Brome County Historical Society featured myriad programs in 2017

In two separate articles that appeared in the January 3 edition of the Brome County News, the 2017 accomplishments of many individuals and organizations in the TBL community and beyond were reviewed, and, deservedly, praised. Absent from both articles, however, one of which was focused on cultural achievements, was any mention of the Brome County Historical Society, an omission that is of great disappointed to the hard working staff and volunteers of the organization as well as to some of its members.

2017 was a banner year for the BCHS whose successes in programming alone were many. Among the highlights were the Marion Phelps Memorial Lecture Series with Jimmy Manson, three brandnew bilingual special exhibits, a book launch by author/historian Michel Litalien, a three-part workshop for adults and teens given by finger-weaver Michelle Beauvais, workshops on butter and ice cream making for children given by summer students, Canada Day/confederation celebration in collaboration with Arts Alive featuring the locally produced play “United We Stand,” birthday party/picnic in collaboration with the Sir John Johnson Centennial Branch of the UELAC featuring Laura Teasdale’s play “Homechild,” a “Great War Weekend,” and two very special creative projects, an old-time Valentine-making activity that brought local children and seniors together in the latter’s residences and a teddy bear postcard-making activity that produced 90 unique messages of thanks and appreciation for members of our Canadian Armed Services.

Also in 2017, the BCHS welcomed their highest number of museum visitors in years, boosted their membership, launched an extremely successful “Adopt-an-artifact” program, hosted a memorable and lucrative “Night at the Museum” gala, created a new retail space stocking local goods and products, secured a significant federal grant to make improvements to the museum buildings and grounds, and, last but not least, provided bi-weekly columns to the Brome County News!

Hopefully, the BCHS, for whom “looking back” is a matter of culture and course, will be included in the BCN’S “look back” at 2018!

Sincerely,

Museum and Archives Coordinator BCHS