Laura Centore

Please join us on Wednesday, March 30 at 6:45pm at the Woodstock Museum, NHS as we welcome Dr. Stephanie Radu, Curator of the Beachville District Museum.

The following is a summary of Dr. Radu’s upcoming presentation:

Historic house museums are a common, if often overlooked, feature of the Canadian heritage landscape. As national historic sites, and community museums, they address cultural, social, historical and political facets of the past. Whether they recount the life of a previous owner, focus on how chores in early households were completed, give visitors a sense of how their foundations were built or walls were decorated, they reflect different regional identities, varied stories of domestic life and different architectural traditions. This presentation looks across examples from the west coast (British Columbia) to the east (Nova Scotia) and offers references to local examples in between. It looks at how closets are transformed into display cabinets for historic housewares, how antique lighting fixtures are converted into appropriate “Exit” lights and how entire dining table sets become frozen for viewing.

In exploring these transformations, the presentation looks at how private, domestic spaces are re-envisioned as public institutions. It further looks at how multisensory exhibits, interactive displays and participative programs are used to restage the environment of historic homes for the enjoyment and education of museum visitors. Be ready to step inside of Canada’s historic homes and as well as back in time. 

The Woodstock Museum, NHS follows the direction of the Ontario Government public health protocols – which may include wearing masks, physical distancing and passive screening. Please be respectful of others while in a public area.

Calling all Woodstock gardeners! The Woodstock Museum and Oxford Historical Society want help show off your beautiful gardens with a tour on Saturday, June 18.

The Museum and OxHS have previously organized the popular Spirit of Christmas Tour of Homes fundraiser. This year we are looking to hold a garden tour as a safe, outdoor alternative. If you are interested in participating, please contact Kerrie Gill at the Woodstock Museum at 519-537-8411 ext. 2903 by March 31 for details.

The tour will run rain or shine from 10am – 2pm. Volunteers will be assigned to each garden to provide assistance during the tour. We also recommend the homeowner and/or gardener be available to answer questions about the plants or the history of the house.

Hello Everyone,

This guest post is provided by Middlesex Centre Archives. They are holding an Heritage Fair on Saturday, April 9, 2022 from 10am – 4pm at the Delaware Community Centre. Admission is free.
For more information see the above picture or contact the Middlesex Centre Archives, by phone at 519-518-5590 or by email middlesexcentrearchives@gmail.com.