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Special Historical Projects "Community Memories"created by member of the Schoolhouse Museum and posted on the Virtual Museum of Canada (CD copies available)
Project
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Links to Project on Virtual Museum
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Virtual Museum Link to Chalk River Project
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| Introduction 
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The Rolph, Buchanan, Wylie and McKay Historical Society is pleased to inform your readers of the completion of our second "Community Memories" project entitled "Coppsville/Clarksville aka CHALK RIVER". We would also like to thank all those members of the public who assisted us in this endeavour, both from their family snapshot albums and from their personal memories. In this project, the School House Museum will endeavour to open a window in digital format on the history of the community of Chalk River , Ontario, Canada. We wish to thank local historian Mr. Maurice Blimkie for his granting of unlimited access to his 1979 publication, "Historical Account Of The Village of Chalk River." In this book Mr Blimkie documented a wide range of facets of the community's past. We hope to draw upon
these threads of history, expand upon then, and extend them into the present day (2005). For many years before its name became synonymous with
the Canadian nuclear industry, Chalk River, Ontario
was a vibrant centre of activity in the Upper Ottawa
Valley. Most early pioneers lived within a three-mile radius of the village as it exists today, but
some settled as far away as the Deep River and Wylie
districts. The School House Museum explores
mysteries and misconceptions about the town, such as
its origins and how it got its name. Many believe,
for example, that Chalk River owes its existence to the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway
(C.P.R.). While the railroad did contribute to the
area’s development, farmers and lumbermen who relied
on the Ottawa River for transportation had settled
in the region long before the railroad was built.
Using digital technology, the School House Museum
opens a window on all these aspects of Chalk River’s
history. |
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Project
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Links to Project on Virtual Museum
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Virtual Museum Link to Swisha Project
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| Introduction 
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The School House Museum's presentation of “The SWISHA Project” leads the viewer through the 1940s construction by the Ontario Hydro Power Corporation of a major hydro electric power dam on the Ottawa River at Des Joachims (pronounced locally as ‘D'Swisha’), Quebec, Canada. It includes life in the construction camps, the dislocation/relocation of communities up stream, the effect of
the dam on the lumber industry on the river, the creation of the Hydro Colony at Rolphton, Ontario, life in the Colony, the dismantling of the Colony and relocation of its buildings. The viewer can access details of the project in Ontario Hydro's 1948 Publication, “Des Joachims Generating Station, Ottawa River,” and a month-by -month account of the dam's construction as detailed in the final edition of the Ontario Hydro Construction Division's publication, “DesJoachims
News.” An account of the project, as seen through the eyes of freelance writer, Bruce McLeod, and published in the November 1950 issue of Maclean’s magazine under the title, "The Biggest Dam’ Dam I Ever See," brings a human touch for the viewer.
The presentation concludes with an acknowledgment
of the sacrifice made by those who lost their lives
during construction. |
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Project
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Links to Project on Virtual Museum
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Virtual Museum Link to
Carver Project |
Introduction
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The woodcarvers of Renfrew
County have earned national and international renown for works spanning a
broad spectrum from the finest wooden jewellery to the tallest totem pole in
Ontario. This Community Memories exhibit chronicles the lives and showcases
the artistry of Renfrew County's woodcarvers from 1846 to the present day.
To achieve this substantial project, the Schoolhouse Museum collaborated
with other members of the Renfrew County Museums Network, documenting
woodcarvings from all corners of this expansive county. While some
woodcarvers made a living selling their works, many indulged in the craft
for personal satisfaction, giving their carvings to friends and family as
gifts. These works have also been recorded after an extensive search of the
county through local media. In order to present a full and accurate history
of Renfrew County's celebrated art form, the exhibit features newspaper
clippings and photographs saved by descendants of early carvers, as well as
excerpts from books and articles, including the Tamarack Magazine of Deep
River High School.
Acknowledgements: We would like to thank all who assisted in the creation
of this project, including, but not limited to, carvers currently active,
retired carvers, families of deceased carvers, members of the Renfrew County
Museums Network, Folk Art collectors, and the local Media. |
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at the Chalk River Craft Fair on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005
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Schoolhouse Museum during summer months,
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ordered from John Wright at 613-584-4219 or email jd-haw@nrtco.net
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