Technology helps visitors learn about Bronte history

OAKVILLE — The history of Bronte Village comes to life with local content and new technology, thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Ministry of Canadian Heritage Celebration and Commemoration Program — Canada 150 Fund.

The Bronte Business Improvement Area (BIA) was one of two Oakville organizations to receive grants from the Canada 150 Fund in 2016, with Waterlution being the other.

The new technology was available for use on Canada Day, but the BIA officially launched the Bronte Heritage Trail last week.

“This trail brings Bronte’s history to life,” said Oakville MP John Oliver, by connecting the new and old Bronte.

The new trail is equipped with ebeacons that are Bluetooth transmitters and have the capability to send messages to a mobile device, either iPhone or Android, through the Bronte BIA app.

The Bronte Historical Society produced the local content for the heritage trail that was reflective of this area, said John Rishworth, vice-president of business development at infinitycomm, which worked on the heritage trail project.

He said there are 19 e-beacons located throughout Bronte Village, with each containing information about the historical fishing village of 1834, with the assistance of two voice actors.

Some of the notable locations on the Bronte Heritage Trail include the lighthouse, the Fishermen’s Memorial, the Outer Harbour Marina, Sovereign House, Bronte Bluffs, and Bronte Beach.

The Bronte Heritage Trail is about two kilometres in length and takes about an hour and 30 minutes to complete at a leisurely pace.

In addition to the historical information, the Bronte BIA app also has a directory of all 200 Bronte BIA businesses and event listings.

Rishworth said the Bronte Heritage Trail would be connected to the Moccasin Trail, which is being developed by the Oakville Community Foundation, when the trail opens this fall.

For more information about the app, visit: https://parkbench.com/ news/bronte-bia-on-the-appstore.