The Craigleith Heritage Deport won an Ontario Historical Society award for the REEL historical series featuring four shorts and two virtual reality films about local history
PRESS RELEASE
ONTARIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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The Ontario Historical Society is pleased to present the 2020-21 OHS Dorothy Duncan Public History Award, which recognizes an outstanding public history project made in Ontario, to Craigleith Heritage Depot for its documentary film series titled History of REEL which included four short films and two virtual reality films.
The Craigleith Heritage Depot has put community voices and its own primary resources to work, creating a collection of accessible historical documentaries and virtual reality (VR) films. Two of the six films are in virtual reality, taking viewers on a dive 1872 shipwreckand guiding them up an escarpment step with a Ojibway-Saugeen Elder. The project has generated great public interest in regional history, both locally and around the world.
The project provided opportunities to share new technologies and provide virtual reality access to physical areas of the community that many people would never be able to visit. Craigleith Heritage Depot has worked closely with many First Nations, local businesses, archaeologists, historians and local government. The reach of their cooperative partnerships is truly impressive and is reflected in the quality of content produced. The project is a fantastic example of how museums and heritage organizations can build trust with the community by engaging a multitude of voices and experiences in the process of creating new programs.
Visitor numbers at the museum have grown from around 900 pre-closure visits to more than 16,000 in-person and remote experiences. The project has significantly increased local engagement with history and culture, while providing people around the world the opportunity to learn about Ontario’s history.
The Honors and Awards Committee is proud to present the Dorothy Duncan Public History Prize 2020-21 to Craigleith Heritage Depot and all of its partners.
Founded in 1888, the Ontario Historical Society is a not-for-profit society and registered charity dedicated to preserving and celebrating Ontario’s history for people of all ages and backgrounds. cultural origins. To learn more about the OHS Honors and Awards Program, or to submit a nomination, visit the History company website here.
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