Wellington County Museum and Archives (WCMA) staff will be working with Town of Minto staff to develop a plan for archiving material from the Palmerston Railway Heritage Museum.
A report from WCMA administrator Janice Hindley at the April 28 county council meeting indicated WCMA staff will help town staff assess, inventory, preserve, store and exhibit appropriate material “that will support the vision of a functioning railway museum.”
Hindley notes much of the original archival material may be transferred to the WCMA with copies available at the railway station. The majority of the original railway artifacts will remain at the station for exhibits, however there are some artifacts unrelated to railway history that may come to the WCMA for conservation, repair or accession into the collection. WCMA staff will also assist Minto with developing programming ideas.
“The Railway Station is a wonderful building that the town has beautifully restored, and also saved boxcars, handrail cars and a crew station on the site. The station is located within a park featuring Engine 81, the Trestle Bridge, and grounds with historic signage telling the story of the railway in Palmerston,” states Hindley in her report.
Recently, the WCMA met at the station with the town to assist with developing the railway station to its full potential as a functioning heritage site. The station is currently full of archival material and artifacts relating not only to railway history but a wide range of subjects on Palmerston, Minto, and county history.
“It’s a truly incredible collection of artifacts in that space,” Hindley states.
Blacksmith shop
WCMA staff are also working on an outreach partnership program with the Lynes blacksmith shop located on the main street in Kenilworth and have recently toured the facility, Hindley reported.
A Lynes Blacksmith Shop committee has been formed, chaired by Kate Rowley, administrator of the Mount Forest Archives.
The committee includes membership from the Mount Forest and Arthur Historical societies, Wellington North councillor Dan Yake, two Kenilworth residents and Cultural Roundtable representatives. The committee is preparing a business plan to present to Wellington North council later this year.
“We have made it clear to the group that the county is not interested in ownership of the building, but through the WCMA, will provide expertise and support as active members of the committee to assist with developing programming ideas; conservation, preservation and inventory of artifacts; exhibit ideas; and, grant application support,” Hindley pointed out.
She called the blacksmith shop a “hidden treasure in the county.”
She said WCMA staff believe it is “one of a kind in the province – and an outstanding example of transportation history in the County of Wellington and Ontario.”
The committee and township have a unique opportunity, “through a generous offer from the owner to donate the property,” to develop this site into a successful cultural tourism landmark, Hindley noted.
