What’s Happening
Celebrating Black History Month 2014
The Workers’ History Museum is proud to announce that we’ve been chosen as part of the Black History Month Series 2014, sponsored by TD Then and Now and Black Artists’ Network in Dialogue (BAND). We will be showcasing the “Cal Best Project” as part of a full schedule of activities[...]
Inside the Tin: The story of Dominion Stores
This picture shows a product from the Dominion chain of supermarkets. "Mainly Because of the Meat" went their slogan at one time (much to the annoyance of my vegan wife). There is a complicated tale to spin from this tea can. The short story is that Dominion was originally established[...]
Volunteer Spotlight: Christine Goneau
1) What is your name? Christine Goneau 2) Where are you from? I was born and raised in Orleans and have lived here my entire life. 3) What’s your primary occupation? Currently I'm a university student at l'Université du Québec en Outaouais, where my field is Museum Studies. I already[...]
Announcing the J. Calbert Best Boardroom
The Workers' History Museum is thrilled to hear that the Public Service Alliance of Canada is naming their Halifax Regional Office Boardroom after Cal Best! The organizers credit our work for sparking renewed interest in this co-founder of their union, and ultimately leading to this decision. Our video Simply the[...]
December 6th – National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
December 6th is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, this day marks the anniversary of the murders in 1989 of 14 young women at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal. They died because they were women. December[...]
Hands On: The WHM Artifacts Workshop
On Saturday, November 30, the Workers’ History Museum welcomed Masters’ students associated with the Carleton Centre for Public History (CCPH) to our new storage unit for an artifacts workshop. Students were able to handle and assess objects that we are currently considering for accessioning (the formal, legal process that the[...]
Announcing our Board of Directors!
Or their photographs, to be more precise. Thanks to Paul Harrison, we now have portraits of our board members. Have a look at some of the people involved in running the Workers’ History Museum. The WHM Board If you ever have any questions about our museum, these are the people[...]
Sad News
Pat McGrath, former Workers' History Museum Director and Trustee, died peacefully on Tuesday, November 26, 2013, at the age of 60. Pat was a dedicated, hard-working union activist and a good friend. She was a great supporter of the Workers' History Museum. Her cheery disposition, outgoing personality and positive outlook[...]
Preservation and Activism in Lowertown East
In July 2013, I served as a volunteer on a Heritage Ottawa walking tour focusing on Lowertown East. The tour was guided by Nancy Miller-Chenier, Co-chair of the Lowertown Community Association’s Heritage Committee and long-time resident of the neighbourhood. Their work in Lowertown was started to save buildings from demolition[...]
Volunteer Spotlight: Evert Hoogers
If you’ve ever attended any WHM events, you’ve surely met this month’s volunteer. He’s a constant presence, whether talking to visitors about the museum at Colonel By Day or graciously recording the proceedings of each Communications meetings. We hope you enjoy meeting this lifelong activist. Name: Evert Hoogers Where are[...]
Adrian Harewood to host Cal Best launch
Adrian Harewood, News Anchor at CBC News Ottawa, will join the Workers' History Museum for a celebration of the life and legacy of Cal Best. Mr. Harewood will be our Master of Ceremonies at the Ottawa launch of the WHM's exciting new project – including the premiere of our film[...]
Remembering the Civil Service: Call for Participants
“Remembering the Civil Service: A Study of Aboriginal Labour Experiences in the Post-War Ottawa Federal Civil Service” is an oral history study designed to help self-identifying First Nation, Metis, and Inuit individuals share their stories about what it is like to work for the Canadian federal civil service in a[...]