Yesterday & Today: Niagara Symphony Orchestra marks 70 years

There have always been people in St. Catharines intent on developing local cultural institutions - groups like the Mechanics Institute (an early public library), the Women's Literary Club, and the choirs associated with local churches. Starting in the 1870s the Grand Opera House provided cultural offerings from travelling groups to supplement the purely local efforts. A steady round of operatic works, theatre and lectures were available there.