Here are some more details about the Perth Historical Society meeting on Jan. 18 that will feature our own Tobi Kiesewalter as the guest speaker. Everyone is welcome! The PHS meetings are open to the public and held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the gallery of Matheson House, home of the Perth Museum, at 11 Gore Street East in downtown Perth. A voluntary “Toonie Fee” (donation) is suggested for each meeting. Click here for more info about the organization.
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The Society launches a new year of interesting and educational events with the Jan. 18 meeting presentation by Tobi Kiesewalter on the many stories of the unique Murphys Point Provincial Park. Tobi manages the interpretative program at this 1,244-hectare local cultural gem in eastern Ontario’s Tay Valley Township, and is the Park’s natural heritage education leader. He is a biologist with an environmental science degree, specializing in ecology, and has worked in the Park for 15 years.
Tobi’s talk will cover a range of subjects related to the Park’s cultural heritage features and the challenges in presenting its history and of keeping it relevant for today’s audiences. In recent years, a number of innovative, educational programs have been put in place, many in cooperation with the active community group, Friends of Murphys Point Park, on this geologically and historically unique area of eastern Ontario. These have included interpretative programs for visitors on the Park’s two restored pioneer homesteads and on mining activities in the area, focusing on the Silver Queen Mica Mine – one of Lanark County’s Seven Wonders. The Park’s history has been depicted through such activities as the annual Mica Festival, guided tours of the mine, and a popular annual archaeology dig for local children.
Murphys Point Provincial Park is also known for its natural environment, including its location on the majestic Rideau Canal system and the Frontenac Arch, with its varied flora and fauna – to which public access is provided by five hiking and groomed ski trails. Preservation of the ecological systems and cultural heritage resources is an important aspect of the Park’s educational features and its operations.
Fans of history, nature, archaeology, and much more will find something of interest in this Jan. 18 event – don’t forget to mark your calendar.
