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The MacLachlan Woodworking Museum |
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Next to the main museum building is the original log building.
Now, instead of being packed to the rafters with handplanes
and other implements, it's home to a gift shop that sells items
such as wooden toys and woodworking books. Its second story
houses a children's "play town", complete with historic
clothes for dress up.
| The
museum provides hands-on learning for children and adults
alike. Here, some youngsters get in on the action. |
Because the museum is an excellent teaching companion to any
history lesson, it's a popular spot for elementary-school class
trips. Every year, schoolchildren tour the museum to learn about
the history of wood and woodworking as well as its relevance
to modern life. "Everything is hands-on," Ms Girard
said. "They'll take home a [handmade] candle or try a crosscut
saw."
Children
aren't the only ones who can get their hands dirty learning
something new. The museum offers adult workshops too. Demonstrations
are a big visitor draw. One of the most popular from the past
involved a skilled craftsman who created a birch-bark canoe
over the course of a summer.
The museum is not open year-round, which affords staff the opportunity
to re-evaluate existing exhibits and design new displays and
courses. The collection is cleaned during the museum's downtime.
A unique new floor, constructed of crosscuts of various wood
types sealed using an innovative resin derived from cashew nuts,
will soon cover the museum's entranceway.
The museum is selective about accepting donations of historic
tools and artifacts, as the storage area is bursting with thousands
of handplanes alone. For more information, visit www.cityofkingston.ca/museum.
Debora Dekok
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Other Articles from this Issue |
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