New exhibit takes a look back at major local industry

Former employees, family members and the general public take a look at the “Small Town, Big Industry” exhibit during a busy opening reception last Friday night at the Gibson Gallery.

An exhibit detailing the history of Brunner Mond, Allied Chemical and General Chemical has been unveiled by the Marsh Historical Collection.

“Small Town, Big Industry: The Story of Brunner Mond Canada Ltd. and its Successors in Amherstburg” opened last Friday night with a reception and continued throughout the weekend.

While the exhibit was created by the Marsh Historical Collection, it is on display at the Gibson Gallery and will stay there through Feb. 22. It can be viewed weekends from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. each day.

Meg Reiner, collections coordinator with the Marsh Historical Collection, indicated that work on the exhibit started several months ago. She said they wanted to create a large exhibit and wanted to have it based on a major topic related to Amherstburg. Much like Boblo Island, there are people who still have a connection to the former plant, whether it be known as Brunner Mond, Allied Chemical, General Chemical or by any other name (such as AlliedSignal). 

“We started back in the summer,” said Reiner.

Reiner said Ryan Delisle was hired through the Canada Summer Jobs program and Delisle started searching out people to interview. A total of 16 people who either worked there or had family members work there were interviewed and their feedback is part of the exhibit.

“That’s where we learned the new information,” she said. “That’s what you don’t find in the records.”

Reiner joked: “I know a lot more about soda ash than I ever thought I would.”

Brooke MacLeod was another student brought on board to help out and Reiner said her contributions were appreciated as well.

Families First Funeral Home assisted in printing informative posters that go around the Gibson Gallery, with memorabilia, equipment, photos, newsletters, awards and more all part of the exhibit.

“We had a lot of information at the Marsh Collection already,” said Reiner, but noted there were a lot of materials either loaned or donated for the exhibit.

The Marsh Historical Collection tried to be as through as possible with Reiner stating “it was such a complex facility.” She said they wanted to ensure all aspects of the plant and its history was touched up.

“It has such a long history in Amherstburg,” she said. “We didn’t want to miss anything major.”

Reiner said she was happy to see people gathering and reminiscing at the reception and hopes it continues through Feb. 22. The plant helped shape what Amherstburg is today and she believed the town wouldn’t be what it is today without it.

Delisle said he grew up in the LaSalle area but his family made frequent trips to Amherstburg. As a youth, he always thought Amherstburg was “a sleepy little town” but he learned a lot more about the town as he learned about the plant. 

“It’s got more life than you think it does,” he said.

Reiner thanked all those who contributed to the exhibit, noting Reaume Chevrolet Buick GMC is another major sponsor. She expressed gratitude to all the volunteers, donors and supporters, noting Doug Drouillard and Chris Edwards were a big help in getting the exhibit set up.

Lloyd Deslippe came out to view the exhibit, with the 90-year-old stating he worked there in a number of different positions.

“I worked there in the late ‘50s and mid-60’s,” said Deslippe. “I was pretty well (working) all over.”

Deslippe ended his career as a pipe fitter before leaving and becoming a teacher. He said he never thought he would ever be part of an exhibit.

“It was a good place to work,” he said. “The money was good.”

A drawback was the hours.

“I didn’t like working shiftwork,” said Deslippe. “The midnight shift was a killer.”

Lloyd Deslippe and Adeline Kusiak were two of the former employees that attended (right). The exhibit was created  by the Marsh Historical Collection.

John and Maggie Owen came in from Windsor to attend the reception. John’s uncle Thomas William Owen II worked there, as did his daughter-in-law Lori Owen.

Owen displayed a pin and lighter that were handed out to employees from 1949 for it being an accident-free workplace. He recalled it being Brunner Mond, with a similarly named yacht club being nearby.

The Owens attended last Friday night’s reception after seeing an ad for it in the River Town Times.

“It’s nice,” John said of the exhibit. “Well done.”

The Gibson Gallery is located at 140 Richmond St. in Amherstburg. For more information on the Marsh Historical Collection, visit www.marshcollection.org. 

New exhibit takes a look back at major local industry 

By Ron Giofu