Sarnia-Lambton MP Pat Davidson says maintaining heritage is important but it can be spooky when you’re a part of it.
Davidson was one of about 75 people who were on hand when the Town of Plympton-Wyoming and the Plympton-Wyoming Historical Society opened the municipality’s new museum in the lower level of the Camlachie Library Saturday.
“There is nothing more important than maintaining our heritage,” says Davidson after touring the exhibits which includes Shine –The Women of Lambton County on loan from the Lambton Heritage Museum. Davidson, a long-time municipal politician and the first female MP for the area, is part of it.
“I never thought I’d see myself in a museum,” admitted the MP “it’s a spooky feeling.”
The head of the historical society, Don Poland, says the opening was a proud moment after many people put in long hours to make sure the exhibits, including one marking the 100th anniversary of the First World War, were ready for visitors.
Poland says the idea for the museum came from Plympton-Wyoming Mayor Lonny Napper. “Lonny said, it is a shame those names on a cenotaph from World War I are being lost to history.” That was nine months ago and Poland says it was a “straight uphill” effort to get everything ready for the opening.
Lambton County Deputy Warden Bev MacDougall says the work payed off. “Sustaining heritage is really important and what is far more important is the telling of stories,” she says.
Napper agrees saying he’s proud of the work that has been done so far adding there is lots more work to do. “I would say you should get involved – you’ll learn a lot.”