Thursday 20 June 2013

Meet Jennifer Adams - Curatorial Assistant

Jennifer Adams
I am very pleased to be working at the Goulbourn Museum for the summer as a Curatorial Assistant.  As a student in the Applied Museums Studies program at Algonquin College, having an opportunity to combine what I am learning in the classroom with hands on working experience before I graduate is very beneficial.

I previously obtained a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Anthropology from Laurentian University and this has proven to compliment my museum interests well.  During my time at university I was able to take part in a six week archaeological field course put on by one of my professors in collaboration with the anthropology department.  I, along with 11 other students, our professor and two graduates of the program excavated a 15th century Huron-Wendat site in Southern Ontario. We set up our tents in the field next to the dig site and spent long hours excavating, sifting dirt through mesh screens, cleaning and cataloguing artefacts and writing detailed accounts of our day.  We found broken pieces of pottery, animal bones and beads and, of course many rocks.  These findings all came from an area in old settlements called “middens” – 15th century garbage dumps.  Archaeologists like to dig in middens because of the large number of artefacts they can find there.

After less than a month I am already feeling at home at the Goulbourn Museum.  I am eager to see what this summer has to offer and look forward to working with the museum’s staff and volunteers these next few months.

Meet Sarah Norton - Community Programmer & Marketing Assistant

Sarah Norton
This is my first summer working at Goulbourn Museum as a summer student. My job includes a wide variety of tasks and each day I get to challenge myself and learn new skills. 

I am entering my fourth year at Trent University in the Anthropology and Cultural Studies programs; I also play volleyball for the Varsity Women’s Volleyball team. After graduating this year I plan to attend Algonquin College and enter the Applied Museum Studies Program. 

Goulbourn Museum has been an amazing opportunity and has allowed me to explore the many facets of the operation and maintenance of a museum. Some similar experiences I have had in the past include Boyd Archaeology Field School and acting as a summer student at the Arnprior Museum.

Tuesday 4 June 2013

War of 1812 Historical Walking Tour at Beechwood Cemetery Sunday, June 9

Costumed actors will bring historical figures from the War of 1812 to life at the 2013 Annual Historical Walking Tour at Beechwood Cemetery this Sunday, June 9 at 2 p.m. 

The tour includes five stops at the gravesites of men and women of note from the war including Sgt. Andrew Hill and his wife Maria Hill who were part of the 100th Regiment of Foot. Following the war, Sgt. Hill received 200 acres of land in Goulbourn Township.  He and Maria opened a tavern named Duke of Richmond Arms and he also worked as a clerk in the commissary offices that supervised the military depot until 1822. 

Don’t miss this stroll through beautiful and historic Beechwood, the National Cemetery of Canada.  Refreshments will be served after the tour. Enter by Beechwood Avenue entrance. Tour and parking are free. Wear good walking shoes.

For more information call 613-741-9530 or visit Beechwood's website for more information.