New Multisensory Exhibit Opens at the DesBrisay Museum 

New Multisensory Exhibit Opens at the DesBrisay Museum 
Powered by Water: Stories of the Wile Carding Mill 

AUGUST 27, 2026, BRIDGEWATER, NS — The DesBrisay Museum welcomes visitors to experience their latest exhibit, Powered by Water: Stories of the Wile Carding Mill. Designed for curious minds of all ages, the exhibition tells the story of water-powered industry along what is now known as Wile Brook. It sheds light on the once prosperous industrial hub, formerly known as Sebastopol, where water-driven wheels fueled a local industrial revolution in Victorian-era Bridgewater. 

Exploring the history of wool production in the area, visitors will learn about the significance of the carding machines that revolutionized the domestic textile industry in the 1860s. With stories of the rigorous labour performed by the Mill’s female staff, and the role children held in sourcing materials, visitors will gain an understanding of what life was like for workers at the Wile Carding Mill, how they left their mark on the building and how the Mill changed the local community. 

With opportunities for hands-on learning and accompanied by the sounds and smells of mill, the exhibit is arranged around a central projection of the Wile Carding Mill water wheel in motion. On Thursdays and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can also see  livedemonstrations of wool carding and spinning by the museum’s heritage interpreter, and try their hand at these traditional skills, themselves. 

“We’re proud of how we’ve been able to bring this exhibit to life, and the way it allows visitors to engage in multiple ways,” said DesBrisay Museum Coordinator, Jillian Barteaux. “We hope this exhibit will help visitors connect with past and will help foster a deeper understanding of the Wile Carding Mill, the role that women played, and the significance to the historical economy.” 

Powered by Water: Stories of the Wile Carding Mill is on now and will be on view until Sept.19th, 2026. The exhibit is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and is located inside the DesBrisay Museum at 130 Jubilee Road in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. The museum is free year-round, with donations gratefully accepted. 

Free parking is available onsite, and the museum can also be accessed by bus, with a Bridgewater Transit stop located just outside. Bike racks are available near the main doors. The DesBrisay Museum is wheelchair accessible, and is a designated senior-friendly facility. For information on accessibility and the sensory elements of the exhibit, please contact the museum at 902-543-4033, or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Powered by Water: Stories of the Wile Carding Mill was created by the DesBrisay Museum with the support of Nova Scotia Museums. For more information, please visit www.DesBrisayMuseum.ca