Help Celebrate Lester B Pearson
As part of Canada’s 150th Anniversary Celebration, the Billings Museum Board is excited to be presenting an exhibit featuring the life of one of Canada’s former Prime Ministers - The Right Honourable Lester B. Pearson who served as our Member of Parliament from 1948-1968. Nowhere in Canada, except at the Old Mill Heritage Centre on Manitoulin Island, will you find a collection of artifacts from this Prime Minister. His personal items (originally from his Rockcliffe home) have now arrived from the National Archives in Ottawa. These artifacts include a bronze reproduction of Lester B. Pearson’s Nobel Peace Prize that was commissioned personally by Mr. Pearson, to be displayed at museums like the Old Mill Heritage Centre. Also included is his desk, personal mementos, medallions and plaques along with several historical photographic reproductions. 
Nobel Peace Prize
While we are honoured to do this, the expense to put on such an exhibit is enormous. The Old Mill Heritage Centre in Kagawong is asking for your help in maintaining this collection at our small but dynamic museum over the next several months. So far, the GoFundMe account has raised just enough to cover the transportation cost to bring Mr. Pearson’s personal items to Manitoulin Island from Ottawa and we thank you for your support. However, we still need to fundraise to pay the cost to return the collection after Thanksgiving. In addition material were purchased to upgrade the interior of the museum to accommodate this exhibit. 
Original campaign poster
Mr. Pearson’s family has been very supportive with the idea of having the artifacts displayed at the Old Mill Heritage Centre. Patricia Pearson the granddaughter of Lester B. Pearson has confirmed she will be in attendance at the annual History Day in Kagawong on August 10th as a guest speaker. She will be speaking about her famous grandfather.
The above photo is Austin Hunt and Lester B Pearson at the Providence Bay Fair in early 1960s
The wonderful display of Lester B Pearsons office. Thank you for your generous donations to the ONGOING help celebrate Lester B Pearson campaign.
We appreciate your continued support
While the main exhibit will feature the Lester B. Pearson Collection, there will be an additional display honouring Senator Thomas Farquhar who gave up his seat in 1948 in this riding for Mr. Pearson to run and eventually join the House of Commons. The Old Mill Heritage Centre will also be celebrating with an exhibit the life of our own Mayor Austin Hunt who was Mr. Pearson’s official agent and local campaign manager.
The Old Mill Heritage Centre welcomes thousands of visitors a season and we are sure this display will be a major attraction to many people over the coming months. The goal to cover the Pearson exhibit and public events is $10,000.00. Can you help us by donating for this historic event?
The Old Mill Heritage Centre opens for the season May Long Weekend and runs until Thanksgiving. Thank You from the Billings Museum Board.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/pearson-archives-headed-manitoulin-1.3994419
