27
Over the years of preparing the property for opening twenty-five students and 18 adults were given seasonal jobs thanks to the support of government grants and other sources of funding. The museum continues to provide jobs to students within the area each summer, though not to the extent that was available in the early 1980's. It has also served as a venue for cultural activities such as the first Inverness County Arts Festival held in July 1985 featuring artisans, crafters, writers, singers, musicians and a play by the local Hillsborough Players (Inverness County Council for the Arts, Promotional Brochure). Other events organized by the Lake Ainslie Historical Society as fundraisers over the years have included weekly card-plays, Barn-dances, Heritage Festivals, re-enactments of A Day in the Life of a One-Room School, and several reunions for local groups and families.28
One room schoolhouse play at MacDonald Houseca. JULY 1989
East Lake Ainslie, Inverness County, NS
Credits:Patti Spicer
29
In 1984 the Lake Ainslie Historical Society was successful in moving a school building from Twin Rock Valley to the museum site. The one day move took months of planning. The Glenmore School was raised onto a flatbed and driven about three miles to its current home. It must have been nerve-wracking for on-lookers to see a building of that size and age slowly riding along the highway and then up the steep driveway to the museum. The schoolhouse has become a vital part of the interpretation of the history of Lake Ainslie as there was a vast appreciation for education among local residents.In recent years the membership of the Lake Ainslie Historical Society has become a much smaller group than that which it was in the early days. Many of the individuals who belong to the Lake Ainslie Historical Society also belong to other community groups such as the volunteer firefighter and ladies auxiliary, church groups, the Lake Ainslie Marathon Society, the Council of Nova Scotian Archives, Presbytery, or the Lake Ainslie Development Association. The people at East Lake have a sense of collectivism and neighbourliness that leads them to serve with many of these different groups. East Lake Ainslie has not seen much in the way of new families moving into the area lately, so the people who volunteer for each of these groups have not seen much in the way of ‘new blood' to assist or replace them. As time goes on some of the individuals (if not all) feel ‘burnt out' and decide to stop participating in as many community groups and organizations. Slowly over the last 10 years the numbers of people who remain active members of the Lake Ainslie Historical Society year round have dwindled to less than a quarter of the size of the group in the early 1980's.
The core of the group at this time includes a handful of different family lines, MacDonald's, Campbell's and MacLean's with a number of other people being around in the summer months when they come to their summer homes. The names of those who are summer residents and actively participate during the summer include families such as Heidts, Young's, Campbell's among others. These summer residents tend to be descendants of the Lake Ainslie pioneers, and feel the same need to preserve to memories and history of their ancestors just as those of us who have stayed do.
30
Twin Rock Valley school on the way to MacDonald Houseca. 1988
East Lake Ainslie, Inverness County, NS
31
Over the years MacDonald House has been host for many large gatherings of families and friends. There have been "One Room school Reunions" for each of the four one room schools that existed along East Lake as well as a reunion for the Scotsville school. Many families also held reunions at MacDonald House Museum including MacDonald's MacMillan's, MacDougall's and Campbell's. Some of these were organized by the family members who merely used the museum as a host space, but the Campbell reunion and all the school reunions were organized by the Lake Ainslie Historical Society membership. The number of man-hours involved for the volunteers was huge, but they all felt it was worth it once the time came for the guests to arrive. There are over 60 community groups, museums and heritage organizations in Cape Breton listed on the Nova Scotia Museum's website ranging from the large federally funded Louisbourg Historic site to the small local groups like the Whycocomagh and Area Historical Society who have no museum building yet, but are still able to gather together and share local stories. There is also the advocacy organization for Cape Breton historical groups, museums and archives which is known as the Iona Connection. The Iona connection meets regularly to look at issues affecting the island's heritage industry as a whole.32
St. Andrew's Day celebration for MacDonald House Museumca. 1990
East Lake Ainslie, Inverness County, NS
33
Heritage Festival participantsca. 1990
East Lake Ainslie, Inverness County, NS
34
Opening ceremonies for a Heritage Festival at MacDonald Houseca. 1992
East Lake Ainslie, Inverness County, NS
35
Card play at MacDonald House barn21 July 2007
East Lake Ainslie, Inverness County, NS
Credits:Pauline MacLean
36
ConclusionsThe sheer number of museums and heritage groups on Cape Breton Island speaks to the importance of preserving history and links to the past to many dedicated Cape Bretoners. This prolific attention to historical preservation in Cape Breton demonstrates our innate desire to remember and honour those who have gone before us. The MacDonald House has been a gathering place for the people of Lake Ainslie since at least the 1850's and it continues to serve as a gathering place today. The fact that the membership of the Lake Ainslie Historical Society continue to give of their time and energy means that the MacDonald House Museum will be a place for hospitality and learning for years to come. The County of Inverness has always been very supportive of the Lake Ainslie Historical Society efforts, and in that regard presented the membership with a ‘Friends of Heritage Award' in May 1985.
References
Inverness County Council of the Arts. Promotional Brochure. 1985
Lake Ainslie Historical Society. "MacDonald House". Promotional material. Date unknown.
Lake Ainslie Historical Society. "MacDonald House". Brief History. Date unknown
Lake Ainslie Historical Society. Ephemera Files.
Lake Ainslie Historical Society Documents No. 4. Various dates and authors.
Lake Ainslie Historical Society. Ephemera Files. MacDonald House No. 9. Various dates and authors.
Nova Scotia Museum. Website. Accesses April 18th 2006.
Registry of Deeds. Port Hood. Deed books and Grant books. January 2006.
St.Clair, James. Consultant with Lake Ainslie Historical Society, local historian. Personal Interview. February 2006.
37
Combine machine at MacDonald House5 July 2007
East Lake Ainslie, Inverness County, NS
Credits:Pauline MacLean
38
Double seat wagon at MacDonald House5 July 2007
East Lake Ainslie, Inverness County, NS
Credits:Pauline MacLean
39
Interview with the late Peter MacMillan of Lake Ainslie12 November 1999
East Lake Ainslie, Inverness County, NS
Credits:Colin MacDonell
Jevan Pillai
Jody Charron
40
Peter MacMillan, :Lake Ainslie12 November 1999
East Lake Ainslie, Inverness County, NS
Credits:Colin MacDonell
Jevan Pillai
Jody Charron
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