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The second expansion to the Little Current Howland Centennial Museum property took place in February of 1972, when George and Nell Bishop purchased the property on the lower from the Lewis family, and donated it to the two municipalities.During 1972, an oil furnace was put into the main exhibition area, giving the building heat for the first time.
In 1973, the museum board acquired two more buildings for the lower level site. The log Granary, built by Robert Somerville, but owned by George Bishop, and the Andrew Ferguson Homestead donated by George Ferguson and Mrs. Reuben Ferguson.
The first time the Historical Society's committee was referred to as the Board of Management of the Little Current-Howland Centennial Museum was at a meeting held May 16, 1973.
The new chair was Carol Sheppard. The committee was comprised of two members from Howland Township, two members from Little Current, and two members of the Sheguiandah Women's Institute. Boyne Heise, Little Current's clerk was appointed Secretary Treasurer.
In September of 1973, a motion to apply for a Local Initiatives Program grant was made on the proposed expansion. It was also decided to install modern facilities at a cost not to exceed $4,800.00, and to apply for a grant for 50% of that amount.
Provincial funding had all but dried up, and in 1973, and George began to ask the two municipalities for money. The first request was for five hundred dollars each.
Damage to the lower level buildings in 1975 prompted the Museum's board of management to put gates up on the property. For the first time, road access through the grounds would be restricted by gates at the top and lower level entries.
Little was done at the museum site from 1980 to 1990 ,when Eva Skippen joined the operation as curator. With the help of her husband George, they began to freshen up the whole site. The barn area was reorganized and buildings generally 'spruced up'.
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The Sommerville Granary1974
Off Bidwell Road, Sheguiandah, Ontario
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The Sommerville Granary1973
Highway 6, Sheguiandah, Ontario, Canada
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The Sommerville Granary was the first building erected on the museum's lower level expansion area5
Laying the floor on the Sommerville Granary1974
Highway 6, Sheguiandah, Ontario, Canada
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The original condition of the Andrew Ferguson Homestead1973
Off Green Bay Road, Manitoulin Island
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The Andrew Ferguson Homestead under reconstruction1974
Highway 6, Sheguiandah, Ontario, Canada
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The Andrew Ferguson was the next building to be set up on the newly acquired property donated by George and Nell Bishop.9
The Sommerville Granary completed1975
Highway 6, Sheguiandah, Ontario, Canada
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Two new buildings1975
Highway 6, Sheguiandah, Ontario, Canada
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The Andrew Ferguson Homestead1975
Highway 6, Sheguiandah, Ontario, Canada
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The Andrew Ferguson Homestead following the rebuilding on the museum site. Note the shingles on the gable end and the new chinking.13
Another view of the Bayer Ferguson House on its original location1975
Green Bay Road, Manitoulin Island
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In 1975, this building, the Bayer Ferguson House was delivered to the museum. It was not set up at that time. |
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