NEWS RELEASE
SIMCOE COUNTY MUSEUM
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In recognition of Remembrance Month, throughout November the Simcoe County Museum is hosting a virtual lecture series.
Weekly sessions will be delivered by historical experts as they cover the following topics. The virtual lecture series is open to individuals and groups with free virtual admission by visiting museum.simcoe.ca to register.
- The Langman Brothers ~ Nov. 1 at 4:30 p.m. Braeden Powers, accountant, historical enthusiast and Oro-Medonte resident, will be speaking about his great-grandfather Harry Langman and his brother Arthur Langman’s experiences towards the end of the First World War, and how their story is different from most Canadian Soldiers.
- In Their Own Voices ~ Nov. 14 at 12 p.m.
- Presenting the collective and individual stories of veterans and their families, Michael Petrou, author and historian of the Veterans’ Experience at the Canadian War Museum, presents In Their Own Voices, which focuses primarily on those who served in Canada’s military from the Second World War to the present day. It seeks to explore the enduring impact of military service, as well as how armed conflict and war have shaped the lives of veterans, their loved ones, and Canada itself.
- First World War Letters as Published in Local Papers ~ Nov. 22 at 11 a.m.
- World War I generated two billion pieces of mail as Canadians were prolific letter-writers. While many of these letters were published in local newspapers, to date, there has been no in-depth study of these letters on a community-wide basis. Barrie’s two newspapers alone published more than 2,600 war letters during the war with these letters acting as an invaluable understanding to the wider impact of the war as they are an ideal vehicle for the “braiding of family history and world history.” This lecture by Dr. Brad Rudachyk, Ph.D. Canadian History, will highlight a very few of these letters and their writers, as well as provide a contextual overview.
- A Soldier’s Camera: Candid Glimpses of Simcoe County’s First World War ~ Nov. 29 at 7 p.m.
- The First World War was the first war in which amateur photographers could keep their own record of events. This presentation by Jonathan F. Vance, PhD, FRSC, author, distinguished University Professor and J.B. Smallman, chair in the Department of History at Western University, will look at some of Simcoe County’s soldiers and the images that were generated both in Canada and at the front as souvenirs of their experience at war.
Take the Infinite Journey with the Simcoe County Museum, a cultural exploration of our historical past and exciting future. The Simcoe County Museum is owned and operated by the County of Simcoe and offers year round exhibits, events and educational programs for visitors of every age. Visit our website for further details.
County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website.
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