December 2001

What a summer...

It’s been a busy second half to 2001. We had 93 tours and approximately 4300 visitors over the summer and fall.

Homecoming

The Civil War exhibit has been a big success, which was also our theme for Homecoming. The festivities were blessed with terrific weather allowing thousands to visit, participate and enjoy our activities.

The re-enactment of the Battle of Honey Hill, South Carolina stunned all who watched and heard. The guns and cannon fire broke the country silence for miles. It was exciting.... and ear shattering

Yesterday & Tomorrow

We were extended an invitation to participate in the unveiling of the Underground Railroad monuments in Detroit & Windsor in October. These sculptures, standing opposite each other across the Detroit River, will be a constant reminder of the struggles to escape slavery through the UGRR. Both are a great inspiration, as seen in the images in this newsletter

February is Black History Month. The Royal Ontario Museum has asked us to augment their display of the UGRR. This is a great opportunity for us. The display will be open for 6 months and over half a million visitors will discover Buxton’s heritage. Check our exhibit if you’re in the Toronto area between February & August 2002.

... and for March/April 2002

A travelling exhibit titled “Free at Last - A History of the Abolition of Slavery in America”, will be on display at the museum during March and April next year. This exhibit was developed by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, New York City, NY. It hopes to provide insights into how abolition became a national issue. From 1780 to 1865 it was one of the United States’ most extraordinary crusades.

Friends of Buxton

You can join us and support the work of the Buxton Historical Society by becoming a Friend of Buxton. It’s easy to become a member. Contact us to apply

We have implemented a new policy of featuring 2 or 3 families for a display at our annual Homecoming Celebrations. As our theme was “The Civil War”, the three families featured descended from Buxton Civil War Veterans:

These families have been placed into our Family Tree Database, and descendant reports are available from the museum for $10.00. Simple copies of the family trees are also available for $2.00 per page and photographs for family members available for $5.00. These may be purchased at the museum during our regular open hours.

If you have any information concerning these families, please share with us so we may update or correct information currently in our database.

A new Underground Railroad exhibit is being planned for 2002. More families will be featured for this upcoming theme.

SS #13 Schoolhouse

Our vision became reality August 27, when work began on SS #13 Schoolhouse restoration. The foundation is almost complete, pressed tin on interior walls and ceiling is being removed for cleaning & restoration and all electrical wiring is completed.

Buxton’s own Bradonna Woodworking Inc has been contracted to fabricate the siding, sills, door and window trim. We are very excited with the progress and on schedule for completion May 28, 2002.

The First Baptist Church parsonage is receiving a much needed facelift. A new roof has been installed, and the siding is being replaced with recycled 1915 siding from SS#13 Schoolhouse.

Doors, windows, heating and cooling will be targeted to complete the renovation. Currently the parsonage is storing many of Buxton’s artifacts not currently on display.
 

Board Elections

Buxton Historic Society elected it’s new Board members in November:

Chairman - Keenan Thomas
Vice Chair - Bryan Prince
Secretary - Shannon Prince
Treasurer - Mike Anderson

We would like to thank the outgoing board members for their hard work, and welcome the new officers in their new responsibilities.

and We’re growing...

The museum has acquired the Henderson House, one of the original log homes of the Elgin Settlement. Currently on the 10th line, we hope to move it to the museum grounds after national archeologists have surveyed its present site. Plans for this home are being explored...

Buxton National Historic Site & Museum

P.O. Box 3

North Buxton, Ontario N0P 1Y0

Tel: (519) 352-4799

Fax: (519) 352-8561

www.buxtonmuseum.com 

buxton@ciaccess.com