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Lakehead Chamber of Commerce
Instelling · 1965-1970

In 1965, the Lakehead Chamber of Commerce was founded by the merger of the Port Arthur Board of Trade (1885-1965) and the Fort William Chamber of Commerce (1891-1965.) The two entities voluntarily came together under the Board of Trade Act (1964). In 1970, the City of Thunder Bay was founded, amalgamating the City of Fort William and the City of Port Arthur. The Lakehead Chamber of Commerce likewise was renamed as the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization, working to build and support a local business community.

The Fort William Chamber of Commerce was first founded as the Kaministikwia Club in 1879, out of tensions between the early communities of Prince Arthur's Landing and Fort William, particularly regarding rail infrastructure. They renamed as the Fort William Chamber of Commerce in 1930. The Port Arthur Board of Trade was founded in 1885 and was renamed the Port Arthur Board of Trade in 1922.

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City of Thunder Bay
Instelling · 1970-

The City of Thunder Bay was established in 1970, by the amalgamation of the Cities of Fort William and Port Arthur, the Township of Neebing, and the Township of McIntyre. Suggestions of amalgamation had been made for decades; the process began in the mid 1960s and culminated in a provincial Act.

The region's settlement by Europeans had begun during the fur trade in the late 17th century, and increased significantly in the 19th century, which also saw the establishment of Municipalities of Fort William and Port Arthur. The name "Thunder Bay" is the longstanding name of the bay on Lake Superior, framed by the Sleeping Giant Peninsula. The name "The Lakehead" also frequently used, refers to the location at the beginning of the Great Lakes shipping route.

Thunder Bay as a City has been shaped by industry: mining, forestry, and the shipment of grain from Western Canada through the St. Lawrence Seaway have all been key to the local economy.

Statistics Canada estimates that as of July 1, 2024, there were 133,063 people living in the Thunder Bay Census Metropolitan Area.

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Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario
Instelling · 1897-

The Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario (FWIO) was founded in 1897. The organization provided women with information and education in domestic science, particularly supporting their work and learning in rural areas. Over the years, the Women's Institute branches raised money to support wartime efforts, and supported youth programs, public health, and environmental issues. Local branches may do their own work and keep their own records under the auspices of the FWIO.

The FWIO was founded by Adelaide Hunter Hoodless, and Erland Lee with the support of his wife Janet Lee. Hoodless’ passion for the FWIO is due to the tragic death of her 14-month-old son from contaminated milk, in 1889. She advocated for education regarding proper hygiene in homemaking for girls and women. Hoodless met with Erland Lee at the Farmers' Institute meeting in Stoney Creek, Ontario, in 1897. A week later, Hoodless organized the first meeting for the Women's Institute, with 101 women and 1 man (Lee) present.

The Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario were run by rural Ontario women. The FWIO went on to promote rights and education for girls and women in rural and small-town areas, supporting healthy living for children. Today the FWIO still carries out their historical missions. They work nationally and internationally for social change for all women.

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Lakehead Social Planning Council
Instelling · 1963-

The Lakehead Social Planning Council (LSPC) was founded in 1963. The LSPC is a non-profit, non-partisan, charitable organization.

The LSPC aims to support marginalized groups in Northern Ontario who are facing inequalities. It works within local, provincial and federal networks. The LSPC primarily works to reduce poverty and financial illiteracy. For example, it aims to reduce and find solutions for people at risk of homelessness. In 2008, it founded the “2-1-1 Helpline;” it supports a variety of communities with resources, such as homelessness and emergency services.

One notable former executive director is Margaret Phillips (1931-2015), whose records are held at Lakehead University Archives.

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Lakehead Social History Institute
Instelling · 1997-

The Lakehead Social History Institute is a partnership between historical researchers at Lakehead University and members of the Thunder Bay community. Active since 1997, the Institute supports and promotes historical research in the Northwestern Ontario region. The Institute facilitates research, trains new researchers, disseminates information about historical resources, conducts workshops, assists educational and community organizations, supports historical publications, and encourages local groups to preserve archival materials.
Suomi Koti of Thunder Bay
Instelling · 1984-

Suomi Koti of Thunder Bay was established in 1984, to provide housing for seniors, especially those from the local Finnish-Canadian community. The building was opened to tenants in 1988.
Garton, Claude E.
Persoon · 1906-1996

Claude Garton was born in 1907 in Aylmer, Ontario, and graduated from London Normal School in 1926. In 1928, he moved to Port Arthur to work as a teacher at the St. James Street, Pine Street, and Current River schools. Current River School promoted Garten to principal. In 1933, Garton began his work as a botanist, collecting plants. During WWII, from 1942-1946, Garton paused his career to serve in the Canadian forces, and by 1951, he began collecting plants again. In 1967, Garton retired as principal at Current River School, now known as Claude E. Garton School, to work as a botanist full-time. Upon his retirement, Garton also collected specimens for the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa, Ontario.

Garten donated approximately 14,000 specimens to Lakehead University’s Herbarium, which became the Claude E. Garton Herbarium. Garton was appointed the curator at the Herbarium, and was a frequent informal mentor for students. He taught one botany class at Lakehead University. Garton curated for the Herbarium until his retirement in 1990. In 1996, Garton passed away. As well as at Lakehead, Garton’s specimens can be seen at the National Museum of Canada, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), and across North America.

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Robinson, Frederick O.
Persoon · 1903-1969

Frederick O. Robinson was born in 1903 in Port Arthur, Ontario, and was educated through a machinist trade apprenticeship. Robinson worked at the Canadian National Railway (CNR) for 25 years before being elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1943, representing the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) party. Despite his election win, Robinson continued working as a machinist at the CNR.

From 1943 to 1945, Robinson served on the Board of Education. In this role, Robinson pushed to establish a university in Northwestern Ontario; this work led to the founding of the Lakehead Technical Institute (1946), which later became Lakehead University.

From 1946-1949, Robinson served on the Port Arthur City Council. From 1949-1955, Robinson was elected the Mayor of Port Arthur. His time in office is remembered for the founding of new schools, new health and welfare offices, and a new fire hall; and improving infrastructure, such as sidewalks and storm sewers. After 1955, Robinson served as a Personnel and Public Relations Officer for the Port Arthur Public Utilities Commission. Robinson retired in 1966 and passed away in 1969.