Windsor's Community Museum facts for kids
 |
|
| Established | 1958 |
|---|---|
| Location | Windsor, Ontario, Canada] |
| Type | historic museum |
The Windsor Community Museum is a cool place in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It shows off amazing things from Windsor's past. The museum is located in a very old building called the François Baby House. This house was built way back in 1812 by François Baby, who was an important person in the area. Today, the François Baby House is recognized as a National Historic Site.
The museum started in 1958. It was first called the Hiram Walker Historical Museum. This was because Hiram Walker and Sons Limited gave a lot of money to help fix up the Baby House. In 1991, the museum's name changed to "François Baby House: Windsor's Community Museum." This helped people know it was a museum, not just a company. It also showed what the museum was really about. In 1996, it became "Windsor's Community Museum." Then, in 2016, it changed to "Museum Windsor" when a second location, the Chimczuk Museum, opened.
The museum building now holds over 15,000 old items and papers. These items are very important to the history of Windsor and the larger Essex County, Ontario area. George Fortune Macdonald, a local historian, started the museum in 1958. Now, the City of Windsor helps run it. The museum also has an Interpretation Centre behind the Duff Baby House. This building is mostly used for school programs and learning activities.
Contents
The Battle of Windsor
In 1966, a special marker was put up at the museum. It tells about an important event called the Battle of Windsor. This battle happened on December 4, 1838.
What Happened in 1838?
Early that morning, about 140 people crossed the river from Detroit. These people were American and Canadian supporters of William Lyon Mackenzie. They landed near Windsor. They captured and burned a nearby military building. Then, they took control of Windsor.
The Fight and Its Aftermath
In the area where the museum is now, these invaders met a group of about 130 local soldiers. These soldiers were led by Colonel John Prince. The soldiers defeated the invaders. Some of the invaders were captured. Colonel Prince ordered that four of them be put to death right away. This decision caused a lot of strong feelings in both Canada and the United States. Other captured invaders were put on trial. Six were put to death, eighteen were sent to a faraway prison in Tasmania, and sixteen were sent out of the country.
Museum Connections
The Windsor Community Museum works with other groups. These connections help the museum share its history and learn from others.
- Canadian Museums Association
- Canadian Heritage Information Network
- Virtual Museum of Canada
See also
In Spanish: Museo de la comunidad de Windsor para niños
