Stories

Chris Andreae describes the time he discovered letters of an illicit affair in a railway car shop.

Chris Andreae reminisces about a pivotal era in Ontario's transportation history and the buildings and machinery typical of the railway industry.

Chris Andreae reminisces about the London Soap Factory before the fire and reflects on the monument standing in its place.

During her years in nursing training at Victoria Hospital, Marilyn Austin got caught underage in a police raid at the Victoria Tavern.

Marilyn Austin shares her memories of bringing kids from the War Memorial Hospital four or five stretchers at a time to Victoria Hospital for tonsillectomies.

Marilyn Austin shares memories of her experience as a nursing student at the old Victoria Hospital and sunbathing on the roof of the Gartshore Residence.

Hilary Bates Neary shares her joy at discovering the Fugitive Slave Chapel is the original building.

For Michael Biderman, who attended Hebrew school and celebrated his Bar Mitzvah here, the B'Nai Moses Ben Judah Synagogue congregation was like family.

While playing in the Thames River, Ron Burns witnessed a tragic accident involving other children.

As one of the few women in medical school in the 1950s, Beryl Chernick recounts risqué jokes between close friends.

Beryl and Noam Chernick talk about riding the refurbished London and Port Stanley train, being held up by bandits during one ride, and reminiscing on the nostalgia of train travel.

Beryl and Noam Chernick remember their wedding day and reception at the B'Nai Israel Synagogue.

Beryl Chernick shares her experience attending the Talmud Torah (Hebrew School) in her youth.

Ken Cossoy shares a memory from what he considers one of the most important community gatherings to happen at the Talmud Torah.

Ken Cossoy shares his experience attending the Talmud Torah, a Jewish religious school, and the important role it played in his social life.

Kathy Crawford remembers residence life during her obstetric training at South Street Hospital, a fellow trainee breaking curfew, and meeting her husband at a nurses' dance.

Bill Exley of the infamous Nihilist Spasm Band recalls a near brawl while playing at the Victoria Tavern, better known as “The Bucket of Blood.”

As a child, Stan Garside met his friends at the corner of Waterloo and Hill and played "Boars in England", aggravating motorists.

Margaret Henderson tells of her birth into slavery in Washington, DC, and of the violent acts her masters committed.

Francis Henderson describes the abuse he suffered at the hands of his slave masters in the United States and explains that Canada wasn't the accepting promised land he thought it would be.

Genet Hodder describes a gathering of community members and their hopes for the restoration of the Fugitive Slave Chapel.

Bill Hodgman witnessed a Labatt truck spill its load and describes the scramble as onlookers snatched beer bottles from the street.

John Holmes recounts how he escaped enslavement in Virginia and came to London with enough money to buy 10 acres of land and the house at 199 Maitland.

Jean Hough recounts early morning walks down Grey Street and explains how the diversity in the community helped foster her own sense of belonging.

As an orphan, Jean Hough went to the Sansone Fruit Company to purchase fruit for her foster family.

Aby B. Jones delves into his release from slavery, the promise of freedom in Canada, and his belief in mixed-race church services.

Alfred T. Jones discusses "second-hand prejudice" from the London population but despite this argues that the historical black community thrived.

Peter Karas was involved in painting a mural on the London Community Woodshop, and experienced a different side of his neighbourhood during the project.

Wes Kinghorn shares his experience surrounding a demonstration by the London heritage community to save four hospital buildings.

Carol Mason-Taylor remembers the childhood play in a lively neighbourhood while growing up on South Street.

Carol Mason-Taylor talks about the law of the streets after a day at Governor Simcoe Public School.

Delta McNeish, the previous pastor at Beth-Emmanuel Church, shares her reasons why she believes the fugitive slave chapel is worth preserving.

Benjamin Miller recounts his escape from slavery and becoming a religious leader in London's black Methodist community.

Dave Moczulski recalls the sting of receiving “the strap” for disobedience by his grade eight teacher while attending St. John’s school on Hill Street.

Dave Moczulski remembers his dad spending afternoons drinking at Victoria Tavern, and afterwards sending him to Lapowicz's meat market to purchase five pounds of hamburger, “food for the gods".

During Dave Moczulski's time as an altar boy at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church the Polish community set up an underground network to send care packages to family in Poland.

Dave Moczulski remembers the Sunday morning sounds of the Salvation Army Band playing for the sick kids at the War Memorial Children’s Hospital.

Dave Moczulski tells of Hallowe'en shenanigans where he got caught by the police.

John D. Moore compares the stark difference between how he was treated as a person of colour in the United States and in Canada.

Dan Morand, the current pastor at Beth-Emmanuel Church and director at the Urban Haven Project, shares the work the project is doing for the homeless and near-homeless community.

Henry Morehead recounts the trials of escaping slavery with his family through the Underground Railroad before settling in London.

Joe O'Neil describes an evocative piece of graffiti on the side of the Smith Fruit Company building.

Jim Payne describes following in his family's footsteps, becoming a baker at the Canada Bread Company at 258 South Street.

Reg Quick recalls the Halloween vandalism and pranks he and his friends got into along the Thames riverbank.

Reg Quick tells the story of exploring the dark storm sewer on Colborne Street with other children in the community.

Reg Quick witnessed a serious train accident involving a childhood friend at the intersection of Grey and Maitland.

Reg Quick remembers making an ice rink on Colborne Street, and the windy experience skating from London to Dorchester during his childhood.

As the CEO, Michelle Quintyn remembers the pride she felt at the opening of the new Goodwill Industries.

Joan Sam believes the Fugitive Slave Chapel belongs to the whole community, and has a vision for people to come together and tell its story in different ways.

Ernie Seglenieks remembers the winter storm that closed schools for days and left 12 foot piles of snow on his South Street backyard.

Joshua Stainton tells of helping a family stay together through his position at the Salvation Army.

Matthew Trueman recalls hopping over construction zone fences to photograph the demolition and final days of the South Street Hospital.

Gerard Van Herk, from the punk band Deja Voodoo, remembers a raucous performance at the Victoria Tavern that left a fellow band member bleeding from his hands.

Harold Westhead remembers the different positions he worked at Labatt's over the 30 years he was an employee there, starting in 1934.

Buying a record collection leads to buying a house.

The surprising place the finish carpenter got his tools from.

Six women in their seventies hike the Bruce Trail.

An teenager permanently injured in a car accident becomes known as the Mayor of Richmond Row.

A small pane of leaded glass finds its way home.

New homeowners contend with a difficult situation.

Wandering the halls of the old, abandoned Huron College.

A child who had a friend who lived in a mirror.

Why having a gravel lane around back is a great thing.

A story about a little girl who wanted a horse for her birthday.

As a child, Jim Spicer's mother, Lenore Fowler, would catch a ride up Sydenham Street on the runners of Sir Adam Beck's sleigh.

A broken ankle leads to a broken habit of smoking.

A lichenologist is inspired to build a Japanese room.

Human trafficking survivor and Shine The Light on Women Abuse Honouree, Olivea Beadle, shares her story of hope, healing, and community at Angel Street.

When they were children, artists Paul Peel and Mildred Peel were set artistic contests by their father.

Pamela Glew tells a beautiful but bittersweet story about how Alice Moore Hubbard and her husband, Elbert Hubbard, chose to spend their final minutes together.

Barry Hill describes purchasing his first camera as a child.

Paul Peel falls in love.

Paul Peel returns to London under tragic circumstances.

Paul Peel's children provide inspiration to their father.

Sir Adam Beck was both one of the most respected—and one of the most hated—figures of his time, as this story about his funeral procession shows.

The stationary section of Oxford Books had a very pleasant smell.

Martha Murray tells a story about her grandfather Ken Murray's trip to Chicago.

In the mid-20th century, The Village sported an unusual number of gas stations.

Megan Walker shares what Angel Street means to her as an initiative to raise awareness about violence against women in London.