Community Archives committee has been busy lately

Craig Bakay | Aug 16, 2017

The last little while has been a busy time for the Clarendon & Miller Community Archives (CMCA), Coordinator Brenda Martin told North Frontenac Council last week at its regular meeting in Ompah. The CMCA is planning an open house Aug. 30 from 1-4 p.m. at the Plevna Library to update the public on its activities as well as say goodbye to its student workers who have put in many hours on its various projects. “The Historic Tours of North Frontenac is very exciting,”

Martin said. “I guarantee you will learn a lot about this Township you did not know before.” She said that mostly through the summer students, the entire CMA website has been revised and updated, a virtual tour planned and enhanced hundreds of photos (removing scratches and folds etc). “The goal is to have the Tour Guidebook at least ready for production by Aug. 30,” she said. That project was funded by the Township and a Community Foundation for Kingston and Area Grant. Martin also provided updates for the 2017 and 2016 Township Community Grants. On the 2016 grant, she said: “The 10th anniversary of CMCA was a celebration Memories of General Stores. “Although that research is stored at the Archives in binders and available on the CMCA website, our committee members regretted it had not been published in book format.

“The book has been compiled (and) it is our intention to publish limited copies for the local libraries and the Cloyne Museum. It should be ready for the end of August.” On the 2017 grant she said: “The lodge research event May 6 had a huge turnout. The material was produced in book format with complimentary copies provided to the Ompah Community Library, the Cloyne Public Library, the Plevna Public Library and the Cloyne Museum. “It was not deemed a major fundraiser, and we will publish more copies as the demand requires.” Also on the 2017 grant, Martin said they’ve done “extensive research” on 10 historic signs “based on the best information and photos available to us.” She said the signs should be ready for installation in 2017. Martin also expressed concern about a lack of storage space. “We can develop things but where do we put them?” she said. “We don’t even have storage space.” Coun. Gerry Martin suggested that there was an old township office in the Community Centre in Plevna. “The library was there at one point,” he said. “There was a mold problem but that was fixed.” “There might be some space in the old township office up the road here,” said Mayor Ron Higgins.