Numerous studies have shown that reminiscence positively impacts the social well-being of seniors living in care facilities.
Reminiscence Program
This season, interpretive staff will return to High Crest Nursing Home in Sherbrooke to facilitate the museum’s Reminiscence (Memory Box) Program. Building on last year’s success, we will continue to bring objects that stimulate memories, engage the senses, and provide opportunities for conversation and remembering. Sing -a-longs and games add an element of joy. At the end of season, our visits will conclude with a Victorian Tea, including fancy teacups, sandwiches, scones, and sweets.
Tea & Talk
During the quieter off-season, Sherbrooke Village hosts a series of Tea & Talk presentations featuring a variety of engaging topics. Past talks have explored subjects such as Indigenous culture, the work of local merchant photographer J.W. Leslie, the rug hooking cottage industry, and heritage conservation.
These informal gatherings offer a chance to connect, learn, and share conversation over tea and oatcakes in a relaxed setting. Presenters often include local historians, artisans, and community members who bring unique perspectives and stories to each session, making every visit a little different. Light refreshments are served, and everyone is welcome to attend.
Woolstock
Sherbrooke Village is pleased to take part in Woolstock, celebrating Nova Scotia’s rich fibre arts traditions and the enduring craft of working with wool. Visitors can explore demonstrations of spinning, weaving, and textile production, while learning how these skills shaped daily life in historic rural communities.
Throughout the event, costumed interpreters bring the process to life—from raw fleece to finished goods—offering hands-on insight and plenty of opportunity for conversation. It’s a warm and welcoming experience that highlights both heritage skills and the creativity of today’s fibre artists. Everyone is invited to stop by, ask questions, and enjoy the craft in action.
Artisan Outreach to Highland Village
Each year, Sherbrooke Village’s artisan outreach program brings traditional skills and hands-on learning beyond the Village, connecting with communities and heritage sites across Nova Scotia. In a recent visit to Highland Village in Iona, our ambrotype photographers spent two days working alongside staff to share and demonstrate this fascinating early photographic process.
Visitors and interpreters alike were invited to experience the craft up close, from the preparation of glass plates to the final striking images. The exchange offered a unique opportunity for collaboration, skill-sharing, and deeper appreciation of historic technologies, making for a lively and memorable visit for all involved.
