Resident wants outdoor museum founded and themes planned around it

Kings Navy Yard Park in Amherstburg.

An Amherstburg resident would like to see more done to bring local history to life, with his idea being an outdoor museum.

Kurt Reffle said his “outdoor museum project” would see the town partner with various agencies, including the Marsh Historical Collection, to put up signage with photos around the town explaining local history and what was there.

Reffle said he has seen that concept used in other Ontario towns he has visited.

“When I travel through Ontario, I always take the back roads,” he said. “I go through a lot of small towns.”

Reffle recalled seeing information posted in Lot 10 Brewing Co., when it was open on Dalhousie St. He believes that type of information should be available in front of heritage properties around town, including those that no longer have the heritage building in front of it. Regarding the latter, people could read a sign, see the picture and gain a better understanding of what was there.

Murals and buildings with photographs on them “get a lot of traction,” he said, adding the reproductions provided by Art Windsor-Essex is a good start.

“That’s pretty cool how they display the art,” said Reffle.

Reffle said he goes through Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada and sees people reading the historical plaques there. He believes that could be something good for the rest of Amherstburg.

Noting that discussions have taken place with town committees on how to monetize the new Heritage Conservation District (HCD), Reffle believes that could be a way to do that. There could be an increase in tourism with an outdoor museum, he believes, but it could also benefit residents as well.

“For people who have been here a long time, it will bring back memories,” said Reffle. “It’s not just for tourists. I think the town could appreciate it too.”

Reffle also suggested there could be several themes that could come out of this idea, including having period actors around the community describing historical events and performing history-themed activities. He said he wants people to experience the “sights, sounds and smells” of a historic town.

A “Heritage Days” events could coincide with Fort Malden’s Living History Festival during Open Air Weekends.

“There’s a lot we can include with Heritage Days,” he said, adding storytellers, vintage bicycles, reenactments, model ship builders, horseshoe tournaments and more could be part of it.

A second theme could centre around rumrunners and activities could be included centring on that. Reffle recalled the movie that was filmed several years ago along Murray St. and suggested a screening of that could be held. 

The third theme Reffle mentioned centred around Truth and Reconciliation, with events and activities around that.

Reffle has been speaking with the Marsh Historical Collection, the Amherstburg Library, members of the Amherstburg Community Foundation, a board member at the Gibson Gallery, and a member of the town’s heritage committee. He plans to go before the heritage committee in October, and hopes it will be sent to the economic development committee as well. 

Funding for such an outdoor museum could come through grants and funding sources sought by the town’s tourism department, he believes.

Resident wants outdoor museum founded and themes planned around it

By Ron Giofu