The Museum

The Willoughby Historical Museum was created as an expression of pride felt by the community during the festivities of Canada's centennial celebrations in 1967. The Willoughby Historical Society requested a grant from Willoughby Township Council to open a museum. Frank Leslie and Zettie May Miller, the first Honourary Presidents of the Willoughby Historical Society, contributed greatly to the establishment of the Museum and through the kind donation of artifacts from many of the original families in the community, the Society was able to create displays and open a gallery n 1968.

The Willoughby Historical Museum was established in the Former S.S. #2 schoolhouse (1916-1957)where it remains to this day at 9935 Niagara Parkway, in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, at the intersection of the Niagara Parkway and Weaver Road - 4 kilometres south of the Village of Chippawa.

Come inside the Museum and step back in time.

Hours of Operation and Admissions

Victoria Day Weekend to Labour Day
Open daily 11:00 to 4:00

Labour Day to Victoria Day Weekend
Open Wednesday to Sunday and holiday Mondays 10:00 to 5:00

The Museum is available for tours or research all year round by calling 1(905)295-4036. Admission to the Museum is by donation.

Facilities

The Museum has a small gift shop offering a range of local history publications as well as some souvenirs. Also available on site are public washrooms, a picnic area with a beautiful river view, picnic tables, a bicycle rack and direct access to the Niagara River Recreation Trail as well as free parking.

Collection

In 1970 the Township of Willoughby was largely amalgamated along with the Village of Chippawa into the City of Niagara Falls. Today the Willoughby Historical Museum collects, preserves, researches, interprets and exhibits objects relating to the former Township of Willoughby, Village of Chippawa and surrounding area from settlement in the 1780's and throughout the years. The collection represents daily lives and the development of this agricultural community.

Artifacts related to the history of the City of Niagara Falls and surrounding communities are accepted in the City of Niagara Falls Museums' collections. Potential donations are processed through the City of Niagara Falls Board of Museums Accessions Committees.

Exhibitions

Exhibits include authentic household and school artifacts, antique tools, pioneer farm implements, handcrafts, children's games and toys, furniture, a display to commemorate the Battle of Chippawa and temporary seasonal displays. Interactive displays for both children and adults explore wool processing and weaving, lighting and telephones and a functioning magneto switchboard and telephone.

Events

The Willoughby Historical Museum provides opportunities for community involvement and encourages cooperative programmes with other groups in the community. The Museum hosts several events on the grounds. Past events have included demonstrations by local historic trades people, and the Annual Gas-Up, where steam and gas engines are used to power a variety of objects.

Community Services

A reference collection is available for assisted research. information requests are accomodated as staff availability allows. Researchers are encouraged to call the museum to make an appointment to take a look at the Museum's archive. For more information please call the Museum at (905)295-4036 or send us an e-mail.

Our History

Willoughby Township

Willoughby Township was first surveyed in 1787 and named after a location in England. Found in the southern portion of the present City of Niagara Falls, the township was bordered on the north and south by the Welland River and  Netherby Road, on the west and east by Montrose Road and the Niagara River including Navy Island.

The former township is partially surrounded by easily navigable waterways and contains many small creeks and drains that flow from a sizable marsh in the central and south portion of the township named the Tamarack Swamp. Roads in this area were slow to develop and the clay and loam soil of this area alternately acted as a blessing and a hindrance to settlement.

Settlement in Willoughby began with the United Empire Loyalists who fled persecution in the United States during the American Revolution. Similar waves of immigration followed such as the Pennsylvania Germans, African Americans, Irish, British, Germans and French. Homesteading first occurred along waterways and small villages developed such as Snyder (or New Germany) and Black Creek at crossroads and creek mouths.

Throughout Willoughby's history, construction and improvements within the township were frequently delayed. Close proximity to the United States border demanded citizens' involvement in conflicts such as the War of 1812, the Rebellion of 1837-38 and the Fenian Raids of 1866-67. Boarding and providing supplies to soldiers was a significant drawback to living along the border.

Agriculture remains the major occupation in the former Township. Employment opportunities in surrounding communities have drawn a considerable number of workers away. With the creation of the Regional Municipality of Niagara in 1970, Willoughby Township was absorbed into the City of Niagara Falls.

Chippawa

Chippawa, from the Native word meaning "people without moccasins", was located at the Welland River where it empties into the Niagara River above the falls. The area was designated a village in 1850 incorporating a portion of Stamford Township and Willoughby Township.

Fueled by access to transportation, raw materials and waterpower, Chippawa maintained a growing industry from its establishment in the late 1700's to the mid 1800's. Prosperity was frequently punctuated by military conflict and challenged by the changing technology of transportation. However, Chippawa Village reached its economic peak in the 1860's.

Over time the new direct line of the Welland Canal built in 1833 had completely bypassed Chippawa, and eventually the suspension bridge built over the Niagara River below the falls shifted traffic and trade to Niagara Falls. Added to this, a disastrous fire in 1881 destroyed over 25 homes setting the village economy back considerably. Ironically, the slower pace began to attract more tourists, and the village turned toward accommodating this new source of business. Visitors enjoyed travel in leisure as an electric rail line connected Chippawa to Queenston and a steamboat dock provided regular service to Buffalo.

In 1921 the Hydro Electric Power Company's Queenston-Chippawa Power Canal  harnessed the Niagara River via the Welland River for local power production. The availability of inexpensive electricity and a plentiful supply of water breathed new life into Chippawa's economy, by attracting industry.

With the creation of the Regional Municipality of Niagara in 1970, the village was absorbed into the City of Niagara Falls.