October 14, 2021 · 0 Comments
It has been said that history repeats itself.
That certainly is true about a lot of things and a new exhibit at the Museum of Dufferin gives visitors the opportunity to look back in time and compare issues, topics, and every day common events from past times to the present.
Called “Through the Looking Glass”, the exhibit features over 20 different topics with items from past eras and a small window which allows viewer to peer into a special place featuring something unique to the topic.
“We’re going through environmental issues, we’re going though pandemics,” explained Nanci Malek, MOD’s Marketing and Events Coordinator. “People need to know that we get through these things in Dufferin County. We can excel and succeed because of this history that proves we are not alone. We’ve gone through the climate change and the pandemics in the past. The exhibit shows historic events along with modern day equivalents.”
While we are currently living through a world-wide pandemic, the exhibit features a look back to the flu pandemic of 1918. It is interesting to note the photos of people wearing masks – just like today.
A look at the medical portion of the exhibit features many old remedies for various diseases with contents that seem bizarre in today’s medical world.
Looking through the small portals into the exhibits really draws visitors into the exhibit and they become part of it.
There is a look through the years at entertainment and music. Music is still a part of our lives, but the style has changed, and so has other forms of entertainment since the era before television and internet.
While the treatment of mental health has come a long way, a look back into the jail records of a hundred years ago reveals that persons were diagnosed as “insane” without any clinical details, and most likely never received help for their condition.
“The real question when looking at this exhibit, is ‘how far have we really come?” Ms. Malek said of making the comparison between then and now.
The exhibit goes through the years featuring the change in many different things like transportation, farming, weddings, natural disasters, and even children’s toys.
While looking back through the years, the exhibit really brings up the question of what does the future hold and how will it change?
The Museum recently re-opened to the public after being closed due to the pandemic.
They are looking forward to the return of people wanting to learn more about the County’s history.
By Brian Lockhart
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter