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
