The Craigleith Heritage Depot Museum is inviting you to get lost in the mystery of the Niagara Escarpment and discover millions of years of local history with its latest film offerings – the Niagara Escarpment and Craigleith Fossils.
“Each of these films is a brief introduction to the depth of knowledge the Escarpment and the Craigleith Fossils hold. Our goal is to make you want to know more, discover for yourself, connect to these places, share them and in that way protect them for future generations and for the diversity of flora and fauna that lives there,” said Andrea Wilson, curator of the Craigleith Heritage Depot Museum.
Created for all ages, the films each run approximately 20 minutes and explore how the escarpment was formed and why the fossils of the Craigleith area are so unique.
“We need these places to shelter our biodiversity, to generate clean air and water, to regenerate ourselves. Knowing why they are here and how old these landforms are, tells us of the power of the earth. These films cover millions of years of history,” Wilson continued.
The films were created in partnership with Mountain Goat Films, a film and production company based in The Town of the Blue Mountains (TBM).
“The films are about the history, science and important issues that surround the most prominent physiographic feature of TBM – the 'Blue Mountain' itself,” said Tracy Strnad, director, writer and producer with Mountain Goat Films.
Production of the films began in early 2020 and were quickly complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Strnad said the pandemic impacted production in several ways including complicating access to filming sites.
“Even sites on the Escarpment, such as the Bruce Trail, were closed at the beginning of the pandemic, but outdoor facilities began to open up in the summer. We knew we wanted to film both ends of the Bruce Trail – at Queenston Heights and at Tobermory, and it was somewhat difficult to plan day trips to both locations logistically due to the pandemic,” she said.
While conducting the interviews, contact had to be minimized, which required added distance between the subject and the camera, as well as new recording equipment in order to achieve clean audio.
Wilson added that the film’s interviewees are an impressive group who are very passionate about these natural history stories.
“I am so thankful for the people who supported the Depot in giving their time, knowledge and expertise with these films and helping us tell the amazing stories that reside here in TBM,” Wilson said. “It takes a lot of courage to express yourself on screen, and each of them deserves a standing ovation for their willingness to be captured on film.”
The content outlined in the films is highly linked to the museum’s collection and allows the audience to take a journey through TBM without having to leave the Depot or the comfort of their home.
“When people watch our film series at the museum they are with the objects that relate to these stories,” Wilson said. “It is a wonderful way to place the objects in context. However, we can also reach out and share these stories across the world and provide a touchstone to our community to those interested living around the world.”
Strnad said in creating the films she was blown away by the sheer magnitude of the geology of the Escarpment and fossil bed, and along the way, discovered a book that she highly recommends – Guide to the Geology of the Niagara Escarpment by Dr. Walter M. Tovell.
“The book describes the science in great detail, but in an approachable way, and then provides 'field trips' where you can experience the topics on your own and actually see the physical geography of the Escarpment, see the rocks and the fossils and it helps you understand the processes better,” she said.
“You can borrow the book from the Depot, but I had to purchase my own copy because it's so good.”
The films have been funded through the Depot’s fundraising efforts.
“This is what makes them so special,” said Wilson. “They were paid for by our local community efforts, with an award-winning local company, hiring a local sound and film crews, covering our own stories that are of interest here and around the world.”
The Niagara Escarpment and Craigleith Fossils are the latest in the Museum’s award-winning REEL History Documentary Series.
The series showcases a number of documentaries on several local industries and hidden gems, including a feature on the apple industry, the ski industry, indigenous history, exploring the Mary Ward and the Pathway.
The Depot will be hosting a virtual launch event of the two new films on Feb. 13 beginning at 7 p.m.
The event will be streamed in high-definition on Crowdcast, which allows for an unlimited audience and does not require a subscription.
Following the premiere of both films, a question and answer session will be held with the filmmakers and museum staff to discuss the project and the museum’s accompanying collection.
To register for the event, visit: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/reelhistory2021.
