The Town Of Tecumseh
You head across the tracks heading west from St. Clair Beach and to your immediate right you might pass the “Town of Tecumseh Heritage Centre”.
I feel like I’ve passed it 100 times, probably way more, and I have never taken the time to stop in.
But today, after a lovely lunch with my folks at Jerry and Jenny’s I decided to take a moment and look around.
I didn’t even go into the museum because apparently it is only open on Thursdays but I did walk around the tiny heritage park and noticed quite a lot of things I didn’t before when zooming by in a car.
“Tecumseh has a rich French history dating back to the early settlers. Included in the societyʼs inventory of artifacts are medical supplies from Col. Paul Poisson, who was Tecumsehʼs first mayor, antique photographs of the old centre of the town, memorabilia from the Tecumseh Baseball Club, a Doherty pump organ, the telephone switchboard from Hotel Dieu Hospital, an Essex Scottish army uniform, and a photographic portrait of the townʼs first postmaster, Joseph Christe. Bottles from the townʼs past breweries are also popular with museum visitors.” ( Tourism Windsor/Essex)
I enjoyed walking around in the brilliant sunshine and checking out the old buildings and equipment. It’s nice to be able to display some of the town’s history this way.
“In 1977, thirteen residents of the area formed a venue to display that history to the public. The Tecumseh Area Historical Society (TAHS) holds several artefacts which hold local importance. Among other items, these artefacts include medical supplies from the town’s first mayor, bottles from the town’s past breweries, Essex Scottish army uniforms, and many antique photographs.
The Society is located on the same property as the historical Lesperance Family Log Cabin, sitting only a few meters from the original Tecumseh train station. It’s 220 years old.
The property also boasts a beautiful indigenous garden space complete with a reproduced teepee tent.” ( 1,000 Towns of Canada)
(Middle photo above from website)
Chief Tecumseh was a very wise man. He said……
"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none. When you rise in the morning give thanks for the food and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When it comes for your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes, they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home."
Chief Tecumseh, Shawnee Nation
I’m glad I finally took the time to stop by!