A new, intriguing exhibit is about to unfurl its charm in Orillia, intending to underscore the fact that certain matters are best left securely confined.
The honours of opening the proverbial Pandora’s box go to The Orillia Museum of Art and History, which plans to unlock the historic jail cells located inside the Sir Sam Steele Memorial building. The motive behind this daring venture: to thread together the stories intertwined with the edifice and its erstwhile occupants, the members of Orillia Police Service.
The guiding light that ignited the spark of this exhibit is Georgian College student Amy Henderson, who spent this year as an intern at the museum.
It’s her conviction that the community should be cognizant of their own police service’s past: “They’re our neighbours, our friends. I’ve interacted and connected with them, as well as their families,” she said. Henderson feels a deep admiration for these remarkable individuals and the overwhelming sense of importance to narrate their stories to the wider audience.
For those looking to voyage through time and discover this intimate portrayal of local law enforcement history, the exhibit will run from 11 AM to 4 PM, Tuesday through Saturday. Additionally, extend your historical exploration deeper into the evening every Thursday, when the doors remain open until 7 PM.
