Maidstone Bicentennial Museum

Nominated for the ACO Public Education and Engagement Award

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The Junior Historical Society at Maidstone Bicentennial Museum is an exceptional example of meaningful public engagement with Ontario’s heritage. Designed for youth aged 9–15 and running from September to May, the program blends education, creativity, and hands-on learning to foster a lifelong appreciation of local history. Participants are immersed in themed events such as Pioneer Life Day, War of 1812 encampments, Pirate Day, and interactive celebrations like Bee Day, Butterfly Day, and Blacksmith Day. These activities allow youth to connect with the past by experiencing it directly dressing in period attire, cooking over a clay oven, learning traditional crafts, and tending the museum’s Native Heritage Gardens. Delivered in both English and French, the program prioritizes accessibility and inclusion. It also connects participants to the museum’s Voyageur re-enacting unit, which performs across Ontario, extending the museum’s reach and the youths’ exposure to broader historical narratives.

Rather than treating history as something distant or abstract, the Junior Historical Society makes it real, relevant, and enjoyable. Children engage with tactile experiences—from colonial games to heritage-based workshops—that deepen their understanding of Essex County’s past and encourage intergenerational conversations at home and in the community. Through these efforts, the program has become a cornerstone of regional heritage education. It inspires young people to take pride in their surroundings and invest in preserving what makes their community unique. The museum itself has also seen stronger community ties and growing visitor numbers as a result. In short, the Junior Historical Society isn’t just a program—it’s a living, breathing expression of public heritage in action.

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