This week’s Throwback Thursday Pic is of the Potomski General Store located at 1691 Tecumseh Road West. Opened in 1950 by Michl Potomski who was the proprietor. This photograph was taken sometime in the 1950s. This store seemed to sell a wide variety of goods, from shoes to hardware and paint to dry goods. This building still stands today, but has been greatly modified from when this picture was taken more than 60 years ago. If you have interested in this or other historic images of Continue Reading...

“Going to the In and Out store”, was a phrase often heard when someone was making a run to the beer store. This week’s Throwback Thursday Pic is of the ‘In and Out’ store, also known as the Beer Store, located on Drouillard Road in East Windsor (formally Ford City). Photographer Sid Lloyd took this photograph on November 25, 1930. This location at 966 Drouillard Road was a beer store from 1928 to 1940 when it was replaced by a cafe. The three big brewers in Continue Reading...

Every Thursday during February, Windsor Public Library is highlighting photos from moments in local Black history. These photographs have been provided courtesy of Amherstburg Freedom Museum, 277 King St., Amherstburg, Ontario. Today’s photo was taken at the ground breaking for the North American Black Historical Museum in 1980. Featured from left to right are Garnet Fox (Mayor of Amherstburg), Daniel G. Hill, Phillip Alexander, Melvin ‘Mac’ Simpson (founder of the North American Black Historical Museum), Henry White (President of the Board of the NABHM), and the Continue Reading...

Windsor Public Library is participating in an Ontario Parks Day-Use Vehicle Permit Library Lending Program.  Through the program, customers can borrow a day-use pass, free of charge, that provides access for one vehicle and its occupants to more than 100 provincial parks in Ontario.  The program starts March 1, 2021. This voluntary program is motivated by a commitment to help Ontarians spend more time in nature, by making it easier and more affordable for people to enjoy the benefits of provincial parks. Please visit our Healthy Continue Reading...

In an effort to stop the continued spread of COVID-19 and in accordance with the Windsor and Essex County lockdown level of Ontario’s Covid-19 Response Framework, Windsor Public Library will be offering limited and modified in-person service that aligns with the province’s Red-Lockdown Restrictions, announced Friday, February 12, 2021. “Library staff has focused on implementing a contactless curbside pick-up and drop off plan which ensures the health and safety of customers and staff,” says WPL Board Chair, Councillor Rino Bortolin. “They will now prepare for our Continue Reading...

Every Thursday during February, Windsor Public Library is highlighting photos from moments in local Black history. These photographs have been provided courtesy of Amherstburg Freedom Museum, 277 King St., Amherstburg, Ontario. Alton C. Parker joined the Windsor Police force in 1942, making him the first Black uniformed Police Officer in Windsor. Upon his promotion in 1951 he became the first Black detective in Canada. In 1966 Detective Parker and his wife Evelyn began hosting the annual Uncle Al’s Kids Party, which was an event that brought Continue Reading...

  Every Thursday during the month of February, Windsor Public Library will be highlighting photos from moments in local Black history. These photographs have been provided courtesy of Amherstburg Freedom Museum, 277 King St., Amherstburg, Ontario. This week we feature this photo from the celebration to commemorate Bishop C.L. Morton Sr’s 17th Anniversary as pastor of the Mt. Zion Full Gospel Church in 1944. Bishop Morton (front row, center) is not only responsible for establishing the Mt. Zion Full Gospel Church, but was also an internationally Continue Reading...

Every Thursday during the month of February, Windsor Public Library will be highlighting photos from moments in local Black history. These photographs have been provided courtesy of Amherstburg Freedom Museum, 277 King St., Amherstburg, Ontario. Visit them online at https://amherstburgfreedom.org/ This week’s photo features (l-r) Rev. W. J. Harrison, Windsor Mayor Art Reaume, and musician W.C. Handy. Handy was an influential American composer and musician who referred to himself as the ‘Father of the Blues’ and was an invited guest headlining the Emancipation Day celebrations in Continue Reading...

Every February, Windsorites are invited to take part in celebrations and events which honour the legacy of Black Canadians, past and present, during Black History Month. It is a time to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians, who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous nation we know today. It is also an opportunity for us to learn about the experiences of Black Canadians in our society, and the vital role this community has played Continue Reading...