Marsh Historical Collection gives students look at Remembrance Day

Meg Reiner, collections co-ordinator with the Marsh Historical Collection, talks about a former cenotaph location with Grade 7 students at Stella Maris School. It was part of the Marsh Collection’s new “Amherstburg Landmark” series.

The Marsh Historical Collection and Stella Maris Catholic Elementary School teamed up to let students get a look at Remembrance Day and commemorations from the past.

Meg Reiner, the collections co-ordinator at the Marsh Historical Collection, and Marsh Historical Collection volunteer Rob Way were at Stella Maris last Thursday morning giving a lesson in history to Maria Morrison’s Grade 7 class. Way is a retired Stella Maris teacher.

Reiner first outlined the history of the Marsh Historical Collection, founded by the Marsh family. Arthur and Bessie Marsh ran The Amherstburg Echo before turning it over to their son and daughter John and Helen, with the newspaper being in the Marsh family for over 80 years.

Their collection of historical materials and artifacts is how the Marsh Historical Collection was founded, with the Echo being an important way of researching local history. Reiner noted there are over 10,000 photos in the Marsh Historical Collection’s possession.

The presentation to the students is part of the Marsh Historical Collection’s newly launched “Amherstburg Landmark” series, with the cenotaph being a landmark explored with the Grade 7 students. Reiner noted that a cenotaph is a monument for those who died in war but are buried elsewhere.

Reiner showed photographs of soldiers heading off to war, some by train, with the train station still standing but now housing the Gibson Gallery. She also showed the students letters home and said the soldiers appreciated parcels that were sent to them overseas.

The original cenotaph was located in East Town Park, now Bill Wigle Park, with columns near sidewalks off of Laird Ave. and Sandwich St. S. Originally founded for World War I veterans in 1924, it was added to pay tribute to World War II veterans and Korean War veterans. It was located next to General Amherst High School.

The original columns cost $4,000.

The cenotaph was later relocated to H. Murray Smith Centennial Park after the expansion of General Amherst High School. It was relocated once again, this time to King’s Navy Yard Park, with the cenotaph itself being replaced in 2008 by the monument that is there today.

Plaques have been added around the cenotaph to further educate the public on who the soldiers were who fought. 

“The Legion is the main organization that puts on Remembrance Day ceremonies in town,” said Reiner.

Reiner pointed out the Legion’s work in assisting veterans all year round.

The “Amherstburg Landmark” series is open to all schools with topics ranging from statues and buildings in town to churches, the school buildings themselves and more. For more information, contact the Marsh Historical Collection at www.marshcollection.org, visit them in the Heritage Square plaza at 80 Richmond St. or call 519-736-9191.

Marsh Historical Collection gives students look at Remembrance Day

By Ron Giofu