Mississippi Mills presses MVCA to keep McKenzie and Naismith collections at Mill of Kintail

Mississippi Mills Mayor Christa Lowry has given her pitch to the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) board to preserve the R. Tait McKenzie and James Naismith collections at the Mill of Kintail.

Lowry told Lanarkist she was encouraged by the opportunity to present on Monday, Sept. 8 for approximately 45 minutes. She noted board members were generous with their time, and while some expressed no sense of urgency, others acknowledged the need for swift action.

James Naismith, born in Almonte in 1861, invented the game of basketball while working as a physical education instructor in Massachusetts. His creation went on to become one of the world’s most popular sports. R. Tait McKenzie, also from Almonte, was a physician, sculptor and physical educator known internationally for his work in rehabilitative medicine and for his art celebrating the human form. Together, their legacies highlight Mississippi Mills’ outsized role in shaping Canadian and international culture.

“These aren’t just local treasures,” Lowry told Lanarkist after the meeting. “They’re an important part of Canada’s story.”

In a statement to Lanarkist, the MVCA confirmed members “share the mayor’s concerns regarding the protection of Canada’s heritage and will continue to work with Mississippi Mills to find a financially sustainable solution that allows the McKenzie and Naismith collections to remain in the community.”

The authority stressed, however, that it must make a timely decision. Its 2026 budget will be tabled Dec. 8, and a five-year Museum Strategic Plan is due to the province in June. That leaves about two and a half months for Mississippi Mills or another partner to present a viable funding model.

“This matter has been under discussion since 2019,” MVCA statement noted. “It is unfortunate that no solution was found to date.”

MVCA also confirmed it is waiting on a response from the municipality about whether it would consider assuming responsibility for the collections or increasing its annual grant. At the same time, staff are reviewing a possible proposal from the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, which has signalled interest in taking over management. A report is expected Oct. 20.

Lowry said she hopes the meeting signals a willingness for dialogue and underlined her goal: keeping the collections where they are.

“I think this is an example of how it’s time for Canadians to really fiercely champion and protect our historic and cultural icons,” she said. “There’s a real risk here of losing these collections.”