The Waterdown Museum of Hope is closing out a week-long showcase as a winner.
The museum, which is run by Waterdown District High School teacher Rob Flosman and his students, took home the 2023/2024 'Heritage Group, Society or Specialty Team Award' last night. The award was from the Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee, given by local Flamborough Archives and Heritage society historian Lyn Lunstead.
"This museum is built by students and this is their award," he said.
In a Facebook post, the Museum of Hope said said this year students have shown a dedication to “the power of storytelling in fostering understanding, tolerance and compassion in our community.”
The Museum of Hope is operated by students in WDHS’s Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity course, and hosts displays and artifacts from the First and Second World Wars. Flosman began the project in 2013, using spare classroom space at the high school.
The museum is now permanently a part of the Waterdown Legion.
Flosman said students usually run the museum for a week in November and May, but this year they showed extra dedication by opening their doors during culminating project and exam season.
"But we had to honour the veterans for the D-Day celebration," he said, adding he is proud of how students were able to speak to the community about museum exhibits.
Students welcomed community members, first responders and veterans on June 6, the 80th anniversary of D-Day. One of those visitors, Bob Thomas, is a retired Canadian Forces Veteran and an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion, who had a display dedicated to him.
The city website said its heritage awards are meant to “celebrate the significant contributions of property owners, educators, developers and volunteers in the conservation of Hamilton’s heritage.”
