Located at:
3513 Rainham Road
Selkirk, Ontario
Canada, N0A 1P0
Phone: 905 776 3319
Fax: 905 776 0683
Location on Google Maps
E-mail: wmacdonald.museum@haldimandcounty.on.ca
Curator: Dana Stavinga
The museum is dedicated to preserving the history of rural education, the heritage of the surrounding community, and the memory of poet Wilson Pugsley MacDonald.
Step into a classroom of 1925 … when the Union Jack waved over the schoolhouse … classes started with “God Save the King” … and penmanship was practiced using straight pens and black ink.
Lyric poet Wilson Pugsley MacDonald (1880 – 1967) was born in nearby Cheapside and published works, including “Out of the Wilderness”, and a “Flagon of Beauty.”
Hours of operation:
Mid-March to Mid-December
Monday to Friday - 1000 to 1630
Saturday - 1200 - 1630
Sunday/Statutory Holidays - Closed
Admission:
By Donation
Archival Research Fee:
$8.00 per visit (or $2.50 for Museum Members)
Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum allows students to experience a typical day in 1925 one-room rural school. Costumes, role playing, lessons and games help modern youngsters learn about their heritage and the history of education. The day-long programme is especially tailored to the school curriculum. A shortened programme (running 30 minutes to 2 hours) can also be provided for other interested groups. Adults welcome too!
Cost - $5.25/student * teachers/adult helpers free
*The following is a list of Educational Programmes that can be used in combination with our “School Days Past” Pioneer Unit.
A Mennonite Folk Art tradition. Experience the life and times of local poet Wilson MacDonald “his life, his legacy.” Hands on activities include poetry in the making. Students learn first hand about Fraktur, from German/Pennsylvania culture based on medieval illuminated writing. Fraktur is a combination of written words and decorative elements, such as flowers, hearts, birds and geometric shapes.
Self-expression and communication are explored through creative story telling. Students use their knowledge, the museum setting and one of our many historic photographs to create and performance their own stories.
Students will examine the rural roots of Ontario communities through the Museum’s collection of agricultural implements. Discussion will focus on cattle – oxen, milk cows, dairy farming – but will provide a general understanding of farming and rural life.
Experience life in a pioneer home. The typical wash day, the making of soap, spinning of wool, and the traditional quilting B. Through observation and investigation students will identify the historic predecessors of common household objects and participate in activities such as spinning or quilt making.