Grey Roots Museum and Archives facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Grey Roots Museum and Archives

Established	1955
Location	Georgian Bluffs, Ontario
Type	County Museum and County Archives

The Grey Roots Museum and Archives is a special place that helps keep the history and heritage of Grey County alive! It started as a county museum way back in 1955.

Today, you can find Grey Roots just south of Owen Sound. It opened in 2004 and was built using materials that show Grey County's history. Inside, you'll find the museum, archives (where old records are kept), and even tourism offices. Right next door is the Moreston Heritage Village, a cool outdoor area with buildings and volunteers showing what life was like in Grey County from the 1850s to the 1920s.

How Grey Roots Began

The museum started small in 1955. A group called the Museum Committee borrowed old items for temporary displays. In 1959, a permanent museum was finally created. It was also an art gallery, thanks to the Grey County Historical Art Society.

In 1967, the museum got a bigger space with help from the city of Owen Sound. It was called the Grey County-Owen Sound Centennial Museum. This museum grew a lot and even started its own heritage village.

The Grey County Archives, which keeps old documents, began in 2000. Both the museum and the archives needed more room to grow. So, they found a new location on Grey Road 18. In 2004, both the museum and archives moved to this new, bigger home. Six buildings from the old Heritage Village were moved too. The plan is to have twenty buildings in total at the new village!

What Does the Logo Mean?

The Grey Roots logo is a colorful sheaf, which looks like a bundle of grain. Each color in the logo stands for something important about Grey County:

• Green looks like a tree, showing the county's history with forestry.
• Grey represents the strong rock walls of the Niagara Escarpment.
• Red looks like fireworks, celebrating the people and their achievements.
• Yellow stands for grain, reminding us of Grey County's farming past.
• Blue represents water, like the many waterfalls found in the county.

Exploring the Building and Village

The main Grey Roots building has a natural feel, just like its logo. It was built using materials important to Grey County's history. These include concrete, stone, maple wood, and cedar wood.

The building design includes elements from the logo. For example, it has a limestone outside and an entrance that looks like a traditional Grey County barn. There's even a small waterfall inside the main lobby!

Step Back in Time at Moreston Heritage Village

The Moreston Heritage Village is right next to the main building. It shows what life was like from the 1850s to the 1920s. You can see:

• An 1850s Log Cabin and Blacksmith Shop.
• An 1880s Log House.
• A 1920s Farmhouse.
• The Bluewater Garage.
• The George Rice Blacksmith Shop.
• A Timberframe Barn.
• The Good Cheer Bandstand and Schoolhouse.

The village is named Moreston because the More family generously donated the land. It's open during the summer and for special school programs and events throughout the year.

What's in the Collections?

The Bluewater Garage at Moreston Heritage Village.

The museum has been collecting items since 1955. These items tell the story of Grey County's history and culture, from long before settlers arrived to the present day. Every item is carefully looked after. It is photographed, cleaned, cataloged, and stored properly.

Like most museums, only a small part of the collection is on display at one time. The items on display change regularly. Many items can be seen in the buildings at Moreston Heritage Village when it's open. The museum collects items to help tell stories about Grey County, focusing on themes like:

• First Nations History.
• Pioneers and Early Settlers (1830s to 1855).
• Farm Life and Agriculture.
• Industrial and Commercial Development.
• Military History.
• Transportation.
• Important People from Grey County.

Grey Roots also has a special "hands-on" collection. These items can be used by school groups for learning activities. Most items in the museum's collection are donated by people who live or used to live in Grey County. Sometimes, the museum also buys items that fit its collection goals.

The Archives collection has over 500 different groups of documents. These include old land records, government papers, and private family collections. All these important items are stored in special areas. These areas control temperature, light, and humidity to keep everything safe.

Exciting Exhibits to See

Grey Roots has many different exhibits for you to explore.

• The Grey County Gallery shows off local history.
• They also host changing exhibits that travel from other museums.
• Grey Roots creates its own unique exhibits, from small displays to big productions.
• One exhibit celebrates local heroes from Grey County. These include famous people like Billy Bishop, Tom Thomson, and Agnes Macphail.
• You can also find many virtual exhibits online on the Grey Roots website. These cover topics like Women's Institutes and Black History.

Museum Connections

Grey Roots Museum and Archives is connected with other important organizations. These include:

• The Canadian Museums Association (CMA).
• The Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN).
• The Virtual Museum of Canada.