Stratford Perth Museum celebrates Labour Day with stories, music and hands-on fun

Kelly McIntosh, general manager at the Stratford Perth Museum, looks forward to the community joining the museum and indulging in the rich history of Stratford’s labour past.

Music, education and a storytelling parade await visitors at the Stratford Perth Museum this Labour Day, as it celebrates the tireless efforts of local labour movements and brings history to life for all generations.

On Sept. 1, the Stratford Perth Museum will be offering a free admission, fun-filled day for the community to take part in, and an afternoon of remembering the importance of Labour Day through a variety of visual storytelling concepts.

Taking place between the hours of 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves within Canada's labour history through pop-up exhibits which explore past strikes and protests.

“The Stratford and District Labour Council came to me with some wonderful union history with the idea for a labour celebration. This was a time when labour councils have worked tirelessly towards fairness and safety in the workplace, as well as equal pay,” Kelly McIntosh, general manager at the museum, said.

Event visitors can explore the museum grounds guided by a storytelling parade where they listen to local tales ranging from the 1897 train explosion to the chicken plucker’s strike. Attendees will interact with local historians, authors and performers. The event includes food and refreshments, outdoor and indoor activities for all ages, community collaborators and kids’ crafts in the Hydeaway.

“We got history on our trails, which is a template for a walk-through history that the council wants to do,” said McIntosh. “There will be displays that talk about our labour history.”

McIntosh said that the museum aims to tell stories that address past injustices, highlight overlooked experiences and showcase instances where change has occurred. They hope to encourage reflection and growth, emphasizing the importance of teaching younger generations not to take hard-won rights and progress for granted.

“Any of the stories we tell, from women’s history to hormonal health, through to some of the community conversations this year that took place – the only way that history can change is to look back at the times where it didn’t,” said McIntosh. “We have to understand where we come from and make changes. They have to be big enough, so they don’t get taken away at a moment’s notice.”