Ontario Trillium Foundation grant launches Bruce County historical documentary

An Ontario Trillium Foundation grant of almost $140,000 has helped launch a Bruce County Documentary Project.

Announced May 5, the project will be a tribute to the county's and Canada's 150th celebrations.

"We call it a docu-drama," says director. Zach Melnick. We'll be combining real archival elements, such as film, photos and paintings, with re-enactments of historical events, and comprehensive interviews with area elders and historians. The results will be a professional suite of media that explores why Bruce County was an amazing place historically, and celebrates our communities and knowledge-keepers today."

The Living History Multimedia Association (LHMA), maker of the award-winning "Ontario Visual Heritage Project," has teamed up with the Bruce County Historical Society, to bring the people of Bruce County together to create an entertaining, broadcast-ready, multi-part TV-series about the history of the county.

The culmination of citizens' efforts will be shared through free community launch events, complimentary distribution to schools, and with hundreds of thousands of Ontarians on TVOntario (TVO). A mobile app, comprehensive website, and free course guide for educators, will complete the project.

May 5, the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre hosted a brainstorming session where stakeholder groups were invited to share their ideas about what stories from Bruce's natural, cultural and economic history, the project should tackle.
Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson and Trillium Foundation volunteer Janice McEachnie were on hand to participate  and announce a two-year, $139,100 Grow grant to the LHMA. Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker, who was unable to attend, also sent congratulations.

"I am proud of the history of Bruce County and believe our future is shaped by our past," said Walker. "I am pleased to see money invested in preserving and promoting our unique arts, culture and heritage, and look forward to seeing the documentary which will be a great asset in telling the history of our storied community."

"The people of Bruce County have a rich and distinguished history when it comes to making remarkable contributions," says Thompson. "From politics to tourism, education and health care, there is a passion and a commitment to community that defines the good people of Bruce County. I am excited to see this dedication showcased through the efforts of the LHMA and the historical society."

Also donating to the project, are Bruce County, Bruce Power, Ontario Power Generation, and the Society of Energy Professionals.



Ross Lamont (L) of the Bruce County Historical Society, accepts a donation from Shirley Hayes and Mike Gade of the Society of Energy Professionals, with project director Zach Melnick; photos courtesy of the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre

"We have been very fortunate to live in a county where we have great community support and remarkable partners for this project," says Irene Howe, historical society president. "We thank each and every one for their support. We are also grateful to the Trillium Foundation for believing in our project. Through Bruce historians, we are sure to develop some interesting stories, but still need the assistance of people in our communities to bring them to life."

The project will use a collaborative, community-based production model that will involve the citizenry in all aspects of production - from a steering committee that guides the content, to local actors who bring the story to life, to a high-school volunteer program that gives students the chance to participate both behind, and in front of, the camera.

All are invited to share their stories, shooting locations, and resource ideas to the project's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BruceCounty/ in the coming year-and-a-half.

The project team will also be looking to connect with elders, historians and knowledge-keepers of all kinds, as well as local talent to cast in the roles of the area's most-celebrated and notorious, historical figures. Enthusiastic folks of all ages and experience levels, are invited to contact project producer Yvonne Drebert at yvonne@visualheritage.ca to get involved.

 

The three-part series on Bruce County's history will debut on TVO in 2018 and be available on DVD and Blu-ray disc. 

 

Janice McEachnie (L) of the Ontario Trillium Foundation and Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson present a grant of $139,100 to Ross Lamont of the Bruce County Historical Society, and project director Zach Melnick