Hamilton’s events reflect our diverse heritage
- Cynthia Carpenter
- 04 Dec 2019
Important Canadian history, that occurred right here in Hamilton, is continually kept alive through the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Stoney Creek. This pivotal point in the War of 1812 is highlighted in a unique way through the efforts of Hamilton Civic Museums, owned and operated by the City of Hamilton.
The re-enactment attracts 8,000 to 10,000 visitors over a two-day period and offers the two-fold benefit of promoting all events and attractions in Hamilton as well as highlighting how very important the Gage family homestead, the hamlet of Stoney Creek, the Niagara Escarpment, and surrounding thirty-two acre parkland are. The annually-gathered crowd watch as the Americans are stopped at Fort George Niagara-on-the-Lake and are driven back from advancing.
What is the value in continually reminding ourselves of these specific, pertinent, and local historical events?
By authenticating costume, guns, ammunition, battle, camps, and ways of life that modern members of society can experience sensually brings the past to light. Then and now are juxtaposed. Historians can speak about their subject in a way that is no longer static, or a bygone intangible story with a disconnect and irrelevancy to the present.
This approach transcends the separateness of the traditional museum. People can smell the smoke from fires burning, the acrid and visible flash of musket fire, and hear drums beating along as the battle commences.
For many people the past is not important because they don’t feel connected to it; the re-enactment brings us close, breathes on our hearts and whispers in our ears.
Other events that immerse us with heritage
The re-enactment is only one of several events that have connected Hamiltonians with the city’s diverse heritage.
Fieldcote Memorial Park and Museum is an example of an organization which concentrates on cultural heritage with a view to the preservation, collection, and exhibition of local history. Natural heritage and fine arts are celebrated through events such as adult workshops, children’s activities, the experience of walking in the pesticide-free gardens and hiking trails, summer concert series, and rotating exhibits of fine art.
And we cannot consider events surrounding fine art without more than a nod to the Art Gallery of Hamilton, where painting events and artist talks occur alongside art exhibits.
At McMaster Museum of Art, regular curated exhibitions and openings are organized and offered to the public. A plethora of available classes and silent art auctions are put on throughout the year by the Dundas Valley School of Art, too.
Branching out from this we consider Hamilton Public Libraries, whom display art, run film screenings, book clubs, and authorial events. The Cotton Factory on Sherman Ave N has also been instrumental in opening their doors to share artists’ experiences and work with the public.
Fine arts, artisan crafts, literary events, poetry, and music play an integral role in the lives of Hamiltonians. Live music and literary events occur in an on-going fashion in the multitude of bars and venues throughout the city. This culminates monthly during Art Crawl and annually when Supercrawl transpires in the downtown core along James Street North.
Getting together and physically showing up to these events, to artistic events in particular, is demonstrative of a collective soul for Hamiltonians. The occurrence of artistic events demonstrates how Hamiltonians thrive emotionally, socially, and economically in the area of the arts.
How do these ongoing events reflect the personality of Hamilton and our heritage? The re-enactment of the Battle of Stoney Creek and events supporting the continued understanding of Hamilton’s history (like the ones mentioned) promote natural and fine arts preservation of the city’s past, which in turn adds layers to our ongoing and growing heritage.
We are a city steeped in historical significance that bears meaning to our present existence and our place in history. Events that take place in Hamilton have evolved and grown from a rich, sprawling natural history that is retold in new and creative ways.
Yes, considering all of the events that we Hamiltonians have the opportunity, fortune, and pleasure to participate in, diversity and a plural identity is key.
When considering all the different events that occur within our city, we can reflect upon how Hamilton is a home for the multitudes and the events that take place here reflect this reality.
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