Ever loook up at the model train at Discoverynorthbay and wonder, "I wonder what it would be like to ride that train?"

Well, here is a chance to see what it would be like to stick your head out the window and watch the train makes it's journey.

Be sure to subscribe to TheDNBvideos on youtube.com.

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later.  Today was the day.  Courtney, our illustrious Education and School Programming Director, took her first walk below the new Underpass.  And it was great.

Here, you can see her walking jauntily towards her future as a Downtown-To-Waterfront-By-Foot-Commuter.  I think it's a role that she relishes.

Speaking of relish, after being bullied to the Waterfront by my co-workers at the museum, we decided to take in a little lunch at a nearby Waterfront restaurant.  Not only was this place close (about 650 steps from the museum, which translates into about a 4-minute walk), but it was also quite delicious.

Arms outstretched, Courtney celebrates her Underpass odyssey.




Posted by: Kyle

Well, it happened.  The Pedestrian Underpass to the Historic Waterfront District opened yesterday afternoon, and it was .. well, it was just terrific. 

About 150 people (maybe more) were there for the first walk under the Underpass, and they couldn't have been happier.  It wasn't until we were halfway across that I thought aloud "wow, a marching band sure would have been awesome right now."  It is my goal that, in the future, we can arrange for just such a marching band.

Anyway, here are some pictures from The Big Day. 

Seen here are Mayor Victor Fedeli, who was addressing the crowd at the very moment this picture was taken.  He really seemed to be beaming with community pride when he spoke of the fact that this was a project that had finally been realized, after first being suggested in 1928.  Deputy Mayor Peter Chirico was the Master of Ceremonies, and was a phenomenal one at that.  Also speaking from the platform were Monique Smith, our local Member of Provincial Parliament and the Minister of Tourism.  She brought along John Wilkinson, the Minister of Revenue (who didn't speak, but wow we were glad to have him here).  Harriet Madigan represented the Community Waterfront Friends and Heritage North Bay, and she was beside herself with pride.  Jeff Serran represented the Downtown Improvement Association, and Lindsay Furlong represented our local Member of Parliament, Anthony Rota, who was unable to attend the ceremony. 

This is another crowd shot.  Among the attendees were longtime museum volunteers Joyce O'Halloran, and Pam Handley (who is a former Curator of the museum).  Former Mayor Stan Lawlor was there to cheer on the project, as well.  Newly-minted Nipissing University President Lesley Lovett-Doust attended, along with former Nipissing University Student Union President Genevieve de Bruyn.  Forgive me if I forgot a name here - I was just so happy to see you all there!

Okay, my boss and co-workers are rushing me out the door for lunch right now, so we can walk under the Underpass!

Posted by: Kyle

Tomorrow is The Big Day.  The Pedestrian Underpass to the beautiful Lake Nipissing Waterfront will officially open to the public, in a special ceremony hosted by the Mayor and City Council. 

The 2:00 pm ceremony is sure to be the day's highlight, but back at the museum, we have been eagerly preparing for a post-ceremony reception, which includes the launch of a new "Rail Land Retrospective" - a small exhibition of historic photographs of the rail lands next to the Waterfront.

Discovery North Bay staff have been working hard to get ready for this big event. We even applied a fresh, clean, new coat of paint to our upstairs gallery! 

Here you can see the last-minute construction action taking place on the museum side of the Underpass.  The side facing Lake Nipissing is the first stage of the development, and if you happen to be on Memorial Drive in the near future, take a close look - the work that has been completed is truly beautiful.

Here our newly-painted gallery is spotless, and ready for tomorrow's visitors.  On the walls, you can see some of the photos being used in the Rail Lands Retrospective exhibition.

On display here is a piece of a CPR Dining Car plate that was found about ten feet under the rail lands that are currently being redeveloped.  This artifact was donated to the museum last year, and according to the Canadian Pacific Railway archives, dates from around the turn of the last century.  It is one of several pieces of North Bay's "hidden heritage" that have been unearthed in construction sites around the city.

Posted by: Kyle

This past Saturday, July 25th marked 6 months until Christmas! What better way to celebrate than to visit Christmas in July at the Carousel and Mini-Train.  Danielle, Jenn and I acted as Santa's helpers for the morning, and made sure that every child that wanted one got a turn to visit Santa.
The day was cut short, unfortunately due to the very intense rain we got early afternoon.  But, with the train being less busy, it gave Danielle and I a chance to start on our second carreers: engineering.  Mini-Train and Carousel manager, Dan, took some time to teach Danielle and I how to drive the Mini-Train, and each of us got to take her out for a spin a couple of times. Who knows, the next time you're on the train, you may be taking a ride with one of us!

Posted by: Kim

The citizens of North Bay along with tourists visiting our region are snapping up our clever shadfly t-shirts faster than we can put them on the shelves! Love 'em or not, the shadfly is certainly being embraced at the Discovery North Bay Museum giftshop.
We now offer mens shadwear tees in black and white and women's tees in periwinkle blue. We also carry children's sizes in white.
Grab your shadwear now before the shads are gone!

I have embarked on a new project!  Okay, well to be honest it's now been in the works for a couple of weeks, but it's time for me to ask for your help. 

As you know, you're brilliant.  Me, I'm a humble museum employee, trying to make his mark in this world we call Heritage Preservation.  Why all the flattery?  Well, it's simple.  I need your help - volunteer-style.

If you read a few posts down ("A Very Busy Tuesday") you will see the illustrious KB working diligently at conserving a box of artifacts we received from the family of Alexander Carr Souter, a North Bay resident who fought in the First World War, and died on the battlefield in France. 

We have ascertained quite a lot of information about Souter's life, particularly his experiences in Europe, but the trail is now a little cold. 

So, if you are part of Souter's family, or know anything at all about this person, please contact us at education@heritagenorthbay.com (subject line "Souter"), or visit us at 100 Ferguson Street.

Posted by: Kyle

Firstly, we need to publicly welcome our newest summer staff member, Whitney, who joined us for the first time on Saturday.  Whitney will be working on creating some new and unique weekend programs for children of all ages.  Check back soon for more information!

Today, the who staff of discoverynorthbay (save Kate, who is home sick) attended the press event at the Son's of Jacob Synagogue,  for the unveiling of the new Historical Plaque.  Some of the members of the Municipal Heritage Committee (including our director, Jenn), and some members North Bay's Jewish Community spoke about the history of the building, which was once used as a grocery store.  The building became the Jewish Community's place of worship in 1925, which is the same year that North Bay was incorporated as a city.  Another interesting fact is that the Synagogue is that it is the oldest Synagogue north of Toronto that is still an active place of worship, now being 84 years young. 
 It  was very neat to see the importance of the Synagogue commemorated with the historical plaque that is now visible at the side of the building.  I apologize for the hard to see picture - it didn't turn out as clear as I had anticipated.  If you would like to see it more clearly,  the Synagogue is right at the corner of Cassels and McIntyre, and the Historic Plaque, ironically is the shiny, new, and hard to miss.

Ahhh, the mighty shadfly!  Prehistoric in nature, massive in numbers, and just plain amazing!...

Okay, not everyone agrees with me on this, BUT you can't deny the shadfly swarms that dominate downtown North Bay in July of every year certainly are one of the many things that make North Bay so unique!

Well, I am just so happy to make this announcement!  @discoverynorthbay is embracing our Shad-y surroundings, and has produced for the first time ever this amazing North Bay t-shirt.  The original art on the shirt is thanks to none other than our Director-with-hidden-talents, and the graphic design has been done by Katelynn, our on-staff graphics guru. 

Here, you can see me sporting the end result of all of our hard work!

Everything sold in the museum gift shop supports our heritage education, conservation, and outreach projects.  Your purchase of a Shadwear t-shirt helps to support our ongoing community efforts.

Posted by: Kyle