"Port Bruce" Opens with a Splash at Aylmer Museum

Above: Cassy Dyck, Museum Assistant; Amanda VandenWyngaert, Curator; Vicki Hull, Collection Registrar

“Port Bruce”, the latest exhibit at the Aylmer and Malahide Museum and Archives opened on Thursday June 21st with a splash – including a Lake Erie beach vista and sounds, and an old-fashioned beach picnic enjoyed by opening reception attendees.

The exhibit includes loads of information and many photos of Port Bruce, from it’s early development as an important shipping centre to the Ford Picnic of 1915, swimwear through the years, the Rocabore Inn and other buildings, floods, bridges, recreation, cottage life and interesting personalities.

One Port Bruce native, Thomas E. Lee, worked there between school and University in farm work, logging, wood-cutting, and commercial fishing. He stated that he gained "experience in numerous trades and skills (...) in a small fishing port where tools were scarce, problems were varied and funds were at a minimum." Lee went on to a very successful career in archaeology, serving as an archaeologist for the National Museum of Canada from 1949-1959.

“Port Bruce” is a fun exhibit for those with past vacation or family connections to Port Bruce as well as those who have more recently discovered the charms of this little Lake Erie port.

Aylmer-Malahide Museum & Archives is located at 14 East St, Aylmer. Current hours are Monday to Friday 10am-5pm. “Port Bruce” continues to August 25. For more information call 519-773-9723 or visit http://www.amtelecom.net/~aylmermuseum/