Park House Museum launches “We Were Always Here” exhibit

The ribbon was cut last Friday morning opening the “We Were Always Here” exhibit at the Park House Museum. Board president Fred Roberts (left) and curator Kat Schryburt (right) were joined by summer student Callie McRorie, Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb and summer student Emily Trepanier for the opening.

A new exhibit has been officially launched at the Park House Museum.

 “We Were Always Here” was created by curator Kat Schryburt and summer students Callie McRorie and Emily Trepanier. The exhibit highlights historic members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

“We have four people we have selected who we did biographies of,” explained Schryburt.

Three of the four people profiled are Canadian while the fourth is from Great Britain. The people are Michelle Dubarry, Roswell George Mills, Alan Turing and Svend Robinson. They are the one of the first and longest lasting drag queens, the first openly gay person not accused of sodomy charges, a mathematician and scientist and the first openly gay Member of Parliament.

Schryburt said the exhibit took almost a month to come together.

“This will be up until the end of August,” she stated.

Schryburt said she came up with the concept with McRorie and Trepanier helping with the research. Compiling the four biographies took two to four days and then Schryburt did the editing.

“We’re incredibly proud of all of our students in having a legacy piece at the museum,” she said. 

Schryburt said she thought about such an exhibit while sitting at her desk and, since the museum is a place of education and inclusivity, she believed they should be promoting the cause. She added she waited for the summer students to start before embarking on it.

“It came together better in person that it did in my brain,” she added.

There are also other artifacts and displays around the parlour that are also part of the exhibit.

“I think it looks good,” said McRorie.

Trepanier said they are also excited to share the exhibit with the Amherstburg community and people from other communities who come to visit the Park House Museum.

“I hope it inspires others to look into other people in the community,” added Trepanier.

The Park House Museum is located at 214 Dalhousie St. in Amherstburg, across from the intersection of Rankin St. For more information on hours, admission fees and other events and exhibits, visit www.parkhousemuseum.com or call 519-736-2511. 

Park House Museum launches “We Were Always Here” exhibit

By Ron Giofu