Papers relate to research, teaching, and the union, community, and political activities of Dr. Ernst Zimmermann, professor of history and Dean of Arts at Lakehead University.

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.

The fonds includes meeting minutes, correspondence, research projects, funding applications, workshop materials, membership lists, and publications. It also contains records of collaborations with educational institutions and community organizations, reflecting the Institute’s commitment to advancing historical research and public engagement.

Marion Henderson (1908-1988) was an author, musician, music teacher, and active volunteer.

She began her work as a music teacher, first in Iroquois Falls, then at the Lakehead from 1949 to 1973. She was a singer and choir leader, and played organ and flute. As a researcher and author, she was interested in early European settlers in Fort William, and wrote historical fiction, children’s literature, book reviews, and articles. She also worked in school libraries, and after retirement was a volunteer indexer at the Brodie Library (Thunder Bay Public Library).

Inge Rakovszky worked as a library technician at the Brodie Library from 1969 to 1989. During this time she worked closely with Marion Henderson, as well as other local historians such as Elizabeth Arthur, Ernst Zimmermann, and Joseph Mauro. She assisted Henderson in the last years of her life, including with the distribution of papers and published material.

These records were kept by Inge Rakovszky until their donation to Lakehead University Archives in 2024.

The records consist of some correspondence, copies of Marion Henderson’s writings, and a set of photographic sides.

The research notes, draft articles, correspondence, and course materials of Dr. Morris Zaslow, a professor of history at the University of Western Ontario and prominent author specializing in the history of Northern Canada.