Peel Heritage Complex
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Peel Heritage Complex is a museum/art gallery/archives for the Peel Region, located in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
Originally a historic county court house, jail, and registry office, this complex hosts award-winning exhibition. It is located in the Downtown corridor, across from town's City Hall.
More than just well preserved buildings, it's a place where the past, present and future are linked in dynamic displays and explored through creative programming and research.
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[edit] Collections
The Peel Heritage Complex collects a wide variety of objects including: 19th and early 20th century artifacts from everyday tools and gadgets to wedding dresses, archaeological artifacts, historic and contemporary works of art, including paintings, drawings and sculpture, and archival documents such as photographs, government records, and maps. Staff is assisted by volunteers who perform inventory and cataloguing tasks.
Most of the artifacts in the collections were donated by Peel residents. These collections are used for exhibitions, programs and research by staff, volunteers and visitors. Each potential donation to the Complex is approved by a committee of experts drawn from various heritage backgrounds.
[edit] Conservation
The Peel Heritage Complex collections are housed in secured storage areas within the Complex. Limited access to these areas and environmental controls including lighting and humidity standards help preserve these objects for generations to come.
Staff undertake conservation measures to help ensure the safety and longevity of the collections: fragile documents are micro-filmed to prevent wear on the originals; delicate paper documents are encapsulated between sheets of archival mylar; artifacts are stored in acid-free boxes and storage cases; and handling procedures like wearing gloves are strictly followed. Specialist conservators have also been contracted to clean and repair individual works of art or artifacts.
[edit] Exhibitions
The Peel Heritage Complex presents a variety of exhibitions with historical and cultural significance to the Peel community. In the Region of Peel Museum, the lives of the area's early settlers and indigenous peoples are recreated through artifacts and archival documents, in addition to exhibits of contemporary culture and technology. The Brain Cell Learning Centre, an interactive exhibition space, affords visitors a hands-on approach to discovering the diverse collections of the Peel Heritage Complex.
In the Art Gallery of Peel approximately eight exhibitions are featured annually, showcasing artists of Regional, provincial and national stature. Each spring, the Gallery's Annual Juried Show, the longest running adjudicated exhibition in the area, attracts artists from throughout Peel and Southern Ontario.
[edit] Education
The Peel Heritage Complex offers a wide range of education programs for students, community groups, seniors, and visitors. Whether here in a Gallery or out in the community or school, our entertaining and enlightening education programs will help you discover Peel's rich history. Visitors to the Heritage Complex will also be treated to interactive displays, hands-on activities, and learning opportunities throughout the building.
Numerous special events during the year also provide a great opportunity for the community to learn more about the Complex and the history of Peel through the artifacts, documents and artwork in the Complex's collections. Join us for Heritage Day in February, Museum Day in May, Kidsummer in July, and Family Day in November.
