Welcome to Beyond the Blackboard
Beyond the Blackboard is a grassroots network of curriculum-based educators serving the London community. The 13 members include experts and professionals from 9 Museums, 2 Art Galleries and 2 local Conservation Authorities. Teachers, let us share our resources and expertise to help you plan your next field trip or in-class session!
The following museums and organizations participate in the Beyond the Blackboard program:
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Banting House
Recognized as the site of the defining moment in the discovery of insulin,
Banting House National Historic Site of Canada celebrates the life and
career of Sir Frederick Banting. Exhibitions include: the story of the
museum, the discovery of insulin, his involvement in both World Wars and
life as a student of AY Jackson.
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Eldon House
Explore Eldon House, London's oldest residence. Virtually unchanged since the last century, this historic home contains family heirlooms, furnishings and priceless treasures of the Harris family as well as a re-created 19th century garden.
Built in 1834 for Captain John and Amelia Harris, the house remained in the Harris family until 1959 when it was given to the city complete with family furnishings and priceless treasures.
Although surrounded by the city today, the house amid its recreated 19th century gardens, is a place of beauty and tranquility. Tours of the house are available throughout the year but are especially popular at Christmas time when the house is festooned with the decorations of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
During this age of elegance wealthy homes were furnished with exquisite antiques and historic treasures from exotic places. Life was made possible by domestic servants always on call in London's oldest surviving mansion.
Eldon House was the center of social life in early 19th century London with its library the setting for lively evenings. Today it remains a charming reflection of the city's past.
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Elgin County Museum
The former Elgin County Pioneer Museum renamed itself in 2006 and moved from the historic Duncombe House on Talbot Street to the 4th floor of the Elgin County Administration Building where expanded and greatly improved facilities have allowed for the development of a vibrant exhibition schedule combining traveling shows with exhibits based on the museum’s 10,000 plus collection of artifacts. Highlights of the collection include 19th century domestic life, agriculture, fine art and collections relating to early settlement, St. Thomas industry, Col. Talbot and Jumbo the elephant.
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Fanshawe Pioneer Village
Southwestern Ontario’s past brought to life! Fanshawe Pioneer Village offers students and visitors the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in interactive historical experiences. Fanshawe Pioneer Village tells the story of rural communities in the former townships of Westminster, London, North Dorchester, Delaware, West Nissouri, and Lobo in Middlesex County from 1820 to 1920 and the founding and development of the City of London up to 1940.
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London Regional Children’s Museum
The London Regional Children’s Museum is a special place for children
and their grown-ups to play and learn together. Come and visit us for a
special program, field trip, workshop, day camp, birthday party – or
just for fun! It’s filled with hands-on, interactive exhibits that
encourage children from infancy to twelve to explore and discover
science, arts, heritage and more.
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Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA)
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority offers outdoor learning, curriculum-based, hands on environmental discoveries for elementary and secondary levels.
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McIntosh Gallery
The McIntosh Gallery is a public art gallery which
serves the university and surrounding community.
Built in 1942 with a bequest from the Estate of
Wilhelmina Morris McIntosh, it presents a continuous
program of contemporary and historical exhibitions
which explore themes and issues of our time.
Artworks from the Collection are also on view
throughout the campus.
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Museum London
Museum London was established in 1940 and operated from the London Public Library until 1980 when architect Raymond Moriyama was commissioned to design its current home at the forks of the Thames River in downtown London, Ontario. In 1989, the then London Regional Art Gallery amalgamated with the London Historical Museum and the historic Eldon House and Gardens creating what is known today as Museum London.
Museum London provides young people with the unique opportunity to explore the rich heritage of their community, and to discover the visual arts. Through original artwork and historic artifacts, students participate in one-of-a-kind experiential learning opportunities outside of the classroom. The educational impact of experiential learning and the value of the visual arts have been well documented. Museum London offers a unique setting where education is meaningful and fun!
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Museum of Ontario Archaeology
The Museum of Ontario Archaeology is a non-profit research centre and data base resource for studies in Ontario Archaeology. The museum houses over 2.5 million artifacts for analysis and maintains the public gallery for the interpretation of the 12,000 year occupation of Southwestern Ontario. Adjacent to the museum is the Lawson Provincial Heritage and Archaeological Dig Site. Identified as an area occupied around 1475 - 1500 AD by approximately 2000 'Neutral' Iroquoians, the excavated portion of this semi-permanent village hosts reconstructions of the palisade, earthworks and one of nine fully excavated longhouses. The site was strategically situated for defensive purposes and access to fresh water, plants, fish, wild game and other natural resources necessary to the traditional lifeways of Ontario's early inhabitants. Located within London's city limits, beside Medway Heritage Valley, this rich ecological environment and historically significant area transports you to 15th century Ontario.
Students can explore the history of Canada’s First Nations while learning how real-world archaeologists piece together our past. Museum staff will work with you to design a program tailored to your specific curriculum needs. Educators can choose to incorporate existing programming - including on-site archaeological digs and tours of the Lawson Iroquoian village - with a variety of craft and cultural workshops.
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North American Railway Hall of Fame
The Canada Southern Railway Station, located in St.
Thomas, Ontario, is presently under restoration. It was completed in 1873 in
the Italianate style and was the largest train station in Southwestern
Ontario. It will become the location of exhibitions and education programs
related to the interpretation of rail history in St. Thomas and region. At
one time, the Canada Southern (later Michigan Central Railroad and New York
Central) was the largest regional employer.
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Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum
Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum is located in the beautiful surroundings of Longwoods Road Conservation Area, Mount Brydges, just 30 km. west of London.
Ska-Nah-Doht features a full size village with 3 longhouses, palisade with maze and 15 more structural exhibits to make the past come to life. The Museum offers displays of artifacts, First Nations culture and a hands-on activity room with puzzles and games. Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum offers both Museum/Village Tours and Full Day programming to compliment Ontario Curriculum.
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The Secrets of Radar Museum
During WWII, nearly 6000 Canadians from all walks of life were recruited to work on radar, and were held to an oath of secrecy that was not lifted for fifty years. The Secrets of Radar Museum is dedicated to preserving the history, stories and experiences of all men and women who have helped to build, operate, maintain and defend radar stations here in Canada and abroad.
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Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA)
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority is one of 36 Conservation
Authorities in the Province of Ontario. Our area of jurisdiction, the
upper watershed of the Thames River, covers 3,432 square kilometres in
southwestern Ontario and is home to approximately 485,000 people. The
Thames is a Canadian Heritage River. Our mandate is to ensure that the
rivers, lakes and streams are properly safeguarded, managed and
restored; to protect, manage and restore woodlands, wetlands and natural
habitat; to develop and maintain programs that will protect life and
property from natural hazards such as flooding and erosion; and to
provide opportunities for the public to enjoy, learn from and respect our natural environment.
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