MacLachlan Woodworking Museum Exhibit Information
TRADITIONAL WOODWORKING
Make
great shavings as you try traditional tools in our nineteenth century Cabinetmaker's Shop!
Compare the design and use of wooden planes and Stanley combination planes.
Our exhibits Tool Corner and Just Plane Wonderful show the diverse manufacture of
nineteenth century tools.
Understanding Wood explores the growth of trees and the unique features of different species. Learn which wood provides the best heat, and which makes sturdy tool handles.
SOCIAL HISTORY
The seasonal trade of Logging and Lumbering was an important part of homestead life. Examine the special tools needed for the harvest.
Opening in May 2006 is our newest exhibit "Wood in Building: Sash Windows" featuring the fascinating evolution of the vertical sliding sash window.
You can finish the day by making the shavings fly in the new Cabinetmaker's Workshop. Try several antique tools including specialty woodworking planes. Fun for the whole family!
FOUNDER FATHER AND FRIEND EXIHIBIT
The MacLachlan Woodworking Museum staff and associates are proud to announce the opening of an exciting new exhibit. The "Alexander 'Sandy' Grant MacLachlan. Founder, Father and Friend." exhibit will be open to the public as of September 2nd, 2009. It is dedicated to the life and deeds of the museum's founder, Sandy.
Summer holiday, 1930s: Sandy MacLachlan (standing) and his brother Francis. |
Sandy MacLachlan in his Boy Scout Uniform (mid 1930s, Ottawa). |
Sandy MacLachlan and his bride Ruth on their wedding day. |
Raised in Kingston and Ottawa, Sandy was a born collector and leader, seemingly destined to found a museum. As a child, he sharpened his 'curatorial skills' by collecting many things, including Hallowe'en candy. To keep his candy 'artifacts' safe from nibbling siblings, he would nail his collection into a wooden box, showing his early interest in conservation!
As a youth, Sandy developed his leadership skills by participating in Boy Scouts, Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, and the Queen's Own Highlanders. At his mother's request, Sandy completed one year of university before he donned his next uniform. After his first year of engineering at Queen's university, Sandy joined the Canadian Navy and entered WWII. He did a three year tour of duty on the HMCS Huron as a radar operator. After the war, he returned to school and completed his engineering degree at Queen's and then he moved to North Bay. In the late 1940s, Sandy returned to Kingston with his wife, Helen Ruth, to take over the family business (MacLachlan Lumber), settle down, and raise a family.
As he worked at the family lumber store, Sandy developed a deep fascination with wood and woodworking tools. He started to collect these things and even collected log cabins and entire log houses! As a centennial project, he opened a museum dedicated to 'wood in the service of man' where he showcased many artifacts of his personal collection. Eventually, Pittsburgh Township purchased the museum and moved it to its current location at Grass Creek Park.
In his twilight years, Sandy taught at Queen's university. He also helped his wife run a bed-and-breakfast from their family home. Sandy took great joy in his family, especially in having grandchildren. He made use of his musical and story-telling skills at every family gathering.
This new exhibit features artifacts and documents from Sandy's original museum collections, photos from his life, and an interactive audio 'discussion board' where visitors can learn about some of the many facets of this great man.
Without the generous help of Sandy's family, friends, co-workers, and other associates this exhibit would not have been possible. The MacLachlan Woodworking Museum staff would like to extend it's deepest thanks to all the people who gave their time and loaned their memories to this undertaking.
