Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON – On Thursday, local MPP Wayne Gates was at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum to celebrate
a $13,100 Capital grant to the Niagara Historical Society from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation
(OTF) to make important improvements to the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum’s facilities, which will help preserve one of
Ontario’s most unique collections.
“Thanks to this $13,100 grant, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum is giving its windows—and our town’s history—a much-
needed upgrade,” said Wayne Gates, MPP for Niagara Falls. “By making investments like the one today, we’re making
sure the stories and treasures inside are shared with more than our community, but all of the people that I know the
museum will continue to attract to Niagara-on-the-lake. This is exactly the kind of support that keeps our heritage alive
and well for everyone.”
Museums worldwide are the guardians of cultural treasures and, thanks to this OTF grant, the Niagara-on-the-Lake
Museum was able to purchase and replace 30 sheets of plexiglass, with UV-absorbing film, on all its interior windows to
ensure the museum is well able to maintain the guardianship of those treasures. Installing the new sheets of plexiglass is
a little more complicated than hanging new curtains. The NOTL Museum is housed in a three heritage buildings, dating
back to 1875, and all its 30 windows are uniquely sized. Trim must be removed, condensation holes drilled, the
plexiglass custom-fitted to each window, and trim re-attached. The dangers of not replacing the plexiglass is that the
original collections on display will be replaced with reproductions, and greatly reduce the authenticity of what is
presented to the public.
Assistant Curator for the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum, Shawna Butts, believes the OTF Capital Grant is a life preserver
for the NOTL Museum’s collection. “Ultraviolet rays pose a critical risk to museum collections, just like they do to
humans. They fade colours, deteriorate fabrics and cause shrinking and cracking to some materials. With this Ontario
Trillium Capital grant, we are essentially re-applying our sunscreen by replacing the expired UV plexiglass with brand-
new ones. They are the silent guardians of our collection, and this will allow us to continue preserving the town's
history for years to come.”
The Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum is dedicated to preserving the town’s history through education, research, collecting,
publishing and providing access to the history of Niagara-on-the-Lake with multi-experiential programming and exhbits.
However, Niagara-on-the-Lake’s community history is unique because it is directly associated with both regional,
provincial and federal history, and this attracts visitors from around the world.
The NOTL Museum is open year-round, to visitors, from 10am – 5 pm, May to October; and from 1 – 5 pm November to
April. For more information, visit www.notlmuseum.ca.
“Whether it’s helping people learn new things, connect with their community, or simply have fun, organizations like the
Niagara Historical Society deliver experiences that make a difference,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and
Gaming. “That’s why grant support through the Ontario Trillium Foundation is so important. This funding will help
ensure they remain at the heart of the community for decades to come."
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and
vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested more than $110M into 1,044 community projects and
multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable
environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.