Brant Museum Inventory Project

If you've been to the museum lately, you'll probably notice a lot of changes. First, and probably most noticeable as you walk in through the front doors, we've changed our Victorian Parlour into office space.

New view from my desk. Stop by & say hi!

We're up front so that we can actually see folks coming in through the door, and so that we can assist our visitors right away.

The other thing you'll notice is that our programming room is overtaken with packing materials and inventory tools, and that several artefacts have come out of their regular hiding spots for their moment to shine.

Affectionately known as "The Marshmallows": giant rolls of foam and bubble wrap.
Yes, that's right. A giant roll of bubble wrap. 

The inventory project aims to make sure that all objects in the BHS collection are a) qualified, b) catalogued in our digital database, and c) packaged and stored correctly according to Ontario and Canadian museum association guidelines.

John busy cataloguing among the boxes

The project is an enormous undertaking, but one that is very necessary. You might have heard rumblings that the museum is moving. It is true that the current building which houses the museum is at capacity when it comes to storage, and it's also true that the BHS is examining other opportunities when it comes to a physical plant. In the meantime, it behooves the museum to have its collection properly stored in portable solutions so that, in the event a new building is in the immediate future, we're ready to go at the drop of a fashionable 19th century top hat.

Justin wrapping objects ready to be stored.

The Inventory Project has been ongoing and all-encompassing. Despite the fact that a couple of our exhibition rooms are being used as workspaces, and if you will pardon our dust, the Brant Museum & Archives is still open for business and ready to serve. The Brant Square exhibit is open to the public, as well as the Famous Faces exhibit, which will be replaced over the summer with a new exhibit. The research facilities are also in full functioning form, and are free to use for BHS members. Bring your research project and spend a day at the museum!

Bust of Judge Hardy, honorary co-manager of the Inventory Project,
pictured here among packaged and boxed books

Judge Hardy, being judgy. 

We're open our regular hours during the summer, Monday through Friday, 10am-4pm.

Welcome to the Brant Historical Society Blog

In an ongoing effort to share knoweldge and information, the Brant Historical Society has decided to start a blog that will explore not only our community's history and heritage, but also the behind the scene's work that goes into managing a community museum - how exhibits are designed, programs created, and the ways we work to make our organization more relevant and meaningful to the community we serve.

The Brant Historical Society collects, preserves and shares the history and heritage of Brantford, Brant County, Six Nations, and New Credit and operates the Brant Museum and Archives and Myrtleville House Museum.  You can find out more by visiting our website at www.brantmuseums.ca.

I have always described museums as icebergs.  What you see when you visit or take part in a program is just a small portion of what actually goes on in the museum.  The collections we care for, the research that goes into an exhibit or education program, the types of programs that are delivered, are all very important in creating a wholistic experience while ensuring that our community's stories are collected, preserved, and shared.

This blog will explore our collections, programs, history, and community role and we welcome your comments, questions and feedback in our efforts to make the Brant Historical Society and the museums we operate more relevant because your history matters.

We look forward to sharing and learning with you.

Joan Kangian
Executive Director

Brant Museum & Archives

Myrtleville House Museum