KIM BURTON-SCHRAM
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER
Driving through South and North Glengarry, small villages and settlements dot the concession roads. While the houses are occupied, few have convenience or grocery stores, and many have empty church buildings. Curiosity arises about the history of these settlements and Allan J. MacDonald from The Glengarry Archives is the person with the knowledge to paint the portrait of life in Glengarry.
Over the last two years, MacDonald has been leading the Glengarry Rambles Bus Tours, offering a fascinating illumination of the history of the Townships, with just enough anecdotes to keep the groups intrigued. His tours have guided attendees down Highway 34, through Kenyon and old Lancaster Township.
MacDonald discussed the uniqueness of some residential architecture and the reality of beautiful stone churches having to shut their doors due to shrinking congregations and a waning interest in regular church services. He explained that most villages had their own local cheese factory at the crossroads of each town, making it easier for farmers to deliver their milk for processing into cheese and curds.
MacDonald created and curated The Rambles Tour, originally focusing on Kenyon and Lochiel. His tours then expanded into South Glengarry, drawing in the strong influence of the United Empire Loyalists.
With unwavering volunteer help from Barb and Gary Newman, administrative assistance from Jennifer Black and staff from the Glengarry Pioneer Museum, and partnering with the Glengarry Nor’Westers & Loyalist Museum and the Glengarry Archives, Rambles took people back to a rural, bustling collection of villages and settlements that were the hubs of Glengarry.
MacDonald spoke of family connections, developing enterprises and the origins of village names.
He explained the layout of roads and concessions, the reason there were few brick homes in the area and the dedication of current log homeowners to reclaim and preserve these unique structures.
MacDonald spoke about the quality of land and how farmers managed to make unworkable land into farm fields yielding valuable crops.
$22,000 raised
for museums
The tours have introduced many residents to details about the area that were not common knowledge, igniting a growing interest in Glengarry’s past and inspiring a want to know more. In total, MacDonald completed 19 Rambles through Glengarry with net proceeds just over $22,000.
These funds are shared with the Glengarry Pioneer Museum in Dunvegan and the Glengarry Nor’Westers and Loyalist Museum in Williamstown.
According to Jennifer Black, curator of the Glengarry Pioneer Museum, “Historical tourism is alive and well!.”
L’article Glengarry Rambles wrap up:
Popularity of tours shows
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