It's a free event and all are welcome. Doors open 3:00 pm at the Central Niagara Community Venue in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Hope to see you there! https://adamshoalts.com/upcoming-book-events/

06/01/2026

Commemorating War of 1812 and Fenian Raids of 1850s!

06/01/2026

It was 75 years ago today that the Royal Commission on National Development in the Arts, Letters and Sciences (1949–1951)—also known as the Massey Commission—released its final report.

The report was dated May 1951 and tabled in the House of Commons on June 1, 1951.

The report argued in favour of federal support for the arts: “[I]t is in the national interest to give encouragement to institutions which express national feeling, promote common understanding and add to the variety and richness of Canadian life, rural as well as urban.”

It advocated for the creation of many GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives and museums) institutions in Canada, including the establishment of the National Library of Canada and a federal program to transfer the historical records of federal departments to the Public Archives of Canada.

You can browse the electronic report here:
https://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/nlc-bnc/royal_commission_nat_devel-e/rpt/etable.htm

📷 4936677

06/01/2026

There is more history in these streets than meets the eye — but do you know the stories behind them? 👀

Starting June 1st, our expert guides are ready to bring them to life, every day at 11am, plus weekends at 3pm. This isn't just a walk. It's the story of a town that shaped a nation.

Book your tour 👉 https://notlmuseumtours.rezdy.com/687912/niagara-on-the-lake-walking-tours

🗓️June through August
⏰Every day at 11 a.m. plus weekends at 3 p.m.
📍Starts at the Niagara District Court House, 26 Queen St. Niagara-on-the-Lake
1 to 1.5 hours | $15 per person