Press
Left at The Wellgate:
The Untold Story of Mary Petrie Smith
Exhibition in Dundee, Scotland
FOR RELEASE
September 5, 2024
Jamie Lees, an Amherstburg, Ontario resident and co-owner of Jank Words & Pictures,
is set to curate a unique historical exhibition titled: Left at The Wellgate: The Untold Story of Mary Petrie Smith at the Central Dundee Library in Scotland. Running from September 14 to October 14, 2024, the exhibition delves into the enigmatic story of Jamie’s great grandmother, Mary Petrie Smith, who, on September 14, 1911, left her two young sons in their pram outside a pub in The Wellgate, before leaving for Canada. Through a meticulous collection of artifacts, documents, photographs, and personal stories, Jamie presents an emotionally charged and historically rich narrative.
Mary's Passport Photo 1911
Dedicated to her great grandmother, the exhibition Left at The Wellgate: The Untold Story of Mary Petrie Smith allows Mary to finally share her side of the story that remained secret; untold for 113 years. Jamie’s journey to uncover the truth behind this family mystery has profoundly affected her, leading her from deep sorrow to a sense of peace as she felt her great grandmother's spirit guiding her throughout the process. The exhibition invites visitors to explore various possibilities of what really happened that dark day in 1911 and what drove Mary to make such a drastic decision, encouraging them to form their own opinions based on the artifacts, documents, and personal stories presented.
"Curating this exhibition has been an emotional journey of discovery and connection for me. It is a privilege to share my great grandmother's story with the people of Dundee and to highlight the resilience and strength of women like her." Jamie Lees.
Collaborating with The Wellgate Project and leveraging her expertise in visual storytelling with her husband, Jamie brings a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience to the audience. Frank D’Angelo, co-owner at Jank Words & Pictures, praises her dedication to preserving and sharing this heritage thoughtfully with a broader audience, fostering a stronger cultural connection between Canada and Scotland.
In addition to the exhibition, there will be a series of related talks by guest speakers and interactive events to further engage the community with the historical themes and the stories presented.
Dr. Erin Farley, Project Lead and Library & Information Officer, Central Library, Dundee, Scotland, where the exhibition will take place, notes, "We’ve collaborated with Jamie in Canada from Scotland to create an immersive experience that sheds light on the social and cultural context of early 20th-century Dundee.This exhibition not only honors Mary Petrie Smith's legacy but also enriches our understanding of the historical landscape in which she lived."
Join us in celebrating this remarkable transatlantic connection and discover the compelling story of Left at The Wellgate: The Untold Story of Mary Petrie Smith a story that peels back the layers of the life of a complex woman—abandoner, immigrant, bigamist, survivor, enigma. A paradoxical maternal path that shaped a family's history."
EVENT DETAILS:
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Exhibition Title: Left at The Wellgate:
The Untold Story of Mary Petrie Smith -
Dates: September 14, 2024 – October 14, 2024
Location: Central Library, The Wellgate, Dundee, Scotland
For more information, please contact Jamie Lees at jamie@jank.ca or visit What's On Leisure & Culture Dundee The Wellgate Project's website. Check out this brief video about The Wellgate.
Stay updated on the development of the 2025 exhibition picture book and theatrical production of Left at The Wellgate: The Untold Story of Mary Petrie Smith, written by Jamie Lees and produced in part by Shō Studios, by subscribing to our Jank & File Newsletter.
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Leisure & Culture Dundee
New Local History Exhibition at Dundee Central Library
A new exhibition, "Left at The Wellgate: The Untold Story of Mary Petrie Smith" is showing at Dundee's Central Library from September 14 to October 14, 2024.
On September 14, 1911, Mary Petrie Smith made a fateful decision. She left her two young sons in their pram outside a pub at the top of the Wellgate Steps and boarded a ship bound for Canada. Now, 113 years later, this exhibition finally gives Mary a voice. But is this the whole truth? Did she truly leave everything behind, or is there more to her story than we'll ever know?
This exhibition, written and designed by Mary's descendant, Jamie Lees, invites you to consider the possibilities of what really happened that day in 1911 and what could have driven Mary to make such a drastic decision.
Jamie has travelled from Canada to Dundee for the exhibition launch. She has meticulously gathered artefacts, documents, photographs, and personal stories that provide an intimate look into her great grandmother's life and the historical context of early 20th century Dundee.
Visitors can take the opportunity to connect with the past, understanding the social and cultural fabric of the time. It shines a light on the challenges and resilience of women like Mary Petrie Smith, making it a profoundly personal and universal story of family and history.
In addition to the exhibition, there is a series of related talks by guest speakers and interactive events to further engage the community with the historical themes and the local stories presented. These include the chance to participate in a group investigation to solve Mary's mystery, a talk by leading scholar of Scottish women's history, Dr Esther Breitenbach and an in-conversation event with Caroline Brown and Morag Allan Campbell, who will discuss histories of Scottish women's mental health.
In collaboration with The Wellgate Project, this exhibition underscores the importance of preserving and sharing our heritage. The Wellgate Project has been instrumental in supporting this initiative, offering resources and expertise to bring this story to life.
Dr Erin Farley, Project Lead and Library & Information Officer at Leisure & Culture Dundee, said,
"We've collaborated with Jamie in Canada from Scotland to create an immersive experience that sheds light on the social and cultural context of early 20th-century Dundee. This exhibition not only honours Mary Petrie Smith's legacy but also enriches our understanding of the historical landscape in which she lived."
Jamie Lees, Curator of the exhibition, adds,
"Curating Left at The Wellgate: The Untold Story of Mary Petrie Smith has been an emotional journey of discovery and connection for me. It is a privilege to share my great grandmother's story with the people of Dundee and to highlight the resilience and strength of women like her."
The exhibition runs September 14 - October 14, 2024 at Dundee Central Library and is free to visit. Events are available to book at https://dundeelibraries.eventbrite.com
Exhibition Review
Left at the Wellgate is one of the most remarkable and intriguing stories which begs
so many questions yet offers so many different possible answers.
Why did Mary Petrie Smith leave her young sons in Dundee, Scotland, before embarking - alone - on a journey that took her across the ocean to a future that must have seemed uncertain and perilous? How did she keep her story secret for decades, and what can
we now know of the reasons behind her flight to Canada?
The exhibition curated in such a sensitive and informative way by her great-granddaughter Jamie Lees takes you from the dark, dank streets of Dundee to the hope of a new life in Canada.... and back again. It is a must-see exhibition, and I look forward with immense anticipation to the forthcoming book. It is beyond time to give voice to the life of
Mary Petrie Smith.
Peter Aitchison, author of Black Friday; The story of the Eyemouth Fishing Disaster of 1881
The Scottish Banner, news for global Scots-serving the international Scottish communities of Australia, Canada,
New Zealand and the USA. Celebrating 48 years in 2024.
The Scotsman Newspaper, the leading daily publication.
Since 1817, The Scotsman has been the voice of Scotland.
Rivertown Times, local weekly newspaper proudly serving Amherstburg, Ontario. Locally owned, locally operated.
107.9 CKBG The Burg Radio Amherstburg Ontario.
Spencer Duby from 107.9 CKBG The Burg interviewed Jamie just before her departure for Scotland. Unfortunately, a recording of the interview is not available.
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