(Left to Right): Katie Kennedy (NCAM Curator); Eileen James; Tom James; Mandy Martin (County Warden).
You can get a real snapshot of what life was like when Victoria Hall first opened.
Northumberland County Archives and Museum (NCAM), the Town of Cobourg, and volunteers from Victoria Hall in Cobourg gathered to welcome Tom and Eileen James today, who made a special journey to Victoria Hall to generously donate a cherished family heirloom to the NCAM collection.
Tom and Eileen James travelled from British Columbia to donate a pair of Victorian-era shoes worn by their ancestor Marguerite Pentland during a dance with the Prince of Wales at the Opening Ball of Victoria Hall in 1860.
“These are more than just a pair of shoes; they are a reflection of our history and culture,” states County Warden Mandy Martin. “This artefact donation provides a glimpse into the future of historical preservation in Northumberland as NCAM prepares to expand their collection with the opening of a new facility, alongside the Golden Plough Lodge Redevelopment Project. I look forward to new discoveries from our past, as NCAM continues to grow in their future space.”
Upon completion of construction for their new facility currently under development in Cobourg, NCAM will move across town to share space with the new Golden Plough Lodge long-term care facility.
“Artefacts are the tangible remnants of our past,” states NCAM Curator Katie Kennedy. “At NCAM, we are humbled to be the custodians of these records of human experience. Being able to view, research and showcase historical artefacts allows us to gain a better understanding of our history and opens the door to important conversations about where we come from. By showcasing the many unique stories and experiences that make up Northumberland today, we will be better able to shape the Northumberland of tomorrow.”
