Jelly Massee Art Fundraiser at the Archives
Local artist Jelly Massee has donated one of her historical paintings to the Pontiac Archives for an online auction.
The piece, entitled “Camping on the Ottawa”, will be open for bids until 10:30 am on October 22, 2025.
Please visit https://auction.pontiacarchives.org to take part in the auction.
PHS Presentation at the Archives
On November 12th, the Pontiac Archives played host to a lively student presentation about the Archeo-Pontiac dig at a former fur trading post located in Onslow. PHS students detailed the various processes involved in an archeological excavation, such as troweling in the dirt, sifting, washing, and then classifying artifacts found. Students provided a history of the fur trading post dating back to 1786 and the Kichi Sibi (Ottawa) River, as well as a description of the stromatolite fossils found nearby along the shore. The students were excited to share that they had uncovered a variety of objects including pottery shards, metal nails and brackets, pieces of brick, clay pipe stems, fish, and animal bones and even a glass trading bead that was found last year. Guidance Counsellor, Jo-Anne Brownlee, and her team of scholars would like to thank the Pontiac Archives, the Pontiac Museum, Notary Nancy Suominen and the Friends of the Chats Falls for their help in making this valuable and unique experience a reality for the students at Pontiac High School.
Pontiac Archives Launches New Website
The Pontiac Archives is excited to introduce its brand-new website, now open for a “soft launch” with exclusive access to hundreds of historic photos, rare documents, and audio recordings from the Pontiac’s colorful past. This isn’t just a website; it’s a digital journey through time, capturing the heart and soul of our region’s stories.
From treasured family photos and handwritten records to the voices of Pontiac residents in their own words, this online collection lets you see, hear, and feel the history that shaped our community. Whether you’re diving into Pontiac’s early settler days, reliving old community gatherings, or uncovering stories you never knew existed, there’s something here for everyone.
Explore, reminisce, and connect with Pontiac’s heritage in a whole new way. As we continue adding to this collection, we’d love to hear from you—share your memories, your stories, and your feedback to help us grow this living archive!