Planning for new recreation, arts and culture opportunities
Over the summer and fall, planning for the new recreation, arts, and culture service sparked real momentum. With support from the Ontario Arts Council’s Multi and Inter-Arts Projects program, we were able to dive deep into archiving practices, digital tools, and collection care—setting the stage for something much bigger than paperwork or planning sessions.
That groundwork paid off the moment we stepped into the Dyment Museum. The place hums with local history: a stoneware jug stamped “1900,” early tools of trade and industry, and shelves packed with objects that speak to the everyday lives of the region’s earliest residents. Seeing the sheer volume and authenticity of these items made one thing clear—this heritage deserves more than safe storage. It needs a thoughtful, long-term home and a way for people to engage with it meaningfully.
That’s where the planned rotating exhibitions at the Dyment Recreation Hall come in. Instead of leaving artifacts tucked away, we’re bringing them into the heart of community life through curated displays shaped around vivid historical themes and curated stories. Each rotation won’t just refresh what people see—it also ensures the collection is regularly handled, assessed, digitized, and cared for. It’s a system that protects the past while making it come alive in the present.
Turning the Recreation Hall’s lower level into a living, evolving exhibition space, we’re weaving the region’s history directly into everyday community experiences. These rotating, professionally curated displays make local heritage accessible, dynamic, and relevant—giving residents of both communities a chance to reconnect with the stories that shaped them, supported by the archival and digital expertise developed earlier this year.
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