The exhibit “The Holocaust on Main Street” previewed on February 26th, fifty years after the catastrophic Aylmer fire took place in 1965. Other artifacts and materials from Aylmer and Malahide fire departments and from other fires which shaped Aylmer are also on display, but the fire of ’65 takes centre stage. |
The devastation wreaked by the fire, caused by a propane truck explosion, was considerable:
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Museum curator, Amanda Vandenwyngaert says that the exhibit has elicited a lot of community interest and comment from many people who experienced the event. She says, “Many remember where they were when it happened or how the fire effected them – some of them lived in the apartments above.”
In putting together the exhibit, Amanda notes she was appreciative of help from the local fire department who opened up their collection of artifacts and documents for use at the museum. She was also able to interview Fred Kristhoff who received the Gold Helmet Award for his actions on the day of the fire. Parts of that interview and his Gold Helmet are on display.
Many pieces from the exhibit will be on site at the Aylmer Fire Station during Doors Open East Elgin on July 11th.
“The Holocaust on Main Street” will run March 2nd to May 22nd, Mon-Thur 9am-5pm and Fri 9am- 1pm. The Aylmer-Malahide Museum & Archives is located at 14 East St, Aylmer. For more information, call 519-773-9723 or visit www.amtelecom.net/~aylmermuseum/index.html
Many pieces from the exhibit will be on site at the Aylmer Fire Station during Doors Open East Elgin on July 11th.
“The Holocaust on Main Street” will run March 2nd to May 22nd, Mon-Thur 9am-5pm and Fri 9am- 1pm. The Aylmer-Malahide Museum & Archives is located at 14 East St, Aylmer. For more information, call 519-773-9723 or visit www.amtelecom.net/~aylmermuseum/index.html