Here’s When the New Addition to the Joseph Brant Museum in Burlington will Open

Back in 2017, the Joseph Brant Museum in Burlington broke ground on an $11.4-million project.

Back in 2017, the Joseph Brant Museum in Burlington broke ground on an $11.4-million project. This project, known as the Joseph Brant Museum transformation, consists of a new addition to the museum will be built into the grassy area under the current museum – a 1937 replica of the house of Mohawk native Joseph Brant, Thayendanegea, built on a 1798 Crown land grant.

The new addition will officially be open to the public as of Sept. 15, 2019. And, as noted in a press release, there will be a celebration from 12 to 4 p.m. at 1240 North Shore Blvd. E. The celebration will consist of feature tours, different activities, interactive exhibits, and an official ribbon cutting ceremony with Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward.

The official opening is something Meed Ward is looking forward to.

“The Joseph Brant Museum transformation helps us to celebrate the important history of our First Nations’ people and culture, including Burlington founder Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea),” Meed Ward said in a statement. “I look forward to celebrating the opening of the museum with residents and visitors, and know they will enjoy it as our new major exhibition and heritage centre. It is a wonderful addition to Burlington’s vibrant waterfront.”

The transformation, which was carried out by contractor Aquicon Construction, will also add more than 12,000 square feet to the museum’s previous size. This, as noted in the release, will allow the museum to be a cultural destination along with being a place to host national exhibitions and the collection of artifacts.

The release also points out that the transformation consisted of a number of different aspects.

“The transformed museum has been expanded to provide barrier-free space, including an elevator to the second-floor roof garden and original Joseph Brant home,” reads the release. “The expansion includes more room for gallery displays, interactive programming, the storage of collections and community outreach.”

The transformation, as mentioned, cost $11.4-million. Here’s a breakdown of where the money came from.

• $2.9 million from the City of Burlington
• $4.5 million from the Government of Canada
• $1.5 million from the Province of Ontario
• $2.5 million from the Joseph Brant Museum Foundation

Photo is courtesy of the city of Burlington.