Post #5 - Behind the Scenes: Preserving the Past, One Project at a Time

Summer has been a season of steady progress at the Merrickville Historical Society. From improving artifact preservation to uncovering long-forgotten historical documents and enhancing visitor experiences, each project brings us one step closer to preserving and sharing Merrickville’s rich history.

One of our most recent preventative conservation initiatives involved installing UV- protective film on windows throughout the Blockhouse Museum. This improvement was made to safeguard the light-sensitive textiles and period garments recently added to many of the exhibits. For museums, there is always a careful, ongoing balance that needs to be highlighted between visitor accessibility and preservation. We want visitors to experience and appreciate these remarkable pieces of history, but as stewards of the collection, we also have a responsibility to protect them from unnecessary deterioration. Every preventative conservation decision—whether it's controlling light, humidity, or temperature—is made with that balance in mind. The new UV protection film is a simple improvement that will help reduce light damage, ensuring these delicate artifacts can continue to be enjoyed for many years to come.

Meanwhile, exciting new discoveries continue to emerge from the archives. As cleaning, organizing, and cataloguing progress, several artifacts previously believed to be missing have found their way back onto our shelves. Among the most exciting rediscoveries is a collection of roughly thirty primary documents dating from the 1800s. Marriage certificates, land deeds, bills of sale, advertisements, and personal letters between Merrickville residents have all resurfaced, each one offering another glimpse into everyday life in the village more than a century ago. There is something uniquely rewarding about opening a long-forgotten folder or box and finding a piece of local history waiting inside. Every rediscovered document adds another thread to the story of Merrickville and reminds us how much there is still to uncover.

These stories continue to take shape through another ongoing project, the Historical Society’s 60 Remarkable Residents book. Five new biographies have now been completed, each exploring the life of someone who helped shape the community we know today. While every biography highlights an individual's accomplishments, they also reveal the personal stories behind those achievements. Research for this project will continue throughout the summer and into the fall, and with each new chapter another forgotten piece of Merrickville's history falls into place.

Another new exciting development at the Blockhouse can be found at the ground-floor as the new and improved Harry McLean exhibit. This exhibit has undergone a significant transformation, offering visitors a more complete picture of one of Merrickville’s most fascinating historical figures. New additions include books from McLean's personal library, photographs of Harry and his cairn, and a remarkable never-before-displayed print depicting McLean surrounded by beautifully illustrated vignettes from his life and business ventures. The artwork also features Rudyard Kipling's The Sons of Martha, a poem that held special meaning for Harry. Together, these additions help connect the many facets of McLean's remarkable life. We’re also very excited to introduce a brand-new digital component to the exhibit. Visitors can now scan a QR code to explore an online exhibition that delves even deeper into Harry McLean's remarkable life. The virtual exhibit features a carefully curated selection of twelve artifacts, including photographs, books, letters, and personal documents drawn from the Society's collection. These documents offer a more well-rounded view of McLean, not only as a railroad contractor and industrial leader but as an involved member of the Merrickville community.