Hidden Histories of Southwestern Ontario

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 as 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.

The Hidden Histories project seeks to make these lesser known histories more visible, bringing 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 the host of CBC’s Afternoon Drive (Colin Butler and Matt Allen) each week to share some of the interesting histories found on the map. Click on each icon below to listen to a segment of this series.