Art, history come together in bid to help museum

Local artist Catherine Mellor is on a mission to make sure people know about Thorold’s very own fascinating history as she and the Thorold and Beaverdams Historical Society strive to preserve its museum and spread awareness of the city’s many stories.

The historical society’s museum in Chestnut Hall is now open Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm, with Mellor welcoming visitors to the hall. She said she’s interested in ensuring people know about the stories behind the artifacts that are acquired by and donated to the Thorold and Beaverdams Historical Society. Oil Portrait

“It’s paper. It’s books. But this is the stuff the world is made of.” Oil Portraits

It’s imperative that the community helps preserve the museum, she said.

Bringing history alive is part of a literary project Mellor is currently involved in. Author Carla Ann Kuchard’s first book was published in 2009 and is titled Lucy’s Special Day, a fictitious account of a young Native girl who meets Laura Secord, a heroine of the War of 1812 who warned the British of military of an impending attack by American soldiers, resulting in a victory for the British.

That book “speaks to children and it speaks to the Native community to let them know we haven’t left them out.”

The book is available at the museum and Thorold’s tourism information centre for $7. Proceeds go to restoration of Chestnut Hall.

Mellor is currently working on illustrating Kuchard’s second book. Its working title is Charlotte’s Christmas at Chestnut Hall and is also intended to bring attention to the museum. This one is a fictitious story of a girl who lives at Chestnut Hall and Mellor hopes it will help young readers connect with local history.