What's happening at Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre? From exhibits to movies to educational programming, BCM&CC has you covered!
EXHIBITS
When the Earth Shakes July 26 to November 6
Journey through a variety of interactive elements to learn more about the earth. Can you sound like an earthquake? How quickly can you assemble a map of the earth? Think like an engineer, design and build model structures and test your structure to see if it would make it through an earthquake. See what happens when waves crash on the beach in the 16’ long tsunami tank.
A Tapestry of Voices October 9 to December 31
Did you know that Canada is rich with languages, including over 60 aboriginal languages, Canada's two official languages (French and English), and more than 100 languages that immigrants have brought to our shores. This exhibit explores themes that touch the lives of speakers of every language in Canada, and answer questions like: How have the languages of Canada changed over time? What happens when languages come in contact? How can our languages be maintained for future generations?
EVENTS
Visit brucemuseum.ca for a complete listing of details including themes, special guests, and movies, and to register for events and programs. Please note details are subject to change.
Book Publishing: An Insider’s Story (Zoom Webinar) October 11 at 7pm
Have you ever wondered what exactly a book publisher does? How they do it, or why? Join this Bruce County Genealogical Society Webinar to learn about some of the activities, joys, and challenges of publishing from Anne Duke Judd, founder of The Brucedale Press.
Anne brings a background in writing, research, editing and bookselling. With its unique focus on Bruce, Grey, Huron - ancestral land of the Saugeen Anishinaabek, this local press releases books which are created and produced entirely in Ontario and appeal to all ages.
To register, email newsletterbcgs@gmail.com or visit brucecountygenealogicalsociety.ca for a registration link.
Museum Munchkins Thursday, October 21 and November 4 from 11am to 12pm
Bring your preschooler for a fun program designed especially for them. Play, bond and learn through play-based programming. Meet other families and munchkins and develop lifelong friendships. Preregistration and prepayment are required, recommended ages to participate are 18 months to 4 years, but all are welcome.
October 21 - Forage and Fun: Making Art with Mother Earth
November 4 – Meet the Wildlife, a special presentation by Speaking of Wildlife
School’s Out Movies
When school is out, join us for a movie day. Sit back in the Bruce Power Theatre and get ready to watch great flicks on the big screen. We’ll be screening two movies on PA days and tickets are on a first come, first served basis as seating is limited.
October 29 – Hocus Pocus at 10:30am and Knives Out at 1:30pm
November 26 – Hercules at 10:30am and Hunchback of Notre Dame at 1:30pm
Members free. General admission applies.
After Hours Museum Mixer: Behind the Veil October 30 from 7-10pm
Discover the Museum at night during this unique adults-only event unlike any other in the area. Take an historic journey into Victorian Spiritualism and the Halloween season, learn your future with a tarot card reading, and experience mediums and dancers. Spend the evening enjoying a cash bar and food truck fare. Semi-formal or Victorian-inspired looks encouraged. Purchase your tickets in advance for this popular event.
That Sinking Feeling: Archaeology from the Great Plains to the Bottom of the Great Lakes (Zoom Webinar) October 20 at 1pm
Join the Bruce County Historical Society as it presents speaker John O’Shea, Curator of Great Lakes Archaeology, Museum of Anthropological Archaeology, University of Michigan, who will speak about his research on the Alpena-Amberley Ridge beneath central Lake Huron, and some recent discoveries. He will also share how a kid from Nebraska came to work on 10,000 year-old sites 40 meters below Lake Huron’s surface. The presentation will be followed by Bruce County Historical Society’s Annual General Meeting.
To register, email bchsregister@gmail.com or facebook.com/BruceCountyHS for a registration link.
Museum in a Box November 5 and December 3
Tired of finding new activities for the kids? Look no further. We have you covered with Museum in a Box. Travel through the Museum’s exhibits from the comfort of your home with these hands-on activity kits, challenges and videos. Check out brucemuseum.ca for monthly themes and to purchase your box. Supplies are limited.
Night at the Museum: Theatre Magic and Workshops November 5 from 5-9pm
Kids ages 8 to 12 join us for an all-new Night at the Museum. While this year doesn’t include a sleepover, it promises an evening filled with professionally-led clowning workshops, improv clinics and other theatre-related activities. Kids will expand their improvisation skills and by the end of the night they’ll really know how to clown around. Dress in comfortable black clothing, as if you were going to work in the theatre. A pizza dinner will be provided.
Preregistration is required.
Trench Talks: History is a Fight November 6 at 10:15am and 1:15pm or watch the recorded interview on BCM&CC’s YouTube Channel.
Join us for a screening of local historian Mat Johnson’s interview with award-winning Canadian military history author Tim Cook, then join Mat in the trenches of “Bruce Remembers” as he interprets the exhibit. Tim is the curator of the First World War permanent gallery at the Canadian War Museum, has been featured on CBC, is the author of 12 books, and has won multiple awards including the Pierre Berton for his contribution to Canadian military history.
Members and veterans free. General admission applies.
Mid-Week Manifestations: Meditation & Mindfulness Wednesdays November 10, 17 and 24 from 7 to 8:15pm
The Mid-Week Manifest is a personal development journey led by instructors who will guide you to find balance and vision. Throughout the three evenings you will be led through a body and mind balancing meditation and you will learn about developing personalized vision boards and how they provide focus and direction. The series will finish with a presentation by Chakra House: “Being Aware of your Person Abilities, Evolution and your own Spiritual Practices.”
November 10 – Meditation and Contemplation
November 17 – Vision Boards
November 24 – Chakra House Presentation
School’s Out Family Fun November 26 from 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm
Are you the fastest Lego stacker in town? Are your motor skills on point? If you answered yes, today is the day for you. Come for a day of World Record challenges and tune up your skills watching demonstration videos of Guinness World Record holder Silvio Sabba in the Lower Cafe. Will you break his records? Come find out. You can also make your attempt at home and stream the demonstration videos from the Museum’s YouTube channel. Prizes will be awarded for participating in the challenges.
Members free. General admission applies.
Gingerbread House Contest
Gingerbread House drop off between November 29 and December 4. Public Voting will take place from December 6 to 16.
Show off your quarantine baking skills this holiday season and enter our first annual Gingerbread House competition. It's easy to participate. First, build and decorate your own Gingerbread House. Second. bring your creation and a non-perishable food donation to the Museum. Third, encourage your family and friends to vote. The winner will be crowned on December 16 during the Museum’s first annual Light up the Holidays. Get all of the details, contest rules, themes and categories at brucemuseum.ca.
Merry Munchkins: “Community Care in a Box” December 9 from 10am to 12pm
Make wonderful memories with your preschooler while teaching them about community giving this holiday season. Watch as your munchkins shop in the Museum’s General Store for ingredients to create a meal kit they can donate to an area food bank. We’ll supply the shopping lists, and non-perishable food items and recipes, and you and your munchkin will create and decorate the meal kits while learning all about giving. Recommended for ages 18 months to 4 years, with adult supervision. Preregistration is required.
Emails to Santa
The elves at the Museum are once again helping Santa perfect his emailing skills. If your children would like to receive an email response from Santa and Mrs Claus, please email santa@brucecounty.on.ca to share their Christmas wishes and good deeds this holiday season. Please submit your emails by December 20 to ensure a response before Christmas.
Santa Visits December 4, 11, 17 and 18 from 1pm to 4pm
Visiting Santa has changed but you can still share all of your wishes with the jolly ol’soul. While there will be no whispering in his ear or sitting on his knee, you will still be able to share your wishes during the Museum’s Santa experience. Don’t forget your camera to capture the moments.
Members are free. General admission applies.
Light up the Holidays December 16 from 6 to 9pm
Start a new tradition this holiday season and bring your whole family to have a “Hallmark” moment at the first “light-up” of the Museum’s historic pioneer buildings. Throughout the evening you will be able to make Winter Solstice Candles and Diwali Mandelas, listen to local singers, cast your vote for your favourite Gingerbread House and watch as we crown the winner of the first annual Gingerbread House contest. Cash bar with mulled wine and hot cider.
Members are free. General admission applies.
Winter Family Fun Days December 20 to 23, December 29 and 30 from 10am to 12pm and from 1pm to 4pm
School’s out so have some winter fun with us. Come enjoy a mix of new and nostalgic movies on the big screen, adventure through the exhibits to help Santa find his missing candy canes and participate in seasonal activities all day long.
Movie screenings at 1:30pm. Please note movies are subject to change.
December 20 – Luca (PG)
December 21 – Matilda (PG)
December 22 - Cruella (PG 13)
December 23 - The Santa Clause (PG)
December 29 - Aladdin (PG)
December 30 - Hook (PG)
Members are free. General admission applies.
Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre is located at 33 Victoria Street North in Southampton. Call 519-797-2080 or visit brucemuseum.ca.
