In the spring of 1964, Frank Mann, Wallaceburg’s local historian, and Darcy McKeough, Chatham-Kent’s MPP, corresponded.

Their letters discussed the possibility of erecting a plaque to commemorate the first test shot of the Lee rifle in Wallaceburg.

Careless, Richard Apted, Harry Pietersma and James Auld helped research and facilitate the investigation.

[citation needed] Most of the testimonials came from oral history passed down through the descendants of James Paris and John Lee.

erected a plaque in Civic Park close to the original location of John Lee’s foundry that states: ...Tradition holds that this [the first firing] occurred at Wallaceburg while Lee was visiting his brother John, a local foundry owner.

[citation needed] Eugene Myszkowski, a Lee rifle historian examined the prototype in the Wallaceburg museum.