Shackles and keys on display in the Turnkey’s Office at the Gaol.

A spooky comic published in The Seaforth News, 1946-07-18. From the Huron Historic Newspaper collection.

Each day has brought a smile to my face and as I reflect on the changes, the people that have come in and out of my life, the artifacts, and the work we do, I am overwhelmed with emotion. I’ve watched students grow and mature to fantastic professionals in a variety of occupations, many in the museum/history field.

There have been so many memorable moments for me. As a Registrar, I get to look at, hold, catalogue, and photograph the objects that come into the Museum.

Some of the highlights of my career include:

Tiger Dunlop’s cup. 

Cresswell’s painting

Mold for water vessel lid

Written by museum assistant Talia Collins, who is helping to coordinate this year’s National Historic Places Days event.

Despite the dreary nature of the Huron Historic Gaol, music would often fill the halls of the Gaol. This music was able to help brighten the lives of both the prisoners and the staff alike. It was a welcome relief from the footsteps of the guards doing walk around and the creaks of the metal cells doors, reminding them of their imprisonment.

One such instance of music filling the hallways was in 1951, coming from Lucille Martin, a volunteer for the Salvation Army. She recounts visiting the Gaol about once a month with her fellow volunteers to sing to the prisoners. The purpose of these visits was as an act of kindness towards the prisoners, a sentiment that was shared by many of the locals. Martin also recounted people throwing candy over the wall as gifts for the prisoners as they were walking by.

Another instance of music was from the Gaoler, Joseph Griffin’s, daughter, Winifred Griffin, who would play the organ for the local church. Her practicing could be heard throughout the Griffin’s home and the attached Gaol, bringing life to the otherwise solemn building and residence alike.

Today, music rarely finds home in the Gaol, but on Sunday, July 9, to celebrate National Historic Places Days, there will be performers at the Gaol once more! We are excited to welcome the Bayfield Ukulele Society and Elsie Puska, a skilled harp player from Huron Harp School, to liven up these halls once again with their music. Along with music, there will be games, free admission, and selfie station to take part in the Nation Historic places selfie contest. At the Huron County Museum, an ice cream social is going to be held with even more games, activities, and, of course, free admission!

Mahogany pump organ, an early 1900s model pump organ manufactured by W. Doherty Piano & Organ Co, Clinton, Ontario, which produced organs from 1875 to 1960s. Object ID M995.0007.001

The Huron County Museum & Historic Gaol invites you to join the National Trust for Canada’s Historic Places Days Selfie Contest for your chance to win $1,000 for yourself as well as $1,000 for the Museum and Gaol. They will also be giving away over $10,000 in prizes throughout the month of July, including VIA Rail passes, Parks Canada passes, and more! The annual contest runs until July 31, 2022.

Historic Places Days is a national celebration of Canada’s historic places hosted each year by the National Trust of Canada. All are welcome to share a selfie taken at the Museum or Gaol for a chance to win! If you are not able to visit in person, you can still participate by taking a digital selfie using their online selfie creator featuring digital backgrounds from the Museum and Gaol. 

To enter the contest:

• Share your Museum or Gaol selfie on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook! 
• Use #historicplacesdays
• Tag the Huron County Museum & Historic Gaol: @hcmuseum on Twitter, @HuronCountyMuseum on Instagram, and @HuronCountyMuseum on Facebook
• Tag and follow @nationaltrustca

The Huron County Museum Gift Shop is growing its selection of products made by area artists and makers and we are pleased to feature the work of artist Beth Gould. Beth’s cards and postcards feature illustrations of local scenes, including both the Museum and the Huron Historic Gaol. Holiday cards have also been recently added to the shop just in time for the season! If you would like to pick up some of Beth’s work, the Gift Shop is open during regular Museum hours and does not require admission to come in to shop and to support local! Learn more about Beth and her work below!

Work-in-progress illustration of the Huron Historic Gaol

Who are you and what do you make?

Professionally, I’m an artist who primarily works with watercolour, pen and ink. I grew up in Goderich near the water and as you can see from many of my works I continue to be influenced by this.

How did you start making art?

I think we’re all born artists so it’s not so much when I started but just that I never stopped. I’ve always loved making cards for my friends and family and one of my closest friends really pushed me to make it a business and I’m so thankful she did.

How would you describe your work?

On the most basic level I work with watercolour then use pen and ink to add more detail and definition to the piece. More specifically I’m attempting in a small way to record the history that surrounds us now and by turning these places into an illustrated version of real life.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by the past, by historical photographs, vintage postcards and maps. I try to recreate that feeling of nostalgia, of the unreachable past we all wish we could step into; whether I’m successful is up to the viewer. In my more detailed works I try to capture every building as accurately as I can because to someone that is their business or home or where they work, to someone it might mean quite a lot.

Beth created custom illustrations of the Museum and Gaol that are available for purchase on cards and postcards.

What do you like most about being an artist?

I think I’m incredibly privileged to do this. I love being able to completely escape into a brushstroke and that feeling that somehow time moves differently. In some ways I get to be a child forever. I’m lucky that something I enjoy doing might make someone else happy.

If somebody likes your work and wants to see more where can they go (besides the Museum Gift Shop, of course!)?

I have some prints available on Etsy, and I’m in the midst of creating a website. I do custom illustrations and paintings as well.

• Etsy – Winstonandme.etsy.com
• Instagram- @Winston_and_me_

Visit the Museum Gift Shop to see the full collection of cards and postcards created by Beth Gould.