Archive for the ‘Blog’ Category

Please join us in welcoming our three summer employees: Ashley Wong, Enya Barbeau, and Nigel Klemencic-Puglisevich. They officially started on May 19th and although we have yet to meet in person, they have already become invaluable members of our team!

ASHLEY WONG
I’m excited to join the Goulbourn Museum team as the Collections Assistant this summer! As an archaeology student, I hope I can learn more about the behind-the-scenes action that goes into interacting with artefacts!

I’m currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toronto, double majoring in Archaeology and East Asian Studies, with a minor in Linguistics. I’ve had the privilege of volunteering in the university’s archaeological lab, handling artefacts from Wadi Ziqlab, Jordan, and so in my time as Collections Assistant I want to learn more about the life of artefacts in a museum versus the life of artefacts in the lab.Down the line, I also hope to further my technical skills to continue into museum work or pursue life as an archaeologist. I will be returning to Toronto in the fall to continue my studies but I hope to make the most out of my time here at the Museum!

ENYA BARBEAU
I’m thrilled to be joining the Goulbourn Museum team this summer as the Programming Assistant. I earned a Bachelor’s Degree with a Double Major in History and Visual Arts from University of Ottawa and recently graduated from the University of Toronto with a Master’s Degree in Museum Studies.

My background lies in heritage interpretation and programming. I spent three years developing and delivering public programs for the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum in Ottawa.
In the past two years, I have also had the privilege to work with cultural institutions like the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto Museum of Contemporary Art, and Canadian Women in Film Museum in the areas of collections management, visitor research, and exhibition development.

When I’m not eating (and sleeping and breathing) all things museums, I enjoy learning about the past through books, podcasts, and television show binges. I also keep up a creative practice in painting, drawing, and other visual art forms.

I look forward to planning virtual and on-site activities that engage the Goulbourn community. Here’s to a fun-filled, if unusual, summer season!

NIGEL KLEMENCIC-PUGLISEVICH
I’m so excited to be joining Goulbourn Museum this summer as the Museum Assistant! I’m currently attending Carleton University for a BA in History and Greek & Roman Studies with minors in Medieval Studies and Islamic Studies. I’ve worked for years in local history institutions in Ontario and am excited to experience Goulbourn Museum and all the former township has to offer, even during this complicated time of social distancing. I hope during my time working with the museum that I’ll get the opportunity to learn more about museum operations and management as well as historical research.

I grew up in Bowmanville, Ontario where I was lucky enough to work with Clarington Museums & Archives for over four years. From there, I began working with more local museums and exploring my love of history further. Upon moving to Ottawa, I began to once again work in museums and further developed my love for this industry. I hope after my degree to move to Malta and take my love of history to a graduate level.

In my spare time, I work mostly on researching my family histories from Malta, Constantinople, England, Slovenia, and Croatia. I also enjoy reading, cooking, gardening, and painting.

I look forward to the summer I’ll be spending with Goulbourn Museum and learning so much from the staff and community!

We are challenging YOU to get silly and recreate old photos of Goulbourn Township!

The photos (below) depict families from as far back as the 1800s.

HOW IT WORKS: Once you’ve chosen a picture, use your imagination to recreate the scene with the people, props and pets you have at home!

Click on the thumbnails below to take a closer look at the photos and find the perfect one to replicate. To keep the challenge fresh, a new series of photos will be added each week.

Participants can share their masterpieces (in either colour or black-and-white) on social media with the hashtag #YoreYourselfChallenge, and tag the Museum. Photos can also be emailed to info@goulbournmuseum.ca. Submissions will be compiled into a gallery that can be viewed on the Museum’s website and social media.

Have fun!

We may not be able to host Family Craft Days at the Museum right now but we can bring the crafts to you!

Our next “virtual” Family Craft Day is Show Me the Mushu which takes its cue from Mulan. We have designed three crafts for you to make from home. Here are the SUPPLY LISTS (including substitutes you can scrounge from around the house).

Click on each of the links, below, to watch our Education Officer, Sarah Catterall walk you through each of our “Show Me the Mushu” crafts!

Click HERE to make DANCING DRAGON.

Click HERE to make LUCKY CRICKET.

Click HERE for INDOOR FIREWORKS

We hope you enjoy this “virtual” craft day. We’re learning as we go so your feedback is welcome. We’d love to see pictures of your kids making the crafts as well as your finished products so feel free to post them on social media and tag us, or email them to: info@goulbournmuseum.ca (let us know if it’s okay for us to share them on social media).

Have fun, stay safe and hope to see you soon!

The Museum is looking for three post-secondary students for the following summer positions:

Collections Assistant: Duties include working with the collection, cataloguing artefacts, supporting research requests and daily operations.

Program Assistant: Duties include the delivery and development of public programs and events, and visitor experiences.

Museum Assistant: Duties include facilitation of visitor services, operational administration and to support ongoing daily operations.

• All Candidates require excellent English language skills and computer competency. Successful candidates will have a background in museum studies, art history, library and information studies, business, education, marketing, graphic design or a similar field. French is an asset.

• Positions are dependent on funding and run for 16 weeks at $15.00 per hour for 37.5 hours per week. Work includes weekends and statutory holidays. There is no public transportation to the Museum site.

• To apply, email a cover letter and resume (PDF format only) to tracey@goulbournmuseum.ca by 11:59 p.m. Thursday, April 30, 2020.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, job descriptions may be altered to accommodate the Museum’s needs as employees work from home. Additional requirements will include internet access and personal electronic equipment; including a personal computer and smart phone both with audio and video capabilities. 

Goulbourn Museum is sharing images of early life in Goulbourn Township and challenging families to use whatever they have in their homes to recreate the photos.

“People are cooped up right now so we’re encouraging them to have a little fun with history by reinventing pictures of the past,” says Museum Manager and Exhibitions Curator, Tracey Donaldson. “We’re calling it the Yore Yourself Challenge.”

The photos depict residents of Goulbourn Township from as far back as the 1800s.

“Once you’ve chosen a picture, use your imagination to recreate the scene by using the people, props and pets you have at home,” says Donaldson. “We’re excited to see some modern interpretations of these photos.”

Click on the thumbnails below to take a closer look at the photos and find the perfect one to replicate. To keep the challenge going, a new series of photos will be added each week.

Participants can share their masterpieces (in either colour or black-and-white) on social media with the hashtag #YoreYourselfChallenge, and tag the Museum. Photos can also be emailed to info@goulbournmuseum.ca. Submissions will be compiled into a gallery that can be viewed on the Museum’s website and social media.

Have fun!

We had so many great entries in the “My Family Is…” Exhibit Contest! Thank you to everyone who participated! Our winner is……the Hambly family from Stittsville!

Their exhibit was a true family affair with contributions from parents Mandy and Rob, their children Jack and Lucy, and a special appearance from Shirley “Nana” Hambly who was interviewed in England. The video can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/VJXmsuWnvYE.

“We hope you like our exhibit that tells family stories and favourites from grandparents to grandkids in England, America and Canada,” Mandy wrote in her submission.

“We enjoyed unearthing old photos and sharing laughs and history with each other. What a great week – stuck at home! – to work hard on a project that honours our family by illustrating what’s unique about “us”.

Goulbourn Museum’s Education Officer, Sarah Catterall says the Hambly’s exhibit showed attention to detail and had a fantastic blend of artefacts, photos, texts, and video. “The winning “My Family Is…” exhibit clearly demonstrates family working, creating, and learning together- both near and far,” says Sarah. “Well done to the Hamblys!”

To take a closer look at the photos from the Hambly’s exhibit, please click on the images below.

Stay tuned for more fun at-home activities to be announced next week!

We may not be able to host Family Craft Days at the Museum right now but we can bring the crafts to you!

Our very first “virtual” Family Craft Day is Too Slow Gotta Go which takes its cue from Sonic the Hedgehog. We have designed three crafts for you to make from home: SONIC SHOES, SPIN ATTACK, and POWER RING FLING.

This is the SUPPLY LIST (including substitutes you can scrounge from around the house).

Click on each of the links, below, to watch our fearless leader Tracey Donaldson (and crafter extraordinaire!) walk you through each craft!

Click HERE to make SONIC SHOES.

Click HERE to make SPIN ATTACK.

Click HERE for POWER RING FLING.

We hope you and your kids enjoy this “virtual” craft day. We’re learning as we go so your feedback is welcome. We’d love to see pictures of your kids making the crafts as well as your finished products so feel free to post them on social media and tag us, or email them to: info@goulbournmuseum.ca (let us know if it’s okay for us to share them on social media).

Have fun, stay safe and hope to see you soon!

The Museum may be closed but staff has been busy developing online programming to help families connect, keep busy and have fun while you spend time at home. You can’t come to the Museum, but the Museum can come to you!

Follow along with us on social media where each day we will share an activity for you to do at home. Keep your eyes open this week for a contest and prize announcement!

Day 1 Activity: Call someone who you consider to be family, and ask them to tell you about your shared history. Some questions to ask may include:

• How many generations have you/we been in Canada?
• Where did you/we come from?
• What was life like for your parents/grandparents/ancestors?
• What stories do you know from your parents/grandparents/ancestors about our history?

Watch the Day 1 Video HERE.

Day 2 Activity: Now that you have learned more about your own family, create a family tree and see how far back you can go! Ask other members of your family to join in and help! Download a Family Tree template. Watch the Day 2 Video HERE.

Day 3 Activity: Find objects in your home that have cool family stories! Watch the Day 3 Video HERE.

Day 4 Activity: Official Contest Launch!! Get creative & design an exhibit about your family history, using what you’ve learned this week!  The winner will receive one of our very popular POCKET WATCHES and have their exhibit featured at the Museum. **CONTEST CLOSES FRIDAY, MAR 27** Click HERE for all the details!

Dear valued friends of the Goulbourn Museum:

Due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), and in the abundance of caution, we have decided to close the Museum during March Break. This includes the cancellation of our March Break Craft Camp, Yap & Yarn this Sunday, March 15, and the Family Craft Day (Too Slow Gotta Go!) on March 29th.

Further updates will be posted regularly.

For more detailed information about, and general precautions regarding COVID-19, please visit the Public Health Agency of Canada.

We also recommend the following helpful video from Vera Etches, Ottawa’s Medical Officer of Health.

Thank you for your understanding.
~ Goulbourn Museum Staff & Board of Directors

The Museum will be closed today, Thursday, January 27, 2020,  due to inclement weather. We apologize for the inconvenience but the safety of our staff and patrons is the number one priority. Thank you.