virtual EXHIBITS
At Virtulmuseum.ca
Mills of Appleton
The exhibit explores the history of the Mills of Appleton and the effect these mills had on the evolution of the surrounding community. Features of the exhibit include a history of the early settlers of Ramsay Township, the Teskey Family and Appleton Mills, The Woolen Mills of Appleton, the Collie Woolen Mill fires of 1946 and 1950, as well as a tour through Appleton’s historical sites as they appear today. This virtual exhibit contains over one-hundred images relating to Appleton’s Mills and their history, including images from within the Mills during their heyday.
“During the settlement of Ramsay Township in the early 1820s, the natural falls of the Mississippi River at Appleton provided an opportunity for a community to grow using water power. An entrepreneurial family, the Teskeys, harnessed the river’s water power, building a sawmill and a gristmill at the falls.
This exhibit is a chance to remember Appleton’s past and introduce visitors to our charming community.”
Visit the Virtual Exhibit here
Memories of ’42: Stories of the Almonte Train Wreck
“On December 27, 1942, holiday crowds and poor weather delayed the Ottawa Valley Local passenger train as it travelled through the small towns of Arnprior, Pakenham, and Almonte.”
Unknown to the crew, a troop train carrying soldiers to Halifax followed. The troop train had been ordered to follow 20 minutes behind, but it quickly gained ground after leaving Arnprior Station. Warning could have been given at Pakenham Station, but unmanned on weekends, the lights shone green instead of red. The inevitable crash occurred when the troop train rounded the corner into Almonte, and unable to stop, smashed into the rear cars of the Local, still boarding passengers.
It was one of the worst accidents in Canadian Railway history, resulting in 39 deaths and over 150 injuries. The fire siren alerted Almonte citizens to the chaos, as soldiers from the troop train leapt into action, pulling injured civilians from the wreckage. Local residents brought aid and comfort to survivors. Doors and tables were used as makeshift stretchers, and the O’Brien Theatre became a temporary hospital and morgue. Described by one survivor as
“the night the war came to Almonte,” this local tragedy not only shaped the lives of the passengers and residents of Almonte, but also Canadian railway history.
Visit the Virtual Exhibit here
Doctors Past & Present: A History of Healthcare in Mississippi Mills
This exhibit honours the legacy of the doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals who have served the Mississippi Mills community throughout the years. From the first documented doctors, to the establishment of the first hospital in Almonte, and the future of healthcare practices in a rural Ontario community, this exhibit highlights past and present innovations in healthcare in Mississippi Mills.
Visit the Virtual Exhibit here
CONTACT US:
North Lanark Historical Society and Regional Museum
647 River Road
Appleton, ON
613-257-8503
nlrmuseum@gmail.com