Hamilton ON, - May 3, 2006 - Fieldcote Memorial Park & Museum is home to two exhibitions in May. Guests are invited to view Serendipity 7, an exhibition of art work by Ancaster students. Works, which are on display until May 28 in the Main Floor Gallery, are presented in varied media and are showcased by students of Ancaster High School and Rousseau Elementary School.
Also at Fieldcote, the fascinating exhibit entitled, A Grave Matter – Cemeteries of Ancaster and Burial Customs has been held over until May 21. Inspired by the current controversy over discovery of 100 mystery graves in the Cooley/Hatt pioneer cemetery, this exhibition goes further and explores more than 30 other local known burial sites, the stories which they tell and customs around death and dying in general.
For thousands of years, from the First Peoples to present day, humans have been drawn to the Ancaster area for its abundance of water, flora and fauna. Wherever people live, they also die and the rituals of death vary depending on beliefs, resources available and the time period in which they live.
Features include a Victorian Parlour prepared for visitation complete with casket, giant 19th Century “hair wreath”, recreated cemetery display with tombstones showing styles and symbolism, background on the Cooley cemetery, Ancaster cemeteries and their stories, excerpts from the original Ancaster undertaker’s diary, burial and mourning customs and more.
Fieldcote is located at 64 Sulphur Springs Road in Ancaster and is open to the public Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 1-5pm. Regular admission prices are $3 for Adults, $2 for children. For more information, please call the museum at 905-648-8144 or visit Hamilton Civic Museums.
PSA Contact:
Lois M. Corey
Curator, Fieldcote Memorial Park & Museum 905-648-8144