By: Fred Groves, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter

The community gathered at the Tilbury and District Historical Society for the unveiling of a historic plaque — an event that quickly turned into a Lanoue family reunion.

The Lanoue clan came together to commemorate their rich heritage dating back to the 1850s. That is when a log cabin was built at the corner of Queen and Canal, where the post office now stands, before being moved down the street to its current location at 20 Canal Street West.

Although it is no longer a residence, memories remain vivid for those who once slept upstairs and walked across the street to St. Francis Catholic Church.

One of the guests at the ceremony was Mary Lou Beauae, whose grandfather, Moise Lanoue, was one of 15 children raised by Jean Baptiste Lanoue and his wife, Celeste Champagne, in that log cabin.

“I spent my summer holidays here. I have a lot of memories here,” Beauae said.

She recalls her grandmother Louise’s passing and how she was laid out in the log cabin’s parlour before being wheeled across the road to the church for the funeral.

It was Beauae who sold the log cabin to the Historical Society, founded in 2008. The plaque now standing proudly in front of the yellow building on Canal Street is a detailed historical account of the Lanoue family. It was sponsored by the family and local resident Karen Marchand.

More than a dozen family members from multiple generations posed for a photo beside the plaque, and two of the youngest — Max and Blake, whose great‑great‑great‑grandparents lived in the house — toured it for the first time.

“Downstairs is cool, the floor is squeaky,” said eight‑year‑old Blake.

The wooden floors, timber ceilings and walls are original to the structure, built in 1857 for Stephanie Gervais.

“I wanted to see the house. I live in Merlin,” said Max, 11.

The event featured entertainment, refreshments and beautifully decorated grounds. The Tilbury and District Historical Society uses the phrase ‘Family Through Time’ to describe its mission.

Inside the house are genealogical and local history files, many donated by Maxine Gardiner and Sylvester McKeon.

“We have a lot of material from the old families,” said society president Courney.

While the building contains numerous photos and artifacts, it is not a museum. The Historical Society prides itself on research, including helping residents trace their own family history.

The yellow house with green trim across from the church — the one with the quaint white picket fence — is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1 to 3 p.m.

Anyone wishing to join can call 519‑682‑2020 or email sec@tadhs.com.