It doesn’t matter what time or place a person comes from, there’s plenty of interest happening at the Arthur Child Museum in Gananoque for the upcoming summer season.

written by Lorraine Payette, June 8, 2013

(GANANOQUE, ONTARIO) The weather may be on a bit of a roller coaster, but things at the Arthur Child Museum are really warming up. This upcoming season has something for everyone, with a lot devoted to continuing coverage of the War of 1812.

“The Exhibit created by the Canadian War Museum, 1812 – One War Four Perspectives, sponsored by TD and http://www.ancestry.ca , tells the story of the War as seen through the eyes of the four very different participants: Canadian, British, American and First Nations,” said Linda Mainse, Executive Director at the Arthur Child Heritage Museum. “It is an impressive exhibit and will be here until August 25th.”

Many may remember the re-enactment of the march by the 104th Foot Regiment held in March and April. The original famous trek brought much needed aid to Canada’s cause during the War of 1812.

“Early in July we will receive 10 paintings created by 10 New Brunswick artists based on the writings in the journal kept by the Commander of the 104th of Foot regiment which left New Brunswick in February 1813 and made their way to Kingston to bolster the troops here. Each artist chose an event from the journal as the focus of a painting. This opportunity came to us quite unexpectedly. We anticipate having them on display at least into mid August and will plan a Meet the Artist evening soon after their arrival. They are currently hanging in the New Brunswick legislature.”

This stunning display is only a small part of the activities the museum has in store for its visitors.

“Our 6th Annual Fundraiser, ‘A Summer Evening in the Islands’ will be held on July 11th at the RIVA, formerly the Golden Apple (45 King Street West in Gananoque),” said Mainse. “The theme is ‘Then and Now’. Newly opened, we will be treated to an evening of fine wine, gourmet food stations and the wonderful music of the 40’s when the Golden Apple was in its prime. We will launch our new Website and introduce images for our new Exhibit Project, a Ships Wheelhouse, to be housed in our Tower. Tickets are $125 per person with a $70 tax receipt.”

All of this is in addition to the June speaker series. Held at the museum on Wednesday evenings throughout the month, they run from 7:00 – 8:00 pm at a cost of $5 per person. Having started on June 5, topics include an evening with Mary Thomas, authour of “David’s War: The Boys of Gananoque”; the June 12 presentation by Dorothy Duncan, authour of “Hoping for the Best, Preparing for the Worst: Everyday Life in Upper Canada, 1812 – 1814”; local historian Brian Phillips on June 19 with “Canada’s First Glassworks”; and Dr. Greg Baran returns on June 26 with “Blood Letting in 1812”.

But Mainse and the museum could never be content with the thought that they might not have covered everything the public might be interested in. Therefore, as chair of Gananoque’s 1812 Bicentennial Events committee, she was delighted to announce that plans are in the works for another great event planned for July.

“On the evening of Sunday, July 7, we will present ‘Flames of War’ a Sound and Light Show in Joel Stone Heritage Park,” said Mainse. “On Monday July 8th and Tuesday July 9th, On Tour, another Parks Canada tent exhibit, will set up in the Park. In the late afternoon, early evening of Monday, 8th, the Flotilla of Oar and Sail will arrive for its first stopover en-route to Chryslers Farm. The three tall ships and numerous gunboats will set up camp for the night, we will have a meet and greet with Town dignitaries. We hope that MP Gord Brown and MPP Steve Clark will be able to attend. While our 18’ tipi will be opened only for guests only not the public, there will be a Celtic band playing on the stage – all and all a stellar evening is in store.”

For more information on the museum and attending any of these programs, please contact them at (613) 382-2535 or visit http://www.1000islandsheritagemuseum.com/ .