Black History celebrated year-round at St. Catharines gallery
The Fergie Jenkins Foundation’s museum has been in the city for 15 years
Set St. Catharines as My Local news
By Abby Green
Tue., Feb. 22, 2022timer2 min. read
Carl Kovacs, president of the Fergie Jenkins Foundation, said the museum not only showcases Jenkins' career but also highlights Black history.
Carl Kovacs calls the Fergie Jenkins Foundation’s museum “St. Catharines’ hidden gem.”
Kovacs is the president of the foundation, and runs the museum in Jenkins’ honour at 67 Commerce Pl., just off Vansickle Road.
Fergie Jenkins was born in 1942 in Chatham. From 1967 to 1972, while pitching for the Chicago Cubs, Jenkins achievement six straight 20-win seasons.
He went on to play for the Texas Rangers, and the Boston Red Sox, before returning to the Cubs prior to retiring in 1983. Jenkins is one of only two Canadian players in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
At 80 years old, Jenkins maintains his Canadian citizenship.
The museum, which first opened 25 years ago in Thorold, features memorabilia from Jenkins’ long career in hockey, basketball, and of course baseball. When the organization moved to St. Catharines about 16 years ago, executive board member John Oddi said they saw the potential with the area, even though it was mostly farmland.
“We saw the potential that this area was going to grow, and be something,” said Oddi. “Then they built the hospital, and all the land is being sold to develop more things.”
With more than 5,000 square feet of space, Kovacs said nowhere else around has the space to dedicate to the theme of Black History like they do.
While it started for Jenkins, the museum has expanded to feature Black athletes and Black history in general, with Kovacs estimating 60 per cent of the collection isn’t about Jenkins.
Kovacs said Jenkins’ star-power is a great catalyst to get people into their museum, but they like to teach guests about more of Canada’s Black history. They even have a collection of children’s books to teach about icons like civil rights activist Viola Desmond and Willie O’Ree, the NHL's first Black player.
A number of the artifacts in the collection were donated by the late Wilma Morrison, including Niagara-specific memorabilia, dolls, and many books.
The museum is constantly taking things down and putting new displays up, said Kovacs, adding they have items still in lockers across the country
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While Jenkins was born in Chatham, Kovacs said Niagara makes for a great spot for the museum because of its proximity to the border and airports, and also for its rich Black history, regarding the Underground Railroad and the nearby British Methodist Episcopal churches.
“Where’s tourism? It’s here in Niagara,” said Kovacs.
The pandemic has caused the museum to be open by appointment only, but Kovacs hopes they’ll be able to open regularly soon, and even have schools visit for field trips.
To visit the museum,
contact the Fergie Jenkins Foundation at 905-688-9418 or pres@fergiejenkins.ca.
Black History celebrated year-round at St. Catharines gallery
The Fergie Jenkins Foundation’s museum has been in the city for 15 years
WHATSON FEB 22, 2022 BY ABBY GREEN NIAGARA THIS WEEK - ST. CATHARINES
Carl Kovacs, president of the Fergie Jenkins Foundation, said the museum not only showcases Jenkins' career but also highlights Black history. - Abby Green/Metroland
Carl Kovacs, president of the Fergie Jenkins Foundation, said their Fergie Jenkins/Larry Walker display showcases the only two Canadians in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. - Abby Green/Metroland
Right now, the Fergie Jenkins Foundation's museum has a signed jersey from Toronto Raptors' All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet. - Abby Green/Metroland
The Fergie Jenkins Foundation’s museum has many informative posters, and pieces of artworks, taking guests through Black history. - Abby Green/Metroland
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