Victory for Mississippi Mills’ history: Naismith, McKenzie collections to remain at Mill of Kintail

Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) has accepted a proposal from the Municipality of Mississippi Mills to take over operation of the Mill of Kintail Museum, ensuring the nationally significant collections of Dr. James Naismith and Dr. R. Tait McKenzie remain in the community.

The transfer of museum operations and ownership of the collections is expected to take place in 2028, allowing it to continue to honour the two childhood friends from Ramsay Township whose achievements had a global impact.

James Naismith invented basketball, now played by hundreds of millions of people worldwide, while Dr. R. Tait McKenzie earned international recognition as a physician, sculptor, educator and pioneer in physical rehabilitation.

The agreement comes after the conservation authority announced last year it could no longer guarantee the museum’s long-term operation because of changes to provincial funding for conservation authorities, and as a result was seeking a new operator.

At the time, some pieces on loan from institutions such as Pennsylvania State University and McGill University could have been returned to their owners if a sustainable local solution could not be found, raising concerns that parts of the collection might leave the Mill of Kintail and the community altogether.

In response, Mississippi Mills council pledged to do everything it could to keep the collections in their longtime home, arguing the stories of Naismith and McKenzie should continue to be told where the two childhood friends grew up and where McKenzie later established his summer home and studio.

“This was a challenging situation, and we are very pleased that the Municipality is partnering with MVCA to keep the collections in the community,” said MVCA General Manager Sally McIntyre in a Friday, July 25 media release from both the Municipality and the MVCA.

Mayor Christa Lowry said public feedback made it clear residents wanted the collections to remain at the Mill of Kintail.

“The feedback we heard from our community was crystal clear: Residents wanted these nationally significant collections to remain at the Mill of Kintail Museum,” said Lowry.

“The community’s passion and support reinforced the need to put forward a strong proposal. We are proud to secure the future of the Dr. James Naismith and Dr. Robert Tait McKenzie collections at the Mill of Kintail, where two young boys from Ramsay once played, dreamed and began journeys that would ultimately inspire the world.”

Councillor Bev Holmes, who sits on the MVCA board and chairs the museum’s advisory committee, said preserving the collections at the Mill of Kintail was essential.

“These men are national treasures and were international leaders in their field. It was critical that their story continued to be told at the Mill of Kintail,” Holmes said.

The museum traces its roots to Major James and Irene Leys, who purchased the mill property in 1952 and transformed the former McKenzie summer home into a museum. Ownership of the property and collection was transferred to MVCA in 1972, with the museum reopening the following year.

Over the past five decades, MVCA expanded to manage the McKenzie collection and acquire the Naismith collection in 2017. The authority also established a climate-controlled archive at the Gate House, with both the museum and archive expected to remain in use under the new partnership.

“The museum has been a source of pride for decades and we are pleased that this partnership with the Municipality will allow it to remain a feature attraction at our Mill of Kintail Conservation Area for years to come,” stated Scott Lawryk, MVCA’s manager of programs and properties.

The municipality plans to begin working with community partners and volunteers in early 2027 to help shape the future of the Brothers of the Wind collections and their long-term preservation, Friday’s release says.