History lecture commemorates Camp Kosciuszko
Would Col. John Butler, indeed, be spinning in his grave?
Richard Merritt will reveal why the man who founded what is now Niagara-on-the-Lake would be upset at Niagara Historical Society’s lecture on May 17 commemorating Camp Kosciuszko, a military training camp in Niagara-on-the-Lake from 191719.
Merritt will explain why the training camp at Niagara-on-theLake for more than 20,000 American and Canadian Poles during the Great War was named after Polish patriot and freedom fighter Tadeusz Kosciuszko; moreover, he will conjecture that Butler would have been most incensed at the designation.
Merritt is a retired ophthalmologist who has had a lifelong passion for Niagara’s rich history. In addition to serving as president of several local heritage organizations, he was a contributing editor of the historical society’s “The Capital Years: Niagara-on-the-Lake 1792-1796” and author of two books, “On Common Ground: The Ongoing Story of the Commons in Niagara-on-the-Lake” and “Training for Armageddon: Niagara Camp in the Great War, 1914-1919.” He acted as guest co-curator of two of the society’s recent exhibitions, including the current “Camp Kosciuszko.” An honorary life member of the society, he was recently named a “Living Landmark” by the Niagara Foundation. Beyond his family, he is most proud of the Landscape of Nations on Queenston Heights for which he served as co-chair.
The lecture series takes place at the Niagara Historical Society and Museum on the third Thursday of each month until September with the following topics and speakers:
June 21: Stan Skrzeszewski — Everyday Life at Camp Kosciuszko with Elizabeth Ascher;
July 19: Sarah Kaufman — The Spanish Flu and Niagara Camp;
Aug. 16: Roman Baraneicki — Not Only Soldiers: Women’s Organizations in Camp Kosciuszko, Niagara-on-the-Lake 19171919;
Sept. 20: Anthony Adamsky — Falcons of Freedom.
Admission to all lectures is $10 for the public or free for Niagara Historical Society members. Seating is limited so registration is required.
For more information, visit www.niagarahistorical.museum or call 905-468-3912. The museum is at 43 Castlereagh St.