Community input sought to safeguard Mill of Kintail artifacts
ALMONTE — The future of the James Naismith and R. Tait McKenzie collections at the Mill of Kintail remains uncertain, as the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) continues consultations on its draft transition plan.
At its Oct. 1 meeting, Mississippi Mills’ Heritage Advisory Committee reaffirmed its opposition to removing the collections, citing their national and local importance. The committee’s Sept. 8 letter to the MVCA board urged the authority to pause the divestiture process, describing the artifacts as “irreplaceable” and “deeply rooted in Canadian history.”
The discussion came just days after the MVCA posted its draft transition plan online. The document acknowledges the significance of McKenzie and Naismith but raises concerns about financial sustainability and the museum’s ability to properly house the artifacts. The Mill of Kintail’s historic stone building lacks climate controls, and the authority warns its current funding model will not be viable beyond 2028.
The plan proposes establishing a working group to explore whether the collections can remain on-site in a financially sustainable way. Public input is being gathered through an online survey, and the MVCA board is expected to review results later this fall.
Mississippi Mills council has been outspoken on the issue. Mayor Christa Lowry told the MVCA board Sept. 8 that dispersing the collections without consultation “is a violation and breach of trust.” She said the 1972 transfer of the Mill of Kintail property to the authority came with a “social contract” to protect the legacies of McKenzie and Naismith in perpetuity.
Council unanimously passed a motion in August supporting Lowry’s call for dialogue. Heritage advocates argue dispersing the collections would sever them from their authentic context in Lanark County, where both men lived and built their legacies.
MVCA general manager Sally McIntyre will appear as a delegate at Mississippi Mills council Oct. 7 to discuss the draft plan and next steps. Committee members have encouraged residents to attend in person or watch online.
“Museums exist to preserve, educate, and inspire,” committee chair Michael Rikley-Lancaster wrote in the Sept. 8 letter. “Decisions affecting their future must be made with transparency, accountability, and care.”
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