Puzzle Pieces

Do you have a piece of the puzzle?

I take this seriously, as we care for and restore the Forest Carnegie Library, as it grows to be an Event Centre, the past have pieces missing.

Puzzle Piece 1, the front doors. I know Mr. Victor Alderson had them renovated, and they were beautiful. Today, those doors are gone. Somebody in Forest must know where they went. If you know where they are or how we might be able to reacquire them, please let us know. We'd love to bring this piece of the building's history home again.

Puzzle Piece 2, the red brick. As we continue renovations, we've learned that some of the brick needs to be replaced. Our qualified contractor has advised us to source red brick from the early 1900s. So we're asking, do you know of an old building renovation or demolition where brick like that might be available? If you know of a pile of old brick that is behind a barn or in a garage or someone who's salvaged materials, we'd be so grateful, if you pointed us in the right direction.

Puzzle Piece 3, making the building more accessible. We've having the front stairs attended to, new treads are being put on the inside stairs, along with adding a banister on both sides of the inside entry. We've also asked for a quote to add a steel ramp along the south wall.

If you know a reputable local steel fabricator or welder who might be able to do this job, we'd appreciate the introduction.

Every piece to this puzzle matters. We're learning that restoring a building like this is not only about bricks and mortar.

It's about finding the people who remember. Maybe someone knows where a door went. Maybe someone has the right brick. Maybe someone knows the person who can do the work.

And perhaps you have something else that can help us understand the past stories, that need to be remembered. Do you have a photograph from the past, an original library card, a postcard, or a memory of the original front doors? We'd love to hear from you.

You don't have to give anything away. We'd be grateful simply to see it, photograph it, or hear your story. This building belongs to the history of Forest. Help us bring that history forward. And, of course, bring your own Thirst for Knowledge. ❤️

Lastly Puzzle Piece 4, a little Christmas Magic. This year, the Event Centre is part of the Forest Lambton Museums' Christmas HollyBerry Home Tour, Nov 14 - 15, 2026 and we're going to be decorating the Carnegie Event Centre for the holidays.

If you have holiday decorations like an outdoor reindeer, placard to do face photos or larger ornaments you're no longer using, we'd be honoured to give them a new place. We'll even pick them up. They can always be yours, and by us displaying them, they will help bring a little more "Forest Spirit" to the Carnegie during the holidays. Especially if you have no further plans on using them, we would love to give them a new home. I know there might be an original reindeer or larger wreath in the garage or attic or somewhere close by in storage.

In a special way, Holiday possessions of your past can become part of something Magical again. We'll come and pick them up, just give us a call or send a message, and we'd be happy to come and have a look.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Kate, Stephen and Lisa 519 503-2928 or 833 851-9927

Thirst for Knowledge. ❤️