SHERBROOKE — With filming of The Great Amherst Ghost Haunting now wrapped, officials at Sherbrooke Village say the experience has renewed their interest in attracting more film and television productions to the historic site.
Director of interpretation Michelle Clarabut and special events manager Lanny Boyer both described the production as a positive one and said the Nova Scotia Museum site has strong potential.
“We’re absolutely open to welcoming more film and television productions to Sherbrooke Village,” Boyer said in an interview. “And we’re not just waiting for them to find us. We want to be proactive about identifying projects that are a good fit for the site.”
“It was a great experience for Sherbrooke Village,” Clarabut agreed.
Noting it had been some time since a major production filmed on site, she said staff enjoyed watching the process and meeting a crew “so excited to bring their production to life in such a rich heritage location.”
Clarabut said the process for filming on museum grounds is relatively straightforward. After Makama Films’ locations manager reached out to express interest in the site, meetings were held to explore potential filming areas and suitable buildings.
Following further discussions to identify production needs, Sherbrooke Village staff outlined what was feasible and addressed any concerns related to heritage spaces and artifacts.
“Both teams worked together to ensure artifacts were removed from spaces and, where possible, props or working artifacts were made available,” Clarabut said.
As a Nova Scotia Museum site, Sherbrooke Village required the production company to meet specific conditions, including insurance coverage and the presence of a museum staff member during filming.
“Overall, it’s a mutually beneficial agreement that ensures the care of the heritage spaces and supports the film production,” Clarabut said.
Boyer said Sherbrooke Village’s appeal lies in its scale and authenticity. As Nova Scotia’s largest living museum, the site offers a complete late-19th-century village set within a scenic landscape.
“For productions set in the Victorian era, that means arriving on location already halfway to the finish line,” he said.
With theatre acting experience of his own, Boyer said Makama Productions was professional from the outset. Clarabut echoed that view.
“Community members, including some staff, participated in the production as extras, and feedback was really positive,” she said. “There was great communication and respect from the production team, which meant the experience went ahead without any glitches.”
Boyer also pointed to the museum’s extensive wardrobe collection as another advantage for filmmakers.
“Because of our Explorer Experience, where visitors are able to dress in authentic Victorian-era attire, we have a full stock of costumes ready to go in all shapes and sizes – by contract, of course,” he said.
He said drawbacks to filming at the site are minimal.
“Our spaces and staff are used to managing wear and tear,” Boyer said, adding that scheduling is really the only issue staff need to stay ahead of – and that’s just part of good planning.
Beyond the museum, Boyer said film productions bring broader economic benefits to the community.
“So, while the museum benefits from being used as a filming location, the ripple effect reaches well beyond our gates,” he said, noting businesses across the watershed feel the impact of additional spending.
“It was really thrilling to watch how a professional film team makes it happen – all the preparation that goes into it is just amazing,” Boyer said. “They were so well organized, and it was rewarding to see it all come together.”
Clarabut shared that enthusiasm.
“We look forward to viewing the final production later this year,” she said.
