It's Museum Month and the Simcoe County Museum is ready for what they hope is lots of curious people coming to the Midhurst facility.
Started in 2000 by the Ontario Museum Association, Museum Month provides a larger platform for the more than 700 museums in the province to not only honour their staff and volunteers, but also to entice visitors to come out.
Locally, the Simcoe County Museum has its heritage buildings opened as of May 1, which allows visitors the chance to view 16 historic structures that have been relocated to the Highway 26 grounds from various locations around the region.
The Spearin log home (1834) and Cedar View Cottage (1922) are just two of the buildings on display, allowing people to see the growth and development of the area.
Museum curator Kelley Swift Jones told BarrieToday that Museum Month is a clear sign that spring is here and the entire grounds, located north of Barrie at 1110 Highway 26, are bustling.
“The month of May is a great way to start the conversation about our local heritage and the history of Simcoe County. It helps to bring to the forefront all the great things we do and interesting artifacts we have,” she said. “It's also a great way to introduce the programs we offer in the upcoming summer.”
Jones also said there were many reasons to become a museum regular and not just for the scheduled activities.
“We saw during the pandemic how our 327 acres of forest and grounds can be used to get away and outdoors," she said. "There are trails going through the property that are enjoyed by so many and that's important to not just be aware of the region’s material history but also our natural heritage, as well."
For more information on the Simcoe County Museum, its hours, fees, and schedule of events, head to the website by clicking here.
