Park House Museum holds BBQ to help bolster fundraising efforts

Summer student Callie McRorie (left) and curator Kat Bezaire were selling hot dogs and tinware as part of a barbecue last Saturday. 

In an effort to raise some cash for the renovations needed for their pensioner’s cottage, the Park House Museum held a fundraising event last weekend.

A barbecue and tinware sale was held last Saturday outside the historic cottage, located in back of the museum’s main building. Curator Kat Bezaire said money raising efforts are progressing with the goal being $9,000.

“Fundraising is going well,” said Bezaire. “It’s mostly about getting the word out. We’re getting more visitors and more interaction on social media.”

Orders for tin products are “crazy” right now, with the eight active tinsmiths working hard to keep up with orders. In addition to the tinware the Park House Museum is selling, the museum is also supplying it to the Disney+ series “Washington Black.”

The restoration efforts to the pensioner’s cottage includes replacing the rotten siding, repainting, and taking measures to ensure that the rest of the building remains intact. The funds will also be allocated to ensure the upmost historical accuracy, Bezaire noted.

People can still donate to the Park House’s efforts to restore the pensioner’s cottage by visiting www.parkhousemuseum.com/donate or www.gofundme.com/f/restore-our-historic-pensioners-cottage.

The Park House Museum is also staying active in other ways. The next “Music off the Back Porch” is this Friday evening from 5:30-7:30 p.m. with musical entertainment being The Bluegrass Bunch and Compass Rose.

The event is weather permitting and it is recommended that those attending bring their own lawn chairs. It is free to attend but donations are accepted.

The Park House Museum is also hosting three Harry Potter themed fireplace cooking classes during the Sept. 19-21 Amherstburg Uncommon Festival. Two classes the evening of Sept. 19 are geared towards adults while a Sept. 21 class in more family-oriented, said Bezaire.

People can sign up for the cooking classes through www.parkhousemuseum.com or by calling 519-736-2511. The cost is $30 per person with half of the proceeds going to Trans Wellness.

“We’re trying to spread the love a little bit,” said Bezaire.

Another Park House Museum initiative is “Fill the Hearth for the Harvest.” It is a food drive where they are accepting donations of non-perishable food items and hygiene supplies for the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission. They are trying to fill a historic hearth in the museum and donations will be collected until Oct. 1.

Most needed hygiene items include toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, toilet paper and deodorant. Food items required are jam, fruit snacks, bear paws, peanut butter, large soups, Side Kicks, tuna, canned fruit, applesauce cups, pudding cups, canned potatoes, mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup.

A Public Investigation, in partnership with PO3 Paranormal, is Sept. 20 and 21 from 7-9 p.m. and 9:30-11:30 p.m. with the cost being $25 per person. Pre-registration is required.

The Park House Museum is located at 214 Dalhousie St. in Amherstburg.

Park House Museum holds BBQ to help bolster fundraising efforts

By Ron Giofu