Event Details:

The Arnprior and McNab/Braeside Archives (AMBA) is opening its doors—and its
vault—for a special Volunteer Showcase on Saturday, November 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the archives
located inside the Arnprior Public Library. This free, drop-in event invites the public to explore the remarkable stories,
collections, and people behind this award-winning community archives.

Visitors will have an opportunity to explore volunteer-led projects and see archival treasures including glass-plate
negatives, photographs, maps, Renfrew County land records, scrapbooks, and other historical documents that bring the
region’s past to life.

The Showcase will feature the launch of a new online exhibit: “Charles Macnamara: Arnprior’s Citizen Scientist”
spearheaded by volunteer Laurie Dougherty. A pioneering naturalist and photographer, the exhibit highlights
Macnamara’s legacy and connection to the land, offering a window into both scientific exploration and local history.

Another highlight will be a presentation from AMBA’s archivist Janis Hernandez who will have returned from the
International Archives Congress in Barcelona, Spain—an honour extended to only a few archival professionals from
Canada. The trip was 100% funded following a fundraising effort that saw local service organizations, businesses and
individuals donate.

For those interested in genealogy, a collection of family histories will be accessible. Volunteers are planning a demo of
Ancestry.ca and will be available to provide advice whether you're just getting started on your family tree or deep into
your ancestral research.

“So much of what the Archives does happens quietly behind the scenes by a dedicated group of volunteers,” says
Sara MacKenzie, President of the AMBA Board. “This event is a chance for the public to discover the incredible work our
team does every day to preserve and make accessible local history. Whether you want to explore, ask a question, or just
see what’s in the vault, we’d love to see you!”

Learn more about the archives, search the collections and see online exhibitions anytime at www.adarchives.org.