1997
HOMECOMING REPORTS

1967- 1997, which marks 30 years of preserving the heritage of Buxton and the Elgin Settlement.  That is the theme of this season at the museum.  To kick off the season a celebration of the anniversary was held on the first Sunday in May.  Invitations were sent to the area churches, groups and interested parties.  The ensuing get together was well attended with the cultural room of the museum filled to capacity.  Visitors were treated to a program including remarks from two of the original Board members, Mrs. Dorothy Shreve and Mr. Earl Prince.  They each gave insights into the origins of the museum from their respective viewpoints on the subject.  The museum received presentations commemorating the momentous occasion from Mr. Pat Hoy, M.P.P. representing the province of Ontario and from Mrs. Jerry Pickard, wife of our federal representative Mr. Jerry Pickard, M.P. who was unable to attend.

The event was also the occasion for the unveiling of two new additions to the museum. A diorama depicting North Buxton during the 1950’s, created by Brian Bowles and Delores Trow was shown for the first time.his exhibit shows buildings that existed during the period and incorporates a working model of the train that ran through the community at that time.  Mr. Bowles and Ms. Trow are to be congratulated for the hours of work and fine detail given to the project.  Another new contribution to the museum came in the form of a wealth of documents discovered in the walls of Buxton’s former railway station.  The present owner of the station, Mr. Brad Egan of Braddona Woodworks presented these documents to the museum.  Mr. Egan is presently restoring the station.  A commemorative limited print of the building has been made; the proceeds of which will help support both the museum and the reconstruction of the station.

This 30^th anniversary season also marks another very important change at the museum.  The museum will now be known as the Buxton Historic Site & Museum.  You may or may not be aware; Raleigh Township will cease to exist as a community January 1, 1998.  This is due to the amalgamation of Chatham and Kent County as a single entity.  It was felt that the time was proper to make the change in light of the political realignment.  We feel that our new name will more accurately reflect the heritage of the community and be more recognizable to potential markets we are currently trying to reach.

Visitors to the museum this summer will no doubt have noticed the difference in temperature inside the building.  A combination heating – cooling system was installed prior to our opening this year.  The benefits of this system go beyond the personal comfort of visitors and staff.  Climate control is necessary in the preservation of the artifacts belonging to the museum’s collection.  Without it mold, mildew, and fluctuations in temperature and humidity slowly destroy the irreplaceable documents and artifacts, which are contained in the museum.  The preservation of the collection will be greatly aided with this welcome addition to the museum. We would like to thank the North Buxton Community Club and the African Canadian Association – Kent for their generous donations to this project and its completion.

This season’s summer staff positions have been filled with two returnees from last season, Miss Brooke Dudley and Mr. Christopher Prince, both are students at John McGregor High School in Chatham.  They have been a great aid to the regular staff and of course bring experience to their roles having worked the previous season at the museum.

The museum staff is updating the family trees in the museum. We would appreciate it if you would take the time to send any additional information pertaining to your family to the museum so that it can be added to our research area.

Do not forget to drop in for a visit.

Alice Newby, Curator

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website created July 2008; updated November 2009; by Lori Gardner