Workers’ City:

Workers' City is a digital project dedicated to documenting and sharing the dynamic history of Hamilton and area workers' stories and histories. The first iteration of Workers’ City was made possible by the efforts and support of many people and began in the mid-1990s with walking tour booklets. The second iteration was developed in 2015 as an interactive app and website.

This website, the third iteration of Workers’ City, launched in early 2020 to provide a web-based experience focused on accessibility and to be more representative of the multitudes of perspectives and stories of Hamilton’s working people. As we research more stories and as technology presents new opportunities, this project will continue to grow and change. Workers’ City is run and maintained by the Workers' Arts and Heritage Centre (WAHC).

WAHC:

Launched by a dynamic group of labour historians, artists, unions and community activists, the Workers Arts and Heritage Centre (WAHC) was created to address the need for a place where workers’ history could be celebrated. In 1995, the Workers Arts and Heritage Centre opened the doors of its permanent home, the historic Custom House in Hamilton’s North End.

As a community museum and arts centre, WAHC provides an array of exhibitions, educational programs, guided tours, online exhibits and events in partnership with unions and community groups. Additionally, WAHC works with unions on a fee for service basis to document, archive and record their histories. WAHC is also home to a contemporary gallery showing work by local and national artists that address the diverse histories and cultures of working people.