Friends re-enact early Canadian life

The Cahill's of Havelock and Redger Redner, of Rednersville, have been co-ordinating A Gathering of Friends Re-Enactment at the Ameliasburgh Historical Museum for the past 17 years. Bill Samuel photo

Ameliasburgh Historical Museum opened its season with a Gathering of Friends Re-enactment, which as been co-ordinated by the Cahill’s of Havelock, and Rodger Redner, of Redersville, for the past 17 years. Individuals and families re-enact life in early Canada, covering the years 1640-1840. They spend the Victoria Day Long Weekend living without any modern conveniences – in hopes of educating the younger generations.

Mike Proctor, of Sharbot Lake, specializes in long bows. Here he shows an atlatl, a levered spear weapon. This was his first visit to the Gathering of Friends Re-enactment weekend at the Ameliasburgh Historical Museum. Bill Samuel photo

The Ameliasburgh Historical Museum has grown from one building, in 1968, to a full pioneer village. The main structure was built in 1868 as a Wesleyan Methodist Church. It became a United Church in 1925 and served the community until 1967. Over the years, several additional buildings have been added to the site. A log cabin, display barns, an operational blacksmith shop, a sap shanty, dairy and bee-keeping buildings, and a large stone building housing the Goldie Corliss 18 foot flywheel. A highlight is Amelia’s Tea Room, which offers breakfast and/or lunch during special events on site.

Bob Miller, of Sharbot Lake, shows one fo the 1700s firearms he made to share at the Gathering of Friends Re-enactment weekend at the Ameliasburgh Historical Museum. Bill Samuel photo