A new "memory lane" project was unveiled at the Rocmaura Nursing Home in Saint John on Sept. 23, 2019. (Photo: Brad Perry/Wave News)
Residents at one Saint John nursing home can take a walk down memory lane thanks to a new project.
Several murals featuring vintage photographs were unveiled Monday at Rocmaura Nursing Home as part of the “memory lane” project.
The idea is to give residents and their family members a place to gather and reminisce about the past.
Sally Cummings, director of the Rocmaura Foundation, said it is amazing to see the project come to life after a year of work.
“This was really exciting to unveil this and see how many memories it brought back for our residents and to see them interacting and coming to life and sharing their stories about their past,” said Cummings.
The murals are located in a second-floor hallway, which Cummings said “seemed to be lacking purpose and life.”
New murals at Rocmaura Nursing Home in #SaintJohn will allow residents to walk down memory lane. The “memory lane” project has been a year in the making and was unveiled this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/sSmMAxJ42r
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) September 23, 2019
Grant Kelly provided the vintage photos and graphic designer Bridget McGale brought the murals to life.
Cummings said a project like “memory lane” is very interactive and allows residents to engage in conversation.
“Even though we may not know each other, we all have so many connections in this close community,” she said.
A new “memory lane” project was unveiled at the Rocmaura Nursing Home in Saint John on Sept. 23, 2019. (Photo: Brad Perry/Wave News)
Cathy McGrath, whose mother has lived at Rocmaura since March of 2018, said the project is a wonderful idea for the residents.
“The first day when it was finished and I walked in, I spent over an hour talking to people because everybody that came in to see a resident, we all got chattering about everything. It was just wonderful,” McGrath said.
Canaport LNG donated $5,200 toward the project. The foundation is seeking another donor to help pay for the other half of the cost.
Cummings said they are also seeking donations of vintage items to one day expand “memory lane”, such as manual typewriters, rotary dial phones or old long skates.
“Anything like that which brings back memories for people who are alive today from their childhood or their younger working years,” she said. “We also want to build some shelving units so we can display some of these items.”
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