History is all around us and its meaning changes and evolves with time and experience.

Some histories are well known because they tell us something about our large communities, usually those with governments, such nation-states, provinces, and municipalities. Scholars interested in how we interact with the past, though, point out that it is often more local and personal histories that resonate with us as individuals, local communities, or families.

The Hidden Histories project seeks to make these lesser known histories more visible and to bring them into conversation with broader historical trends, present-day issues, and our hopes for the future. At the heart of this project are Hidden History sites, and heritage plaques, submitted by people like you.

The map above shows places that represent people or events in southwestern Ontario that someone felt are important for understanding this region. Click on it to be taken to an interactive version.

You can submit a Hidden History by completing the form here. The map also includes museums and archives that help interpret southwestern Ontario’s history. You can turn on this layer of the map up in the right hand corner.

Finally, to promote the Hidden Histories of southwestern Ontario, project director Thomas Peace has been meeting with CBC’s Colin Butler each week onĀ Afternoon Drive to share some of the interesting histories found on the map. Click on each map to listen to a segment of this series.

Click here for resources mentioned during one of the segments

Early Islam – April 9 2024

 

Romney Drain – April 2 2024

 

Mammoth Cheese – March 26 2024

 

Cigar Industry – March 19 2024

 

Ontario White Sulphur and Mineral Springs – March 12 2024

 

Marie Prevost – March 5 2024

 

Fighting Island – Feb 27 2024

 

Same-Sex Rights – Feb 20 2024

 

Earl Plunkett – February 13 2024

 

Ingersoll’s Black Histories with Heather Rennalls – February 7 2024

 

Tony Small – January 30 2024

 

Munsee-Delaware – January 23 2024

 

Port Talbot – January 16 2024

 

Wilberforce Settlement – January 9 2024

 

Maxwell Commune – January 2 2024

 

Eatons – December 19 2023

 

Dawn of Tomorrow – December 12 2023

 

Imperial Oil – December 5 2023

 

Edison and Disney – November 29 2023

Resources mentioned during one of the segments

January 23 2024 – Munsee Delaware Place Names