Thanks to a $200,000 capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village (CTMHV) has recently been able to upgrade many of the buildings in the village, including the opening of a new vintage print shop.
Essex MPP Anthony Leardi was on hand for the announcement made on Wednesday, July 29 as a printing demonstration took centre stage.
“Congratulations to the board and volunteers for their hard work in obtaining this grant,” said Leardi. “I love participating in many of the activities here at the village.”
CTMHV curator Robyn Corbett said that many of the village’s buildings received new roofs, and they were able to expend electric power to many of the building that previously were without power.
“The effects of this grant cannot be undersold,” said Corbett.
“With this grant, we have been able to make much needed upgrades that enhance programming and visitor experiences.”
The main focus of the day, however, was on the Chandler & Price Letterpress which sat out in front of the newly renovated building that will soon become the village print shop.
Courtney Gregorian, Education Coordinator at the village, demonstrated the printing press capabilities and the patience required to operate such a manual printing machine. According to Gregorian, the press she operated was used for small print jobs such as prescription slips. They also have a large press capable of printing newspapers that was donated by the Essex Free Press a few years back.
The press uses lead type and galleys that were the standard in the printing industry up until the 1970s.
According to Corbett, staff, board members and volunteers put in a large number of hours to get the renovations done — working alongside local professional contractors.
David Campbell of the Ontario Trillium Foundation said that he’s happy the funds are being used
in such a manner.
“We celebrate everything the CTMHV does in our community,” he said. “I know the impact this has on families in the region.”
One guest who was curious about the announcement was visiting the village with his family when they happened upon the set-up.
Daniel Schultheiss, who is actually the mayor of Ilmenau, Germany, stopped to talk with MPP Leardi and said they are enjoying their trip to Canada and were impressed by the history displayed at the village. He and his family continued on touring all of the buildings in the village after stopping to
say hello.
