Leeds County Heritage Network – Media Release 2019 Leeds County: a county rich in history and her- itage. The members of the Leeds County Heritage Net- work have a passion for preserving and promoting our past. For over 15 years the group has met together to share their ideas and accomplishments in this area and to support and encourage mutual endeavours. This year the LCHN will showcase their individual heritage sites.

HISTORY COMES ALIVE MAY 25th 10:00 am – 4 pm LCHN announces their first Leeds Heritage Day event as about a dozen sites will be open without charge. The public is invited to explore, interact, and experience the very interesting and unique history of each area. Sites will offer refreshments, a chance to research, and also contribute to existing archival information. The event is part of a celebration of their newly updated website and brochure.

SITES - WHAT IS HAPPENING WHERE? · Free Scanning at the local Leeds & Grenville Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society in the Museum. · Looking for information on The United Empire Loy- alists? Check out an exhibit and find research assis- tance at the Elizabethtown/Kiltley library, County Road 29 at Spring Valley. Colonel Edward Jessup Branch of the USLA of Canada. · Visit Gananoque’s 1000 Islands History Museum to see a traveling Hockey Exhibit that “revisits game- changing moments and players”. · What industry was in the area? Come to Lyn’s Herit- age Place Museum to learn about the area’s industrial past. A blacksmith will be on site. · Athens Museum is expanding and invites visitors to interact with a variety of local history displays and ar- chives relating to Mother Barnes, Home Children, Crawf Slack, and much more!. · Mallory Coach House, Mallorytown, home of Can- ada’s 1st glassworks, offers many artifacts to see, in- cluding a display about heroic veteran Tony Kall. · Renovations are proceeding at the Customs House in Rockport’s “Heritage Waterfront Village”. · Stop in and explore the Leeds and Thousand Islands Archives and Springfield House in Escott. · The Old Stone Mill in Delta, is a highlight and will have a miller and blacksmith on site. There may even be milled flour on sale! · Elgin Heritage Society invites visitors to tour the Red Brick School: view an Elgin and area Sports team photo display, collections of photos of students in one room schools, a video of memories of graduates of the one room schoolhouse, and ponder a small exhibit of family history of the area. · Help The Township of Bastard and South Burgess celebrate their 225th anniversary. Check out their exten- sive archives. · Keen to learn more about the Rideau Canal? The Lockmaster House Museum at Chaffey’s Lock features displays about Rideau Lake history and canal life. ·Westport’s Rideau District Museum holds a wealth of artifacts and history about their region. Leeds Heritage Day is also a chance to explore ➛ local interpretive signs, ➛ historical points of interest, ➛ local businesses and eateries. HELP SUPPORT OUR RURAL ECONOMIES LCHN invites individuals and families to come and “take a trip back in time and discover more about our fascinating pioneer ancestors” in one of the richest historical regions in ! Brochures will be available at venues. For more information go to www.leedsheritage.ca