It takes dedicated staff to make the Lennox & Addington Museum & Archives run smoothly. Luckily, we have some talented individuals leading the way that make each patron's visit an enjoyable experience.

We'd like you to get to know a little bit about our staff members. Please take a read below to find out what led them to the Museum & Archives.

 

What’s history got to do with it?

By Lisa Lawlis


Each month I hope to provide a window into the Archival world at the Lennox and Addington County Museum and Archives! I hope to answer the question “what’s history got to do with it?” by showing the process behind the preservation of the history of Lennox and Addington County.

I was first introduced to Archives while working at the Roman History Museum in Corbridge, England. I was fascinated by the conservation of historical records that traced the history of ancient Roman artefacts in the collection. I am passionate about conservation, arrangement and description of historical records and enjoy helping people make connections to their ancestors by providing access to historical documents, photographs, land records and more!

My name is Lisa Lawlis and I am a graduate of the University of Western Ontario with a Masters in Library and Information Science (Archive Specialization), Masters in Art History and an Honors Specialization Bachelor Degree in Art History and Classical Studies. I have always had a passion for the preservation of history and am excited to bring what I have learned in my career working in Municipal Archives and Museums to the collection at the Lennox and Addington County Museum and Archives!

Lisa Museum blog pic

 

Confessions of a Curator

By JoAnne Himmelman


Do you ever look at things from the past and wonder who touched that? What was it used for? Who sat there? Who walked these streets? How did they build that? I am that person…I am constantly asking these questions, so it was no surprise when I pursued a career that helps answers these questions. 

My love for history dates to my childhood days of trekking through the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit. There was nothing more amazing for me than those afternoons spent looking at the early cars and the material culture associated with them. There was even pop culture displays of Kermit the Frog, Judy Garland’s ruby slippers, and even for a short time, JFK’s infamous car used in Dallas. These visits to this museum would peak my imagination and I always wanted to come back, so my parents bought me a membership. 

I grew up in Windsor - where the legendary characters of prohibition were talked about like old family friends. Family drives along Riverside Drive showed me the big gangster houses and the Detroit River that was their direct trade route, always left my imagination turning. History fascinates me. 40 years later, I am doing the very thing that left me in awe. Capturing glimpses of our past and displaying it for all to see. 

As a museum curator, some days are easy and quite boring (can you say data-entry). Other days have you elbow deep in dusty boxes, cleaning mould off artifacts, dancing with mannequins, and hanging 12 foot display panels. So I have decided that my monthly entry will be just that: a glimpse into my job... what does a curator do anyway? We can discover this together. 

A little bit about me professionally - I graduated from Queen’s University with a BAH in History and Classical Studies, finished my degree with a post-graduate year in Museum Studies. With this newly minted education, I found work in Kingston area museums for a couple of years and eventually landed in Napanee, where I have worked with the County’s collection for 16 years.  
I look forward to sharing my love of history, travel, and story-telling with you. 

JoAnne In Displays.jpg

 

Muse-Ed

By Amber Meyer


For me, history runs deep into all that I am. It is more than important dates and names. I always say that if you don’t know your own history then how do you truly know who you are. I remember some of my earliest memories, sitting with my grandparents and being completely mesmerized by the stories of their “out of my reality” lives. The world was so much bigger then the small town of Niagara-on-the-Lake where I was raised. Although rich in history in its own right, the stories of Navy ships, and fleeing war torn Polish homes at night became real, more than just words on a page. I am the product of my history and believe that we continue to make history right now, with every day we live.

The most fascinating part of history for me is asking questions, making connections and figuring out how your own history is related to those around you. We are all connected somehow, and if we do not keep sharing our stories with those who will see it in the future, that piece of history will be lost. Every day at our museum I work towards creating educational programs, events, cultural and historical celebrations that teach us about our past as well as celebrate where we are today. You are never too young (or old) to be inspired by your own love of history.  

I am a Queen’s University graduate with a BAH in History. Post graduate, I studied Education with the main objective that when you encourage an inquisitive mind, there is no stopping it. Outside of our beautiful museums limestone walls, I spend my days teaching and connecting with the community around me. I am a proud wife and mom, passionate volunteer and am committed to make our local history one for the books. I look forward to sharing with you all of the exciting moments that we have here at the L&A County Museum and Archives and invite you all to join us.  

Amber.jpg

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