Museum celebrates the old-fashioned way
After 39 years, Canal Days at the Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum continues to grow.
Eventgoers Saturday and Sunday enjoyed free admission to the museum, courtesy of Lower Lakes Towing Ltd.
There were a few additions to this year’s festival activities at the museum, including the Mental FlossSideshow Cabinet of Curiosity for the Incurably Curious, as well as tintype photography.
“We have new activities each year to make things fresh,” said Mmuseum director curator Stephanie Powell Baswick.
The sideshow proved to be of interest to many people, with a lineup of curious folk wanting to take a look inside a tent with interesting items on display. Karl Thurston-Brown, co-owner of Mental Floss Sideshow Cabinet, said each artifact he displayed is based on history or historical hoaxes.
“It’s an old-style dime museum experience rooted in history with 10 exhibits,” he said.
Thurston-Brown said Saturday had been a great experience for him at Canal Days. He said he hopes to attend again next year.
“Everyone here has been brilliant,” he said smiling.
Powell Baswick said the tintype photography was a great attraction Saturday. People could have their photo taken in an 1860 manner at the museum Sunday as well. Powell Baswick said it takes a little while to develop the photo, but it’s an interesting element to take home.
“It’s been really popular with people because it’s something they’ve never been able to do,” she said.
For pirates John Swallow and Seika Hellbound, being part of the museum’s Canal Days activities for the second year was enjoyable. The pair sells items, including fur, that would have been available for sale during the 1600s to the 1800s.
Hellbound said they decided to be part of the museum’s events because they are “history geeks.” She said they could answer any questions eventgoers might have had about pirates.
Museum staff ensured both days were geared toward families. Powell Baswick said a big hit throughout the years has been a sandbox that young children enjoy playing in. This year there were hidden dinosaur eggs to be found. Inside each egg was a little dinosaur children could take home with them.
Powell Baswick said because admission was free this year, she noticed Saturday it was busier than in previous years.