STELLARTON
Many places in Pictou County will be closed in recognition of Heritage Day on Monday, Feb. 19, but not the Museum of Industry.
The museum in Stellarton will be bustling with activities for families to spend time together and learn about their heritage.
This year, Nova Scotia is honouring Mona Louise Parsons who worked with the Dutch resistance during the Second World War to rescue downed Allied airmen. She was arrested by the Gestapo and escaped from a Nazi prison camp before contacting Canadian soldiers at the end of the war. She became the only Canadian female civilian to be imprisoned by the Germans during the Second World War.
In honour of Parsons, the Museum of Industry will display the female uniforms from the Second World War, which are being provided courtesy of the Pictou County Military Museum in Westville.
David Avery, curator of the Pictou County Military Museum, said the uniforms were worn by members of the Canadian Women’s Army Corps, who would have provided support to the army in a no-combat role.
There will also be an activity inviting visitors to try sending simple Morse code messages like the resistance would have used.
Visitors will also be able to look at some feature exhibits including Hope and Survival: The Halifax Explosion Memorial Quilt Project, and Art in the Hall 2 which features artwork by seven local artists. Artist from the Art in the Hall 2 project will be on site to describe the new installation from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday. There will also be weaving demonstrations from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.
Another special guest that day will be Lynn MacLean who will have copies of her new historical fiction book based on Pictou County’s involvement in the aftermath of the Halifax Explosion.
Denise Taylor, marketing services officer for the Museum of Industry, said she enjoys working on the Heritage Day holiday.
“For me what I enjoy most is seeing parents and their children come to the museum,” she said.
Children often have been there before through school trips and are able to share with their parents some of what they’ve learned.
“It’s a great opportunity for people who have never been to the museum before,” said Andrew Phillips, curator of Education and Public Programming.
