On April 17, around 50 grade 11 students from Pontiac High School (PHS) visited the Pontiac Archives in Shawville to do some historical research on their school projects.

In a room filled with countless binders containing every bit of history this region has to offer, the students looked around from wall to wall as their teacher gave a speech about the importance of the archives and its volunteers to the community.

Part of PHS’s English class, every year, students take a trip to the archives to discover information on specific topics in order to put together historical reports on them.

According to PHS teacher Jordan Kent, the yearly trips serve as great tool for the students to work on their note-taking and research methods, while appreciating the value that the Archives have to offer them.

“It brings this sense of identity,” said Kent. “This kind of confidence, this pride of where they come from, which I think is very valuable.”

Using the archives as their main resource for information, the project helps students find a greater sense of appreciation for their region by delving deep into the roots of their culture, Kent said.

“I want them to realize that this is a very unique region, that they have deep roots in, and to appreciate it,” he said. You know, some of them are finishing high school and are ready to move along and part of it I really think helps them reflect on how important and how valuable this is.”

For PHS student Tubby Musgrove, the best part of the experience was the chance to uncover obscure stories of the past that some of his distant relatives might have lived through first-hand.

“It’s pretty cool being able to learn about the past and what we didn’t get to witness ourselves,” said Musgrove. “Possibly relative or core family members that we know have actually been through this. We’re just seeing pictures. But they could actually describe to us what it’s like.”

Having grown up in Bryson, Musgrove was keen on doing his research on the Bryson Fire of 1914.

For Musgrove, having an appreciation and understanding of history is something that allows him to appreciate the way things are today.

“It’s important to know that it wasn’t the same as it is now,” said Musgrove. “And the future’s also just going to keep on progressing and changing.”

In addition, President of the Pontiac Historical Society Christopher Seifried made an appearance to notify the students about full-time summer job opportunities with the organization through Young Canada Works (YCW).

To apply, students are told to register through the YCW website. The deadline to apply is May 31, according to Seifried.

On April 17, around 50 grade 11 students from PHS visited the Pontiac Archives in Shawville to do some historical research on their school projects. Pictured, Tubby Musgrove reads about the Bryson Fire of 1914.

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