Exhibit celebrating holidays and traditions opens as Plattsville prepares for 175th anniversary

Seated from left to right in the Canada Day display at the Archive and Museum at Chesterfield are Plattsville and District Heritage Society volunteer Donna Caldecott, society president Denise Tew and society curator Marg Schiedel. The display is part of the museum’s annual exhibit, Holidays and Celebrations that Bring Us Together. Galen Simmons photo

By Galen Simmons

As the Plattsville and District Heritage Society prepares to celebrate a major milestone in the village's history later this month, it is also inviting residents to reflect on the traditions, holidays and celebrations that bring communities together year after year.

The society recently opened its annual summer exhibit, Holidays and Celebrations that Bring Us Together, at the Archive and Museum at Chesterfield, featuring more than 30 holidays, observances and celebrations recognized throughout Canada.

Curator Marg Schiedel said the exhibit includes everything from New Year's Day, Valentine's Day and Thanksgiving to more recent observances such as Pride Month, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Pink Shirt Day and International Women's Day.

"We've tried to hit pretty much every holiday or celebration that we in Canada observe," Schiedel said, noting the exhibit combines artifacts, decorations, photographs and historical information explaining the origins and significance of each occasion.

The exhibit blends historical and contemporary traditions, displaying everything from vintage Christmas items and Easter decorations to modern symbols like ugly Christmas sweaters and Halloween displays.

"We did not zero into any particular decade," Schiedel said. "We wanted to show both the symbols and some history of when we started celebrating and why we celebrate."

According to society president Denise Tew, one of the exhibit's goals is education.

"Some people will look at the display and go, 'Oh, isn't that great?' Another person will read every piece of history just to learn, but everybody's interest is different," Tew said.

Schiedel said the exhibit also helps explain the meaning behind celebrations many people observe without necessarily knowing their history.

"The boys that I showed around this morning said they wear pink shirts, but they never knew the story behind it," she said. "The information is there for people that maybe don't know why we celebrate Pride or why we mark some of these days."

The exhibit opened with a successful grand opening June 7 and will remain open Saturdays through Sept. 19, as well as by appointment. The museum is also improving accessibility this season with the installation of a new access ramp and accessible, portable washroom facilities.

Plattsville prepares for 175th anniversary celebration

The heritage society's next major undertaking is the Plattsville 175th Anniversary Celebration, set for June 20 at the Plattsville Memorial Community Arena and Lions Park.

Running from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., the free event will feature a full day of activities, entertainment, heritage displays and community gatherings celebrating the village's past and present.

The festivities begin with a firefighters' breakfast before a noon parade featuring the Ingersoll Pipe Band. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 1 p.m. and are expected to include Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman and Oxford MP Arpan Khanna.

Other attractions include a vendor market, car and tractor show, Touch-a-Truck, children's games, heritage displays, Indigenous crafts and drumming, live entertainment, roller skating, line dancing and a custom drone show designed around Plattsville's history and identity.

Inside Lions Hall, visitors will find a special heritage display showcasing artifacts and stories from Plattsville and surrounding communities including Chesterfield, Bright, Ratho and Blink Bonnie. The display will also feature recreations of a schoolroom, a general store and the bedroom of Plattsville founder Sam Platt's wife, offering visitors a glimpse into the community's early years.

Tew said the anniversary celebration is about more than commemorating a date.

"It's a free event. The only thing that'll cost you is if you buy food," she said. "Just come on out and join us."

Volunteer Donna Caldecott said events like the anniversary celebration help strengthen community connections as Plattsville continues to grow.

"With our town growing the way it is, this type of event brings people together and creates that sense of community," she said.

The celebration is being led by the Plattsville and District Heritage Society with support from numerous community partners, sponsors and volunteers.

"We have an incredible team of volunteers," Tew said. "It's going to be an awesome day."