The Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum is preparing to host two silent movie nights with a pay-what-you-can donation charge for attendance.

The first show is on Aug. 19 and will feature the Charlie Chaplin classic “City Lights,” about a tramp who tries to raise money for a blind flower girl with the aid of a wealthy eccentric.

“It’s fun for the family or grandparents bringing their grandkids. Anyone can come and enjoy it in the museum courtyard,” managing director Sarah Kaufman said.

The second film on Aug. 26 will be Buster Keaton’s “The Cameraman.” 

The museum has done movie nights in the past but had to forego such events due to COVID-19 last year.

“They’re usually something history-related or older films. In the past we did documentaries. There’s usually no set theme,” Kaufman said.

“But we went with silent films this year. I think a lot of people find that interesting and, of course, Charlie Chaplin is the first one and he’s always very popular.”

The films will be screened in the museum's new community courtyard, which will allow for social distancing.

“We’ll make sure there’s COVID protocols in place and everyone's distanced between each other. If we get a really big group we might have to move it outside the courtyard,” she said.

People need to bring their own chairs and snacks. The screenings will start around dusk.

Prospective audience members should arrive just before sundown if they want to get good seats, Kaufman said.