100 Years of Music in Windsor

By Jennifer McMullan

According to the president of the Windsor Federation of Musicians, recognizing Windsor musicians is the best way to celebrate the talents we have in our own community.

Windsor’s Community Museum is holding an exhibit for 100 Years of Music, honouring the anniversary of the Federation, which has been around since 1911.

The exhibit is being held until the end of December. It opened on Family Day and displays past musicians and musical technologies of Windsor’s music scene.

Federation president Chris Borshuk said Windsor has always been recognized as putting out really good musicians, especially considering the size.

Borshuk said the exhibit is a great way for people to catch up on memories of these past musicians.

“There have been some significant well known musicians that have come out of this area,” said Borshuk.  “Musicians that people will remember who have gone out and followed bands and music in Windsor for a lot of years.”

The exhibit collection includes video histories, posters, recordings and photographs which trace the Federation over the last century.

Museum curator Hugh Barrett said it’s important to recognize the history of the Federation and the contributions they made through helping Windsor musicians.

“Arts and culture are very important in any city or any community,” said Barrett.  “In any city you need art and history and culture, you can’t survive on just working all day.”

The museum is located downtown on Pitt Street West. It is the perfect place to hold the exhibit, according to Barrett, because most music events are held in the downtown core.

“We’re the only local history museum in Windsor,” he said. “It’s a place where people can see the history of their community. That’s what Windsor’s Community Museum is all about, it’s just the history of this area.”