September 2006 NEWSandviews The Quarterly Newsletter of the Historical Association Vol. 34, No. 3 ISSN 0700-4427

In this issue... New Location for our New Year Please plan to join us in September For our October meeting, we SCHA Fall Speakers ...... 1 in the Angus Ross Room of the welcome Paul Delaney of Trent SCHA 2006-2007 ...... 1 Public Library, 60 Worsley University. Paul started working at President’s Message...... 2 Street. For the following months, we Sainte-Marie 40 years ago this will return to Parkview Centre, 189 summer as a ticket-seller; he became SCHA Executive ...... 2 Blake Street, Barrie. The Simcoe the first Director of the site itself in Aboriginal WWI Hero Honoured County Museum is currently not 1969 upon graduation from Trent at Base Borden ...... 3 available as our meeting location, and the Education Faculty at the Official Grand Opening of the except for our Heritage Week event. University of . He resigned Simcoe County Museum ...... 3 This month, we carry on a new in 1973 to join CUSO and went off to Nigeria to teach. In later years, he Simcoe County Museum tradition by having our Andrew was a member of the Huronia Samplers ...... 4 Hunter Prize winner present her paper to the membership. Virginia Historical Advisory Council and a Fall Meeting Details for Morrow’s essay “The Settlement charter member of the Friends of and Tecumseth and West Patterns of Specific Ethnic Groups in Sainte-Marie. Gwillimbury ...... 4 Early : Simcoe County as a In November, Donna Wice will lead Farms of Order Form .... 5 Case Study” will provide a a conversation about her experiences Nine Mile Portage Heritage stimulating topic for our evening at writing and publishing local history Festival ...... 6 the library. in Innisfil. Royal Newfoundland Regiment Bulger’s Company Garrison SCHA 2006-2007 Schedule Weekend ...... 6 September 19 – Andrew Hunter Prize winner, Virginia Morrow presents her paper at the Barrie Public Library, Angus Ross Room, 7:30 p.m. Governor Simcoe Reprint ...... 7 October 17 – Paul Delaney, former director of Sainte-Marie Among the Andrew Hunter Award ...... 7 Hurons, brings Tales from the Early Days, at the Parkview Centre, 7:30 p.m. Coming Events ...... 8 November 21 – Donna Wice, author Farms of Innisfil, provides details on Visit our Website the publication of the upcoming book, at the Parkview Centre 7:30 p.m. February 17 – Heritage Week Saturday Seminar – Ellen Millar, Simcoe www.simcoecountyhistory.ca County Archives, and Darryl Wines, Simcoe County Museum, Preservation of your Historical Treasures, Simcoe County Museum, time and cost TBA March 20 – Fred Addis, Curator of the Leacock Museum, at the Orillia Museum of Art and History, 7:30 p.m. Preserving the Past, April 17 – TBA, at the Parkview Centre, 7:30 p.m. in the Present, May 15 – Annual General Meeting for the Future.

NEWSandviews 1 President’s Message For some time now, academic research and the public … as well as for the work of professional historians have been aware that the address how history can be made historians has not kept pace. Why is general public is paying less and less meaningful and accessible to the that? Is it merely a question of attention to their work. The gap public.” accessibility, approach, research between the academic community Two very important conferences to interest, or meaning? If it were only so. and communities at large continues be sure. There was a time when How is it that The Bradford West to grow. all Canadian historians were Gwillimbury Local History In a bid to better understand the “amateurs.” Simcoe County’s Association’s Governor Simcoe reasons why, two important Andrew Hunter is a particularly fine Slept Here could sell 1,000 copies in conferences will explore the example. In the early 20th century, less than three months late last year, situation in 2007. The theme of next the discipline professionalized. To be necessitating another printing? Not year’s Atlantic Studies an historian came to mean graduate bad in a country where a national Conference, to be held early next and post-graduate degrees usually best seller is 5,000 copies. I predict May in Halifax, is “Knowledge in backed by a teaching position in a equally brisk sales for the Innisfil Action.” The conference’s call for university.* Historical Society’s, soon to be papers states that “organizers are With the rise of professional released, Farms of Innisfil. So, be particularly interested in papers that historians, the nourishing link sure to order yours today. explore process of knowledge between historians and their When academic historians figure out translation between university communities tended to languish. As why such books are so popular and settings and the broader public, history migrated from the humanities seek out opportunities to engage and community-based research projects, towards the social sciences, what the assist local groups on a long-term and descriptions of collaborative and public expected and demanded of its co-operative basis (and receive interdisciplinary research projects.” historians was something the professional credit for doing so) For its part, the Canadian Historical historians increasingly appeared then and only then will conferences Association's annual meeting, to be loath to provide. Biography was all on “Knowledge in Action” and held in Saskatoon in late May, has as but abandoned and local history “Bridging Communities” cease to be its “overarching” theme: “Bridging frowned upon. The individual and both topical and necessary. Communities: Making Public the unique had to give way to the Knowledge, Making Knowledge collective and, if not general laws, at *For a recent study of this process, I Public.” At this conference, least broad social movements. recommend Donald Wright’s, The Professionalization of History in English “Scholars are encouraged to consider While the public’s craving for Canada (Toronto: University of Toronto the connections between historical history has not abated, its appetite Press, 2005).

Simcoe County Historical Association Executive You are invited to submit Brad Rudachyk, President 726-7380 [email protected] photos and articles regarding Mark Fisher, Second Vice President 728-3825 [email protected] your historical happenings in Simcoe County. Photos will Peter Wiseman, Treasurer 725-0224 be returned. Jill Hynes, Corresponding Secretary 739-6220 [email protected] Mail to SCHA, Box 144, Ellen Millar, Recording Secretary 726-9300 ext. 1287 Barrie, ON L4M 4S9. [email protected] Deadline for the For Membership Information, contact next issue is Bill Packham, Membership Chair 739-0906 [email protected] November 25, 2006

2 NEWSandviews Aboriginal WWI Hero Honoured at Base Borden by Bill Packham The date – June 6, 2006, the Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow Many of Corporal Pegahmagabow’s anniversary of the famous WWII D- Born into the Caribou Clan of the descendants, including his daughter, Day invasion Shawanaga First Nation on Georgian grandchildren and great-grandchildren, The Place – Building 113, the Bay on March 8, 1889, Corporal plus many other members of the headquarters of the 3rd Canadian Pegahmagabow was the most highly Wasauksing First Nation, near Parry Ranger Patrol Group at Base Borden decorated aboriginal to serve with the Sound, were in attendance and participated in the moving ceremony. The Event – The Official Naming Canadian Expeditionary Force during Ceremony for the Corporal Francis WWI. Pegahmagabow was a trench Pegahmagabow MM Building raider, messenger, superior scout, and expert sniper who was awarded the Military Medal three times for his courage and exploits. The medals were presented to him by Prince Edward, who later became King Edward VIII. Corporal Pegahmagabow died in hospital in Parry Sound on August 5, 1952. The ceremony at Base Borden this past June was a mixture of both military and aboriginal pomp, presided over by The Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, a A cairn beside the flag pole in front of Simcoe County native of aboriginal the building was erected using stones ancestry; Brigadier-General G.R. from the Parry Island/Parry Sound Thibault, CD, Commander of the Land area where the Corporal was a tribal Force Central Area; and Colonel leader among other distinctions Stewart E. Moore, CD, Commander following the war. The plaque on this Canadian Forces Support Training cairn commemorates his life and Group/Base Borden. achievements. Official Grand Opening of the Simcoe County Museum Wednesday, June 28th was a day of The Simcoe County Museum is open great celebration at the Simcoe year round, seven days a week. County Museum when the ribbon- Hours are Monday to Saturday, 9:00 cutting ceremony and unveiling of a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. the Museum Donor Wall marked the to 4:30 p.m. It is located at 1151 culmination of partnership and Highway 26, Midhurst, Ontario, construction at this expanded site. minutes northwest of Barrie. The newest wing showcases At the ribbon cutting, left to right: enlarged, state-of-the-art meeting David Walker, Campaign Chair space for use by partner groups, new interpretive rooms for educational Caroline Di Cocco, Minister of programs, a research library, a new Culture gift shop, an orientation gallery, and Daniel Bone, 2006 winner of new offices for the Huronia Tourism Simcoe County Historica Fair Association. Warden Terry Geddes

NEWSandviews 3 Simcoe County Museum Samplers by Joan Hodges

The Simcoe County Museum has a A lovely booklet “The 1828 Walls sizeable sampler collection including Sampler” has been produced by the two lovely samplers stitched by Simcoe County Museum staff. It Margaret Walls. The first, completed includes a cover picture of the new in 1828 when Margaret was 11 years sampler, a page of Walls family old, was the focus of interest at the history, and instructions with a July 9th “Summer Sunday” at the complete chart for stitching Museum. Margaret’s sampler. This is available Several years ago, members of the at the Museum for a $15 donation to Simcoe County Embroidery Guild the Building Fund. (formerly the Orillia Stitchery Guild) agreed to reproduce an exact copy of the 1828 sampler for display in the Museum to allow the frail original to be placed in protective storage. This project involved many hours of work Meanwhile, I had spent many hours in carefully charting the pattern, at the Simcoe County Archives finding suitable linen and yarn, and researching the Walls genealogy. finally stitching the copy. Colleen Margaret’s story begins in Yorkshire, Darling did a beautiful job stitching England in 1817 and ends in Simcoe the sampler with persistence and County in 1855. skill, even including the mistakes Readers who knew Ken Walls will be stitched into the original. The framed interested to know that Margaret’s reproduction was on display brother George Walls (1819-1867) alongside the original. was Ken’s great grandfather.

Fall Meeting Details for Orillia and Tecumseth and West Gwillimbury Orillia Museum of Art and History's In 1995 he was inducted into the On October 15, from 1-5 p.m., the History Committee presents the first Orillia Hall of Fame. A Lifelong Journey Into the Past House Tour will of its 2006/2007 speaker series, Pete Learning Centre at the Stephen visit six heritage houses and a McGarvey: Saving Brewery Bay Leacock Museum was named in Methodist Church in the Bond Head- Wednesday, October 18 at 7:30p.m., honour of Pete and his wife, Eileen. Newton Robinson area of South St. Paul's United Church, Orillia. Simcoe. In a restored Orange Hall, Admission is free and all are The Tecumseth and West watch a Windsor chair maker welcome. Gwillimbury Historical Society will demonstrate his skills and enjoy tea After a prolonged and distinguished meet Monday, September 18 at 7:30 and refreshments in another 1860s career in radio, Pete McGarvey was p.m., Tec We Gwill Hall in Newton Orange Hall. Robinson as David Chambers talks named Orillia's Citizen of the Year in Tickets at $15.00 include a map and 1957 as a direct result of his efforts to about the architectural heritage of information on each building. They save the decaying Leacock summer South Simcoe. may be obtained by emailing house on Brewery Bay (the subject of David’s writings on architecture are [email protected] or by his talk at OMAH in October). Pete featured in the history books of New phoning 905-775-7144. subsequently became involved in a Tecumseth and the new and exciting wide number of causes and projects. West Gwillimbury publication, Governor Simcoe Slept Here.

4 NEWSandviews To pre-order your copy of Farms of Innisfil Challenges, Chores and Changes please complete the following order form, enclose your cheque and mail to the address listed. Payment must accompany order.

If ordered before Nov. 20, 2006, the cost is $35/book.

After this date, the cost is $40/book.

For books to be mailed, please add $12 per book

Please make cheques payable to the Innisfil Historical Society, and mail to:

The Innisfil Historical Society P.O. Box 7176, Innisfil, ON L9S 1A9 ------I wish to purchase____copies. Please find enclosed my cheque in the amount of $______.

Name______

Address______

Town/City______Postal Code______

Phone______

Email______

Books will be picked up Yes/No Books are to be mailed to address above Yes/No ------Please retain this portion and place on your calendar!

Farms of Innisfil Book Launch

Churchill Community Centre Friday, December 8, 2006 2 - 8 p.m.

Official Book Unveiling Ceremony will be held at 2:30 p.m.

Alternate pick-up dates at Knock from 1- 4 p.m. on December 11, 14, 18, and 21

Note: PHOTOS submitted for the book will be available at the time you pick up your book(s), or call Donna Wice at 436-2578 to arrange another time.

NEWSandviews 5 The Nine Mile Portage Heritage Festival Another Great Day at the Fort Quimby’s Medicine Show. There will Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes Bigger and better than last year, the be period and Native drumming as before the departure time. All Festival takes place on Saturday, well as face painting, crafts and walks/hike end at Fort Willow for the September 23rd. The Fort Willow beadwork for the kids. festivities. Free shuttle buses are Improvement Group and the available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with Nottawasaga Valley Conservation stops at Heritage Park, Lampman Authority, in partnership with many Lane Community Centre, Sunnidale sponsors, media partners and local and Dobson Road intersection, conservation groups, gives us the Seadon and George Johnston Road opportunity to experience a trip to the intersection, Fort Willow and Grenfel Fort along this ancient trade and Hall. transportation route. Independent Walk Opening Ceremony: Heritage Park Explore the Nine Mile Portage The official opening of the event will Heritage Trail at your own pace when Lunch! take place from 10-11 a.m. Witness a you park at one of the following War of 1812 battle on Kempenfelt Be sure to enjoy the barbeque lunch designated parking areas: Heritage Bay and relive the landing of historic with all proceeds going to the Park (Downtown Barrie), Lampman boats and canoes as re-enactors restoration of the Fort and Lane Community Centre or Grenfel depict the arrival of personnel, maintenance of the Portage Trail. Hall. The free shuttle can take you to supplies, and trade goods at the foot Organized Walks the Fort or back to your car! No parking available at Fort Willow. of the Nine Mile Portage. Choose from a variety of hikes/walks Historic Fort Willow Depot to experience all or part of the Trail Rest stops with information, water, restrooms and first aid are available From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., witness life Depart at 9 a.m. from the Heritage at three locations along the trail. A during the early 19th century with Park fountains in Downtown Barrie horse-drawn wagon ride will run activities and demonstrations for all for the 15 km hike of the Trail to Fort along Seadon Road from Dobson to ages. Enjoy military, native and Willow. George Johnston Road. voyageur encampments and displays, Depart at 11 a.m. to hike the 5.5 km Get a Map including demonstrations of North Simcoe Rail Trail from ropemaking, knots, candlemaking, Minesing Station Park. For more information, and a great cooking, and woodworking. Visit the map, please see the flyer at Depart at 11:30 a.m. to walk the 2 km surgeon, cooper and blacksmith. http://www.springwater.ca/things-to- North Simcoe Rail Trail from the trail Watch cannon, musket and drill do/events/nine-mile-portage-walk-in- crossing on Pinegrove Road, 1.5 km demonstrations as well as Dr. festival/ north of Sunnidale Road.

Royal Newfoundland Regiment Bulger’s Company Garrison Weekend September 22, 23, and 24 at Historic Fort Willow Depot is located toilets will be provided. Historic Fort Willow Depot, just minutes outside Barrie, and was Small battles, skirmishes, fun, games, Springwater Township a vital supply depot on an overland and potluck meals will be held The Royal Newfoundland Regiment route to the upper Great Lakes during throughout the weekend. Anyone Bulger's Company would like to the War of 1812. The fort has been wishing to attend or who would extend an invitation to all War of partially re-constructed and offers a like more information can contact 1812 re-enactment groups to great remote location for period David Brunelle at participate in a relaxed, no pressure encampments and forgetting you are [email protected]. historical weekend. in the 21st century. The basic needs such as firewood, water and portable

6 NEWSandviews Governor Simcoe Slept Here Reprint The Andrew Hunter Prize 2007 by Barbara Verney The Andrew Hunter Prize is awarded annually for the best essay on the In 2001, the Bradford West history of Simcoe County, Ontario, written in a course by an undergraduate Gwillimbury Local History student in any university or college. In this fourth year of the competition, Association decided that a history of we look forward to receiving many worthy entries. West Gwillimbury should be Conditions: Entries must be undergraduate essays between 3,000 and recorded. A general meeting was 5,000 words in length on some aspect of the history of Simcoe County, held on October 21, 2001. There Ontario, written in English or in French. The author must be a part-time or were so many enthusiastic members full-time undergraduate student in a degree program at an accredited of the area, we decided to proceed. university or college. The essay must have been written to meet the A steering committee met regularly requirement of an undergraduate credit course during the 2006-2007 and several general meetings were academic year. Entries become the property of the Simcoe County Historical held to ascertain the progress. Then, Association and may be published as part of an essay collection. for two and a half years, the steering Submissions: Entries shall be submitted committee met every Tuesday no later than March 31, 2007 and will not morning. Finally, on December 15, be returned to the contestants. Essays must 2005 the book was launched. be typed in Times New Roman 12 point Governor Simcoe Slept Here, The font, double spaced, and should not bear Legacy of West Gwillimbury was an the instructor’s comments or grade. Two immediate success. One thousand copies must be provided. A cover sheet copies sold within two weeks. must list the author’s name, address, phone We have decided to reprint another number, status, school affiliation and 1000 books which are now available. department, and the name of the instructor ______for whom the paper was written. Entries should be sent to: To order a copy of Governor Simcoe The Corresponding Secretary Slept Here, please contact Bill Marks Simcoe County Historical Association Phone: (905) 775-6179 P.O. Box 144, Barrie, ON L4M 4S9 Mail: 95 Britannia Ave, Adjudication: Entries will be judged by a distinguished panel appointed Bradford, ON, L3Z 1A2 by the Simcoe County Historical Association. The winners will be announced in early May, 2007 with the presentation of the prizes to take Email: [email protected] place at the Annual General Meeting. The two hardcover bound volumes Prize: There will be two prizes offered, one for $750 and one for $250, in are $75. For more information on the Canadian funds. The Simcoe County Historical Association may edit the book itself, please see winning entries for the purpose of publication. http://www.bradford.library.on.ca/ wegwhist/index.htm The Simcoe County Historical Association is under no obligation to award a prize. For more information, see www.simcoecountyhistory.ca The SCHA congratulates this local historical association on their vision, determination, and great The Simcoe County Historical Association is pleased to offer The Andrew accomplishments. Hunter Prize again this year to college and undergraduate university students studying Simcoe County topics. Last year’s recipient Virginia Morrow, studied history through the Laurentian University at Georgian College program. Be sure to encourage any college and university students you know, grandchildren, friends, and adult students to submit a qualified paper.

NEWSandviews 7 COMING EVENTSof our Member Societies Barrie Historical Association – Museum on the Boyne – Centennial contact Val Brucker contact Rachelle Clayton Museum and Archives Meet at Barrie City Hall – 7:30 p.m. 250 Fletcher Crescent in Riverdale Park, 13 Burke St. at Beck Blvd. Sept. 14 – Wilson West, Marine – Call 435-0167 Call 549-2150 www.pencenmuseum.com Archeology www.allistonontario.com/Museumonthe Sainte-Marie among the Hurons – Boyne.html contact Diane Archambault Collingwood and District Historical Sept. 9 – From Here and Back Again – Oct. 7-8 – Thanksgiving Harvest Society Transportation Exhibit Launch Festival and Arts and Crafts Sale Meet at Leisure Time Club, Minnesota Sept. 13 – Barn Raisings: An Armchair Simcoe County Museum St. – 7:00 p.m. Tour of Ontario’s Rural Built Heritage 1151 Highway 26, Midhurst – with a Ministry of Culture Call 728-3721 Oct. 3 – George Czerney, former editor Representative of the Enterprise Bulletin newspaper in Sept. 15-17 – Simcoe County Quilt, Orillia History Committee – contact Rug, and Craft Fair – $4 Collingwood, speaking on the history Ross Wallace of the paper. Oct. 14 – Last Blast – Equipment run Meet at St. Paul’s United Church, Peter St. and Coldwater Rd., Orillia – 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25-26 – An Evening Genealogical Society – of Hallowe'en contact Claudia McArthur Oct. 18 – Pete McGarvey – Saving Meet at Church of Jesus Christ of Brewery Bay Nov. 11-12 – Artisans Museum Christmas Latter-Day Saints Nov. 15 – Fred Addis – The Great 79 Ferris Lane, Barrie – 2 p.m. Leacock Timeline History Quiz Dec. 10 – Victorian Christmas www.simcoebogs.com Orillia Museum of Art and History – to Dec. 31 – Simcoe County Archives contact Sim Salata, curator 40th Anniversary Display Huronia Museum Huron Ouendat Village – 30 Peter Street South, Orillia – Call Tecumseth & West Gwillimbury contact Jamie Hunter, curator 326-2159 www.orilliamuseum.org Historical Society – contact Helen Yielding 549 Little Lake Park Road, Midland – Sept. 7-Oct. 7 – Celebrating Call 526-2844 www.huroniamuseum.com Photography: Works of the Orillia and Meet at Tec We Gwill Hall, District Camera Club Newton Robinson, 7:30 p.m. Opening: Saturday, September 9, Call 905-775-7144 or 905-936-3659 Innisfil Historical Society – 2-4 p.m. contact Ross Wallace Oct. 19 – John McIntyre, a retired Sept. 8-Nov. 7 – Saving the Planet Seneca College history professor – Meet at Knock Community Centre, (Orillia Fine Arts Association) Those Mad Victorians 10th SR at 9th Line, Innisfil – 2 p.m. Opening reception: Friday, September Nov. 20 – in honour of Remembrance Sept 16 – PowerPoint highlights of the 8, 7-9 p.m., Orillia Opera House Day – “We’ll Meet Again” video from Farms of Innisfil, Challenges, Chores the CNE Archives, outling the CNE’s and Changes book (at Churchill Oct. 10-Dec. 2 – Sitting Pretty: The role in the war effort Community Centre) History of the Toilet Oct. 21 – John Carter, a slide show Opening reception and “Toilet Talk,” about Barns October 14, 2 p.m. (to be confirmed) Oct. 28 – The Towers of Time Signing Event with Author, Marc Boileau Midhurst Historical Society – contact Alice Mitchell 1-3 p.m. Meet at the Library, Finlay Mill Road Nov. 18-19 – OMAH Annual 7:30 p.m. Call 726-5940 Christmas Bazaar Sept. 18 – Alan Johnston, Basket Dec. 5-Jan. 29 – From My Kayak: Company in Minesing Photography by Ingrid Saaliste With thanks to Opening reception: Saturday, The Ontario Trillium Foundation December 9, 2-4 p.m. for their financial support.

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