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sponsors, the Hastings County Museum of Agricul­ tural Heritage has grown to where it is as you see it today. Untold hours of volunteer help have saved the museum countless dollars, which in turn can be funnelled into each project. We have the services of everyone from a plumber, an elec­ trician. narrated by Roy Bonisteel. It is intended to educate the viewer on the value of agriculture, the changes that have taken place, and the future outlook for agri­ culture within Hastings County and beyond. Further technology is available as well, with the addition of an audio wand system. The wand enables person to go on a self-guided tour, with an explana­ tion of various artifacts through­ out the museum. This system has been very well re­ ceived by tourists. Further, tourists may view three very informative separate movies, Dairy Farming, Cheese Making, and Butter Mak­ ing. A coffee club helps with nu­ merous projects. The men meet eachnumer- carpenters, draftsmen, paint­ ers, a man with a back hoe, and of course, "Jack- of-all" tradesper- sons, and all are volunteers. As the museum sits on Agricultur­ al Society owned land, no property taxes are paid. Also, we have fo­ cused our dollars on the interiors of the structures, rather than on expensive upkeep of the exteriors. Therefore, buildings are all steel clad making them maintenance free. ous the Highlights of the Hastings County Museum Of Agricultural Heritage were promoted on a media day held in April 2008. On hand as part of the tour were Lianne Radocsay (fourth from right) and Mike Wells (second from right) of the 150th Anniversary Committee; they flank Ron Reid of the museum. every morning in a little club house they have erected, and through their generosity have been able to move forward. We boast well over photo courtesy Richard Turtle One of our proj­ ects in the works is the Memorial Gardens you see at the front of the first building. These gardens are in memory of those individuals who have gone before us all, and who have helped in some way to bring the museum to where it is today. To date, in excess of $750,000 has been raised within the Hastings County area, and beyond. Very little in the way of government moneys have been received, a fact of which again, we are most proud. The museum tour starts with a ten-minute movie, wc 600 shareholders of our museum. Most of the arti­ facts, with the exception of two or three, have been donated. This project has captured the hearts and pocket- books of many in the area, and we feel that you will agree, we should be justifiably proud. We trust you have enjoyed your tour and certainly look forward to meeting many of you again. AGRICULTURE: AN ENDURING LEGACY by Lewis Zandbergen the Grand Junction Railway running through it, it must become an important town and a central market for products of the County. "The Grand Junction Railway which is completed from Belleville to Hastings, passes through the vil­ lage and will establish an important market and a depot for the purchase and shipment of grain, cheese and all other products of the farm, besides being an outlet for all the country north." Agriculture has played a vital role in the develop­ ment of Stirling. Farmers were the first to settle the land making it possible for millers, storekeepers and other businessmen to follow. The following excerpt is from the Hastings County Directory for 1869-1870. "Located in the heart of a thickly settled and fine agricultural part of the County, and being possessed of one of the best flouring mills in the country ... and 144