Wilma Morrison was a formidable force

May 1, 2020

Wilma Morrison, who worked assiduously to promote and preserve Black history, has died.

The 91-year-old historian and educator passed away at the St. Catharines General Hospital on April 23 after contracting the COVID-19 virus.

Ontario Black History Society President Natasha Henry said Morrison was a formidable force.

“Wilma brought people from all walks of life into the fold to work with her to achieve a goal related to amplifying Black history,” she said. “She was elated to learn about my work and I had the honour of collaborating with her on several occasions.”

Morrison played a pivotal role in helping rescue the British Methodist Episcopal (BME) Nathaniel Dett Memorial Chapel built in 1836. The landmark was officially designated a National Historic Site in 2000.

"The woman across the road came and told me she wanted to buy it, tear it down and build a house for her son," she once recalled. "It's part of our heritage. It's the only thing left in town that says we've been here, had a presence here and helped to build a community for over 100 years. These are the things I think are important. A lot of people don't."

Lt. Governor David Onley presented the Order of Ontario to Wilma Morrison in 2011

The chapel was named after the renowned musical composer and educator who was born in Drummondville (now Niagara Falls) and who performed at several of the top musical venues in North America and for American Presidents Herbert Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt.

Morrison also played the lead role in the establishment of the Norval Johnson Heritage Library in 1991 which, with the chapel, are important tourist attractions in Southern Ontario. The library houses nearly 1,200 Black History volumes and is a research centre for students and educators with an interest in African-Canadian History or their own genealogical background.

“Singlehandedly, she brought to the centre the Black history of Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and the Golden Horseshoe region in general,” said Halifax’s Poet Laureate and Dalhousie University Black Faculty & Staff Caucus founder Dr. Afua Cooper. “A great elephant has fallen in the forest and we must sound the drums.”

In June 2010, Brock University conferred an honourary doctorate on Morrison who co-founded the Brock/Niagara African Renaissance Group comprising the university’s faculty staff and students and community members whose goal is to enliven community and university research alliance and contribute to the ongoing cultural development of African-Canadian heritage at Brock and in the Niagara Region.

“Her efforts in promoting a broader knowledge and understanding of Black history, the Underground Railroad and the role of Black Canadians in the War of 1812 have contributed to our overall appreciation of the many contributions made to Canada by Black Canadians,” noted Brock University President Dr. Gervan Fearon. “She was an instrument in telling the Black Canadian story through film, presentations and lectures.”

Brock University presented an honourary degree to Wilma Morrison in 2010

Historian Dr. Karolyn Smardz Frost spent time with Morrison in the last few years assembling her papers for donation to the Archives of Ontario.

“Understanding the process of archival donations in large mainstream archival institutions as it relates to Black history makes this a tremendous feat,” added Henry. “Wilma, Karolyn and the Ontario Heritage Trust knew the historical importance of ensuring that Wilma’s personal story and her contributions to researching and preserving Black history in Southwestern Ontario are documented, curated and made available for posterity as a way to enhance representation and access.”

The City of Niagara Falls will honour the late Wilma Morrison

Born in London, Ontario to Arthur and Mabel Miller, Morrison resided in Hamilton before relocating to Niagara Falls in 1955 after her marriage to Lorne Morrison. He died in October 2001 at age 85.

A health care practitioner who also worked for the Royal Canadian Navy at their Burlington Skyway headquarters, she was the recipient of many awards, including the 2008 Ontario Heritage Award for Preserving Black History in Niagara and the Order of Ontario in 2011.