By Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
Community members and dignitaries gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Maidstone Bicentennial Museum and the Maidstone & Area Historical Society – recognizing the countless hours volunteers have put into operating and maintaining the museum.
To open the celebration, Victoria Beaulieu, Curator for the Maidstone Bicentennial Museum, shared her thoughts and experiences with the group detailing the many successes and challenges the Society has faced over time.
Deputy mayor of Lakeshore and local historian, Kirk Walstedt, was able to share his experience working with the museum over the years, while serving the community going back to when he was acting Deputy Reeve for Maidstone in 1983.
According to Walstedt, in 1874, the land located on Puce Road, was sold and Maidstone municipal building was built a year later. The building caught fire in 1914 resulting in the rebuilding of a second municipal building, where the museum stands today. That facility remained the town hall until 1964.
“The Council for Maidstone at the time was considering tearing down the building that houses the Museum today,” said Walstedt. “We were lucky enough to get some grants at the time through MP Eugene Whelan to restore the building and that was the beginning of the transition to a museum.”
Beaulieu was on Council at the time and Walstedt invited her to “get involved,” with the project
and on October 16, 1984, the Maidstone & Area Historical Society was founded.
“In 2004 we ran into some problems, the group was getting older and the Township wasn’t maintaining the building very well,” she said. “In 2006, the Museum did receive a significant donation to put on a new slate roof on the heritage building. That same year the group decided to add an outside garden.”
Today, that garden boasts over 70 species of native plants, shrubs, trees, and bushes – some of which are at risk.
“That is in part due to ERCA helping expand the garden in those early years, and the dedication of Society members over the years,” she added. “From there we added a number of educational programs for school kids.”
In 2007, the group began the Voyager and War of 1812 encampment and they continue today.
In 2013, the Maidstone & Area Historical Society acquired a third municipal building from Maidstone, which was located next door and used as a resource centre.
“Eventually, the roof began to leak, and the Town of Lakeshore decided to tear the building down in 2016,” she added.
Beaulieu shared that in 2020, the Maidstone Bicentennial Museum received a $120,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant for a renovation at the back of the building and the addition of a pavilion. The following year, they received another $30,000 to install a barn.
Essex MP Chris Lewis and MPP Anthony Leardi attended the celebration, presenting the museum with a certificate of recognition on reaching the milestone.
Beaulieu said that they are grateful to the Canada Summer Jobs program, which has allowed them to add many young, bright students – bringing the museum to life.
“The Ontario Trillium Foundation has been extremely generous with us, Beaulieu shared.
“It’s a small venue, but we do accomplish a lot. We are the best kept little secret in Essex County.”
To learn more, log onto www.maidstonemuseum.com
Photo by Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
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