Since the first European settlers arrived at the confluence of Mill Creek and the Grand River fire has been a constant threat to the growing Galt community. In the early 1800s buildings were constructed of wood, heated by wood-burning stoves or fireplaces and lit by oil lamps creating conditions ripe for fires. And in the right conditions if a fire broke out in one building it could rapidly spread to others and whole blocks of buildings could be lost in a flash.
“It happened in Galt a number of times, but it is surprising how often it happened in other towns across Ontario, “ said Rob Brisson, chair of the Fire Hall Museum and Education Centre. “Some towns never came back from these major fires and their people moved on. In Galt the people persevered. They rebuilt what was lost and created the iconic stone and brick buildings we see today.”
The museum, working with Cambridge’s emergency services, City of Cambridge Archives, the Cambridge Library’s Old Post Office branch and others have put together a special event marking the major fires that changed the face of the Galt core which also kicks off Emergency Preparedness Week in Cambridge May 4-11 on Saturday May 3.
“There will be a lot to see and do at this free family event, “ said event organizer and museum director Ingrid Talpak.
The museum will stage a photo exhibition in the Old Post Office library branch’s Riverview Room featuring fire photos of major blazes in the Galt core including the Iroquois Hotel, Scott’s Opera House, Top’s Restaurant and others.
From the Old Post Office a Jane’s Walk is also being organized at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., where participants will make their way to the Museum hearing about the infernos that devoured several blocks of Main Street and discover what was rebuilt in their wake.
At the museum a series of new photo panels will brighten up the courtyard. And Civic Square will be filled with emergency vehicles to be explored while first responders chat about their work and how everyone can prepare themselves for an emergency. Visitors will also be invited to explore the fire department’s hazard house to learn life saving safety tips.
Meanwhile, in the Bowman Room at Cambridge City Hall visitors can learn more about local heritage and emergency preparedness at a number of informative kiosks being put on by the Cambridge Fire department, Cambridge Archives, McDougall Cottage, Joseph Schneider House, Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum, and others.
The event at the museum and in Civic Square runs from 9:30 to 2 p.m.
The Flames of Change photo exhibition at the Old Post Office library branch runs from May 3 through May 10.
The Fire Hall Museum is located at 56 Dickson St. next to Cambridge City Hall. The museum is a Not-for-Profit Charity, run by a dedicated group of citizen volunteers. Our mission is to promote and preserve the history of the fire service in southwestern Ontario and educated the public on matters of fire and life safety.
For more information go to: firehallmuseum.ca.