Museum tells community’s story
Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum is truly a community museum, said director/ curator Stephanie Powell Baswick.
“Not only in the sense that we tell the heritage and culture of our community, but also in the fact that we are such a diverse volunteer-driven entity,” she said, as the museum was gearing up for its opening next week and Museum Month.
She said there are volunteers from all walks of life who help the museum operate and they connect with different parts of the community and interact with it and visitors to Port Colborne.
“Visitors see an example of what Port Colborne is all about by meeting the people here.”
With May being Museum Month, she said not only will the museum celebrate with the opening exhibits on May 1, it will also take part in International Museum Day on May 18. The theme for that day is Hyperconnected museums: New approaches, new publics.
“We’re trying to get people who may have never been here before.”
On that day, there will be a live broadcast from the heritage village and people who come that day will receive a free Inco nickel, in celebration of that company’s 100th anniversary in the city. There’s a limited supply of the nickels, she said.
During the month, the 34th annual Arabella’s Pie Social and History Fair will take place, as Arabella’s Tea Room celebrates its 40th anniversary.
“I think the reason I am so excited about May being Museum Month this year, in particular, is because we are celebrating the centenary of Inco. When you have 100 years of history, it’s kind of exciting to look at the past. Arabella’s Tea Room turns 40, and that’s something close to our heart. They are two very different exhibits that talk about the community and the social aspects of Port Colborne, things that define our city.”
The museum, located at 280 King St., opens May 1 at noon.