History lesson
Saluting the exceptional Colchester Historeum volunteers
Banners hanging at exhibit hall at the Colchester Historeum tell some interesting stories of how life was in earlier times.
Dr. Edwin Howard Borden was the first black person in Nova Scotia to attend university.
Born in Truro in 1869, Borden graduated from Acadia University with a B.A. and a masters degree. He later studied in the United States and Germany. This information is found on the large banners hanging in the exhibit hall at the Colchester Historeum in Truro.
Each banner tells a story about a person, an industry, a cultural event or how people responded to challenges in our Colchester heritage.
The banners can be lowered or raised by the use of a remote control. Besides these banners, researched and written by AJB Johnston, there’s a real treasure in looking further as the walls of the museum disclose wonderful history pertaining to how things once were and what life was like in early times.
Visitors to the historeum are certain to run into some real-life people, dedicated individuals, exceptional volunteers who wear their hearts on their sleeves when it comes to preserving local history by way of exhibits and stimulating displays. Walking through the door of the museum late last week, I was struck most by how volunteerism stood out.
Greeted first by Stacey Culgin, the willing volunteer was very busy organizing outgoing newsletters. After saying hello to Stacey, a sit-down conversation took place with Elinor Maher, Beth Johnston and Dale Ells.
“We’ve had a lot of people visiting
from Scotland the past week or so,” Maher said. “Every time I looked around we would have a visitor from Scotland going through the museum.” Johnston then offered. “The new sign that the town erected, the one down on Willow Street, it seems to be creating some interest. The sign is directing people to Victoria Park and mention of the museum is right there for people to notice as well.”
Ells, the editor of the very informative Colchester Historical Society Member Newsletter, added further insight.
“I think right at the moment we’re especially busy because a lot of other places have closed for the season. This is a more popular time of year then it use to be.”
As we reflected on the past summer — Maher advised that many ‘Archibalds’ were in Truro for a family reunion during early August and they took time to visit the museum.
“It was a really good summer for visitors,” Maher said. “I believe this has been a good year for tourism in Nova Scotia in general.”
Johnston mentioned another positive.
“The development of the Civic Square and the area of the Civic Square has made a big difference. It has been quite noticeable that there were a lot more people around this summer. With lots going on here at the historeum, people are welcome to stop in and learn more about our history. It’s surprising but there may be many local people who have never visited the museum.”
Another summer highlight saw a large number of Colchester Historeum volunteers get together for a social during June.
“We get our volunteers together almost yearly,” said Ells. “I think it is good for the volunteers to meet each other, when they are working on specific topics they really don’t get together that often. By getting together, it recognizes that we are all important. A lot of organizations depend on volunteers and we have an excellent group. We’re highly dependent on their efforts.”
The gathering had a surprise element as curator Margaret Mulrooney was presented with a gift as she and Chris Lipsit approached their July wedding.
Numerous exciting events are planned for September and October
— Tuesday night, Sept. 26, historian and novelist AJB Johnston offers his insights into the
“Vanguard” exhibit, the Nova Scotia Museum’s Canada 150 project.
“John Johnston wrote the text for our main exhibit,” museum volunteer Beth Johnston said. “He’s a Truro native and the author of 14 books. The exhibit features three individuals from Colchester County; Peter Wilmot, Portia White and Burnley “Rocky” Jones. This illustrated talk should be very interesting to local people.”
Maher outlined events scheduled for both Sept. 28 and Oct. 11 at the historeum. Then, Saturday, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m., the exhibit Colchester To The Rescue will describe Colchester County residents stepping up after the Halifax Explosion of Dec. 6, 1917.
The exhibit will tell their stories — their heroic generousity will be recognized a hundred years later.