MEMORIAL GARDEN COMMEMORATES MUSEUM CONTRIBUTORS

by Bill Jackson
Regional News - August 19, 2009

Late members of the Canadian Drill Rig Museum will be remembered for help­ing preserve local history.

 A memorial plaque will soon be mounted in a new garden near the front entrance of the grounds' in Rainham Centre with the help of a $4,000 beautifica­tion grant from Haldimand County. With the money, current members have also developed a patio and sitting area under three large maple trees and will plant 13 Carolinian trees on site.

Restoration of the drilling rig that was originally owned by A.E. Hoover and later by his daughter and son-in-law of Hoover's Point began back in 1996 with a 16 member group. The museum grounds at the corner of Rainham and Kohler roads just east of Selkirk now features the" classic wooden derrick that was built locally in 1904 and remained operational until 1961. A historical building and blacksmith shop have also been erected for the public's perusal.

President Jerry McKenzie said that the museum has gained notori­ety outside the area in recent years. It is open to the public by appointment and, special tours can be arranged by contacting the museum at 905-776-2831. "The memorial was something the organization wanted to do to remember past members”, according to Craig Yager, the vice president.
 
Inscribed on the monu­ment to date are the names of several former members including Raymond Marshall Deane, Ronald William Smelser, Ralph William Evans, Edwin E. Hoover, C. Edwin (Ted) Montgomery, Garry E. Makey and Thelma Olivia Swent.
RiIley Dawson, a 20­year-old director on the museum's board said he recently got involved because gas history is important to his family. His grandfather used to work on a rig.

When people turn up the temperature in their homes during the winter, it's important for them to remember how it all came about, he believes. “Most homes are heated by has and our forefathers started it. It was their occu­pation.” The museum is getting ready for its annual open house next month, Sept 19­-20. This year's event will feature some new attractions according to Treasurer Mary Kinsey. Several demonstrations are booked that will feature knapping of arrowheads, rope making, log sawing and woodworking, and the Niagara Trapping Council will be on hand to show furs and share their trade.
A spelling bee will be open to students in Grades 4-8. Kinsey said that muse­um members had brain­stormed ways to make the open house more of a draw for younger people. "We thought it might be fun," she said. The contest is open to students in Haldimand or Norfolk, but Kinsey won't turn anyone down from out­side the area if they want to participate.

Those interested can phone her at 905-776-1946.  Registration forms are also available at  local public libraries.