John Goddard is an author, magazine writer, and former Toronto Star reporter. His books include Inside the Museums: Toronto's Heritage Sites and Their Most Prized Objects and Rock and Roll Toronto, with pop critic Richard Crouse. John lives in Toronto.

Inside Hamilton's Museums helps to satisfy a growing curiosity about Canada's steel capital as it evolves into a post-industrial city and cultural destination. In this special excerpt we visit Battlefield House Museum and Park, which commemorates the British victory at the 1813 Battle of Stoney Creek that stopped the American army from capturing Upper Canada. John Goddard takes us on a detailed tour of the historic house and gardens, offering historical background to the battle and into the lives of James and Mary Gage.