Forwarders Museum reopens Saturday

Nick Gardiner, Staff Writer - Brockville Recorder and Times

Visitors stepping back in time at the Loyalist Days battle re-enactment this weekend can find a more serene setting to satisfy their historical curiosity at the Forwarders Museum.

A grand reopening of the dramatically refurbished Water Street facility takes place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday and organizers expect a crowd of Loyalist Days celebrants to be on hand.

"We're hoping the people will come here, too," said Jennifer Eiler, recently hired tourism and economic development co-ordinator who oversees operations at the museum.

She said lemonade and treats will be served and staff and guests from the Grenville County Historical Society will be dressed in period costume.

In addition, local cooper and musician Ed Shuster will demonstrate the art of binding barrels and crates (coopering) and Brockville magician Rylan Schwarze will be on hand to delight the crowds with some sleight-of-hand.

Eiler said the museum celebration is being held in conjunction with Loyalist Days schedule and concludes as the opening ceremonies begin for that event in the Clock Tower Parking lot across the street.

But visitors are welcomed at any time.

"People can mosey over all day long," said Eiler. "It's an opportunity for them to wander through and see the changes."

Among the changes this year are the addition of 14 display panels highlighting different elements of the town's history such as the once-prominent distillery business.

Most of the panels have been recently installed and the balance will go up on the walls before the weekend.

"The history of the town is largely captured in these consistent and professional panels," said Eiler.

Also new this year is a paint job, display cabinetry and refinished floors on the main storey of the building.

The work completes a series of renovations undertaken by the current municipal council.

That included uncovering the old entrance and adding windows to make a more inviting storefront two years ago.

The top storey has been converted into offices and a meeting place for guest speakers while the basement features displays of homelife in the town 200 years ago.

As the renovations have taken place, the museum tried to stay open for visitors during the upheaval, said Eiler.

"We've been open, but it's been a work in progress."

Eiler said additional improvements are being considered, but staff and supporters are excited about the official unveiling of the historic home, which dates back to 1811 when it served as the headquarters of William Gilkison's forwarding business.

Prescott was a busy town at the time and Gilkison was a central figure distributing goods transferred from Montreal by bateaux to avoid the St. Lawrence River rapids.

The forwarding business is one of several historic elements featured at the museum, where space is shared with the town's tourism information office and a gift shop.

Mayor Suzanne Dodge credited the Friends of the Museum and the late Jack Morris for revitalizing the site in the 1980s.

And the current council has provided a regular stream of funding to develop the site in time for next year's bicentennial celebrations.

"We're very proud of our little museum," said Dodge.