A small group of invited people were on hand Friday for the unveiling of the Jake de Vries Natural Heritage Collection at the Ameliasburgh Heritage Village.
The exhibit is a collection of nearly 500 taxidermied animals of all varieties, all done by the late Jake de Vries.
A dutch immigrant, de Vries found his home in Prince Edward County and spent decades doing taxidermy. He was known for his ability to pose the animals very realistically and for his passion for educating children on animals using his collection.
Friday, a decade of work getting his collection together came to fruition as the doors officially opened for the public to enjoy.
Janice Hubbs, Curator at the Ameliasburgh Heritage Village, spoke about de Vries’ passion for taxidermy and animals.
“He knew the animals inside and out, literally, because he took the time to learn about each species as he worked on it. He studied it and he learned their characteristics and some of the poses in there are so natural you think, ‘Is that bird still alive?’ , like it’s really remarkable.”
The building, built in 1979, was originally a shell for carriages and plows, according to Hubbs, and it was renovated into what is now a full humidity-controlled home for the collection.
Hubbs said that when they set out to get the collection together the main goal was to keep it in the county.
The collection was curated over many years by de Vries with help from others. Many people brought him animals they’d found on the roads or birds that had met their end flying into windows.
A connection with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry brought him dead animals they would clean up as well as the carcasses they had seized from poachers who had hunted them illegally.
The wide ranging collection, which is 65% birds according to Hubbs, includes everything from deer and caribou to exotic birds, an albino beaver, a wolf, a bear and everything in between.
Hubbs said that she was happy to see all the years of work come to fruition.
“It’s been a long haul and it’s so exciting to see familiar faces with the planning groups and the family and people who have contributed financially and didn’t really have a vision, but they’re excited to be here and that’s what makes it all worthwhile because you think, oh, they really want to see!”
de Vries’ children, son John and daughter Jane, were in attendance as well.
John said that he was grateful for the efforts of the numerous people who helped the day happen.
He said that his father would have appreciated it and shared his thoughts on what it meant to him and his sister.
“Well, certainly, it’s a way to preserve the collection. That was the end game, we were always hoping that would happen. The fact that it’s here and available to the public to see is wonderful. I’m very thankful for that.”
You can visit the exhibit at the Ameliasburgh Heritage Village.
The Jake de Vries Natural Heritage Exhibit is now open to the public. (Photo: Ryan Peddigrew/Quinte News)
(Photo: Ryan Peddigrew/Quinte News)
(Photo: Ryan Peddigrew/Quinte News)
