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| The
MacLachlan Woodworking Museum houses a treasury of antique
tools. |
The MacLachlan Woodworking Museum was established in Kingston,
Ontario, over 30 years ago. It all started thanks to one man's
interest in the history of woodworking and his personal collection
of antique tools.
In 1967, local businessman and amateur historian Sandy MacLachlan
(1924-2008) bought a log house built in 1853 just outside
Ottawa, Ontario. He had it dissembled and re-erected on the
site of his family's lumberyard, which he operated. The historic
building provided an ideal place to display his tool collection.
Throughout the years, he added to it by purchasing many more
historic tools at auctions and estate sales. As word spread
about his museum, people began giving him even more antique
tools, and the collection grew further.
Today, the museum is housed in two buildings on 55 acres of
land at the Grass Creek Park, located just east of Kingston.
The museum's permanent displays and temporary exhibits reflect
the region's rich wood-related history. It's a great place for
visitors to acquire detailed knowledge about how period furniture
was designed, constructed and decorated. Images and comprehensive
dioramas complement each display, and staff members are on hand
to answer any question. "We also consider ourselves a research
center, so we make ourselves available," said Annabelle
Girard, program coordinator for the museum.
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