One of the joys of travel is the people you meet along the way. Sometimes these strangers become treasured friends or only a fond memory of a time, place and experience. I want to profile some of the people I meet along my journey, who I consider an integral part of my adventure.
The first to be featured “behind the scenes” of the Karl Chronicles is Ashley Sutherland, the archivist at the Colchester Historeum.
Located in downtown Truro, the Historeum consists of a museum and archives that showcase and preserve the history of Colchester. The original building opened in 1901, served the purpose of training teachers from the “Provincial Normal School,” and then was used for industrial arts classes by the local public school system. In 1976, it became the Colchester Historical Society’s new home and registered as a heritage property in 2004.
My first visit to the archives was to inquire about the records, documents, and publications related to Karl Creelman and understand the access process. I recall Ashley asking about my intentions with the materials; “what do you want to do with the information”? At that time, I had no idea! But that was okay with Ashley because she could relate. Her chosen career path reflects her passion for researching local history and sharing and safeguarding the related artifacts. We spoke about her research pursuits related to her interest in Mi’kmaq culture and her understanding of being drawn to a particular subject matter — I was joining her club.
Over the last few years, I’ve felt like a ‘regular’ in the archives. I schedule my visits in advance so that Ashley can retrieve the specific archives that I’m seeking to review. Time changes for me at the Historium. No sooner than I arrive than I’m transported back to 1899, completely absorbed in the materials related to Karl’s travels, and then all of a sudden it’s closing time; where did the time go? Hundreds of years of time travel passing at lightning speed.
During my most recent visit to the Historeum, I shared with Ashley my intentions to apply the research and follow Karl around the world and my gratitude for her contribution. I also shared that I suspect she hasn’t quite seen the last of me — I’ll undoubtedly have more questions that will be arising, and I will continue to visit her at the archives searching for the answers.
In case you’ve missed them, click here for more Karl Chronicles