South Frontenac Museum to mark 1st anniversary this weekend

Jeff Green | Aug 10, 2016

Last year, to mark the 150th anniversary of Frontenac County, the Township of South Frontenac took on the project of turning the former schoolhouse in Hartington, which had been used as a charitable second-hand store for many years, into a gleaming new museum.

With a fully accessible entrance, energy-efficient windows constructed to heritage standards, and a lot of cleaning and polishing, the museum was ready for its grand opening last August 15.

This summer the museum has been helped out by Nicole Hochguertel, who has been promoting the museum and other recreational activities in the township. The museum has regular open hours on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m., and is also available for groups by appointment.

“We've done pretty well this summer for attendance, even though our hours are limited,” she said on a hot summer day last week, as she enjoyed the newly installed air conditioning.

The museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the entire township, but has its roots in the collection of the Portland District & Area Historical Society, which formed in 2002 and has gathered artifacts and memorabilia from the 200-year history of the area. These include materials from local schools, tools from the farms and homesteads that dotted the landscape not that long ago, furniture, clothing, books and photographs.

“Many museums restrict themselves to a specific era, but here, it is the location and the lifestyles from different eras that are featured in the displays,” said Hochguertel.

Many of the people who have come to the museum this summer have roots in the region and want to look at the historical records and photos to see family connections. For children, Hochguertel has developed scavenger hunts to help them engage with the material.

She also hears from people throughout the township who have items that might be of historical interest or significance. However, because there is little or no storage space at the museum, which has only one room, it is not currently engaged in adding to the collection, except in rare cases and only for small items. For now, the focus is on attracting visitors.

To mark the 1st anniversary of the opening, the museum is holding a birthday party this Saturday, August 13 from 12 noon to 4 pm. There will be special guests at the party, dressed in period costume. Beth Abbott will be demonstrating spinning wool into fabric on the museum's spinning wheel; Earl Brown will be on hand to talk about the family home in bygone days; and Floyd Reynolds will have some farm equipment on display outside in the parking lot.

There will also be cake and coffee.

Admission to the South Frontenac Museum is free or by donation.

“We hope that some people who drive by the museum and wonder what's in there and when it is open will take the opportunity to stop by on Saturday and take a look at what we have,” she said.

The museum will remain open for three days a week until Thanksgiving. The museum is located at 5595 Road 38 in Hartington.