Celebrate #STC150 with us: Winter Edition

By St. Catharines Public Library - Jan 21, 2026

Program highlights

In 2026, St. Catharines proudly marks its 150th anniversary as a City. Since its incorporation on May 1, 1876, the City of St. Catharines has been shaped by change, opportunity, and innovation into the city we know and love today. What began as an agricultural settlement and canal-side industrial centre evolved into a cornerstone of Niagara’s growth and prosperity.

Entering this milestone year, the City celebrates and honours the land's history with the theme Our Common Ground, as a reminder of the ways in which the land beneath our feet has supported us, sustained us, and carried us forward for 150 years.

As we reflect on history of this land from the first Indigenous peoples to the Underground Railroad to the waterways, vineyards and orchards that nourish us today, SCPL is proud of offer a series of programs this winter to commemorate the occasion and help our community honour our common ground.

STC 150 Programs

A post card of a historic scene of St. Paul Street in downtown St. Catharines.

St. Catharines at 150: Mixed Media Retrospective Art

For Adults

Saturday, January 24 | 2pm
Dr. Huq Family Library Branch

Explore local history and get creative - we're digging into the treasure trove of historical photographs from the library and then incorporating them into a mixed media art piece. We'll explore paints, pastels, crayons, and other forms of media to create something that speaks to the significance of St. Catharines celebrating 150 years.

Registration required.

A mural of Harriet Tubman painted on a building.

Harriet Tubman in Niagara

For Adults

Tuesday, February 3 | 6:30pm
Merritt Branch

Explore Niagara's connection to Harriet Tubman, the public face of the Underground Railroad in British North America.

Registration encouraged.

A historic, black-and-white photograph of the Cataract House Hotel.

Public Archaeology and History of the Cataract House Hotel: The Underground Railroad at the Niagara River Borderlands

For Adults

Wednesday, February 11 | 6:30pm
Merritt Branch

Join Douglas Pirelli, Director of Archeological Survey, University at Buffalo (UB), to discover more about the Cataract House hotel, the busiest Underground Railroad crossing on the Niagara frontier. Its predominantly African American wait staff played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad, orchestrating the escapes of freedom seekers into Canada.

Registration required.

An out of focus presenter stands in front of a full crowd.

Unerasing Ourselves: St. Catharines, Canadian Literature, and the Past

For Adults

Wednesday, February 25 | 6:15pm
Central Library

This talk attends to the troubling question: what becomes of the nation when we decolonize, when we really take our conflicts head on? In his book, “Unerasing Ourselves”, Dr. Gregory Betts explores St. Catharines history as a lens for understanding conflict in Canada.

Registration required.

A historic postcard of people ice skating and playing hockey in Montebello Park.

Canada's Game in the Garden City

For Adults

Wednesday, March 11 | 6pm
Merritt Branch

Hear stories from the early days of pick-up on a frozen Welland Canal to Stan Mikita and the big-league games at the Garden City Arena with Adrian Petry, public historian and Visitor Services Coordinator at the St. Catharines Museum.

Registration required.

A pile of old photographs and handwritten letters.

Unlocking the Past: Tour the Library’s Local History Collection

For Adults

Wednesday, March 25 | 2:30pm
Central Library

Join us for a guided tour of the Central Library’s Local History Department. Discover a rich collection of resources—including maps, microfilm, and city directories—that bring our city’s past to life.

Registration required.

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St. Catharines Public Library
54 Church Street
St. Catharines, ON, L2R 7K2

(905) 688-6103

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