The Rural Voice, 1993-08, Page 30Daytripping
Bob Batty's Century Agriculture Centre (above) features the old Clinton town
bell among the attractions. The School on Wheels (below) was a unique solution
developed to overcome northern isolation in education.
26 THE RURAL VOICE
Three
museums
recall
heritage
By Bonnie Gropp
and Keith Roulston
The past, both your own and
others', is a growing attraction in the
Clinton and Bayfield area of central
Huron County. Here three museums,
the result of personal and community
dedication, show off a little bit of the
past.
The private Century Agricultural
Centre, the community -backed
School on Wheels Museum and the
personal reconstruction of a Dutch
windmill near Bayfield provide
interesting destinations for summer
day trips.
Twenty years ago Bob Batty, who
lives about 1 km north of Clinton on
Huron County Road 8 (on the right
side of the road as you drive from
Clinton), began his collection of
antiques. Within five years, it rivaled
many others and in the years since,
Century Agriculture Centre
Homestead has taken thousands of
people on a wistful stroll through
time. For some, like those who
remember walking behind a plough,
it is a bittersweet memory, while for
others, who have never even seen a
plough, it is an educational and eye
opening experience.
A one time dairy farmer then milk
tester, Batty and his wife, Betty,
moved to the area in 1974. Forced to
quit his job due to health reasons,
Batty began to haunt the auction sales
of Richard Lobb, then for 15 years
worked with the auctioneer. Like the
child in the candy store, temptation
proved too great many times. "It's
pretty hard to like something, be