Kennebec Historical
Society
comes out
By Jeff Green
A group of Kennebec
residents have been meeting monthly since last summer to discuss the
formation of a local historical society. They have been sharing
stories, and exploring how to accomplish the goal of preserving and
sharing the history of the area.
“We’ve got an
enthusiastic group of volunteers who have already begun to gather
materials: pictures, letters, etc. and we are looking for a location
for materials,” said Sarah Hale, of Arden Batik, a representative
of the group who appeared before Central Frontenac Council earlier
this week.
The group had a location
in mind. There is a storage room in the Kennebec Hall that holds some
township records but is otherwise empty, and according to a letter
sent to council, “would enable the group to begin what it feels is
the valuable task in preserving the heritage of our area.”
John Purdon, Olden
councilor, asked Sarah Hale if she had thought of the possibility of
a Central Frontenac Heritage Society since there already is an Oso
historical society and a railway museum committee.
“To my mind there is
something about local history, specifically for towns that have
disappeared,” Hale replied, “if there is a Central Frontenac
Society as an umbrella group we would certainly welcome that.”
As to the question of how
the township could deal with their own material if the space were to
be made available to the Kennebec group, interim Chief Administrative
Officer John Duchene said that some of the material might no longer
be required and could be destroyed and it would be possible to move
the rest of the material to township buildings in Mountain Grove,
where there is quite a bit of space available. Among the items still
in the hall, which used to include the township office for Kennebec
Township, is the Kennebec office vault.
“That leaves us with
the question of the fee. I would suggest $10 per year, just to make
thing legal, “ said Oso Councillor Frances Smith.
“I think this will give
a big boost to the group. We’ve purchased a recorder, and we will
be getting out and talking to people and recording their
recollections,” said Sarah Hale.
Council passed a motion
approving the formation of the Kennebec Historical Society and also
agreed to lease space in the Kennebec Hall for $10 a year.
