You don’t have to be a Swiftie fan to appreciate the latest exhibition, Curators – Our Eras Tour, at the
Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum, but you can certainly enjoy the song references and clever parallels in
this unique presentation of some of the Museum’s most favourites artefacts. References to Taylor Swift
can be found throughout the exhibit, using her song lyrics to complement certain historical items on
display.
“What’s interesting about Taylor Swift is how she incorporates historical figures, events, and ideas into
her songs,” said Shawna Jarman, Assistant Curator for the NOTL Museum. “For instance, she sings about
artifacts from her grandmother's life, and the stories that may never be told. Or the bloodshed, fighting,
and tears of The Great War. It all adds depth and meaning to her music.”
Those are themes that resonate with Niagara’s own history, and are incorporated into Curators – Our
Eras Tour, curated by Jarman, as she looks back at 130 years of collecting by the Niagara Historical
Society, from Janet Carnochan, founder of the Niagara Historical Society in 1895, right up to present-day
curator, Sarah Kaufman. During those years, several curators have overseen the collecting of more than
50,000 items, with local, provincial, and national importance, revealing a fascinating study in
preservation, research, and organization.
Collecting standards in the early 20 th century were often non-existent, although fueled by great
enthusiasm and heart. “But it was the early collecting of those visionary society members and curators
that set the foundation for the collecting practices the NOTL Museum has today,” said Jarman. “And, as
a fun challenge, we’re asking visitors to come along, and see if they can find their favourite Swiftie song
or lyric mentioned in this exhibit. They can even entertain the visitors and play some of their favourite
Swiftie tunes on the vintage piano.”
Curators - Our Eras Tour is now open at the NOTL Museum, 43 Castlereagh Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Admission: $5.00 for non members, free to members and under 18s.
Summer hours: 10am-5pm, everyday.
For more information: www.notlmuseum.ca/whats-on
Or phone: 905 468 3912.