by Amy Zoethout | Mar 29, 2021 | Media Releases/Announcements
Don’t miss out on seeing Reflections: The Life and Work of J.W. (Jack) McLaren, on at the Huron County Museum until April 30, 2021.
Praised by visitors as an “amazing show” featuring “spectacular” art and an “interesting slice of Huron County and beyond”, Reflections has drawn repeat visitors since opening at the Museum in October, 2020. The exhibit explores McLaren’s prolific career as an artist, illustrator, and performer, and features close to 100 pieces of his art on loan from the community.
Presented in partnership with the Huron County Historical Society, Reflections not only shares an incredible local collection of art, but also looks back on McLaren’s fascinating life, including his time in World War I where he performed as a member of the Dumbells Comedy Troupe, and his membership in the Toronto Arts and Letters Club where he became associated with the Group of Seven.
For those unable to visit the exhibit in person, the Huron County Museum will be hosting Jack McLaren: A Soldier of Song, a virtual event that can be enjoyed from home on April 9, 2021.
This event will feature a presentation and performance by Jason Wilson, musician and author of Soldiers of Song: The Dumbells and Other Canadian Concert Parties. Wilson’s performance is based on the original works of the Dumbells, a Canadian concert party that entertained the troops on the front lines in World War I and featured Jack McLaren.
To register for this event, or to explore more ways to enjoy the Reflections exhibit from home, visit: https://www.huroncountymuseum.ca/reflections/
The public is invited to book a visit to catch the exhibit by calling 519.524.2686. The museum is open from 10:00AM-4:30PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10:00AM-8:00PM on Thursday, and 1:00PM-4:30PM on Saturday. Reflections is included with regular admission, or free for museum members and Huron County Library cardholders.
by Amy Zoethout | Dec 24, 2020 | Archives, Artefacts, Blog, Exhibits
Technology over the last several years has made it so easy to quickly connect with friends and loved ones that the tradition of sending Christmas cards has not been as popular as it once was. But in the midst of a global pandemic, when we can’t celebrate together like we normally would, people are looking for more meaningful ways to let loved ones know they are thinking of them, and what better way than a lovely greeting delivered through the mail. And while we can’t send out a seasonal greeting to you all through the mail, we can still use the power of technology to share a little Christmas cheer by taking a look through some of the Christmas cards in our collection. 
Christmas Greetings, From Germany To Edith Williams From Prison Camp 106684 Co.10 Bar. B A994.0007.033
A Christmas notecard “Season’s Greetings”. On the front of card is a Tom Pritchard print of a farm/house by a hill and is signed by Tom Pritchard. Donated by Town of Goderich. 2011.0021.009
This Christmas postcard features flags of Allied nations in the First World War. The back of the card includes a bio of Ontario Premier William Hearst. 2004.0044.006
The back of this card has a silver embossed border. The front of the card is made of plastic with bells and holly designs on it. On the inside left is printed “THAT YOU’LL REMEMBER ME”. On the inside right is printed A GREETING…ANOTHER CHRISTMAS. A951.0664.001
This Happy New Year postcard does not include a postmark, but reads on the back: “Dear cousin, received your cards yesterday and I was glad to hear from you’s. It is about 5 below zero, we have to go back to school next Monday. We have skating on Belles Isle. What did Santa Claus bring you for Christmas. Good bye from Harvey M Brien.” 2008.0032.005
And, of course, we couldn’t share our Christmas card collection without sharing a selection of cards from artist Jack McLaren, who is the subject of our exhibit Reflections: The Life & Work of J.W. (Jack) McLaren. Depending on the year, his collection includes some happy and cheerful seasonal greetings….
And some that seem appropriate for the 2020 holiday season…
