Visitors to Canada Day and other special celebrations at the Museum are likely to see a giant teddy bear wearing a black hat that says “Immigration.” Kids (and kids at heart) always seem to want to give the big bear a hug, pose for a picture or simply stand there in wonder, looking up at the smiling face.
Meet Fenton
Fenton is the mascot for the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. Fenton was born in the winter of 2015, so he’s recently turned ten!
Kids immigrating to Canada from their home country often bring toys for comfort and a sense of safety. In fact, our Canadian Immigration Story exhibition features an old and well-loved teddy bear, on loan from Pat Marshall, who immigrated to Canada from England in 1954. The bear wears a shirt that says “Liverpool Teddy”, after the city where Pat was from. Pat, who treasured Teddy, shared her story with the Museum, writing about herself in the third person:
She cuddled Teddy, her constant companion and whispered in his ear, ”we are really going to sail to Canada on this big ship”. Being an only child, she only had Teddy to share all her joys and sorrows.
[S2019.177.1]
The choice to have a teddy bear represent the Museum was inspired by that need for safety, for continuity, in a time of change. Fenton is here to make people feel welcome.
When Can I see Fenton?
Fenton is at the Museum every Canada Day, meeting people and enjoying the celebrations. He can also be seen during March Break, when we welcome thousands of visitors. He’s been to the opening of our Asian Heritage month celebrations, and has appeared at the Evergreen Festival, Halifax Jazz Festival, and Halifax Pride, as well as many Museum events. You never know when Fenton might make an appearance.
Why “Fenton”?
Fenton the Bear is named after Fenton Crossman, a former immigration officer, originally from PEI, who worked at Pier 21 and other immigration facilities throughout Canada. The real-life Fenton kept a diary for most of his career, which he published as part of his memoir, “Recollections of an Immigration Officer.” Researchers today use the memoir to study Canadian immigration history. You can read more about Fenton Crossman in this blog by Museum historian Steve Schwinghamer.
If you see Fenton the bear at the Museum, we hope you come say hi!
