Researchers at the Huron Community History Centre and Western Libraries are uncovering hidden histories of area communities with a digital mapping project that shares places and the past.
History
How kudzu became the ‘bad seed’ of plant world
Kudzu’s journey to becoming the bad seed of the continent’s plant world has close parallels in historical attitudes towards immigration, regionalism and nationalism, argues Western environmental historian Kenny Reilly.
Learning from echoes of past plagues, poxes, flus
Students in Western medical historian Shelley McKellar’s ‘Plague, Pox and Flu: Disease in Global History’ undergraduate course are in the rare position of learning the historical lessons of pandemics while living in one.
Alumna explores life’s journey in ‘Falling’
Dorothy Ellen Palmer, BA’82, grew up in the West End of Toronto, a child of adoptive parents, learning to live with a congenital anomalies in both feet. “Both of those things worked together to make me believe I was a burden.” It nearly took a lifetime to resolve those feelings
Students learn history is rarely black-and-white
More than 400 London and area high schoolers learned Thursday that history is rarely black and white – and sometimes it’s better understood in shades and tints and sepia tones.
‘Township’ earns honour for bringing war home
Jonathan Vance never runs out of good stories to tell – that’s because, as an historian, he draws on the entire human experience for inspiration. For his most recently celebrated work, that experience was drawn from close to home by the History professor.
Signs bring bit of magic to campaign
Wes Kinghorn, a History postdoctoral scholar, is the mastermind behind a series of viral London North Centre election signs featuring characters from the Harry Potter series.
Awards honour excellence among us
Demonstrating dedication from faculties to research, from libraries to technology, presented here are winners of the 2019 Western Awards of Excellence, the highest honour for staff member achievement.
Selections to make you say ‘Hear, Here!’
Experience the backstories of funny people, the dark corners of your imagination, and tales from just around the corner in our own community, when Visiting History Professor Ariel Beaujot takes a turn on Read. Watch. Listen.
Taking ‘Dead’ aim at his favourites
Find out how to survive a zombie apocalypse, while having a few laughs along the way, when Jonathan F. Vance, a Distinguished University Professor in the Department of History, takes a turn on Read. Watch. Listen.
Three named Distinguished University Professors
Three professors are the latest recipients of Distinguished University Professorships (DUP) awards, joining a select group of faculty members recognized for exceptional scholarly careers
Gifts, project open door wider to city history
A few taps on any smartphone can tell you that Eldon House, London’s oldest residence, was once home of the Harris Family, but it takes a collection like the Harris Family Fonds to gain a deeper understand of what that legacy means.
History of beer course on tap for spring
More than just a look at the evolution from Mesopotamian times to modern craft ales, a newly brewed course is intended to show how beer has played a part in shaping social, economic, cultural, political and anthropological realities throughout human history.
Canada’s first groundhog was a bear
Move over Punxsutawney Phil, Wiarton Willie and Shubenacadie Sam – it turns out the earliest animal to predict the coming of spring in North America was not a groundhog, but a bear.
Hear Here team turns ear to SoHo memories
Chroniclers of one of London’s most storied neighbourhoods could use a few more true tales for an oral-history project to honour the area’s landmarks.
Wartime experiences a slice of Canadiana
One rural community, like thousands across Canada – forever changed by the Great War. One hundred years later, renowned historian Jonathan Vance chronicles war’s impact on a small town.
Alumni named Top 20 Under 40
Western University congratulates eight of its alumni for being named to London’s Top 20 Under 40, as identified by London Inc. magazine, for 2018. The honour is awarded to young leaders who make a difference in the community. Alumni honoured this year include: Chris...
Western emerging generation among New College
Four Western scholars were named among the newest members of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.
Paper trail uncovers rich history of Middle East
There’s good, present-day reason to study the economic history of the medieval Middle East – and that would be today’s economic realities in the region.
Remembering the ‘father of the modern Western’
With the death of Grant Reuber, the Western community mourns the loss of a vital force in the university’s progress over a half century. Those who called him friend are stunned by the disappearance of a truly remarkable man who had seemed indestructible.