Museum "Scoop" ~ Westfield Heritage Village ~ Interview with Rondalyn Brown ~ Living History

Judi "Scoop" McWilliams ~ Ontario Visited
Rondalyn Brown ~ Westfield Heritage Village 

Ontario is celebrating MUSEUM MONTH in May! We are fortunate to share with you just a few of the amazing insights from our friend at Westfield Heritage Village, Rondalyn Brown; Manager. The focus of the “SCOOP” today is about the “Importance of Living History and Museums”. As I like to phrase it … “Reflections of the past … Hope for our future!”

Rondalyn shares with us …

"What is a Living History Museum?

Living history museums are carefully reconstructed environments that encourage visitors to experience historical themes in a very personal way.  By simulating the sights, sounds, smells, taste and textures of earlier times and places, these unique museums can provide opportunities for visitors to engage directly in a variety of cultural and/or natural settings. Stepping into the doorway of a 200 year old log cabin, stroking the smooth lines of a handmade chair, tasting a morsel of bread baked in an open hearth, hearing the bells jingle as you enter a general store – these are the experiences that make visits to living history museums unique and personal. 

Living history museums utilize an approach to exhibition and interpretation that dates back to at least the 1890s with the creation of Skansen in Stockholm, Sweden.  Greenfield Museum in Michigan and Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia both opened in the 1920s, and served as inspiration for the living history museums that were created throughout North America in the 1960s and 1970s.  Many of these were developed in Canada in response to the renewed interest in history, stimulated by nation-wide centennial celebrations, and these museums celebrated and sought to preserve what many feared was a rapidly disappearing past. A testament to the value of these living history museums is demonstrated by the number that still thrives today.

Westfield Heritage Village is a great example of a living history museum located in Rockton (Hamilton), Ontario. The property was purchased in 1960 and in 1964 was officially opened with seven relocated and restored heritage buildings from Southern Ontario.  It began as a community project initiated by Glenn Kilmer and Goldie MacDonell, two Brantford High School teachers, and is now managed by the Hamilton Conservation Authority. Operated year round as a living history museum, the Village provides special events for the general public, educational programs for students, unique heritage activities and wedding, business rentals and filming opportunities.  

Westfield Heritage Village
Family ~ Community
Heritage ~ Museum ~ Village

We encourage you, your families, and your neighbours, to embrace all that Ontario has to offer during this MUSEUM MONTH of May and throughout the entire year! Enjoy!

Stay tuned for Part 2 with Westfield Heritage Village, Rondalyn Brown; Manager. In the meantime, we welcome you to check out the schedule of events, programming and activities Westfield Heritage Village at http://www.conservationhamilton.ca/welcome-to-westfield-heritage-village. 
If you want to read about our previous visits to Westfield Heritage Village, and other great adventures, you can check out Ontario Heritage Visited article's at http://www.ontariofestivalsvisited.ca/heritage.html. Enjoy!