Carleton Place Rules the World — Almonte Waves a White Flag!

Al Photos by Linda Seccaspina

If you read my story about the Ballygiblin Riots, you know there has been a deep rivalry between Almonte and Carleton Place for years. Last week I took a brave step for mankind, and visited the Mississippi Valley Textile Mill Museum in Almonte. Now get this Carleton Place citizens– Admin Assistant: Matthew Moxley, and Executive Director / Curator: Michael Rikley are extending a personal invitation to their Almonte Museum. I mean, look at that picture, they love us!

I am sure you are now saying,

“Oh darn, Linda is writing a boring Museum piece, let’s stop reading now.”

BUT WAIT- take a walk on the wild side with me for a bit!

Since I began my personal mission to create awareness for our area, I have stopped haunting the online celebrity sites, and now digging in old files. Why? Because I want to know the rest of the story.

Not only is the Mississippi Valley Textile Mill Museum part of YOUR heritage, but there is a story I want to do about their bathroom. Have I now piqued your interest?

I finally understand Museums are responsible for protecting the information about our heritage. Without them, these items might be lost to time, or some private collector might be hawking this stuff on eBay. Unlike other Museums in the United States and Europe, Almonte and Carleton Place don’t ban selfie sticks either.

Talk to any one that works for a Museum, and find out how they fund it.  It’s like running across a bed of nails. Many of the Museums in Ottawa are funded by the government or city. However, operating budgets of Museums like Carleton Place and Almonte are pretty bare-bones. These people don’t do this job for themselves….they do it for you. Without your support they may have to close!

For you gents that tag along with the ladies who aren’t really interested in stitchery, they have early mill history and some “manly” period mill equipment, and then there’s that bathroom. You’ve got to love it!

So why should Carleton Place give a hooey about the Almonte Museum? Because, my friends, most of the raw wool in Canada is sent to Carleton Place first for global distribution. We actually rule the wool world! Our local co-operative that you see while you sit in the Drive-Thru at the Carleton Place Tim Horton’s grades and markets close to 3 million pounds of raw wool each year. The majority of this coming from Québec, Ontario, and Alberta. Put that in your Double-Double!  You see, Almonte could never really live without us, so it’s time to be neighbourly and visit. Don’t you think?

Mississippi Valley Textile Museum

3, Rosamond St. E.
Almonte, Ontario
K0A 1A0

October to March
Tuesday to Saturday: 10 am to 4 pm.

April to September
Tuesday to Saturday: 10 am to 4 pm.
Sunday: 1 pm to 4 pm.

Children under 12 are always free

Admission $5.00
Members admitted without charge

The Carleton Place Beckwith and Hertiage Museum is open SEVEN days a week: Monday through Saturday 1 – 4pm and on Sundays from 1 – 4pm. So yes, visit us this afternoon and also come see the memories of Annie E. Duff.

As always, please call us to arrange a visit outside of these hours.

For more information or to book a tour, call 613-253-7013 or email us at cpbheritagemuseum@bellnet.ca

The Rosamond Woolen Company’s Constipation Blues