Amherstburg Historic Sites Association hosts its annual AGM

The Amherstburg Historic Sites Association (AHSA), the board that operates the Park House Museum, held its annual general meeting on the museum’s second floor last Tuesday evening.

The Amherstburg Historic Sites Association (AHSA) has held its annual general meeting (AGM) and went over the year that has gone by.

The AHSA, the board that operates the Park House Museum, met on the top floor of the museum last Tuesday night. Chaired by president Fred Roberts, the meeting went over the museum’s operations and accomplishments over the 2024-25 year.

Curator Kat Bezaire said the museum has been working on accessibility and becoming more welcoming. The meeting was held in the Indigenous Learning Gallery and Bezaire pointed out the resources that go with that. She added they presented the “We Were Always Here” exhibit highlighting the 2SLGBTQ+ community earlier in the summer and they have also fundraised for Trans Wellness Ontario.

Bezaire pointed out the work and fundraising to restore the Park House Museum’s pensioner’s cottage. She highlighted the $10,000 donation from the Stephen P. Copeland Foundation.

The pensioner’s cottage turns 170-years-old next year, noting it was 170 years since pensioners got off their boats to claim their cottages.

Bezaire said the museum will continue to meet its mandates of being accessible and welcoming, noting they want to share the site’s history and make everyone feel welcome.

“History belongs to everyone,” she said.

Victor Lavergne spoke on behalf of the Park House Museum’s tinsmiths, noting they have had over $11,000 in orders since the start of January. They ship tinware as far as Winnipeg and Texas. While they have had their successes this year, Lavergne pointed out the tinsmiths have also had setbacks such as tinsmith Paul Laframboise passing away and health issues to others.

Park House tinsmith Victor Lavergne shows a work in progress.

While positions on the board will be decided by the AHSA at a future meeting, seven of the nine people on the board are returning members. They include Roberts, Lavergne, Janet Willoughby, John McDonald, Janet Gardiner, Kathy Mayville, and Norm Browning. Two new members to the board are Larry Odette and Chad Bonifazi. 

Amherstburg Historic Sites Association hosts its annual AGM

By Ron Giofu