Brockville Museum the Monitor August 2009 Volume 24 Issue #2 Director’S Message Lakes, According to Later Canadian Historians
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Brockville Museum Volume 24 Issue #2 August 2009 The Monitor Leading Brockville entrepreneurs figured Only Yesterday they had a good chance of profit and of establishing a business that would provide jobs By Stan Westall for years to come. Their faith in Mann was An enormous piece of brightly-painted justified by initial reception for his seeders. farm machinery sprawls across a corner of the Presumably, they had excellent balance (making Brockville Museum. Fully restored to working it easier on the horses) and engineered precision condition in 1998 (but not destined to move th which guaranteed maximum coverage with anytime soon) it's a fascinating study in 19 minimum wastage of precious seed. century agricultural technique. It's not difficult But like the farmers it served, to imagine it hitched to a matched team of bays by its 18-foot tongue, drawing on four-foot wheels, this huge Monarch seeder-cultivator made by artisans in 19th century Brockville. Harder to conjure up are the images it represents – early civic enterprise, revolutionary technology, industrial optimism, farming tenacity and the overarching drama of late 19th century politics in North America. Briefly, this Mann seeder was built in 1888 to prize-winning specifications in J.W. Mann's engineering works (on the waterfront, between Apple and St. Andrew's streets), five years after the company had been founded so hopefully by Mann and a board of Brockville agricultural manufacturing was subject to investors. Unfortunately, civic hopes for a solid, economic and political factors over which it had job-making establishment were short-lived. The little or no control. In the maelstrom of nation- company, facing a labour dispute, moved to building that followed the American civil war Hamilton in 1903. and Canada's confederation farmers sought Mann must have been a superior 'reciprocity' with the United States, which, in engineer. In a highly competitive field his their view, would offer a ready market for their designs won acceptance and rave reviews at the products. Manufacturers, on the other hand, Paris Exhibition of 1900. This was a time when wanted high tariff protection and open access to technology was transforming the countryside. At the markets of Queen Victoria's Empire. the start of the century pioneers had broadcast Liberal leader Sir Wilfrid Laurier's seed by hand over newly-cleared land. Now, “unrestricted reciprocity”, said Sir John A. horses and ingenuity were making it possible to Macdonald's Tories, would lead to annexation by multiply farm production while saving time, the United States (which many contemporary labour and material. Between 1896 Americans would have applauded). Instead, his and 1911 wheat acreage tripled. Wheat party favoured a national policy of high tariff production quadrupled. Ever-changing walls, popular with the regional manufacturing technology stimulated the growth of start-up centres of Ontario and Quebec, but one which companies in this, Canada's first major industry. failed to bring prosperity north of the Great Brockville Museum The Monitor August 2009 Volume 24 Issue #2 Director’s Message Lakes, according to later Canadian historians. As it happened, reciprocity was achieved gradually, At the end of August we will be saying without the loss of sovereignty, culminating in goodbye to Hannah Cody. Hannah has been virtual free trade in agricultural implements in with us for a full year. Not only has Hannah North America... by 1944! But by then, many of worked on two major projects but she has also Brockville's pioneering industries had burned been involved in many of the day to day down, been acquired and moved, switched to museum activities. How will I ever remember to other forms of manufacture or simply change the charts on the thermo-hygrographs the disappeared. first of every month? That is Hannah’s job! And by which time, of course, the Mann Hannah has been joining the volunteers on the Seeder/Cultivator had been retired to a barn at collection committee, working with Alyssa on the Rocksprings farm where it had been since its policy writing, helping Amy with children and purchase in 1890 by Briton Ellis and its use by adult programs and acting as a docent for bus himself, his son and grandson. In fact, had it not tours. Hannah has learned first hand that all been for Clarence Cannon's attendance at the staff collect garbage and recycling, answer the closing Ellis farm auction of 1985 the Monarch telephone, be on the reception desk when the might have been lost forever, like so many of the volunteer is ill, process the artifacts as they cumbersome antiques that litter abandoned come through the door, assist visitors and clean Ontario farms. But Mr. Cannon bid and paid $35 the kitchen. for the privilege of keeping it in his barn at I know Hannah will enjoy her upcoming Frankville for 13 years, where it was year in museum studies at Sir Sanford Fleming. reconditioned and restored by him, his friend The museum program there is a very interesting, Aden Freeman and nephew Alan Kilborn. busy and challenging one and I know Hannah Touchingly, before his death in 2004, as a will do very well. I am looking forward to suitable memorial to pioneer farming, Mr. hearing from Hannah as she pursues a career in Cannon gave the seeder to the museum, where it the heritage field. continues to tell stories to imaginative viewers. On behalf of the Board of Management, staff and volunteers I thank Hannah for her contribution to the Brockville Museum and wish her well in her future endeavours. Bonnie Burke New Exhibit – Brockville Through the Camera Lens This exhibit includes black and white photographs taken in the 1950's and 60's by professional photographer George Eland. Also on display is a collection of coloured photographs by Dr. Dwight Mallory in the 1940's and 50's. The aerial views of Brockville (C1945) were taken by Murray and Son professional photographers. Brockville Museum The Monitor August 2009 Volume 24 Issue #2 Hannah’s Farewell Voices II Released It has been a year and three months since The people have been interviewed, the I first started working at the Brockville Museum, photographs have been collected, the facts have and it still feels like it was just yesterday that I been checked, and the content has been edited – first stepped in here for an interview with over and over again. Yes, Brockville Voices II: Bonnie. Tales from the Twentieth Century is finally I’d like to thank all of the staff and complete. The book features fifteen narratives volunteers here for making this such a from Hughena Cooke, Fred Gilbert, Peter welcoming and comfortable environment to Johnston, Harold Latham, Vera Lawson, work in. Griswoldene Lewis, Mildred Lorimer, Anyone who Betty MacDowell, Frances might read my job MacOdrum, Margaret Ness, Herb description would think it Sheridan, Jack Shepherd, Everett to be a normal ‘desk- Snider, Ben TeKamp and Wilmot Young. job’, but that was never To celebrate the release of this true. The best part of this second oral history compilation, the job was that there was Brockville Museum hosted a book something different to do, th launch party on Thursday, June 25 . and learn, everyday. In attendance were many museum From assisting with members, eight of the featured storytellers (Fred ’ children s programs, guiding tours, digitizing Gilbert, Peter Johnston, Harold Lathem, Betty artefacts, setting up for teas, attending different MacDowell, Jack Shepherd, Herb Sheridan, meetings and much more – there was something Captain Ev Snider, and Ben TeKamp) and their always on the go, and that dynamic was what invited guests. The evening began at 7:00pm, made this job so fulfilling. with a few words from Bonnie Burke Being hired to compile Brockville Voices (Director/Curator), Brian Porter (Board of II was a true privilege. It was a great deal of Management), Councillor Jane Fullerton (as work, and took a significant amount of time, but Acting Mayor) and Hannah Cody the end result is something that I am truly proud (writer/managing editor). After the speeches, of, and it is my hope that it will be enjoyed by guests had the opportunity to socialize, enjoy this community for years to come. wonderful refreshments, purchase the book, and There is no place like the Brockville have it autographed by all the present Museum. The people I have met here have storytellers. taught me so much – on both a professional and Ms. Noreen Kelly-Storr, a former personal level, and for that, I am grateful. member of The Brockettes, travelled to And a special thank you to Bonnie for Brockville from Toronto for this special event. ensuring that I am the most prepared student She enjoyed her evening, meeting with the other going into Sandford Fleming’s Museum guests, and looking at all the photographs of The Management and Curatorship programme! Brockettes that are found in Brockville Voices II. Many thanks to all those who attended, Thank you everyone! and especially Paul Naylor, Brian Porter, Amy Whitehorne, Viktor Kaczkowski, Jean Ouellet, Roger Burke, Cathy and Brooke Bigalow, Hannah Cody Barbara Pollard, and Harold and Barb Healy for helping make the night run as smoothly as it did. Brockville Voices II: Tales from the Twentieth Brockville Century is available at the museum gift shop for $24.95+GST. Brockville Museum The Monitor August 2009 Volume 24 Issue #2 During ‘Mad Scientists’ week, From the Brockville Recorder children discovered chemical reactions, how to and Times, July 6, 1904 pop popcorn faster and make boomerangs. In August, ‘Super Soaker’ dove into the world of water. From fish to the water cycle and precipitation to water balloons, everyone had a splash! Our final session began on August 18th.