Youngtown Rock & Roll Museum Reopens

Youngtown Museum Exhibit Opening
Olde Gaol Museum, Lindsay Ontario

Some good news for Neil Young fans in Ontario, Canada and the rest of the free world.

After closing doors last year in Omemee, the Youngtown Rock & Roll Museum has re-opened in Lindsay, Ontario. From Youngtown Rock & Roll Museum:

The Kick-Off event was free to the public today only and as expected attracted a large gathering of Neil Young fans and followers of the former Youngtown Museum, Omemee. In attendance were many special guests including friends; Rose and Bud Healey, Robbie Lane of AM740 (Robbie Lane and The Disciples), Dave Illman of BOBFM, performer Gerald Van Halteren, Laurie Scott MPP, Youngtown volunteers Tom Mohr, Dave McTaggart, Mike Neary, volunteers and staff of The Olde Gaol Museum, and many more. It was a wonderful afternoon and a great beginning to a new chapter for Youngtown. Although only a fraction of the original museum collection showcased in Omemee, the new exhibit is very significant and features many amazing items in tribute to Neil Young, Scott Young, and Canadian music. For more information and hours of operation visit the Olde Gaol Museum, Lindsay Ontario website. Thanks for a great day! Keep On Rockin... My best, Trevor "T.R." Hosier

Thanks Trevor! Great news. we hope to be getting back again your way someday soon.

From Peterborough Examiner by Jason Bain:

The Youngtown Rock 'n' Roll Museum exhibit is now open Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the former Victoria County Jail, operated by the Victoria County Historical Society at Victoria Ave. N. and Colborne St. W.

The exhibit was developed by Trevor Hosier, who operated a private museum of the same name for eight years at 45 King St. E (Hwy. 7) in Omemee, where Young lived in a house that he refers to as his childhood home.

Hosier had amassed an extensive collection of Young and rock music-related memorabilia over the years and eventually decided to display it in the museum. He closed the museum in November and put the building up for sale.

"He found it was just getting to be too much," Olde Gaol Museum manager David Wesley said Thursday, explaining how the Lindsay museum provided an opportunity. "It was the perfect solution to come to us. We are so happy to have it."

In Omemee, Hosier visualized the story of the Young family, including Neil's father and literary icon Scott, and the new exhibit - although adapted to fit in a smaller space - maintains the former museum's personality, Wesley said.

The Youngtown Rock 'n' Roll Museum exhibit fits in with the mandate of the museum - the "community museum of the City of Kawartha Lakes area" - but will also attract a different kind of visitor, he added. "It's been a really good fit."

Hosier plans to rotate items through the display, too, Wesley said, noting the museum has even upgraded its security measures to better protect the valuables. "He's done a great job. He's really captured the flavour of the time."

The exhibit contacts a Young family piano, Neil's first musical instrument - a ukulele - as well as several of the rockers guitars, including one he used in Buffalo Springfield. Other exhibit pieces include jackets worn by the late Rick Danko of The Band and Jeff Healey.

"It's a real added dimension to our museum," Wesley said.

The grand opening takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at the museum at 50 Victoria Ave. N. and Wesley remains hopeful Neil will be able to make a digital appearance via Skype, but nothing had been confirmed as of press time.

A local Neil Young tribute band is set to perform and refreshments will be served, Wesley said.

There is no charge to attend, but the museum hopes to eventually be able to direct donations made there to a charity of Neil's choice.

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