WHITEWATER REGION (Foresters Falls) — Ella Burger is enjoying her summer job – not only is she learning history about her own family, but other family histories in the area, as well as how the area was developed.
She is the summer student for the Whitewater Historical Society, working at the society’s buildings in Foresters Falls.
“I have history here,” she said. “My great-great grandfather made and used the cement block maker. “My great-Uncle Jack (McLaren) donated the Ross House.”
Ella, 16, keeps busy at the museum, as she has five buildings to look after, giving tours to visitors, prepping for various events hosted by the society, answering the phone and passing on the messages.
Each Tuesday from 11 a.m. until noon, Ella is hosting a craft time for children 11 and younger. This includes making a craft, reading a story and having a snack. She said children can be dropped off for the hour.
Talking about the buildings, she said there’s the exhibit hall, drive shed, Ross house, St. Aidan’s church and the office. Each one has so many unique things, Ella said.
In the hall, there is a barbershop set up as well as a classroom and of course Bennie’s store. There is also a smocking display.
In the drive shed, are numerous tools, including the cement block maker.
Next door in the Ross House, there are quilts upstairs along with a bedroom set up, tea for two downstairs, an old stove and a few more artifacts from days gone by.
Down the street at St. Aidan’s Church, you can find old pews, old song books, an old Bible and an old pump organ that still works.
And then there’s the office, where there are numerous archives on local history, Ella said.
There is also the beautiful gardens to check out, she added.
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment.
Ella encourages those who live in the area to make it to the museum at least once this summer.
“You can learn about the local history, because many don’t know about it,” she said.
Fundraiser
A fundraiser for the Whitewater Historical Society is being planned for Thursday, Aug. 16.
Please read next week’s issue to find out more about the event.
