South Frontenac Museum celebrates holiday season

Julie Druker | Dec 09, 2015

On December 5 following the Harrowsmith Santa Claus parade, the South Frontenac Museum on Road 38 in Hartington opened its doors for those with a hankering for some local history. For anyone who may have missed the quaint new museum’s official opening in August of this year, it was an opportunity to see what all the fuss is about. Members of the Portland District and Area Heritage Society, who currently manage the museum, were on hand passing out hot cider and inviting guests to enjoy a wide range of sweet holiday treats while perusing the many historical displays.

One display set up especially for the holiday season was a Christmas tree decorated with very old Christmas ornaments, many of which came from their former home at the old Verona post office. Santa Claus also made a visit and youngsters received candy canes from the jolly old elf.

Barb Stewart, president of the heritage society, was pleased to see so many guests enjoying the displays, which feature a wide range of home furnishings, memorabilia and archives from various hamlets across the township, including Murvale, Harrowsmith, Petworth, Verona, Hartington and Bellrock.

The museum came about thanks to a number of local citizens who formed the society in 2002. In 2008 they moved to have it become a committee of the council of the Township of South Frontenac. In 2012 the society was contracted to manage the museum, which is housed in the old limestone schoolhouse in Hartington. Since that time the building underwent a number of renovations, making it the perfect location to house historical artifacts. Ann Archer and Debbie Twiddy of the local flute trio, Toute Ensemble, were on hand playing beautiful music and guests included David Jeffries of Noor in Kingston, who headed up the renovations to the museum’s front door and the design and building of its accessible outdoor ramp. Jeffries, who lives in Oakville, also donated a number of books to the museum. For more information about the South Frontenac Museum or to become a member of the society visit www.portlandheritagesociety.ca