June Macdonald of the Minto Heritage Association knows that it is dedication, not size, that matters when it comes to the accomplishments of the local group
Speaking to council on May 17, Macdonald started with, “I come with no requests” – which brought a few chuckles from the councillors.
She was there to offer a summary of work done by the group since its inception. She said some councillors would be familiar with the work.
The group is now is in its 11th year and for its own benefit decided to look at its accomplishments.
“It felt like we had done a lot of work in that time, and indeed as I work my way through 10 years of minutes, we were quite busy.”
Councillors agree Macdonald had provided an excellent report.
Mayor George Bridge asked for a bit more explanation, in part, because there are a number of heritage groups in Minto.
Macdonald sad it is confusing. “If you think of us as addressing the needs of the whole town, rather than one section, that is how we have functioned. Our issues are quite broad.”
She noted when it comes to work in cemetery transcriptions, “We move around wherever the need is.”
Bridge said that is how he first came in contact with the Minto Heritage Association.
Macdonald said the one goal is to make a new council aware of the group. “We don’t blow our own horns very often, but we do have a lot of projects.”
One of them will be a look at municipal records.
“Right now, I think they need some sorting and filing away in the archives.”
She added that work is continuing in the cemeteries. “We will probably work on the Clifford cemetery once we are through in Harriston.”
She noted the Clifford cemetery actually lies in Huron County and falls under the jurisdiction of Huron’s heritage association.
Macdonald said the recent introduction of storytelling is also very important.
“We’re very pleased to see that is being incorporated into Minto’s cultural plan.”
She said they would be more than willing to cooperate with the cultural group.
“Financially, we’ve been able to stand on our own two feet … primarily due to the sale of the two Minto barn books, which have given us a nice little bank account.”
Those funds have been used for microfilming of Newspapers. She also saw other areas where the money would go back into preserving the area’s heritage.
Councillor Mary Lou Colwell was curious about the actual size of the group because of the large amount of work accomplished.
“We’re a small group,” Macdonald said.
She said there is a core of five or six who are the most active and were the primary creators of the books.
“Sometimes in the life an association everything comes together … I think it is the people and their interests and skills which leads to what is accomplished. I think we are fortunate that a number of us enjoy writing, photography, and researching. When you put your heads together you can really do something.”
She said there are about 10 members, and new members are welcome.
Macdonald added having people come in for short terms to undertake specific tasks has also worked out well.
She cited two earlier books generated by the group – compilations of earlier essays and interviews. While the project has been on hold for a while, Macdonald said with a few more bodies, the work can be carried on once more.
Councillor David Turton asked what the local relationship is with the Huron County Heritage Association.
Macdonald said it has not been approached officially regarding cemetery transcriptions for the Clifford cemetery.
However, she believed the Wellington County Genealogical Society make that contact.
“The other group would have to release the original copies.”
She added that all the cemeteries have had one reading – but it has been 15 or more years. If they release the original transcripts, she believes the local group can organize a team of cemetery scribes – train them – and carry on.
“There’s been no indication that Huron particularly wants the job.”
Macdonald added that the group had been asked to transcribed a cemetery near Mount Forest, but declined.
Councillor Ron Elliott was amazed the amount of interest their work has generated.
When asked about any items or articles found by the group, Macdonald said, “We try not to collect them because we have nowhere to put them.”
She also described the Wellington County Museum and Archives “as a gem.” She recommended council take a look at it.
“Their new archives, which just opened last year, are state of the art.”
She said the Minto group works very closely with archivist Karen Wagner and museum staff.
Group members do keep notes and such, and many were incorporated into the barn books, which Macdonald said was a wonderful community project.
“The farming community worked very closely with us and were excited about it. We took down tons of materials in interviews.”
Macdonald said the group’s modus operandi has been to pass on the materials to where it is most appropriate.
“But you won’t find us with a lot of things. We encourage people to send items to the museum and archives. I think the fear has been once it goes there it will never see the light of day again.”
While she agreed no museum can have all of its collection on display all the time, “They are very careful with their storage and very willing to loan items for exhibits.”
She cited several exhibits hosted in Minto, with items borrowed from the museum.
Bridge said when the new library [expansion] is built, the upper floor would be accessible, and provide an opportunity for display.
“That will serve Harriston well,” Macdonald agreed.
Bridge said the space might also be utilized to display some of the museum artifacts as well.
He noted one of the concerns raised by the Wellington museum is that it cannot be sending fragile items to a location where they might be damaged.
Macdonald said there are no problems with short term exhibits.
