CK delivers on the cultural experience with its collection of historic museums

Heritage tourism is growing as a key demand generator for tourism. Heritage tourism is easily defined as a leisure trip with the primary purpose of visiting historic, cultural, natural, recreational and scenic attractions to learn more about the past in an enjoyable way.

Visiting historic sites and museums is a major travel activity, and a travel motivator. Heritage enthusiasts are desirable, lucrative travellers in Ontario with higher than average levels of income and education. Heritage enthusiasts are more likely to participate in other activities such as high end shopping and dining at fine restaurants.

Chatham-Kent Museum features a quintessential overview of local history and highlights of area museums spread over 5,000-squarefeet of exhibit space. Chatham-Kent’s car culture and war heritage are displayed there year-round with a collection of locally made motorized and horse-drawn vehicles, a nationally designated Gray Dort automobile and War of 1812 artifacts.

“We expect the bicentennial of the War of 1812 to increase demand for unique heritage and cultural experiences. Chatham-Kent can deliver with its diverse collection of authentic cultural and heritage products,” says Joy Sim, Tourism Development Coordinator for Chatham-Kent Economic Development Services & Tourism.

Fairfield Museum is another local museum where War of 1812 artifacts and history figure prominently. Located on the site of southwestern Ontario’s first settlement, this museum displays artifacts from the War of 1812 and from the original village destroyed by U.S. soldiers shortly after the historic 1813 Battle of the Thames. Military history is also showcased at the Freedom Library and Museum.

Some of Chatham-Kent’s historically designated museums are part of Ontario’s Underground Railroad Tour. The self-guided Black Mecca exhibit highlights the struggles and achievements of blacks during the days of slavery, early settlement in Chatham, the Civil Rights movement and modern times. Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site is a five-acre museum featuring artifacts and historic buildings including the original log cabin home of Rev. Josiah Henson, of Uncle Tom’s Cabin novel fame. Buxton National Historic Site & Museum showcases one of the most successful settlements started for slaves. A nationally-recognized living history exhibit, this museum features original structures built by slaves and a vast collection of artifacts.

Wallaceburg and District Museum, the largest museum in Chatham-Kent, has 85,000 artifacts spread over three floors of exhibit area reflecting the region’s marine, commercial, industrial and athletic heritage. The highlight of the museum is the new Glass Gallery featuring Canada’s finest display of rare glass artifacts from world-renowned Libbey Glass, the town’s largest employer during the 20th Century.

The Bothwell-Zone Oil Museum is an internationally significant site showcasing one of the earliest locations where oil was discovered. The museum displays the last original working powerhouse in Canada. The Chatham Railroad Museum highlights local rail history in a restored C.N. baggage car.

The restored 1905 Milner Heritage House reflects the turn-of-the-century lifestyle of a successful local industrialist and his family. Costumed interpreters invite visitors to engage in activities from the period. At Ridge House Museum costumed interpreters re-create middle-class life in 1875.

“Our museums highlight history topics that are significant throughout the world,” says Dave Benson, Chatham-Kent Heritage Coordinator. “We certainly have more museums than the average region.”

More information about Chatham-Kent museums is available at www.chatham-kent.ca/ckmuseum