See the stars in broad daylight at the Museum of Lennox & Addington

*Paid Business Feature*

When visitors step inside the Museum of Lennox & Addington in Napanee, they are transported high into the night sky through the Our Dark Skies exhibit.

Two new space-themed exhibits are now on display at the Museum of Lennox & Addington, featuring dark sky photographs taken from various locations in L&A County, as well as a fun vintage space toys collection.

The museum offers stargazing within its walls this season, through a collection of 26 images of Lennox and Addington dark skies by local astrophotographers Joe Gilker and Tim Trentadue.

JoAnne Himmelman, the museum’s curator, said that this exhibit was inspired by the Lennox & Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area, a pristine stargazing area that has become a regular gathering place for astrophotographers.

“Lennox & Addington is home to an amazing natural asset, the L&A Dark Sky Viewing Area north of Erinsville. It is the most southerly dark sky site in Ontario, meaning the view of the stars is unimpeded by light pollution,” she explained. “The viewing conditions here are the same as they were over 100 years ago.”

The exhibit showcases a variety of dark sky images, from landscapes featuring the Milky Way, to the northern lights, to deep space nebulas.

“It’s incredible for me to think that these images were not only taken from here on earth, but literally from within a 30-minute drive from us here at the museum. It’s a bit mind-blowing, to be honest. We think this exhibit will inspire visitors to look at our dark skies in a different way,” Himmelman said.

The Our Dark Skies is on display until Saturday, Sep. 3, 2022.

A vintage space toy collection adds whimsy and nostalgia to the museum’s spring collection. Howie Meyer, an avid collector from New York, was excited and enthusiastic to have this collection shown at the L&A Museum and Archives, though he passed away before he could view the display himself.

According to the museum, Meyer was drawn to various types of antiques and oddities. The first to catch his eye were always the most colorful of toys, including some of the fabulously lithographed space toys which are on display now at the museum.

“I was told by his assistant that Howie was thrilled that his toys were being displayed and enjoyed — its why he collected in the first place,” said Himmelman. “So, in a way, it’s a wonderful tribute to Howard’s passion for toys and his enthusiasm for all things fun!”

The Vintage Space Toys exhibit is available until Tuesday, May 24, 2022.

An archival exhibit, Back On Earth, returns visitors to the Earth, soil, and the foundation of the settlement of L&A County, with a focus on advancements in agricultural machinery of the 20th century, according to the museum.

The images in Back On Earth represent a time and place where agriculture was increasingly dependent on efficiency and volume to meet the needs of locals and more far-reaching markets.

A brand new permanent exhibit, A Place to Call Home, rounds out this season’s programming. This exhibit lets visitors discover the County’s history, biodiversity, agriculture, and industry through the use of colourful maps, photographs, anecdotes, and artifacts.

Visit the Museum of Lennox & Addington at 97 Thomas Street East in Napanee, open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Plan your visit on their website.

This article is sponsored by the Museum of Lennox & Addington. If you are interested in a Business Feature on Kingstonist, contact [email protected]