A poster of coloured drawings depicting tightrope walker Maria Spelterini. There is a portrait of Spelterini with her name in the middle of the poster, surrounded by 10 sketches of her performing. These sketches depict her performing various feats on a tightrope including sitting, cycling, kneeling, pushing a wheelbarrow, standing on a chair; firing a cannon; walking with a sheet covering her face; sitting at a table with a cup in her hand; and walking with buckets on her feet.

The collection consists of five letters. One letter is addressed to Miss H. [Hannah] Rogers, care of H.B. Rogers, Niagara Falls. It is dated at Boston, July 15, 1828 and is from Mrs. Upham. Mrs. Upham writes that she received a letter from Mrs. Pearson and Hannah’s mother noting that they were very happy and well at Hampton Beach, and how agreeable they find everything. She relays more news about common friends and acquaintances. The writer also notes that poor Edward Emerson is in the insane hospital as a maniac and is painfully conscious of his situation. It is said he had crowded into 2 years the studies of 10. He has a complaint in the heart that must soon terminate his existence. It is the most melancholy case she has ever known. Another letter is signed “Hannah” and is addressed to Mrs. Elizabeth Livermore, Keene, N.H. The letter is addressed at Littleton, December 29, 1843. She writes about the death of Amelia, who left behind a six-month-old daughter, an update about Mr. White and his parish, and news of other friends and acquaintances. The remaining three letters are not signed. One is dated at Boston, June 26, 1851 and is addressed to “my dear friends” from J. Pecham[?]. The writer notes that the excursion came off very well and thanks the recipient for her many kindnesses. The writer also hopes that they will keep the Niagara excursion in view and be laying their plans accordingly, and have a large number of their friends do the same. Another letter is addressed to Pamelia from Eliza and is dated at Staten Island, February 15, 1863. An envelope with a stamp is included. She writes about friends and acquaintances, the weather, and her activities. The remaining letter has no date and is not signed. The front reads “Letters from J.L.P. to S.A.P”. The reverse side contains notes about the qualities the writer was looking for in a house.

Letter by Joseph Ritner, Washington County, January 17, 1835, to William Ayers, H. Representatives, Harrisburg, Penn. The letter is three pages and, in part, concerns the service of Gen. William Henry Harrison during the War of 1812. Ritner writes that “I have noticed some of the proceedings in regard to Genl Harrison at Harrisburg. There is certainly no man in the Union, of whom I have any knowledge, who deserves more from his country. I served a six month tour under him in the winter of 1812-13, no General ever paid more attention to his duty, nor evinced more deep concern for the health, and comfort of the troops under his command than Genl. Harrison. No. Genl. during the late war with England performed the duties assigned him more faithfully, nor with better success. He failed in nothing. He was successful in all the undertakings which he had the power to control. He has as you say been neglected; his enemies have been advanced over him, as well as others, who have performed less services and if masonry has been the cause of all this (and indeed it looks as if some mysterious agent has had a hand in controlling his destiny) I would rejoice to see him at the head of affairs, especially if he is duly sensible of the mysterious agency, and would openly avow himself the enemy of the ‘Hydra monster’”. Ritner also discusses the Anti-Masons in the recent election, noting that “…M. Lawrence…did not particularly complain of harsh treatment by the anti-masons in the election of the U.S. although from what you mentioned in your letter, and from what I had previously learnt through other sources, I was unable to see that he (especially when he first informed on his rejection in your caucus) felt quite uncomfortable. He assured me in his letter that no bad feelings existed between the whigs and anti-mason, that there was an apparent difference, and that apparent difference might in the end prove injurious…I soothed him as much as I could under the circumstances and have no doubt but that he will act in good faith with the Anti-Masons henceforth. Indeed any other course would be a death blow to his future Political prospects in this country and would inflict a deep and lasting injury on our party…” The last page of the letter refers to the school law and funding for a school system. A small portion of the last page has been removed, where Ritner’s signature would likely have been. A typewritten transcription of the letter is included.

A letter by Geo. Hatchey, Camp at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, September 22, 1812, to Haynie Hatchey, Lunenburg County, Virginia. The letter is two pages and begins “Dear Brother”. Hatchey was a soldier from a troop of Virginia Cavalry in the War of 1812. He writes that they arrived last evening and will only stay for two days. They have been very hospitably treated in what is called the Dutch settlement along the Susquehanna. Colonel Coles was visited by a gentleman and lady to know if the Colonel would permit them to treat the soldiers. They later served cakes and coffee and it was a great treat to the soldiers, but it was his turn to mount Guard which meant he was unable to attend their home and drink a little wine with them. They expect to reach Niagara in the course of 20 days and will be in active service until Christmas.

Three letters written by Thomas Elwyn in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to his brother William in England, 1805-1812. Two of the letters were written in 1812 and mention the War of 1812 between Britain and the United States. The first letter is dated at Portsmouth [New Hampshire], March 14, 1805, and is addressed to George’s Coffee House, Temple Bar, London. The letter is four pages. Elwyn writes about his work publishing an anonymous pamphlet titled “Letter to a Federalist” defending Thomas Jefferson and his Administration against Federalist critics. Although he did not put his name to it “the feds discovered the author and everything was sought for to abuse me personally”. He writes about the praise and criticism he received since its publication but is very pleased with his work, noting that “the facility with which I write is amazing to myself…my elegance of language, admirable choice of words, and great power of commanding the attention may enrich me very greatly”. Elwyn had sent a copy of this publication to President Jefferson and later received a letter from the President thanking him for his support. The second letter is dated at Portsmouth, January 25, 1812, and is addressed to W.B. Elwyn, Barrister at Law, Bristol, England. The letter is four pages. Elwyn writes about a possible reunion with his brother in England but notes that “I will never…take my family from this place whilst Mr. Langdon [his father-in-law] lives. They shall at least stay to assuage the pains and enliven the last dull scenes of his life”. He goes on to tell his brother not to emigrate, despite the disappointment that this will cause Elwyn and his family. This is because of the political state of the country. There is “no talk but of war within the walls of Congress. An act already passed for raising 25,000 additional regulars. Another nearly so far embodying 50,000 volunteers. 1,900,000 appropriated for the purchases of munitions of war. The President speaking of nothing but resistance to the hostility of Britain. Yet no one alarmed—not a thought of war in the minds of anyone but Congress”. Elwyn also writes that although he is still a Federalist, he has decided to abandon American public life. The third letter is dated at Portsmouth, December 10, 1812 and is addressed to W.B. Elwyn, Barrister at Law, Bristol, England. The letter is four pages and mostly discusses the war. He writes that “There are so many difficulties in the way of writing in the present unhappy relations of our two countries, that I shall beg you to do towards me as I shall towards you—write whenever you have an opportunity, always think of me with affection and confidence in my regard and let us flatter ourselves that we all continue in good health and shall one day be recompensed for the painful alienation we suffer”. Elwyn writes that he lives as quietly as possible and his property has not been severely injured by the war. He adds that “England has behaved admirably in most respects since the war began. Prejudice and passion subside every day. As manly a war as you will on the drumbeaters in Canada—no sniveling, pitiful submission, no contempt, but for heaven’s sake, no burnings, no wanton destruction and cruelty. This would unite all parties against you…Recollect we are a free country and the reluctance of a great potion of our people to engage at all in the war. This will account for the ridiculous management of our Canada expeditions.”

The collection consists of 19 postcards featuring photographs of motels in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Postcards include photos of the sign for the Anchor Lodge Motel; abandoned motels; motels on Lundy’s Lane; motel proprietors and/or guests; a drained motel pool; a stack of mattresses piled in a motel parking lot with the motel in the background; a gazebo outside the Melody Motel; and a sign for the River Boat Motel. The photos were taken by Oliver Pauk and Zach Slootsky, and were included with the book Disappearing Motels, Niagara Falls, Ontario: cultural decline of a post-war travel icon (2022) by Joan Nicks.

Fonds contains material related to the Ford Niagara Glass Plant in Niagara Falls compiled by Jack Patterson. Patterson was an employee at the plant who became involved in a dispute with the CAW (Canadian Auto Workers) union after the closure of the Niagara Falls plant. Most of the material concerns this dispute, which was taken to a hearing before the Ontario Labour Relations Board. Some of the material concerns the Niagara Ford Glass Plant and its closure. Other general material about labour disputes and the CAW is also included.

The fonds contains material related to the work of French geodesist and astronomer J.A. Léon Bassot. Most of the material is correspondence written in French to his wife while travelling for his professional projects from 1881 to 1884, including the Academy of Science expedition to St. Augustine, Florida to observe the transit of Venus in 1882. He travelled through New York, Niagara Falls and Montreal, and wrote a letter from the Clifton House describing his experience of observing the Falls. There is also a menu from the Clifton House. Several letters describing the transit of Venus are also included. Other correspondence covers his geodesic activities in Paris and Nice in 1881 and 1882, as well as his campaign for regional political office in 1884.

The collection consists mostly of yearbooks for the Mack Training School for Nurses, titled “Mack Data”. Other materials include a graduation program, alumnae association booklet, a centennial program, and a book titled The Spirit of Mack, published for the school’s centennial.

Fonds consists of material acquired by Brock University during the time that Rodman Hall was owned and operated by the University and from the time that it was owned by the St. Catharines and District Arts Council. Much of the material concerns plans for the renovation of Rodman Hall and the fundraising efforts associated with those projects. This includes correspondence, financial statements, and minutes. Other material concerns the collections, exhibitions, and programming at Rodman Hall. This includes programs, news clippings, and promotional material. Information about the building and grounds are also included with some architectural plans and building specifications.