Editor’s Note: The future of the R. Tait McKenzie and Naismith collections at the Mill of Kintail has been uncertain for some time now. We are pleased to share this good news:
The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) is pleased to announce that a proposal from the Municipality of Mississippi Mills to assume operation of the museum at the Mill of Kintail Conservation Area has been accepted. Transfer of the R. Tait McKenzie and James Naismith collections and museum operations is planned for 2028.
In 2024, changes to the funding model for conservation authorities made it impossible for MVCA to commit to long-term operation of the museum. Accordingly, in 2025 the Board approved a transition plan that sought another organization to assume museum operations and ownership of the collections.
“This was a challenging situation, and we are very pleased that the municipality is partnering with MVCA to keep the collections in the community,” says Sally McIntyre, MVCA’s general manager.
Mayor Christa Lowry and the Mississippi Mills Council were pleased to learn that their proposal was accepted.
“The feedback we heard from our community was crystal clear: Residents wanted these nationally significant collections to remain at the Mill of Kintail museum,” says Mayor 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.”
“These men are national treasures and were international leaders in their fields. It was critical that their story continued to be told at the Mill of Kintail,” adds Mississippi Mills Councillor Bev Holmes, a member of MVCA’s board and chair of the museum’s advisory committee.
The museum was the brainchild of Major James and Irene Leys, who purchased the mill in 1952 and converted the former McKenzie summer home into a museum that they ran for over 15 years. In 1971, Leys and MVCA’s Board entered discussions to transfer ownership of the property and museum collection to MVCA. This occurred in 1972, with the official reopening of the museum in 1973.
MVCA expanded and managed the McKenzie collection for over 50 years and acquired the Naismith collection in 2017. In addition to hosting many events and exhibitions, MVCA took care to protect both the historic features and physical integrity of the mill building and the collections. Following acquisition of the adjacent Monette property in 1986, MVCA established a climate-controlled archive at the Gate House. Both facilities will remain in use under the proposed 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,” said Scott Lawryk, manager of programs & properties.
In early 2027, the municipality plans to engage community partners and volunteers to help shape the future of the Brothers of the Wind collections at the Mill of Kintail, ensuring their long-term preservation and continued role as an inspiring cultural destination.
