County Museum - Picton, Ontario - Gena's legacy returns home

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In late 2025 as Dan Ryan and I began preparations for a Gena Branscombe concert in her hometown of Picton, Ontario, we prepared a list of organizations, concert series and people we would like to meet.  We were hopeful they would guide us through the process.  Over multiple Zoom meetings we were met enthusiastically for bringing Gena’s music home and their help was offered without hesitation! 



Speaking with Jessica Chase and Liz Fennel of the County Museums, we learned that in their collection the museum held a framed copy of Gena’s choral piece, “Our Canada from Sea to Sea,” with a picture of school children inserted in the frame.  That is the only item they had!  How to increase the number of Gena Branscombe items for their collection?  


Over 28 years of working on Gena’s music and life, I have managed to collect or buy Gena items from E bay or Amazon.  Sheet music, magazine articles, letters along with pictures and memorabilia from Branscombe Choral members. A beautiful lace dress was gifted into my possession.  Now was the perfect time to gift some of these items to the County Museum in Gena’s hometown.   




On the morning of Wednesday, August 12th, Laurine and Bill Marlow with me and Dan arrived at the County Museum in Picton.  In our hands were the lace dress, pictures and sheet music.  Meeting with Liz Fennell we laid all the items out on a table while I explained where each one came from and what the history of the item was.






A few days later display tables were set up at Picton United Church where the concert was held.  The donated items along with a time line for audience members to peruse brought Gena Branscombe’s Picton legacy alive.  






Now these historic Branscombe treasures are home where they belong.  





#BringingBackBranscombe

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