Category Archives: Local History

Stepping into the Past: Everyday Places that Awaken the Historical Imagination

As summer days begin to wane, we explore some of the everyday places that challenge us to think more deeply about the past. Got a place to add? Send us a message and we will add it to this post!

Recreation to Re-creation: Restoring Natural Heritage in Public Parks

Growing up in Cambridge next to Soper Park, the park became an extension of my backyard.  I spent many days exploring the park, wading in the creek, catching crayfish and racing home-made boats.  As a child the creek seemed mysterious and ancient.  It was dammed with stone and concrete dams, and walled in with massive stones, broken by sets of… Read more »

Podcast: An Environmental History of the Lower Lea River Valley, Site of the 2012 London Olympics

In this talk, Jim Clifford explored some of the findings of his PhD dissertation on the environmental problems created by half a century of urban-industrial development along the Lower Lea River Valley, and the challenges this history poses for redevelopment for the 2012 London Olympics.

Renaming Schools: A sign of a society in dialogue with its past

The Halifax Regional School Board’s decision to rename Cornwallis Junior High fits into a long Nova Scotian tradition of changing names with evolving social and political conditions in Nova Scotia.

Like history? There’s an app for that

      6 Comments on Like history? There’s an app for that

I recently purchased an Apple iPhone, so that means I now enjoy texting, web browsing on the go and, of course, a higher monthly cell phone bill.  But I’m also able to use a number of great apps that relate to history. An app (short for “application”) is essentially a computer program for a smartphone.  Apps are often created by third-party developers… Read more »

Active History on the Grand: The Greenwich Mohawk site and Community History

The Greenwich Mohawk brownfield site in Brantford represents both the city’s industrial past and its recent deindustrialization. The 1903 heritage designated Cockshutt Office building on the site is in jeopardy of being demolished by those who want to forget Brantford’s industrial history and recent failures.

Announcement: Parler Fort presents Reshaping Toronto’s Waterfront

The Parler Fort series is proud to announce the launch of Reshaping Toronto’s Waterfront (University of Toronto Press, 2011).  On Monday June 20th at 7:30 pm at Toronto’s historic Fort York Wayne Reeves, Chief Curator for the City of Toronto Museum Services, will discuss the history of Toronto’s waterfront.  Special guests include contributors to Reshaping Toronto’s Waterfront: Gene Desfor, Jennefer… Read more »

Announcements: Parler Fort Speaker Series and Sunnybrook Hospital Book Launch

This week’s announcements include the Parler Fort Speaker Series at Fort York National Historic Site and the book launch for Sunnybrook Hospital: Our Veterans’ Legacy of Care, a Photographic Journey Through the Decades.

Active History on the Grand: Chiefswood, a Bridge Between Two Worlds

August is laughing across the sky, Laughing while paddle, canoe and I, Drift, drift, Where the hills uplift On either side of the current swift. – “The Song my Paddle Sings,” E. Pauline Johnson From Brantford’s downtown the Grand River meanders lazily, coming back on itself through a large ox-box, before reaching the tiny community of Newport.  Just past Newport… Read more »