Artefact of the Week 2021 - 10. Gaol Graffiti

Artefact of the Week 2021 - 10. Gaol Graffiti

The now exposed walls reveal names of those who had been incarcerated, digits marking time, and dates as early as 1871. There are poems and comments on prisoners’ plights: “George Riley in for kissing a girl in September 1902 and walked out soon afterwards,” as well as a life-size sketch of a handle-bar moustached gentleman with devil horns, thought to be a sheriff of the time.

Mystery Artefact 2021 - March

Mystery Artefact 2021 - March

Do you know what this is was for?

Throughout 2021, we will have a special mystery Artefact of the Week each month. These are artefacts in our collection with more unusual, outdated, or hard-to-guess purposes. See if you can guess what the item is before it’s revealed!

Artefact of the Week 2021 - 09. Prosthesis

Artefact of the Week 2021 - 09. Prosthesis

This prosthetic belonged to John Benjamin Weir. Mr. Weir’s leg was shot in the knee when he was 13 years old and a year later he had to have it amputated. John arranged with a blacksmith to make the frame, while John padded it, carved the leg, and attached the leather strap himself.

Artefact of the Week 2021 - 08. Throat & Nasal Atomizer

Artefact of the Week 2021 - 08. Throat & Nasal Atomizer

An atomizer is a device that allows for the application of a medication in a spray of tiny droplets. They would be used to dissolve cocaine in an oil base as an anesthetic to both numb and coat the nasal cavity and throat, which was a common treatment in the late 19th century.

Mystery Artefact 2021 - February

Mystery Artefact 2021 - February

Do you know what this is was for?

Throughout 2021, we will have a special mystery Artefact of the Week each month. These are artefacts in our collection with more unusual, outdated, or hard-to-guess purposes. See if you can guess what the item is before it’s revealed!

Artefact of the Week 2021 - 05. Punch-tin Lantern

Artefact of the Week 2021 - 05. Punch-tin Lantern

Punch-tin (or pierced-tin) lanterns were popular in the 18th century due to their functional design. Once the door to the lantern is closed, the punched holes allowed moderate air to pass through the lantern, keeping a candle’s flame alive while also keeping strong winds from putting the candle out.

Artefact of the Week 2021 - 04. Steeves Family Clock

Artefact of the Week 2021 - 04. Steeves Family Clock

This clock was owned by Rachel and Heinrich Stieff (Steeves). When they relocated in 1763, the clock was brought with them to Canada all the way from Germany, an impressive journey for a simple cuckoo clock of the time. In fact, this clock represents one of the earliest models of the cuckoo clock known today.

Artefact of the Week 2021 - 02. Toy Bank

Artefact of the Week 2021 - 02. Toy Bank

This specific toy bank has the name Margie C. hand-carved on the bottom, as the bank likely belonged to Margery Love Cleveland, who was the youngest daughter of a prominent business owner in Alma, New Brunswick. The key is missing, but it sounds like there might be something inside…