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The Missisquoi Museum is owned and operated by the Missisquoi Historical Society (MHS).

To report typos, errors and omissions, please send email to the webmaster.

COLLECTIONS

The Missisquoi Museum opened on July 17, 1964 with the Honourable J.J. Bertrand presiding over the ceremonies.

The Missisquoi Museum has a collection of over 24,000 artifacts. The collections reflect and relate to the history of Missisquoi County including the social, cultural, politcal, military, artistic, religious and agricultural and industrial history. The artifacts are used in permanent and temporary exhibitions.

The Cornell Mill houses artifacts pertaining to the United Empire Loyalists who settled this region in the late 18th century; the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870; portraits by local artist Wyatt Eaton; furniture made by the Lambkin Furniture Factory; clothing, textiles, furniture and household items of the 19th century; and the hand carved Millard Circus Train c. 1920.

THE MILLARD CIRCUS:

The Millard Circus, a fascinating piece of folk art, which contains 500 hand-carved and painted pieces, was the creation of Charles Millard between 1920-1930. Each figure was hand painted and dressed by Florence Bottomly Millard who shared her husband's passion for creating the miniature circus parade.

Mr. Millard was a Canadian customs inspector who was inspired to create this circus after seeing the Barnum and Bailey Circus parade pass through his border crossing in Sutton Quebec.

In its enchanting combination of naiveté, imagination and personal expression, it is a perfect example of folk art in the Eastern Townships of Quebec where a small group of carvers produced model circus trains during the 1920's and 30's. Donor: M. Richard Bottomly

THE FENIAN RAIDS OF 1866 & 1870:

On June 7, 1866, Fenians crossed the border into Quebec under the command of Samuel Spears near Eccles Hill. For two days the Fenians held Pigeon Hill and the surrounding area including Frelighsburg and St. Armand without any opposition and intimidated the communities by damaging property. On June 9, 1866, the Fenians received word that Canadian militia were advancing and in response, they retreated to the border where they met U.S. troops who disarmed and arrested them.

The charge at Pigeon Hill was not the battle the Fenians had envisioned however it served to make their cause known and to boost their confidence that the invasion of Canada was possible. The local population lost faith in the ability of their government to protect them and decided to organize a home guard for their own defence.

On May25, 1870, news came again that Fenians were moving toward Missisquoi County under the command of General John O'Neill. Captain Asa Westover immediately called the volunteer Home Guards, the "Red Sashes" to take position at Eccles Hill. Although garrisons in Montreal moved toward the region and the 52nd Battalion and the 60th Battalion Volunteer Militia were alerted to the danger, it was the "Red Sashes" who were ready for the skirmish.

Thirteen Fenians were shot and killed and the rest numbering approximately 400 men, scattered into the woods. There were no home guard casualties and General O'Neill was forced to surrender. An intermittent exchange of gun fire continued until the 60th Battalion and the Victoria Rifles arrived and captured the small Fenian cannon. The raid was over by the evening as the Fenians retreated back to Vermont. The fact that these Raids were short-lived and did not have a significant effect on the course of Canadian history has meant that they only receive cursory notice in many history books. For local historians however, the Fenian Raids represent a significant event in the development of Missisquoi County.

HODGE'S GENERAL STORE(c. 1840): (B.Young)

Now restored as part of the Missisquoi Museum, this was a general store for three generations. Open six days a week until 11:00 p.m., it sold hardware, books, paint, groceries, and the much coveted Boston crackers and white cheese. At one time, the store also served as the village pharmacy and its account books for the nineteenth century show ample local use of morphine and opium. While refusing to sell cigarettes, Hodge did stock pipe and chewing tobacco and had well-placed spitoons for loungers around his stove.

This quaint general store served the local community for 140 years and now contains an extraordinary collection of authentic merchandise from the era of the Great Depression and World War II.

Hodge's Store is truly a place where time stood still.

The Annex is temporarily closed to the public until the completion of the Walbridge Barn Project.

For further information on the Missisquoi Museum collections, please contact the curator.

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