Exquisite Detail in Miniatures Crafted by Local Artisans

7/10/2021

miniature grain cradle and cant hook by Ken Bowes

snake fence by Alex Bowes

While the Middleville Museum has lots of life size artifacts to enjoy, you might be surprised that its collection includes miniature replicas of fences, farm machinery, logging tools, sleighs, wagons, an ox cart, a cabin, sugar shacks and even a complete Church.
A display of ten types of traditional fences by Alex Bowes demonstrates that there is more to fence design than meets the eye. Many master fence builders have signature designs that make their fences stand out from the rest.
Childhood memories are depicted in the miniature wagons and sleighs carefully carved by Arthur Kirkham of Bathurst Township in the late 1990’s.
The work by Bruce White of Lanark is displayed in the Agricultural and Shanty Exhibits. A hay wagon carrying actual hay and a plow ready for the furrow are of interest to visitors. Loads of logs on sleighs and a miniature log truck show how the lumber business evolved. A train with two cars loaded with logs is also on display.
The past year has seen the arrival of two new additions to the Museum’s collection of miniatures. A detailed exact replica of the St. Declan’s Roman Catholic Church at Brightside crafted by Raymond Cole in the 1990’s was donated by his family. Visitors can peer in through the front door and see the pews, altar and paintings that grace the walls. It even has a tiny bell in the bell tower.
An extensive collection of miniature replica artifacts was donated by the family of Ken Bowes. Ken (1918 – 2005) was born in nearby Galbraith and lived his adult life in the community of Middleville. After years of working in the bush and hauling logs with his horses, Ken decided to put his skill for shaping wood with an axe to good use. He was inspired when he saw some miniatures and decided to give it try. He crafted a collection of his own in the 1970’s. His attention to the finest detail meant hand stitching and finding creative solutions for how to replicate real item in tiny versions.
Visitors can learn about how life used to be while enjoying the exquisite details in these amazing works of art at the Middleville and District Museum.