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Museum of Dufferin reopens with a new name & new exhibits

August 16, 2018   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The newly re-named Museum of Dufferin (MoD) opened its doors to the public on Sunday after being closed for renovations for several months.

Previously known as the Dufferin County Museum and Archives, the re-vamped museum decided a new era in presenting the past would benefit from a name change as well.

“We’ve been closed since last Christmas,” explained Nanci Malek, the museum’s marketing and events promotion coordinator, “right after Holiday Treasures (exhibit). We shut down and started moving the artifacts out and getting ready for construction.

“We felt it was time to change the name as we were freshening up the museum and renovation and we thought it was time to bring it into 2018. The museum really hasn’t changed in over 20 years. Since next year is our 25th anniversary we thought it would be good to freshen it up.”

The work on the main floor is complete with new paint all around and a changed in layout including some walls that were removed for an more open feel in the foyer.

A new exhibit about the Alexandria Hotel in Orangeville takes a step back to when the temperance movement was in full swing. The exhibit features the actual bar from the hotel and will be on display for the next couple of years.

The main floor also features profiles of local people as well as others who have done the same job in the past.

On the second floor, however, the cornflower exhibit, a major draw for the museum, is still under construction. The mezzanine, as it’s known, has new display cases with custom lighting that was specifically designed to highlight the glassware in the exhibit.

“We have a huge collection but we haven’t been able to display it to its best. It’s going to be stunning,” Ms. Malek said. “It’s amazing how many people own this glassware.”

Cornflower glass is well known with a striking floral pattern that was developed n 1912 by William John Hughes, a Dufferin-born artisan.

With over 2200 pieces, the MoD is home to the largest public collection of the W.J. Hughes cornflower glass in the world.

Until October 7, the Mulmur Farmer’s Market will take place every Sunday in the museum parking lot. Local producers will bring their fresh produce and other items so you visit the museum and buy your vegetables on the same day.

The museum has a full line-up of special events planned over the next year, including special guests, and astronomy night, and even a group of paranormal investigators who will see if they can find anything spooky among the museum’s artifacts.

You can find out what’s happening by picking up a copy of the Museum’s event guide or by visiting online at www.dufferinmuseum.com.

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