Dundas Museum and Archives
Posted by Ralph Montesanto
What better way for Clare Crozier, President and Board Chair of the Dundas Museum and Archives to introduce the role of the museum than by telling a story about one of the community's earliest settlers. Ann Morden came to the Dundas area back in 1780 after her husband Ralph was hanged for treason in Pennsylvania on November 25, 1780. Ralph was arrested for helping Robert Land escape after his first trial for aiding Major General Benedict Arnold in his escape from General Washington. General Arnold had planned to turn over his fort to the British but was found out before it could happen. It turned out that the prosecuter at Ralph Morden's trial was his brother-in-law who wanted to prove his loyalty to the new government and pushed hard for Ralph's execution.
What better way for Clare Crozier, President and Board Chair of the Dundas Museum and Archives to introduce the role of the museum than by telling a story about one of the community's earliest settlers. Ann Morden came to the Dundas area back in 1780 after her husband Ralph was hanged for treason in Pennsylvania on November 25, 1780. Ralph was arrested for helping Robert Land escape after his first trial for aiding Major General Benedict Arnold in his escape from General Washington. General Arnold had planned to turn over his fort to the British but was found out before it could happen. It turned out that the prosecuter at Ralph Morden's trial was his brother-in-law who wanted to prove his loyalty to the new government and pushed hard for Ralph's execution.
This story then lead to the role of the museum and its archives and its importance for the preservation of the history of the Dundas area. Attendance at the museum is measured by actual visits to the building and also by visits to its website. Last year attendance was up by 40% and during the first quarter of this year over 6900 people had either been to the building or visited the website for information. The museum is planning a 1.8 million dollar addition to hold all the archives that are stored in multiple offsite locations. President Clare wants our club and its members to be aware that the museum board is looking to all quarters for financial support.