The Brant Museum and Archives is launching two exhibits for International Museums Day on May 18.
The first is an interactive online exhibit through the museum’s website that continues telling Brantford’s fire history. The second explores the work of fraternal societies in the city.
For the fire history exhibit, a volunteer transcribed handwritten records, cropped images and inserted watermarks.
Nathan Etherington, program and community co-ordinator for the Brant Historical Society, said that volunteers help the society achieve its mandate to share the community’s history with residents.
“Louann Nhan reached out to us during the pandemic and wondered if there was a project she could work on,” said Etherington.
Nhan called the project “insightful.”
“I have learned so much about Brantford’s fire history, cultural migration in Brantford….,” she said. “I have gotten to know the people and the firemen within the transcriptions, and I am grateful to be able to continue working on this project for the Brant Museum on an ongoing basis.”
The exhibit includes big fires at the Cordage Factory in West Brant and Thorton’s Hide and Wool Factory. Firefighters also assisted with rescue operations for drownings in the Grand River.
The fraternal societies exhibit includes the original seal for the Gore Lodge from 1854.
“The Orange Lodge was another important organization that existed for Irish Protestants, which we have a large collection of articles used in their ceremonies on display,” said Etherington. “There are also the ballot boxes and ballot balls these members used in voting, as well as some items from the masonic lodges on display”.
The museum at 57 Charlotte St. in Brantford is open Monday to Friday, from noon to 5 pm, and Saturday, from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is by donation or included in the $5 Brant museum passport.