PW 1-05 Janet Carnochan and the Niagara Historical Society and Museum



Founder of the Niagara Historical Society Museum (NHSM image)
 


Located in front of Niagara Historical Society Museum - 43 Castlereagh St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
 


Image from Francis Drake Smith, "Miss Janet Carnochan: A Sketch and an Appreciation," THE CANADIAN MAGAZINE 38 (January 1912): 293
 


 

The Niagara Historical Society and Museum was founded in 1895, by Janet Carnochan, a teacher and passionate historian.

We wouldn't have known much about these extraordinary women from Canada's history if it weren't for the efforts of other pioneering women of the day.

Janet was dedicated to preserving and honouring Niagara's unique history.

She lived in Niagara in the latter part of the 19th century, at the time when Laura Secord was well into her senior years.

She was one of the few female historians in a typically male dominated field.

And she challenged the conventions of the day with her in-depth scholarly research.

It took just one year for the Society to realize they had a collection on their hands – and right here is a collection of materials that has grown into one of the most valuable and unique historical collections in Ontario.


Additional Resources

Ascenzo, Denise. 2017. Niagara's History Unveiled: The woman behind Canada's first purpose-built museum. http://niagaranow.com/entertainment.phtml/78

Simon Fraser University Digital Collections. Undated. Janet Carnochan. http://digital.lib.sfu.ca/ceww-867/carnochan-janet

Directions to next Point of Interest

Continue walking along Castlereagh until you reach the first intersection, which is King Street. Cross over, turn left and walk until you see the entrance to Parliament Oak School on your right. Once there, we'll talk about the legendary Underground Railroad conductor, Harriet Tubman.


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