Photograph: Copyright, Mark Fram; used with permission.
The Sharon Temple National Historic Site and Museum has partnered with the Archives of Ontario to produce an exciting online exhibition titled 175 Years of Hope: A Celebration of the Sharon Temple and The Children of Peace. The Children of Peace were key players in the development of Canadian democracy and social justice. They created Canada’s first cooperative and credit union, and were critical actors in the democratic reform movement led by William Lyon Mackenzie, Robert Baldwin and Louis LaFontaine.
175 Years of Hope is written and curated by Dr. Albert Schrauwers, Associate Professor of Anthropology, York University, and sponsored by the Canadian Museums Association. It celebrates the 175th Anniversary of the building of the Sharon Temple. 175 Years of Hope makes public, for the first time, the significant role of the Children of Peace in aiding the creation of the democratic framework for governance in Canada, and their role in creating Canada's first farmer's cooperative and shelter for the homeless.
We invite you to explore 175 Years of Hope on the Archives of Ontario website: www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/exhibits/sharon-temple/
This collaborative exhibition is one of many 2007 projects resulting from of a three-year, broad public consultation process by the Sharon Temple Museum Society to refine its mission and vision statements. The new mission calls on the Sharon Temple Museum Society and its staff to “promote awareness, understanding and knowledge about the values of the Children of Peace and engage contemporary audiences in discussion and experiences related to those values and practices in today’s culture.” As Dr. Schrauwers, a longstanding board member of the Sharon Temple Museum Society, explains, “It is important for visitors to the Sharon Temple National Historic Site and Museum to understand that the contributions of the Children of Peace to society are the key reason for the site’s national heritage designation.”
The Sharon Temple Museum Society acknowledges the support and keen interest of Miriam McTiernan, Archivist of Ontario, and the Archives of Ontario staff for collaborating with Dr. Schrauwers to produce this groundbreaking exhibition in celebration of the 175th Anniversary of the Sharon Temple.
