Paper Trail

Since its inception in the early 1990s the Tyrconnell Heritage Society has gone through many changes. With the passage of 16 years from the moment the concept was first envisioned many of the original founding members have retired or moved on. Locked within the experience and memories of those individuals is a wealth of information about the Backus Page House site, the organization and the area itself. The opportunity exists to access information from a small number of those founding members who remain in the community while a portion of that information is gone forever. A glimpse into yesterday can be found, on occasion, hidden in the extensive paper work accumulated through the operation and administration of the society business. The current administration is working to compile a complete source of board meeting minutes and have been reasonably successful in doing so. One item of interest that has come to light is a log book kept by A. L. Paterson. The entries are brief but act to give the reader a clear glimpse into the birth pangs of the THS. The first entry in the handwritten notebook reads thusly:

“March 28, 1993- At a meeting of the W.E.G. & Historical Society it was brought up that the Ministry of Natural Resources was considering disposing of Morley Page house in Dunwich Twp. D.C. Mckillop & Don carol were asked to write to the Ministry expressing the opinion of the group. DCM. wrote and submitted a 7 page report.”

Moving further into the notebook another entry notes some progress:

“Wed July 28
Meeting held at Wallacetown Hall at 7:30 p.m.
Several persons were phoned and invited to be present.
14 present
-get acquainted, discussion on how to proceed.”

Later on that year it can be seen that the foundation for the Society was being laid in place:

“Thurs. Nov.18. 7:30 p.m.
Meeting at Wallacetown Hall.
18 persons present
- meeting chaired by DC. McKillop
- decision to ask for rent- free use of hall for meetings
adopted name of Tyrconnell Heritage Centre
-next meetings will be Dec 9, 1993 and Jan 13, 1994 (second Thursday)
-nominating committee named
D.C. McKillop, Anne Lilley, Alice P to bring slate of officers to Jan. mtg.
-Alice to send account of meeting to local newspapers and insert notice of next mtg in paper. “

The last entry for the year is as follows:

“Thursday Dec 9,1993.
Meeting at Wallacetown Hall
-Speaker Henry Valks of Min of Nat resources
-encouraging re our proposal
-would probably give house & 5 acres of land.”

Following entries in the notebook show that 1994 was a very busy year with community members meeting regularly to work out the details of how the organization should proceed. Correspondence and records indicate that in June of 1994 the Tyrconnell Heritage Society became an incorporated nonprofit organization as an affiliate of the Ontario Historical Society. With its incorporation in place the Society was ready to take the next step in fulfilling its mission to restore and preserve the Backus-Page House and the grounds situated in the heart of the Talbot Settlement.