Help Us Celebrate Helen Creighton’s Birthday on September 5

Helen Creighton

The Dartmouth Heritage Museum is delighted to present, in partnership with the Helen Creighton Folklore Society, a special viewing of the National Film Board Production, A Sigh and a Wish: Helen Creighton’s Maritimes on September 5, Helen’s birthday, at 7:00 pm in the Helen Creighton Room at the Alderney Gate Public Library.

“A Sigh and a Wish tells the story of pioneer folklorist Helen Creighton and the enduring appeal of one of the world’s most remarkable collections of song and story. Creighton helped define Maritime culture as we know it. Thanks to her, folk songs moved out of the kitchens and the fishing boats into the main stream… [The film] is a moving tribute to the genius of a self-taught folklorist – and to the continuing strength of the deep oral traditions she helped preserve. But is also raises important questions. Does Creighton’s collection truly reflect Maritime culture, or is it tinged by her own upper-midde-class assumptions?”

Featuring performances and commentary from: Lennie Gallant, Mary Jane Lamond, and the late Raylene Rankin, and Pete Seeger. Narrated by Ashley MacIssac.

The running time of the film is 74 minutes. Doors will open at 6:30 pm. Admission is free.

A thank you to our partners, the Helen Creighton Folklore Society, Alderney Gate Public Library, Halifax Public Libraries and the National Film Board of Canada.