Fonthill was the epicentre of where geology and culture met in Niagara for the inaugural “You See ’Em Museum” event, held Sunday at Meridian Community Centre.

“From a family perspective, it’s to raise awareness of the cultural heritage we have in Niagara and to see things that are tangible,” said event organizer Darren Platakis, founder of Niagara Geo Park and co-leader of Niagara Geo Club.

Platakis celebrated it as an “intersection of where geology and culture come together,” highlighting Niagara’s history.

“Many vendors or participants, they’re showing archeological artifacts that have been found, the geo park is showing the geology of the area and for the visitors coming around … we’re putting that story together for them,” he said.

“Niagara as an area is culturally significant, not just for the 200 years (since) the War of 1812, but for the 12,000 years previous to that, when we had the first Indigenous communities living here.”
Platakis said events like this are important for many reasons as they tell the story of the region, both through evidence and shared oral histories.

“They’re about the stories, everyone who lives in the geo park has a story of alocation they might have gone to,” he said. “Those stories and locations, over time, disappear and I’m hopeful events such as this bring those stories to the forefront.”

Maritime history and Niagara’s connection to it were highlighted during Sunday’s event.

The Point Abino Lighthouse Preservation Society, a volunteer group, offered its perspective of Niagara’s maritime history.

Society president Alf Goodearle praised “You See ’Em Museum.” “This is a tremendous opportunity, tucked away in the corner of the Niagara region. The lighthouse gets limited exposure,” he said. “We’re using this event to sell our society on trying to recruit some new volunteers.”

Goodearle said to preserve the region’s heritage, the organization relies on donations and volunteers.

Kimberly Monk, adjunct professor at Brock University and director of the Shickluna Shipyard project, said connecting with the public on local maritime history is rewarding.

“As archeologists, historians, members of the museum community, we are all very aware, clearly, of our past, but many others not in professional fields … may not be,” she said.

“We want to connect the public with the importance and significance of our histories to engage on why this work is so important and why it deserves to be recognized.” The importance of Niagara’s history cannot be overestimated, Monk said. “We hope the municipalities and the region appreciate that, as we look toward celebrating the Welland Canal’s bicentennial and supporting, of course, historical and archeological programs and projects relating to that history.”

Monk said a rare aspect of the project unearthing the St. Catharines shipbuilder’s story is talking about local maritime history. Many marine sites no longer exist or“ they are obscured from the public because they are submerged.”

“The opportunity to share in our maritime past, a past that had everything to do with the settlement, with economic development of the Niagara region, is so crucial to appreciating those who came before us,” she said.

The event, originally slated for Family Day weekend, had to be rescheduled due to inclement weather.