KAGAWONG—The annual History Day in Kagawong will be focusing on local historians, photographs and home movies dating back 100 years of the community and of the Old Mill Heritage Museum, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. And, as an extra special treat, music is being provided by the Manitoulin Swing Band.
“We’re sticking with the theme of the Old Mill Heritage Museum 100th anniversary celebration,” stated museum curator Rick Nelson. “We’re going to have the Manitoulin Swing Band perform twice at both the matinee and evening history day events. They will be starting off the presentations and put a nice cap on the end of each program.”
Mr. Nelson will be presenting a power point presentation featuring photographs and home movies dating back over 100 years in the community. “The photographs and home movies are being provided by the Lamb family of Whiskey Lane in the community. They are seasonal residents, having had five generations of family members live in Billings each summer. They have home movies and photographs relating to their time at the camp and what has taken place in the community over the years. We feature the videos in the museum, and to complement this will be presenting vintage photographs of the Old Mill, what the area looked before it was built, when it was being built right through to the present day.”
At intermission at each of the matinee and evening programs, light refreshments will be provided.
Long-time TVO host Steve Paikin, “will then be interviewing a number of local historians, including Dianne Fraser (a member of the Old Mill Heritage Museum Committee), and her involvement during the inception of the museum and the years since. Steve will ask her questions about the birth and development of the museum.”
“He (Mr. Paikin) will then be interviewing Lois Linley, who predated the opening of the museum and was one of the original founders of the Kagawong Historical Society,” said Mr. Nelson. “She also has history on the evolution of the township over the years.”
“Candy Tracy will also be interviewed by Mr. Paikin,” said Mr. Nelson. “She will round out the story on the history of Billings and provide her own unique perspective of the Old Mill.”
“The Manitoulin Swing Band will close the show, with two or three songs to finish off the event,” said Mr. Nelson.
History Day in Kagawong will take place on Thursday, August 14 at the Kagawong Park Centre. A matinee takes place at 3:30 pm, with an evening presentation at 7:30 pm. Admission is free but donations in support of museum projects are appreciated.
