Celebrating the many lives of the Custom House

Several notable Hamilton companies inhabited the building at some point in its history including the Hamilton Board of Education, the YWCA, the Associated Charities of Hamilton, a Martial Arts Academy, a computer company and several different kinds of factories including a macaroni, doughnut and olive factory.

Mulberry St. Coffeehouse – The far future pushing closer all the time

By Vanessa Sage

On its first day of opening, August 9th, 2010, I am sitting in the Mulberry Street Coffeehouse in the old Hotel Hamilton building. It is raining outside and buzzing in here. I’m drinking sugar and caffeine and wish I wasn’t since I’ve already had too much today. I see the reflection of a [...]

Local architecture is in the good hands of Shannon Kyles

By Kathy Bainas

Enthusiasm for architecture comes naturally to Shannon Kyles. Her father, Lloyd, and grandfather, J.D., were architects with their own firm in Hamilton—Kyles, Kyles & Garrett—and were responsible for, or participated in, the design and construction of local landmarks like the Pigott Building and Westdale High School.
Kyles began her career working with computers and [...]

Q & A with Matt Jelly

He is perhaps best known for his “By-Law Crawl” events which gained attention earlier this year in the aftermath of the Century Theatre demolition. Matt also lists himself as a graphic designer, artist and musician and may just be one of the most passionate advocates for a better and brighter Hamilton that I know…

One Way Traffic

This Hamilton Spectator front page was found during our recent building renovations. Read just how unpopular one-way conversion of our downtown streets was…it’s unreal that they actually went through with it!

A century of arts in Hamilton

The Carnegie Gallery has remained a strong symbol in the arts community through the support from its loyal members who rely on the gallery to give them inspiration. “This is a really important building that relates to humans. People come here and leave inspired,” said Libby Toews, a supporting member of the gallery.

Museum. Quality.

“The real value of our civic museums is in the stories they evoke in the people who visit them.” Ian Kerr-Wilson, Manager of Museums and Heritage Presentation, Culture Division, City of Hamilton, who among other things manages Hamilton’s 7 civic museums, wouldn’t want it any other way. “I think our primary job is to help Hamiltonians tell our own stories. That’s why none of the people who work in our civic museums see their primary role as talking to people about facts, but rather as engaging people so they share their own stories.”

John Terpstra – Hamilton as place

John Terpstra’s newest book, Skin Boat – Acts of faith and other navigations(Gaspereau Press) offers frank reflection on faith and church in a secular era. His 2002 book, Falling Into Place is a creative investigation of the Iroquois Bar – a giant glacial sandbar which lies beneath one of Canada’s busiest transportation corridors. We asked John about the local place names that intrigue, inspire and puzzle him.

William Palmer Witton – A Hamiltonian’s Remarkable Architectural Legacy

By Graham Crawford
James Balfour. John Lyle. If you’re at all interested in Hamilton’s heritage architecture, you probably recognize the names of these two well-regarded architects. You may not, however, be as familiar with the name of architect William Palmer Witton. Most people, as it turns out, don’t know Witton’s name. But, you can count on [...]

Historical Hamilton – Website uses satellite maps to show Hamilton’s heritage

By Graham Crawford
As I write this article, it’s an absolutely glorious day outside. More summer than spring. More shirtsleeves than jacket required. What does the weather have to do with this story? Not much really, except if you’re stuck for some ideas for pleasant (why even cultural and educational) walks around Hamilton, there’s a website [...]