I recently had an opportunity to chat with Diane Thorpe, the Assistant Archivist at the New Westminster Museum, about a unique temporary display opening May 15th. Diane explained that the new exhibit will be compiled by the staff and many dedicated volunteers that bring you the City’s past. Each member will have the opportunity to add one or two of their favourite collection artifacts to an exhibit fittingly called; A Few of My Favourite Things.

With each selection, the staff or volunteer will have their picture displayed with the artifact and comments on why that artifact is special to them. In some cases the artifacts represent memories, aspects of their identity or items that connected with them in a special way. For example, a museum volunteer, Betty McIntosh, has selected a hair receptacle from Irving House and states “The consideration of using natural products for crafting appeals to me and Irving House has two unique displays that use natural hair: a floral display in the girl’s room and the red hair doll in the display cabinet”.

Diane further comments that it is unique for a museum to exhibit a display that is not created and governed by a curator. A Few of My Favourite Things allows about 30 staff and volunteers, passionate about heritage, to assemble a ‘community collection’ that is personalized and based on emotions that will appeal to everyone.

If you have never been to the Museum and are curious about your community’s identity and your roots, please visit this exhibit. In addition to Favourite Things there are several other pleasing exhibits that include: The Royal Engineers, May Day, Television through the Years, Photography, Natural History and New Westminster ~ Then and Now.

Find out why and what history is important to others as you learn about your past. Everyone will enjoy this exhibit as it appeals to all ages and will trigger memories or create curiosity of your past. Admission is by donation and you can call 604-527-4640 or visit www.nwpr.bc.ca for details.

These are a few of my favorite things . . .