Can you Escape the Huron Historic Gaol? : Virtual Escape Room

Can you Escape the Huron Historic Gaol? : Virtual Escape Room

Can You Escape the Huron County Gaol?

Our new interactive and educational escape room “Escape The Huron County Gaol” will let you explore the gaol even when the site isn’t open. 

Navigate your way through the Huron HIstoric Gaol using the Google 360 walkthrough on the Huron County Museum Website and learn historical facts about this fascinating national heritage site as you attempt to escape its iconic walls. 

This activity is recommended for ages 7+ and younger children may require adult assistance to read the clues and navigate the 360 tour.

This interactive uses the Google 360 walkthrough of the Huron County Historic Gaol. Open the escape room form, and then open the Google 360 on another tab or device. To find the Google 360 walkthrough of the Gaol, scroll to the bottom of the linked page. 

If you would like to book a virtual program with staff guiding the escape room and providing extra information  and interpretation for your classroom or group, email museum@huroncounty.ca 

 

Image of cupola/tower inside gaol courtroom.
Remembrance Day: Local Resources for Teachers & Students in Huron County

Remembrance Day: Local Resources for Teachers & Students in Huron County

If you are a teacher or student looking for local stories from Huron County for your Remembrance Day lessons or assignments, you can access the Huron County Museum’s collection from home and your classroom through our virtual offerings! These resources speak both to Huron County’s military history and to the home front during the First and Second World Wars.

Videos

Our War: Home Front

Our War: Nursing Sisters 

Young Canuckstorians: The Maud Stirling Story

Jack McLaren: A Soldier of Song features a presentation and performance from author and musician Jason Wilson, 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 (later a resident of Benmiller).

The History of Drag Makeup Tutorial with Lita explains how drag performers improvised wigs, makeup and clothing at the front lines.

A reading of a WWII letter from R.C.A.F Pilot Officer Alan H. Durnin to Mrs. C. Blake of RR 1 Dungannon

Detail of virtual exhibit. Image of message sent from Vimy Ridge by Harold Taylor.

On the Front Lines: Word War One virtual exhibit.

Virtual Exhibits

Part of the museum’s collection of photographs by local photographer J. Gordon Henderson have been digitized. During World War II, he travelled to air training schools in Goderich, Port Albert, and Clinton taking pictures of classes and other base activities. Many airmen came to his studio in Goderich to have their portraits taken to send home to family and friends. The Henderson Collection also includes wedding portraits, candid shots, correspondence and interviews with airmen related to WWII air training in Huron County. Access the virtual Henderson collection by clicking here! 

You can also browse more photographs via our Flickr page! 

See archival documents from the Huron County Museum’s collection in our Military Gallery virtual exhibits:

On the Front Lines: Word War One

The Home Front: World War One

Prominent artist and Benmiller resident J. W. (Jack) McLaren fought with the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry in WWI, and entertained troops at Ypres Salient, Vimy Ridge and many other locations on the Western Front with the PPCLI Comedy Company and the 3rd Division Dumbells Comedy Troupe. Find out more about Jack and entertaining at the front through the virtual version of our 2020 Reflections exhibit, which was presented in partnership with the Huron Historical Society.

Newspaper clipping. Clinton Feed Mill advertisement. Image of a cow with slogan "Hitler hates her."

Clipping from Huron County’s digitized newspapers. This ad appeared in the Clinton News-Record in 1942 and 1943.

Articles & Short Posts

A Closer Look: The M4A2E8 Sherman Tank

The Huron Jail & the Second World War Part 2: A STRANGE MUTINY ON THE GREAT LAKES

The Huron Jail & the Second World War Part I: THE ‘DEFENCE OF CANADA’ IN HURON COUNTY

Newspaper Man Enlists: Huron County and the First World War in Black & White

Collection Highlights from Remembrance Day 2014

The Mystery of the 4th Toe on the Left Foot

Local Girl Leaves for the Front

Love is in the Air

Dogs of Air Training (Part 2) 

Dogs of Air Training (Part 1)

Education Programs

The Huron County Museum’s ‘Huron County and the World Wars’ program is recommended for grades 5-10, and is offered as both an in-person and virtual field trip. There is also public outreach available by request with our Huron County home front reminiscence kits. Click here to find out more about our Education Programs. 

Email museum@huroncounty.ca to inquire about booking an in-person or virtual program.

Research Resources

Click to search more than a century of history via Huron County’s digitized newspapers: free, online and keyword searchable. The newspapers provide a wealth of information on local soldiers and nursing sisters, including casualty reports and letters from the front. You’ll also find detailed information about life and work on the home front, including wartime advertising.

Or Click here to search a selection of the museum’s archives and artifacts via our online collection. Relevant artifacts include uniforms, photographs, medals and memorabilia from British Commonwealth Air Training bases in Huron.

Book List Check out this reading list related to local WW1 and WW2 history, available through the Huron County Library.

Detail from PastPerfect Online database. Image of uniform worn by Nursing Sister Maud Stirling.

Nursing Sister Maud Stirling’s uniform in the Huron County Museum’s searchable online collection.

Virtual Tour Scavenger Hunts at the Museum & Gaol

Virtual Tour Scavenger Hunts at the Museum & Gaol

Looking for a way to remotely visit the Huron County Museum or the Historic Gaol with your family or class? Here are some activities you can try using our virtual resources! Have questions about what you see and how it was used? Email museum@huroncounty.ca to talk to an expert!

HURON COUNTY MAIN STREET at the Huron County Museum

Click to visit our virtual exhibits, including Huron County Main Street! Can you find everything? Pick a favourite object that isn’t on the list, and ask others to find it!

 

360 TOUR at the Huron Historic Gaol

Go to the Huron Historic Gaol’s page and scroll to the bottom to find our 360 degree tour! Use the arrows and Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 buttons to explore in all directions. Keep clicking to go inside the rooms, including a cell block. Found everything on the list? Play I spy with my little eye!