You can walk in the footsteps of Newmarket’s soldiers through a First World War trench at the interactive exhibit opening tomorrow at the Old Town for its final year.
Originally created to mark the centennial of the First World War in 2014, the trench transports its visitors back to the long, narrow ditches where infantry soldiers lived, day and night, on the Western Front during the 1914 to 1918 war that remains “one of the most defining events of modern history (that) touched the lives of every Canadian”, according to Erin Cerenzia, chair of the First World War Centennial Committee and vice-president of the Newmarket Historical Society.
As well as the replica trench, the exhibit features a replica of 2017 Vimy Ridge tunnel, and recreated Victory Arch that details the experiences of local soldiers after the war.
Committee member Ron Atkins has loaned many First World War artifacts from his own collection, including canteens, bayonets and grenades, Cerenzia said.
Local families and museums have loaned other artifacts, including uniforms, and new this year, the Aurora Historical Society provided a display of medical artifacts.
Museum-quality display boards, created and donated by Newmarket’s RC Design, further tell the story of the soldiers and the war.
“All this ties in to make an impressive exhibit,” Cerenzia added, acknowledging the contributions of the society’s volunteers who have given their time to ensure the centennial of the war was honoured in a special way.
The “very solid” and “giant structure” was designed and built by committee member Doug Scott, who brought her vision to life, she said.
“The trench is overwhelmingly real — people are genuinely shocked about the quality of exhibit,” she added.
From the sound effects track to the colours of the paint used on the floor, the smallest of details have been thoughtfully incorporated to ensure the historical accuracy of the experience, Cerenzia said.
“It was a lofty goal,” she said. “When I started saying to people that I wanted to build a trench, people had no idea what that meant. But I thought, what an incredible educational opportunity for youth to grasp what the war was all about.”
The Newmarket Historical Society exhibit has been a resounding success, with more than 3,000 children and adults visiting in each year of the last two years.
Despite being a small town of only about 3,000 people, Newmarket’s response to the First World War was one of fierce patriotism and generosity, she said.
With Remembrance Day approaching on Nov. 11, the exhibit, which runs from Nov. 3 to 17, is also a poignant tribute to our First World War soldiers.
Included in the exhibit is a video of the 127th Battalion, which was recruited from Newmarket, marching down Main Street and by the Old Town Hall on Botsford Street, where the exhibit is being held, Cerenzia said.
“You know they didn’t all come home,” she said. “And if they did come home, it was with serious injuries, physical and mental, so we could live the life we have today in Newmarket.”
Light refreshments will be offered to celebrate the launch of the exhibit tomorrow, and a Trench Victory Party will be held Nov. 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. to mark the end of the historical society’s First World War commemorations.
Light refreshments will be served along with live entertainment from Suzi and Doug, a well-known Toronto duo, as they present songs from the First World War. For tickets, $20, email [email protected] or purchase online here.
The hours of the exhibit, at the Old Town Hall at 460 Botsford St., are from noon to 8 p.m. weekends and 4 to 8 p.m. weekdays. It will be closed Nov. 16.
