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Love Your City, Share Your Stories began in 2014 and is an ongoing digital storytelling project featuring stories about Hamilton and Hamiltonians both past and present. Love Your City, Share Your Stories is an inclusive project with a focus of bringing together citizens and community organizations to build a collection of both personal and historically factual stories about the City of Hamilton. This project is led by the Hamilton Public Library’s Local History and Archives department and partnered with McMaster University, Hamilton Arts Council, City of Hamilton Culture Division, Hamilton Community Foundation and is supported by the Hamilton Future Fund and by the Ontario Trillium Grant. The initiative consists of four phases: Phase 1: Hamilton Cultural Icons and Music, Phase 2: Immigration in Hamilton, Phase 3: Water in Hamilton, and Phase 4: Hamilton’s Visual Art. HPL is now leading the digital storytelling project and the goal of the project is to capture individual and firsthand accounts of Hamiltonians by creating oral histories to preserve and make accessible Hamilton’s local history.

Graeme MacKay was born in 1968, and grew up in Dundas, Ontario where he attended Parkside High School. MacKay graduated from the University of Ottawa, majoring in History and Political Science. During his undergrad, MacKay became the graphics editor for the student newspaper, "The Fulcrum". In 1997, MacKay began his professional career at the Hamilton Spectator as a full-time editorial cartoonist. MacKay was President of the Association of Canadian Editorial Cartoonists from 2008 to 2010.

The McAfee family members were United Empire Loyalists who lived in the Hamilton area (formerly known as Head-of-the-Lake), during the War of 1812. The region at the time was agricultural and consisted of various townships including Ancaster, Barton, Binbrook, Glanford and Saltfleet. Most residents were farmers, innkeepers, or labourers in trades such as pottery. These early colonial townships protected themselves with local militias made up of able-bodied men ages 16 to 60 from the nearby communities, who were required to serve as part-time soldiers if needed. These men would assemble for an annual muster call in preparation for a possible future military campaign. With war looming against the Americans in 1812, brothers Angus (1780-1832), Daniel (1791-1878) and Samuel (1793-1870) McAfee enlisted in the 5th Lincoln Militia. The two flank companies of this regiment were commanded by Captain Samuel Hatt and Captain James Durand, and also included Lieutenant Robert Land, son and namesake of one of Hamilton’s first settlers. The brothers saw action in various skirmishes and fought with Major General Isaac Brock during the Siege of Detroit. All three brothers survived the war and returned home. Daniel and Samuel took over a pottery business, and Angus became an innkeeper in Barton Township.

Thomas McIlwraith was born December 25, 1824 in Ayr, Scotland. As a youth, he was apprenticed as a cabinet-maker and was employed by a gas works company in Edinburgh. In 1853, he married Mary Park Forysth and immigrated to Canada, settling in Hamilton, Ontario. That same year he became the manager of the Hamilton Gas Works Company where he remained for eighteen years. He lived in a home called “Cairnbrae” on MacNab Street North with his wife and their four sons and three daughters. In 1871 he purchased a coal business and ran this operation until his retirement in 1893. McIlwraith served on the boards of directors of several banks and insurance companies, as well as serving as President of the Hamilton Mechanic’s Institute and as an alderman for St. Mary’s Ward where he resided. His prominence came from his devotion to ornithology (the study of birds). McIlwraith was a founding member of the American Ornithological Union and wrote extensively on the subject of birds, from his observations of bird species, nesting patterns and eggs. He was particularly interested in birds within the region of Hamilton and identified hundreds of species in the surrounding area. He published two books, including the Birds of Ontario (1886) and the Birds Observed in the Vicinity of Hamilton (1860). McIlwraith died at his home in January of 1903 and is buried in the Hamilton Cemetery.

Thomas McIlwraith was born December 25, 1824 in Ayr, Scotland. As a youth, he was apprenticed as a cabinet-maker and was employed by a gas works company in Edinburgh. In 1853, he married Mary Park Forysth and immigrated to Canada, settling in Hamilton, Ontario. That same year he became the manager of the Hamilton Gas Works Company where he remained for eighteen years. He lived in a home called “Cairnbrae” on MacNab Street North with his wife and their four sons and three daughters. In 1871 he purchased a coal business and ran this operation until his retirement in 1893. McIlwraith served on the boards of directors of several banks and insurance companies, as well as serving as President of the Hamilton Mechanic’s Institute and as an alderman for St. Mary’s Ward where he resided. His prominence came from his devotion to ornithology (the study of birds). McIlwraith was a founding member of the American Ornithological Union and wrote extensively on the subject of birds, from his observations of bird species, nesting patterns and eggs. He was particularly interested in birds within the region of Hamilton and identified hundreds of species in the surrounding area. He published two books, including the Birds of Ontario (1886) and the Birds Observed in the Vicinity of Hamilton (1860). McIlwraith died at his home in January of 1903 and is buried in the Hamilton Cemetery.

Thomas G. McIlwraith was born December 25, 1824 in Ayr, Scotland. As a youth, he was apprenticed as a cabinet-maker and was employed by a gas works company in Edinburgh. In 1853, he married Mary Park Forysth and immigrated to Canada, settling in Hamilton, Ontario. That same year he became the manager of the Hamilton Gas Works Company where he remained for eighteen years. He lived in a home called “Cairnbrae” on MacNab Street North with his wife and their four sons and three daughters. In 1871 he purchased a coal business and ran this operation until his retirement in 1893. McIlwraith served on the boards of directors of several banks and insurance companies, as well as serving as President of the Hamilton Mechanic’s Institute and as an alderman for St. Mary’s Ward where he resided. His prominence came from his devotion to ornithology (the study of birds). McIlwraith was a founding member of the American Ornithological Union and wrote extensively on the subject of birds, from his observations of bird species, nesting patterns and eggs. He was particularly interested in birds within the region of Hamilton and identified hundreds of species in the surrounding area. He published two books, including the "Birds of Ontario" (1886) and the "Birds Observed in the Vicinity of Hamilton" (1860). McIlwraith died at his home in January of 1903 and is buried in the Hamilton Cemetery.

Dr. Calvin McQuesten was born in New Hampshire in 1801. He graduated from medical school in 1830 and set up his practice in Brockport, New York in 1832. In 1835, McQuesten partnered with his cousin John Fisher, as well as Priam B. Hill and Joseph S. Jones to establish an iron foundry in Hamilton, thus becoming one of the forerunners of “heavy industry” in the city. Dr. Calvin McQuesten moved to Hamilton in 1839 to take an active role in managing the foundry, known as McQuesten and Co. In 1853, he sold a portion of the firm to his nephews, Luther and Payson Sawyer, and cousin William McQuesten. In 1856, partner John Fisher sold his portion of the foundry business and moved to Batavia, N.Y., leaving Dr. McQuesten sole owner. In 1857, Dr. McQuesten retired and handed the company over to the Sawyer brothers, including another nephew, Samuel Sawyer, an engineer for the foundry. They operated the company under the name of L. D. Sawyer and Co. In 1889, they went into partnership with H.A. Massey of Massey-Harris Co. Ltd. forming Sawyer-Massey Co.

Dr. Calvin McQuesten was on the Board of Directors of the Gore Bank, had shares in Hamilton Water Company, donated to the Wesleyan Ladies College and helped finance the construction of the MacNab Street Presbyterian Church. In 1852, he purchased a house which was first known as Willow Bank. The name was later changed to Whitehern by Isaac and Mary McQuesten. Dr. McQuesten was married three times and he had two children who survived: Calvin Brooks (1837-1912) and Isaac Baldwin (1847–1888). Calvin Brooks graduated from medical school and set up practice in New York. Isaac Baldwin studied law and joined a practice in Hamilton.

Isaac Baldwin, son of Dr. Calvin McQuesten, studied law and was admitted to the firm of Proudfoot & Jones. When Proudfoot was elevated to the bench, the firm became Jones & McQuesten until they formed a partnership with Chisholm in 1882. Jones retired in 1886 and the firm became known as McQuesten & Chisholm. Isaac Baldwin was married to Mary Jane Baker (ca. 1848-1934) and they had six children: Mary Baldwin (1874-1964), Calvin (1876-1968), Hilda Belle (1877-1967), Ruby Baker (1879-1911), Thomas Baker (1882–1948) and Margarette Edna (1885-1935). None of their children married. In 1885, Isaac and his family moved to Whiterhern, the McQuesten's family home.

Isaac Baldwin, son of Dr. Calvin McQuesten, studied law and was admitted to the firm of Proudfoot & Jones. When Proudfoot was elevated to the bench, the firm became Jones & McQuesten until the partnership with Chisholm in 1882. Jones retired in 1886 and the firm became known as McQuesten & Chisholm. Isaac Baldwin was married to Mary Jane Baker (ca. 1848-1934). They lived at number 1 Bold St. until the death of Dr. Calvin in 1885, at which time Isaac and Mary and their six children moved to Whitehern. The six children were Mary Baldwin (1874-1964), Calvin (1876-1968), Hilda Belle (1877-1967), Ruby Baker (1879-1911), Thomas Baker (1882–1948) and Margarette Edna (1885-1935). None of the children married.

Mercury Mills was established in 1912 by John Penman who was an innovative knitting industry leader who moved to Hamilton from Paris, Ontario. Mercury Mills first had a plant on Park Street North. At its peak, it employed over 1,100 people at three sites in the province with the main plant built in 1916 on Cumberland Avenue between Gage and Prospect avenues.

During wartime, Mercury Mills produced materials used in military uniforms and parachutes. In later years, it faced increasing competition and eventually closed down in 1955. The building was demolished in 1983.

Margaret Gwendolyn Carley was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa on March 23, 1913. The family returned to Canada shortly after and settled in Kitchener, Ontario, where Gwen later attended the Business School. She married Albert E. Metcalfe (1901-1963) on July 27, 1937, and they had one son John David (J.D.) Metcalfe (1939-2007). Gwen began her career a museum curator at Dundurn Castle in Hamilton, where she started as a receptionist in the 1950s. In May 1955, Gwen was appointed curator with no formal training as a museum specialist. In her role as curator, she advocated for a complete restoration of Dundurn Castle to the period during Allan MacNab’s tenure. The City of Hamilton chose the Dundurn Castle restoration project as their 1967 Centennial Project. While the museum was closed for restorations, Gwen she kept a photographic record of the renovation process. On June 30, 1971, Gwen retired.

Gwen was an active member of the Canadian Museums Association, serving on their council and editing their newsletter. She also served as the chairman of the museums section of the Ontario Historical Society. In June 1972, she was appointed a Fellow of the Canadian Museums Association, an honour as being the first for Hamilton.

Gwen Metcalfe died on July 6, 1997.

John Morris was an amateur photographer, first in Grimsby, (his birthplace), then in Toronto, where as a member of the Toronto Camera Club he became actively involved in salon exhibition work during the 1920s and exhibiting in such salons as the Toronto International, the Pittsburgh, and the Buffalo. In the 1930s, he worked in several Toronto professional studios; during the Second World War he was responsible for the RCAF, Ontario Command photographic operations; and after the War he settled in Hamilton where he operated his own professional studio until the early 1970s. He died in 1978.
In 1980, the bulk of his collection (approximately 3330 photographic prints and negatives dating from the 1920s to the 1970s, including glass plate negatives, salon prints and some colour negatives and slides, representing John Morris’ artistry and interests as an amateur and professional photographer) was transferred to the National Archives in Ottawa.

James Winslow Mortimer was a Canadian comic book and comic strip artist, best known for his illustrations on the Superman comic. He was born in Hamilton on May 1, 1919. He attended the Stinson Street School and Central Collegiate. He studied art at the New York Art League and later studied anatomy under George Bridgeman in New York. In 1940, Mortimer enlisted into the Canadian Army, but was discharged after a brief training period for medical reasons. In 1943, he was employed at Otis Elevators in Hamilton where he illustrated propaganda posters for the company. After the Second War World, Mortimer moved to New York where he joined DC Comics and ghosted the Superman daily comic strip. He became the cover artist for Superman, Batman and Superboy comics. In 1955, Mortimer began his own comic strip entitled "David Crane" a story about a young minister and his wife and their difficulties in building a parish in a rural community. In 1960, he illustrated the strip "Larry Brannon" for The Toronto Star. He returned to DC Comics to illustrate. In 1983, Mortimer left comics for advertising and commercial art to work for Neal Adam's studio at Continuity Associates. Winslow Mortimer died on January 11, 1998. In 2006, Mortimer was inducted into the Joe Shuster Hall of Fame.

Bruce “The Mole” Mowat was a prominent member of the Hamilton music scene in the 1990s. Bruce was on the pulse of obscure, new and up-and-coming artists. He was the founder of the defunct record label, Mole Records, which produced three releases, including Cyborg Revisited by Simply Saucer. He was a regular contributor to the EGO section of the Hamilton Spectator throughout the 1990s in addition to other publications in Montreal and Toronto. The focus of his pieces in the Spectator highlighted new band recommendation. He currently resides in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

Hamilton born and raised live music photographer

Bruce William New was born in Toronto in 1944. New graduated from Downsview Collegiate and pursued a brief career in industrial accounting before going into several entrepreneurial businesses including trucking, a dealership, a sales agency and a tour company. New lives in Hamilton and Largo, Florida.

The Hamilton Unit of the Nursing Sisters’ Association of Canada was formed in 1927, seven years after the formation of its parent organization, the Overseas Nursing Sisters’ Association of Canada. Nursing sisters had been around since the 19th century serving at home during rebellions and skirmishes, and abroad during the war in South Africa, but there was no formal medical unit within the military. At this time outside of the military, there were groups and clubs of nursing sisters existing around the country, which provided members with the opportunity to socialize and reminisce about their experiences. By the First World War, an official Canadian Army Medical Corps was established, which included nursing sisters called “bluebirds” because of their uniforms. These women held the military rank of lieutenant and served alongside their male counterparts in hospitals and casualty clearing stations, often experiencing the same hardships and rough conditions as the soldiers they cared for. When the war ended, many of these women wanted to continue the friendships they had made during their service, as well as promote the rights of veterans who had sacrificed for their country. In 1920, the Overseas Nursing Sisters’ Association of Canada was officially formed, and within the decade, many other sister units popped up around the country, including Hamilton.

In the early years, only nursing sisters who served overseas were allowed into the membership of individual units and the National Association. During the Second World War, the nursing service expanded to all three branches of the military: navy, army and air force, and there was increased participation on the home front, which swelled the ranks of nursing sisters. In 1946, the Hamilton Unit invited nursing sisters from the Second World War to join their membership. In 1947, the word “overseas” was removed from the title of nursing sister associations, and the mandatory overseas service component was also dropped from the membership requirement, to include all nursing sisters who served at home or abroad, and who were honourably discharged from the branches of the army, navy or air force. Over the years, members of the Hamilton unit came together regularly in fellowship through meetings, luncheons, dinners, and memorial services. Members raised funds for memorials, charities and a nursing scholarship, attended many Remembrance Day ceremonies, and provided aid and comfort to sick, disabled and bereaved nursing sisters. As the years moved on, nursing sisters aged and passed away leaving the organization that once boasted around 100 members after the Second World War, with a dwindling membership of around 15 women. The Hamilton Unit held its last meeting on May 3, 1996, where it officially dissolved. Although disbanded, the remaining members committed to continue unofficially for a few more years until 1998. During that time, they continued an annual social gathering, attended and spoke at Remembrance Day events, and educated young military cadets on their wartime experiences and the importance of never forgetting the true cost of conflict.

Opera Hamilton was founded in 1980. Prior to its creation in 1976, Italian opera companies were invited to perform for Hamilton's Festitalia, a celebration of Italian culture. Due to the problems and costs associated with importing entire productions from Italy, Festitalia decided to produce its own operas starting in 1979. The following year Opera Hamilton was created with plans to perform two productions annually at Hamilton Place. At the end of their first season, Steven Thomas was appointed artistic director, Boris Brott was musical director, and the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra was the resident orchestra. Opera Hamilton also had agreements with CHCH TV to broadcast a television production of one opera each year.

Conductor Daniel Lipton was appointed to the role of artistic director for the 1986-7 season. Under his leadership, the company improved many aspects of its productions and continued to build a strong audience on the foundations of Italian 19th-century opera. In addition to standard repertoire, Lipton introduced the successful 'Popera' concerts in 1987 to showcase leading operatic soloists, including many Canadians, in concert performances of popular operatic excerpts. In 1989, Lipton expanded the Opera Hamilton season to three productions.

In 1995, plans to expand and share resources with the nearby city of Kitchener led to the creation of the operatic partnership known as Opera Ontario. As Opera Ontario, the company began to mount its productions in Hamilton and repeat them in Kitchener. The company announced their claim for bankruptcy in January of 2014 and ceased operations following years of financial struggles.

The Optimist Club was first founded in Louisville, Kentucky in 1919. The first Hamilton branch of the Optimist Club was founded in 1924. The Optimist Club of Hamilton is the second oldest of the chartered Optimist Clubs in Canada. As a service club, the Optimists work towards the betterment of their community with a focus on the youth. Examples of Optimist Club works include Bike-A-Thons, garden and ladies’ nights, fundraisers and tournaments. Currently, there are more than 3 chartered Optimists Clubs operating in the Hamilton area, serving their community.

The Otis Elevator Company was founded in the United States in 1811 by Elisha Otis. In 1902 it expanded into Canada, setting up headquarters in Hamilton forming the Canadian Otis Elevator Company. However, it was in direct competition with the Canadian Fensom Elevator Company for the limited Canadian market. Rather than competing for market shares in a small market, both companies agreed to merge in 1905 under the name, Otis-Fensom Elevator Company Limited. The company flourished in the following years, playing a significant manufacturing role in the two world wars. In 1949, the company renamed itself the Otis Elevator Company Limited. Otis Elevator is a subsidiary of the American Otis Elevator Company, which itself is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation.

The Birth Control Society of Hamilton, later Planned Parenthood, was the first clinic of its kind in Canada. The clinic opened March 3, 1932 to disseminate family planning information and contraceptives. The clinic operated outside of Canadian law until 1969 when its practices were decriminalized by act of parliament.

The Player’s Guild of Hamilton was founded in 1875 as the Hamilton Garrick Club after founder David Garrick. After a period of decline post-World War 1, the club was re-established by Caroline Crerar in 1929 under the name ‘The Player’s Guild’. In 1951 the guild bought the property at Queens Street South and Jackson Street West and remained at the location ever since.