Submitted by Laura Kelly,
MNBP Museum Attendant
Summer may have been slow to arrive this year, but that hasn’t slowed things down at St. Edmunds Bruce Peninsula Museum. July brought a full slate of exciting events and programs celebrating local history, traditional crafts and the stories that make our community unique.
Our summer events began with the return of the Top of the Bruce Woodcarvers Club, who once again amazed visitors with live demonstrations of their creativity and craftsmanship. On July 15 and 25, visitors had the opportunity to witness firsthand the incredible level of detail that goes into each piece while learning why preserving hands-on traditional skills remains so important to communities like ours.
The fun isn’t over yet. The Woodcarvers will return to the museum on August 12 and 22, giving visitors two more opportunities to see these talented craftspeople in action. For those interested in learning more about the history of carving in the area, the museum also features an exhibit on Lloyd Smith, a local guide, carver and fascinating character, which includes several pieces of his work.
At St. Edmunds Bruce Peninsula Museum, we believe history is best experienced firsthand. That’s why we’re excited to once again offer our free summer drop-in programs, giving visitors of all ages the chance to learn, create and connect with the past through fun, hands-on activities.
Programs run every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday throughout July and August from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Try your hand at making butter on Sunday, August 2, create your own tin-can lantern on Wednesday, August 5, or discover the art of beeswax candle rolling on August 29. With something different happening each week, there are plenty of opportunities to experience history in a new and engaging way.
Even outside of our scheduled programs and special events, there’s always something to explore at the museum. Open seven days a week from July 1 to August 31, we invite visitors to stop in, take their time and discover the people, places and stories that have shaped our community.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of our incredible volunteers. From welcoming guests and caring for the museum grounds to assisting with programs, special events and behind-the-scenes work, their contributions are essential to everything we do. We’re incredibly grateful for the time, energy and enthusiasm they bring to the museum. Anyone interested in helping preserve and share the history of our community can submit a volunteer application through our website or stop in to chat with staff.
There’s still plenty of summer ahead at St. Edmunds Bruce Peninsula Museum, and we hope you’ll stop by and see what’s happening. Follow us on social media or visit www.northbrucepeninsula.ca/museum to stay up to date on upcoming programs and special events.
To everyone who has already visited us this summer, thank you for being part of it. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
