Arnprior's museum to recreate general store as part of county Expo 150 event

Posted May 19, 2011 By Theresa Fritz

EMC News - Renfrew County museums will be doing their part to take residents down memory lane as part of the County of Renfrew's Expo 150.

The event, set to take place June 6-12 at the Pembroke and Area Airport, is being billed at the largest local festival in Renfrew County. And the free event will not only showcase all that the county and its 17 municipalities and the City of Pembroke have to offer, but also its rich history over the last 150 years.

The County of Renfrew was formed on June 8, 1861 by an Act of Legislature of the Province 'An Act to provide for the separation of the County of Renfrew from the County of Lanark'.

The expo will feature a number of events and activities include a pioneer village, antique car show, cultural exhibits, fiddling and stepdancing, artisans, aircraft, live music, agricultural show, vendors, and much more.

In keeping with the historical aspect of the event, the Renfrew County Museum Network members have come together to develop a unique exhibit. One of the museums participating is the Arnprior and District Museum.

"For the people of Renfrew County, this is a major celebration. It should be a great boom for Renfrew County," stated local museum curator Janet Carlile.

Carlile said Arnprior's historical entry is the recreation of a general store from 150 years ago.

"We are trying to make it as accurate as we can," she explained. "Volunteers are working hard to put this together."

Mark Nibourg of the Kenwood Centre has graciously donated space so the store can be constructed and then taken up the line for Expo 150.

"We've been meeting on a twice weekly basis," Carlile.

As work continues on Arnprior's offering, a public appeal is going out to the community to assist with supplying items that can be used to create the general store. Carlile said items can be donated, lent and even possibly purchased by the museum.

Items still needed include a vintage screen door, a store counter, shelves (up to seven feet tall that would look like they belong in a store), a bench, bolts of cotton fabric (like gingham), old pop bottles, glass jars with lids (not Mason jars), tea and coffee tins, lanterns, signs, nail kips or barrel, wood crates, soup cans and cereal boxes.

The Arnprior District Museum isn't the only museum creating a piece of county history for exhibit at Expo 150. Carlile said the Waba Cottage Museum in White Lake is creating a log cabin, the Champlain Trail Museum and Pioneer Village and the Ross Museum in Forrester's Falls are working together to create a schoolhouse, Wilno's Polish Kashub Heritage Museum is working on building a bedroom and the Railway Station Museum in Barry's Bay is building a train station. The Algonquins of Pikwakanagan Museum in Golden Lake is building a teepee and Eganville's Bonnechere Museum is building a meeting place/hotel.

"We are all sort of chipping in to help one another," said Carlile. "History plays such a big part."

As always, volunteers would be gladly welcomed to assist with construction of the Arnprior general store or to volunteer at the exhibit during Expo 150. Carlile said money would be paid for gas to and from the expo site as well as a meal.

There are also a number of local individuals who will act as storytellers as part of the exhibit and anyone who thinks they can captivate an audience with a story should contact Carlile at 613-623-4902.

"We are hoping it (museum exhibit) will be a real showcase," Carlile concluded.

For more detailed information on County of Renfrew Expo 150, please visit www.expo150.com.