Louka Labelle is welcoming visitors to Vankleek Hill’s Higginson Tower this summer.
The 17-year-old École secondaire catholique régionale de Hawkesbury student is the summer interpreter at the landmark structure. Also an artist, Labelle was introduced to the job opportunity while his work was on display at the Arbor Gallery, just behind the tower, in the spring of 2024.
Labelle lives in Hawkesbury and said he became aware of the Higginson Tower through his art connections in Vankleek Hill. When visitors come to see the tower, he explains its past and significance.
“I like telling the story about it,” Labelle said.
The Higginson Tower was built around 1830 by Thomas Higginson as a windmill. However, there was inadequate wind. In 1839, it was converted into a private astronomical observatory. The adjacent St. John’s Anglican Church was constructed in 1856. The tower later fell into ruin but was restored between 2006 and 2015 through an extensive fundraising campaign and with grant funding. It is now open each summer as a museum, and also gives visitors a fine view of Vankleek Hill and surrounding countryside.
To help children enjoy and learn from their visit to the Higginson Tower, Labelle has developed some activities. One of them is a crossword puzzle with words associated with the tower.
Working at the Higginson Tower has raised Labelle’s interest in historic sites. He is to begin Grade 12 in September but would like to travel and tour more historic sites after graduating high school.
Like many students, Labelle is also working more than one job. He enjoys cooking and works in the kitchen at the Dèja-Vu Resto-Bar in Hawkesbury.
The Higginson Tower in Vankleek Hill is open to visitors from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.
