Beginning July 1st, open Tuesday thru Sunday 10 to 4
Charlotte County has unique aspects to its history and our Museum offers visitors the opportunity to view glimpses of life from the late 18th century onward. We are seasonal, from the end of June to end of August
The museum exhibits reflect the immigration of early settlers - the Loyalists, the Scots, and the Irish and illustrates their ties with the American North East.
The Museum Building
James Simpson Murchie (1813-1900) constructed the building as his family residence in 1864. He was a prominent lumberman who owned vast timber tracts... He helped to establish local industries and transportation facilities, and was a well-respected public figure. The house, built in the Second Empire style, has a mansard roof, quoin corners of wood resembling stone, and a porch of the classic Ionic style.
Of particular interest is the handsome staircase gracing the interior, the carved moldings and plaster work in the ceilings, the marble fireplaces and the Italianate style window on the third floor. The building, given to the Town of Milltown by one of James Murchie's daughters in 1928, was used as a Town Hall for 45 years. It was restored by the Charlotte County Historical Society Inc., and opened as a Museum in 1980.
The Exhibits
Among the Museum's permanent displays are many items from Charlotte County's world renowned Lumbering and Shipbuilding Era. Lumber from this region was shipped all over the world.
By the 1800's shipbuilding yards were operating in many areas in the County: St. Andrews, Brandy Cove, Oak Bay, the Digdeguash River, St. Stephen, Deer Island, Campobello and Grand Manan. The "Rocklands" was built by The Short Bros., who were master designers and builders with yards in St. Stephen, NB and Calais, Me. This 1,464 ton vessel built in 1878 was the last to be launched in St. Stephen.
The Museum's unique collection of early Chinese porcelain, furniture and temple doors was brought to the area in the 1850's, during the height of the Chinese sea trade by Captain Thomas Wheelock who had homes in Shanghai and St. Andrews.
The Dining Room is furnished with some fine and unusual pieces of early pine, dating back to the mid 18th century. Featured are three mahogany tables by renowned St. Stephen cabinetmaker John Warren Moore.
Other displays pay tribute to industries that prospered in the past - the Cotton Mill (the second largest in Canada), 1882-1957; the Soap Factory, 1878-1946; and Ganong Bros., Candy Factory, established in 1873, which flourishes today and is still owned by the Ganong family. Among the first for this company are: the wrapped 5¢ chocolate nut bar, the lollipop, the "chicken bone", and the heart shaped box.
The Museum also has displays featuring early gowns, samplers, quilts and other 19th century hand-work. Other displays include a Country Kitchen, a Tool Shed containing many handmade tools, a music room, an early Charlotte County School Room and a display of early children's toys. Each year two new exhibits are presented for the season.
To preserve and promote the rich heritage and history of Charlotte County through our unique collection of artifacts.
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