Education is the key for Black Donnelly homestead owner

[ Sign Advertising Tours of the Donnelly Homestead, 2005, Interest in the Donnelly murders remains high.  So much so, in fact, that Robert Salts gives regular tours of the Donnelly homestead to tourists and school groups.  Thanks to Robert Salts, present-day owner of the Donnelly Homestead, who allowed this photograph to be taken.  Copyright Great Unsolved Canadian Mysteries Project, Jennifer Pettit,   ][...] Rob Salts, a teacher at Biddulph Central Public School for the past two years, lives on the land where Jim and Johannah Donnelly once dwelled.

Salts quickly realized there was still a public interest in the land when tourists would stop by and ask him where the Donnelly homestead was located.

"I would tell them: you are standing on it", he said with a smile. Being a teacher, Salts says he recognized the importance of education and the positive aspects of having students visit the site and see the landmarks of a century past.

Organized field trips of students from grades 7 through 13, have been coming to the Salts home for the past year, to view the foundation stones where the Donnelly house and school, once stood. [...]

Source: Unknown, "Education is the key for Black Donnelly Homestead Owner," Exeter Times-Advocate, October 31, 1990. Notes: J.J. Talman Regional Collection, University of Western Ontario Archives, Reaney Papers, Box 21 (B1307), File 37.

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