Help Us Preserve Chester's Heritage🏛️ Become a member of the Chester Municipal Heritage Society and help safeguard Chester's historic buildings, stories, and landscapes for future generations.Dear friends and supporters of the Chester Municipal Heritage Society,As summer draws to a close, I hope you have enjoyed a safe and pleasant season.First and foremost, thank you for your continued support of CMHS. Your memberships, donations, encouragement, and volunteer efforts make it possible for us to continue preserving and celebrating Chester's unique heritage.I am also pleased to introduce our new, easy system for renewing your membership or joining CMHS for the first time.Over the past year, CMHS has accomplished a great deal. Highlights include:Acquiring the Train Station land and additional property from DNR for future development.Reducing property taxes through negotiations with the Province and Municipality.Moving forward with plans for a Chester Municipal Museum.Upgrading Station utilities, heating, washrooms, and providing electricity to the CNR caboose.Keeping the Train Station increasingly active throughout the year.Maintaining and repainting Maple Cottage.Improving exhibits and access to the genealogy collection at Lordly House.Hosting a successful Canada Day Celebration attended by hundreds of residents and visitors.Holding the "Hats Off to Carol Nauss" Tea, which raised approximately $1,400.Establishing the position of Station Master to assist with management, maintenance, marketing, and museum development.Securing grants to support our programs and events.Developing an advisory group to assist the Board with future planning.Continuing to work with community partners, including the Zoe Valle Library, Village Commission, and Municipality of Chester.How You Can HelpTo continue this important work, we need your support.Become a member or renew your membership.Volunteer. We welcome help in many areas, whether it is an hour a week or occasional assistance at an event.Make a donation. Every contribution, large or small, makes a difference.Chester's history and heritage belong to all of us. The Chester Municipal Heritage Society cannot preserve it alone—we need members, volunteers, donors, and friends to help carry this work forward.I hope you will consider joining us, renewing your membership, offering some of your time, or making a contribution.Together, we can ensure that Chester's heritage remains alive and appreciated for generations to come.Thank you for your continued friendship and support.With warmest regards,Leigh RobertsonChair, Chester Municipal Heritage Society

Volunteer with the Chester Municipal Heritage Society to help preserve the stories, buildings, and landscapes that define Chester. Your time supports research, archival work, site maintenance, and public programs that share our community’s past.Chester Heritage is a registered charity that succeeds with the aid of the volunteers that help with various elements of the organization. With the help of grant funded summer students, a dedicated board of directors, and local volunteers, the CMHS is proud and honored to provide entertaining events, exhibits, and facilities for the community and the visitors/tourists to enjoy.Whether you enjoy careful documentation, hands-on work at heritage sites, or welcoming visitors during tours and events, there is a role for you. Please tell us about your interests and skills below so we can match you with suitable opportunities.