Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre
To get any closer to a lake freighter, you'd have to be a sailor! The St. Catharines
Museum and Welland Canals Centre (1932 Welland Canals Pkwy., 905/984-8880,
www.stcatharines.ca , 9am-5pm daily, $4 suggested donation) gives you a front-row seat as
hugeshipsascendanddescend45feetinthislock.You'llbeamazedathowthesebehemoth
vesselseasethroughthelockwithjustafewfeettospareoneither side.Wavetothesailors
andtrytoguesswhattheshipiscarrying(40millionmetrictonsofgoodstraversethecanal
each year).
The museum is small, but packed with information on the Welland Canal and local his-
tory. The staff is quite friendly and knowledgeable. Ships ply the Welland Canal April-
December. Call on the morning of your visit to find out when ships are passing through
Lock 3. The Lock 3 viewing platform is free and open to the public. Visitors usually spend
about an hour here, watching the lock in action and investigating the museum.
The Salem Chapel, British Methodist Episcopal Church
When slavery was legal in the United States, many escaped slaves found freedom and
refuge in Canada. The Salem Chapel, British Methodist Episcopal Church (92 Geneva
St.,905/682-0993, www.salemchapelbmechurch.ca ,toursbyappointment,$3)isamongthe
most important stops on the Underground Railroad.
Originally built in the 1820s, the church was expanded in 1851 to meet the needs of the
growing congregation. Abolitionist Harriet Tubman lived in St. Catharines in 1851-1858
and was among the church's members. The church functioned as Tubman's home base as
she rescued slaves from plantations in the southern United States. The building today is
a simple chapel, having retained some of its original 1851 architecture, including benches
hewn from walnut logs. The predominantly black congregation is believed to be the oldest
of its kind in Ontario. This church is one of many Underground Railroad heritage sites in
southern Ontario.
Port Dalhousie and Lakeside Park Carousel
At one time, Port Dalhousie ( www.portdalhousielife.com ) was the terminus for the Wel-
land Canal. Modern improvements have changed that, but Port Dalhousie still maintains its
waterfront charm. This community of St. Catharines has waterfront access, beaches, histor-
ic lighthouses, and the original pier of the second Welland Canal. While most of St. Cath-
arines is urban, Port Dalhousie is more like a beachside resort. On weekends, locals and
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