A major importance of maintaining the Pontiac museum and keeping it running is to preserve the vast history of the area. Glen Ansell, the vice president and Robert Wills, president of the Pontiac Historical Society who help run the museum, both share the sentiment that the museum has always been a great window into the history of the area and they continue to try to improve it.

The museum has been hiring students for a couple of years now and this summer they welcome two students who will be embarking on their own research while also organizing and showing the current exhibits at the museum.

Sidney Sharpe

Sidney Sharpe, a high school student, is . . .

working at the museum for her second year and has come back for her love of history. She is interested in the Pontiac history as well as learning more about the railway.

For Sharpe, her summer project is researching the role of doctors in rural medicine. Such as home remedies that they used to use and the different types of plagues and illnesses, and about doctors and physicians.

Working at the museum for the second year, Sharpe loves being in the space not only learning but also being able to interact with folks from the community. She highlighted that she has enjoyed learning the vast history of this region through her job.

“We have a very unique culture because we’re a lumber timber industry, and it’s really interesting to see how that affected us and kind of paved the way for the economy. I also love hearing about different family histories,” said Sharpe.

Her favourite section of the museum is the display of the general store and the railway as she learned how the railway helped with the timber industry in history. “I also like the doctor’s utensils, there’s a tonsil puncher. It’s really interesting,” she said.

After graduating Sharpe hopes to become a history professor. “Hopefully, this gives me an idea of maybe studying this museology and like history and maybe focusing on different aspects of what I learned here,” said Sharpe.

Chloe Lemay

Studying art history and doing a minor in English at Carleton University, Chloe Lemay is hoping this job will give her some experience working in a museum.

“I thought it would be interesting to check how I feel working in this kind of setting and it also goes with my degree because I’ve learned so much history along with art. It’s kind of a really well-rounded process. I’m interested in history as well. So this has been cool,” said Lemay.

For her summer project, she is researching architecture as well as the different houses on Main Street, and some churches around the area. She is also working on writing an interpretive essay on James Shaw and his wife Lydia, as they were affluent figures in Shawville during their time, she said.

“It’s helping me refine my skills of research and dealing with visitors and touring and things like that, which is great. And yeah, I’m learning things too, how to install objects and where to get creative,” she said.

Being at the museum she is really interested in the portraits that are displayed and learning about them as well as the war artifacts that they have and finds it fascinating, she said.

“I’ve had experience in a few different areas, but this is been really nice to get experience in a museum,” said Lemay.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Displayed is a sock knitting machine donated by Bob Alexander.

Pictured is Glen Ansell holding up a display box with medals of achievements for Lawrence David Young. He was a Staff Sergeant and he received a medal and clasp for his volunteer service from 1940 to 1945.

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