Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre

03/02/2026

Victory from Above: Cockshutt Aircraft Construction during WWII

Critical to Canada’s war effort was the battle on the “Industrial Front” fought by the factories of the nation, and no manufacturer modeled this better than the Cockshutt Plow Company. With a Second World War workforce comprised largely of women, their products served in the farmer’s field, on the battlefield, and took flight in combat. The March 2026 edition of the Brant Historical Society's monthly Speakers Series will feature “Victory from Above”, presented by Rob Adlam, examining how an agricultural implement manufacturer helped win a war and, while doing so, made Canadian aviation history.

The event will take place on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at the Canadian Military Heritage Museum, 347 Greenwich St., Brantford. Doors open at 6:30, with the program starting at 7:00 pm.

There is no charge to attend, though registration is required! Call 519-752-2483 or email [email protected] to reserve your spot.

To find out more about the Speakers Series, visit the Brant Historical Society's website at https://brantmuseums.ca/speaker-series/ or call the Brant Museum & Archives at 519-752-2483. Any decision regarding postponement due to weather will be made no later than noon on March 18th and announcements will be posted.

11/13/2025

While doing some research on Brantford's bicycle history, I came across this interesting happenstance.

The bicycle factory shown here was at the corner of Clarence and Elgin in the late 1800’s. It was a pedal's throw away from where, currently, Brantford's oldest family run bicycle store is: The Bicycle Shop. It is owned and operated by Terry Detheridge and his family.

The Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre tells us:

"When the cycling obsession took off in the 1890s, the Goold Bicycle Company reacted with impressive efficiency and innovation. The business was sending out up to 100 bicycles a day at its peak and showed how popular and in-demand bicycles were in Brantford and the surrounding areas. Its best-known product, the Red Bird bicycle, was strong and had an attractive design. The Red Bird gained global attention for quality, and its popularity positioned the Goold Bicycle Company as one of the leading Canadian bicycle companies. By 1897 the firm employed more than 200 people, helping to make the Red Bird and other models, helping Brantford to become a wealthy centre of bicycle manufacturing.”

10/17/2025

This week's showcases a photo of the Niagara Silk Works factory on Able Avenue in the 1920's. This building is now a part of the Sonoco factory on Rawdon Street.

Want to learn more about the Niagara Silk Works? Stop in at the Brant Museum and Archives and check out our latest exhibit - "Common Threads: The Textile Industry in Brantford and Brant County", put together in partnership with the Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre and the Paris Museum and Historical Society.

10/16/2025

As part of our Memories of Brantford's Black Community events we are holding a special dinner at 5. At 5:45 we will be having Marie-Lauren Gregoire perform some spoken word poetry and moderate a panel discussion at 5:45. You can register at https://brant-reg.com/events

10/03/2025

Exhibit opening on October 18 https://mailchi.mp/rogers/bc

10/03/2025

Our next play taking place on October 18 and 19 at the Stephen Kun Theatre. https://brant-reg.com/events

09/26/2025

Brantford’s annual “Memories of Immigrant Communities” project has a full schedule of events on October 18 and 19. This year’s project focuses on the Black community of Brantford. With the first known "freedom-seekers" arriving around 1830, the contributions of the Black community have been significant.
To find out more or to register for events visit http://branttheatre.com/memories/

09/19/2025

Attend the opening on Wednesday, September 24 from 5:30-7:00pm at the Brant Museum and Archives.

Join us at the Brant Museum and Archives on Wednesday, September 24th for the opening of our next pop-up display “Common Threads: The Textile Industry in Brantford and Brant County”.

Stop in between 5:30 – 7:00pm and learn about the different manufacturers like Kitchen Overalls, Slingsby’s Wool Mill, Mary Maxim, and more! This exhibit was put together in partnership between the Brant Historical Society, Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre, and the Paris Museum & Historical Society – with funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Any questions about the opening event - or the exhibit itself – can be forwarded to [email protected].