MPP Dave Smith met with the team at Hutchison House Museum on Friday to hear more about the $11,800 Capital grant it received this summer from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).
The six-month grant has been used to create a new accessible walkway through the museum’s herb/medicine garden. The project provides an even surface for visitors, especially those with mobility issues or seniors to enjoy the medicine and herb gardens on the west side of the museum. This enjoyment could come from just looking at or learning about the gardens from a staff or volunteer or from working in the gardens themselves.
“The Gardens of Hutchison House Museum are one of the first things that visitors see when they are on site,” said Erin Panepinto, Curator and Manager, Hutchison House Museum. “They are an extension of the museum experience representing the 1860s and the types of plants available and popular during the time of the Hutchison and Harvey families. They help to draw in visitors and attract new volunteers. Having the new accessible pathway through the herb/medicine gardens allows for visitors to safely tour through all of the gardens or provide safe space for volunteers to work in the gardens.”
The purpose of this project was to create an accessible walkway through the west gardens at Hutchison House Museum. The original flagstone path, while suited to the historic site, was narrow and uneven, making it difficult for visitors with mobility challenges to use. Thanks to the grant, the flagstone was replaced with paving stones that match the museum’s other walkways. The new, wider path can accommodate walkers and other mobility aids, allowing visitors to safely and comfortably enjoy the herb gardens.
“Investments like this help preserve Peterborough’s rich history while ensuring our local heritage sites remain accessible and welcoming to everyone,” said Dave Smith, MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha. “The improvements to the pathway at Hutchison House Museum will make it easier for seniors and visitors with mobility challenges to enjoy the herb and medicine gardens and learn more about our community’s past. I’m pleased to see provincial funding supporting projects that protect our heritage and make it more accessible for future generations.”
Visit otf.ca to learn more.
