Missisquoi Historical Society




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  • Missisquoi Historical Society

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    Our Mission

     

    The Missisquoi History Society (MHS) is dedicated to the acquisition, conservation, presentation, interpretation, education and dissemination of the history and heritage of Missisquoi County. We believe that history is continually evolving and to this end, we offer programs, research and exhibits that celebrate our past and our present in Missisquoi County for present and future generations.

     

    The Cornell Mill

     

    The mission of the Missisquoi Historical Society revolves around the management of three places: the Cornell Mill, Hodge’s General Store and the Walbridge Barn. Three main orientations guide our actions in these three places: the history and heritage of families and important figures and enterprises in the Cornell Mill; daily and business life in Hodge’s General Store, as well as farming and the accomplishments of Alexander Walbridge in a unique heritage barn. The Cornell Mill, Hodge’s General Store and the Walbridge Barn are collectively recognized as the Missisquoi Museum (created in 1964), a place where the MHS collections and archives are presented and accessible to the public.

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    Our History

     

    In spite of drifting snow and severe cold, thirty-nine people gathered on a January morning in 1960 at the Bedford High School to discuss the revitalization of the dormant Missisquoi Historical Society. Founded in 1899, the Society was active until the beginning of World War I and while not dissolved, it became idle for nearly 50 years. Interest to revive the sleeping historical society began at the Cowansville Community School in the history classes offered by Marion Phelps and Gerald Hawke.

    Strengthened by a renewed commitment from community volunteers, a new bilingual constitution restated the Missisquoi Historical Society’s dedication to preserve its local history. By the autumn of 1961, a temporary museum was established in a school house in Dunham, Quebec and the Society published its sixth annual and illustrated report. The Missisquoi County Museum was opened officially by Kenneth Baker Q.C. of Montreal in October 1962.

    The grand opening 1964

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    The vision of the first board of directors was to collect objects and documents pertaining to all history relating to Missisquoi County and in particular to the Loyalist settlement history and the early families that farmed and settled the county in the 18th and 19th centuries. Fittingly then, the first object given to the Museum and assigned a catalogue number was a late 18th century threshing flail donated by Foster Wightman in June 1964.

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    Our Administration

     

    The Missisquoi Historical Society is administered by a board of directors elected at its annual general meeting. The board holds monthly meetings; it is made up of members from the local communities.

     

    Our Affiliations

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    Canadian Museums Association

    Centre de conservation du Québec

    The Eastern Townships Resource Centre

    CLD Brome-Missisquoi

    La Fédération Histoire Québec

    La Société des musées du Québec

    The Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network

    Tourism Brome-Missisquoi

    Tourism Eastern Townships

     

    Our Supporters

    The museum would like to thank the following organizations for their financial support

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    Ministère de la Culture et des Communications

    Department of Canadian Heritage

    Secrétariat aux relations avec les Québécois d’expression anglaise

    Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations

    Canada Summer Jobs

    Hydro Québec

    Municipality of Stanbridge East

    Municipality of St. Ignace-de-Stanbridge

    Municipality of Canton de Bedford

    Municipality of Dunham

    Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network (QAHN)

    Bélanger-Gardner Foundation

    Townshippers’ Research & Cultural Foundation

    CLD Brome-Missisquoi

    MRC Brome-Missisquoi

    Caisse Desjardins de Bedford

    MNP S.E.N.C.R.L., srl/LLP

     

     

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