Tillsonburg Library plans local history day
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I have a terrible problem with the Oxford County Library, Tillsonburg Branch web pages. Once I go on the site, I am on there for hours, all excited by how much I can find.
I always spend more time than I should discovering history that I never knew, or forgot all about. We are blessed to have Matthew Griffis, Tillsonburg’s digital literacy and local history technician, who loves history and has embraced Tillsonburg since coming to town.
Matt and the staff have put together Tillsonburg’s super ‘Local History Day’ this year on Saturday, April 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring the whole family, admission is free.
You can come anytime you want throughout the day for the scavenger hunt. Children of all ages are invited to complete this history-themed activity for fun and prizes. The hunt takes place inside the library, and it takes about 20-30 mins to complete. Did you catch the ‘children of all ages?’ That means adults get to play too. Yes! Why not have a little contest in the family with the kids against the parents and parents against the grandparents?
The Beeswax Candle Making Workshop is 10-11:30 a.m. This one is for just children 8-12 years, who will learn how to sculpt their own beeswax candles. This session is led by workshop instructors from Trash Theatre. Participants will taste local honey, learn about bees that make beeswax, and sculpt their own candles to take home. Note: the workshop will involve the use of portable stoves. Parents/guardians of children 8-10 years old must remain at the library for the duration of the workshop and may assist their children in the Program Room. Registration is required.
Trash Theatre? I had to check their web site www.trashtheatre.ca/oac-artists-in-education-program. It is a ‘multidisciplinary arts project. Students create costumes and props, and perform environmentally themed theatre pieces that creatively address global issues such as climate change.’
Everyone is welcome to drop-in at the Tillsonburg Library program room from 1-3 p.m. for tea, coffee, cake, and to see familiar places in Tillsonburg and area from 100 years ago… through the ‘Tillsonburg Time Machine.’
My imagination went crazy. Wouldn’t that be so amazing. Alas, there are not enough converted DeLoreans, but the local Time Machine will present an engaging show of historic Tillsonburg images and its surrounding communities. Matthew has put this presentation together with content contributed by the Annandale National Historic Site, the Oxford County Archives, Oxford County Library’s Tillsonburg Branch, Joan Weston and yours truly.
No registration is required. It is drop-in only, but space is limited. The presentation of historical images (‘Time Machine’) will begin soon after 1 p.m. Cake, tea and coffee will continue to be served until 3 p.m. (or until the cake is gone – whichever happens first). Matt wanted to reiterate: “Even if you think old photos are boring… we have free cake! Don’t miss this.” I hope it is chocolate!
Just a reminder, if you have not seen the magnificent mural by Stella Jurgen in the children’s area of the library, you will be amazed. Don’t miss it.
For more information about Tillsonburg’s 2024 Oxford Library Historical Day program, see their program calendar at https://history.ocl.net/services/local-history or call 519-842-5571. Check out all the wonderful programs and events our library has to offer. No reason for anyone to sit at home lonely and bored with all there is do in Tillsonburg. You could even volunteer to help!
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