Growing Up in Montreal

The complete texts of the exhibition Presented at the McCord Museum From October 29, 2004 to January 7, 2007. Table of Content

1. Introduction 3 1.1. Growing up in Montreal 3 2. The Home: A Child's First Universe 8 2.1. A Montreal birth 8 2.2. Hygiene and survival 12 2.3. From home to daycare 19 3. Orphanages and Health Care Centres in the City 25 3.1. Growing up healthy 25 3.2. Life in an orphanage 32 4. School 33 4.1. School days 33 5. The Home: A Schoolchild’s Perspective 38 5.1. Bedrooms and what they tell us 38 5.2. The family play room 47 6. From Street Games to Organized Activities 58 6.1. Gaining Independence 58 6.2. “Organized” play 62 6.3. Outings in the city 67 7. Conclusion 72 7.1. Montreal — yesterday and today 72 Credits 74

Growing Up in Montreal 2 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Growing Up in Montreal

The landscape of a Montreal childhood is all around us—in the creak of a playground swing, the scrape of rollerblades on pavement and the squeals of excitement as toddlers head downtown on an outing with their daycare class. Our own childhood memories are never far from the surface of our hectic lives. At unexpected moments, we recall the smell of Sunday dessert simmering in the oven, the comforting softness of a tattered blanket or the scary-excited feeling of walking to school alone for the first time. There are darker memories too—earaches and chicken pox, sore tummies, casts and crutches, a menacing pinch from a big sister and the sound of parents arguing in another room.

Whether you are young or not-so-young, this exhibition invites you to explore childhood in Montreal over the past one hundred years. It will take you to the everyday places where children lived their lives, played and learned. We will also travel beyond these physical spaces to reveal a century of medical and technological changes that have transformed childhood in profound yet often unsuspected ways. Children are far from passive participants in an adult world. You will see how their needs, desires and actions have changed and shaped our city and our lives.

Photograph New triplex development, Montreal, 1925 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, VIEW-23307

Photograph Children in a city park, 1999 Private collection

Growing Up in Montreal 3 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 1 A stroll through the city What did today’s parents and grandparents do when they were young? Where did they go? What games did they play? Join Paul and Louise and explore different places around Montreal dear to children over the last one hundred years.

Look Louise, a park! Let’s go. Sure. Come on, Paul. Let’s check it out!

Photograph A family stroll in the park, 1944 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P10432

Atrium’s frames

Photograph Daycare group, 2002 Megapress/Pharand, MO96721

Photograph Children in front of a house, 1937 Conrad Poirier, Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P1722

Photograph Children in front of the Jacques Cartier statue, about 1980 Michael Drummond

Photograph L’enfant fort, 1976 Pierre Crépô

Photograph Missie Brown and her teddy bear, Montreal, 1921 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-241966

Photograph Children in a garden on Olivier Ave., Westmount, 1913 Alfred Walter Roper Gift of Mr. Vennor Roper McCord Museum, MP-1977.76.163

1 The text boxes are for younger visitors to the exhibition. The boxes contain the dialogue between two cartoon characters, Louise, who is ten years old and her brother Paul, aged four.

Growing Up in Montreal 4 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Photograph Baby’s bath, 1959 Private collection

Photograph Teacher and her 6th-grade class, Montreal, 1942 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P8074

Photograph Children playing in a bus shelter, Montreal, 1991 David Hopkins Private collection

Photograph Mrs. Martin with children, Montreal, 1906 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-161170

Photograph Nurse with a young patient at the Children’s Memorial Hospital, about 1950 Montreal Children’s Hospital Dr. David Murphy collection, 81

Big City Life

Montreal expanded rapidly after 1900, with ever-growing numbers of children in the different city neighbourhoods, especially after the Second World War. In the 1930s, the city had the largest urban population in Quebec and, by the late 20th century, fully half of all Quebeckers lived in Montreal and the surrounding area.

Photograph Row houses, about 1900 National Archives of Canada, PA-022157

There were more than 345,000 people living on the Island of Montreal in 1901. Today, the population of the Greater Montreal region stands at over three million.

Photograph Tram No. 529, Notre Dame Street, Montreal, 1906 Gift of Mr. Edgar Tissot McCord Museum, MP-1986.53.6

Families could take electric trams to get around the city as early as 1892. Buses arrived in 1925, but there were more trams than buses until 1959. The metro was officially opened in 1966.

Photograph New triplex development, Montreal, 1925 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, VIEW-23307

Typical Montreal houses are “plex-type” buildings (mostly duplexes and triplexes). They each contain two to five large, long flats, stacked two to three storeys high. They were built row upon row in the early 1900s, a quick and efficient way of housing the city’s fast-growing population.

Growing Up in Montreal 5 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Photograph Moving day, Montreal, about 1930 Gift of Mr. Earl Preston McCord Museum, MP-1984.105.18

Montreal is a city of tenants, with 65 % of residents renting their homes today. Compared with other Canadian cities, Montreal has a large pool of rental accommodation made up of duplexes, triplexes and other apartment buildings.

Photograph Second World War housing built for the families of workers at aviation firm Noorduyn Norseman inc., on chemin Bois-Franc in Saint-Laurent, 1944 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P10500.

There was a housing crisis in Montreal that began during the Second World War and continuing until the 1950s. The many families drawn to the city by jobs in wartime factories and economic prosperity had trouble finding a place to live. Some were lucky enough to move into the small prefabricated houses built near factories by Wartime Housing Ltd., a federal agency, while others had to make do with sheds and even garages.

Photograph House on O’Bryan Street, 1951 Joseph Guibord Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, E6,S7,P54302

The suburbs grew quickly after the Second World War. Starting in the 1950s, many families moved out of the city, attracted by the suburban ideal: a single-family house with a large lawn, far from the noise and pollution of downtown. The ideal also meant a car in the driveway, because public transit did not yet extend to the suburbs.

Photograph Highrise under construction in the Jeanne Mance area, Montreal, 1959 National Archives of Canada, PA-113303

From the 1950s onward, downtown residential neighbourhoods were transformed. A great deal of older housing was demolished to make way for stores and office towers. A new downtown soared into the sky. One huge project, Habitations Jeanne-Mance, replaced some of the dilapidated housing downtown with 800 low-cost rental units. It was the beginning of a new and sometimes controversial trend in urban renewal.

Photograph Children, Centre-Sud district, about 1978 Normand Rajotte

The grey, dusty working-class neighbourhoods at the turn of the century were packed with unhealthy, overcrowded dwellings. Starting in the 1920s, numerous measures were proposed to improve the lives of the poor families living there. Nevertheless, today Montreal has the highest poverty rate of any Canadian city and many low-income families still lack access to affordable housing.

Photograph Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Montreal, 1980 Judith Lermer Crawley From Giving Birth is Just the Beginning: Women Speak about, Montreal, J. L. Crawley, 1987

Growing Up in Montreal 6 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 In 1996, there were 450,000 families in Montreal. One-quarter of the population was under the age of 5, while 32 % of residents were 6 to 14 years old. Families continued to move away from downtown and into the suburbs, following a trend started back in the 1950s.

Photograph Mother and child, Jeanne Mance Street, Montreal, about 1980 Michael Drummond

Today, there are many single-parent families in Montreal (20%), the highest proportion in the province.

Baby carriages

Baby carriages evolved in different ways according to childrearing practices and mechanical requirements. For example, at the beginning of the century, infants faced away from their guardians, while by the 1930s, they could focus on the familiar faces of their caregivers. Leather straps were used in the suspension system of carriages from the 18th century until well into the mid-20th century, giving these early carriages the ability to bounce and rock in a soothing manner. Many contemporary strollers offer more than one seat position and all are collapsible for easy transport.

Carriage 1904 Gift of Miss Grace Fletcher McCord Museum, M20999

Carriage 1938 Made by Dunkley, Birmingham, UK Gift of Mrs. Bernard Lande McCord Museum, M2004.68.1

Carriage About 1970 Made by Peg-Perego, Milan, Italy Gift of Mr. Alain Abboo McCord Museum, M2004.130.1.1-3

Umbrella stroller 1996 Made by Peg-Perego, Milan, Italy Gift of Annmarie Adams McCord Museum, M2004.88.1

Growing Up in Montreal 7 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 2. THE HOME: A CHILD'S FIRST UNIVERSE

2.1. A Montreal birth

Were you born at home or in a hospital? Back in 1900, most babies were born at home with the help of a midwife or doctor. Changes in medicine and health care over the past century made childbirth safer and greatly increased both mothers’ and babies’ chances of survival. Eventually, more and more women went to a hospital to give birth. By the 1960s, home births had become rare.

Women also played an active role in changing birthing practices. Bolstered by research on the importance of early infant-parent bonding and sceptical of certain medical procedures, they pressured doctors to provide less-technical options for women with routine pregnancies. In the 1980s, some Montreal hospitals created birthing rooms where babies could be born in a home-like environment. A further step, in 1994, was the opening of the first birthing centre. Here midwives once again deliver babies, but medical assistance is also available close by.

Photograph Nurses and babies at the Montreal Maternity Hospital, 1925-1926 Blackburns Gift of Miss Caroline Barrett McCord Museum, MP-1973.1.7

Photograph Welcoming a new baby, 1995 David Hopkins Private collection

Home and hospital births It’s hard to believe that at one time all babies were born at home. Only in the past fifty years or so have almost all babies been delivered in hospitals in Quebec.

Paul and Louise “Oh! A baby! Isn’t he cute! He’s only just been born. Look at him in his little hospital bed.” “I was born in a hospital, too. What about you?”

Photograph Newborn in hospital, Montreal, 1994 Private collection

Growing Up in Montreal 8 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Hospital births

Newborn’s hospital photograph 1960 Private collection

In the early 1950s, one child in three had four siblings, whereas today three out of four Montreal families have only one or two children.

Hospital ID necklace for newborn Baby Hélie (notice the spelling error) 1921 Gift of Thérèse Hélie McCord Museum, M2003.101.3

Hospital ID bracelet for newborn Baby Bourgeois (notice the spelling error) 1960 Private collection

Hospital-issued baby book and ID bracelet 1956 Private collection

Hospital ID bracelet, placed on baby’s ankle 1990 Private collection

Baby cap, provided by the hospital at birth About 2000 Private collection

Umbilical clamp, applied in the hospital at birth 1990 Private collection

Pacifier, provided by the hospital at birth 1994 Private collection

Paul and Louise “A baby’s foot is so tiny! Mine looks huge beside it!” Place your foot here and see the difference!

Baby’s footprint, taken in the hospital at birth 1990 Private collection

Welcoming baby

Crib About 1925 Gift of Mrs. Murray A. Vaughan McCord Museum, M981.52.1

Growing Up in Montreal 9 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Bye-lo baby doll About 1923 Made by Borgteldt, Germany Gift of Mrs. Charlotte M. Detchon McCord Museum, M981.106.1-9

Teddy bear 1900-1925 McCord Museum, M984X.56

Christening gown 1925 Wool, silk embroidery, silk ribbon Gift of Mrs. Marie-Ange Morin McCord Museum, M987.18.1.1-5

Christening gowns are family heirlooms, carefully preserved from one baptism to the next and even handed down from generation to generation. Today, however, fewer such heirlooms are used for these ceremonies. Babies are often baptized much later and usually in garments purchased new for the occasion.

Circumcision (Brit Mislah) gown 1906-1907 Silk, cotton lace Gift of Mrs. Dorothy Crelinsten McCord Museum, M997.41.1.1-2

Eight days after birth, a Jewish boy is dressed in white for the special circumcision ceremony (Brit Mislah). This ritual, dating back thousands of years, marks the child’s admission to the community. A girl’s birth is celebrated by presenting the baby to the Torah, and a special prayer is said in the synagogue.

Photograph Mother and child, Montreal, 1963 Georges Fenyon Monet Family collection

Photograph Young child, 1970 Antoine Desilets Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P697,521

Photograph Mrs. H. Song and her child, Montreal, 1913 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-198453 (detail)

Photograph Baby, 2002 Megapress/Image State/Tokerud, 00011631

Photograph Father and daughter next to a Montreal suburban train, about 2000 Private collection

Growing Up in Montreal 10 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Photograph Mrs. Doheney and baby, Montreal, 1913 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, Il-201095

Photograph Baby Pangman with toy sheep, Montreal, 1901 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-137104

Photograph Mrs. Allan’s nurse and baby, Montreal, 1898 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-127160

Growing Up in Montreal 11 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006

2.2. Hygiene and survival

Early in the century, the infant mortality rate in Montreal was higher than in any other large city in the Western world. Contaminated milk and unsafe drinking water caused fatal diarrhea in many newborns. Something had to be done! The City built its first water-filtration plant in 1914. Public health officials launched information campaigns, particularly in poorer neighbourhoods, encouraging mothers to adopt safer feeding practices for their babies.

Their efforts bore fruit, and the infant mortality rate declined considerably. From the 1920s onward, a medical approach to childbirth and baby care became popular, a trend that continued to grow over the course of the century. After the Second World War, attention turned to another objective: reducing the number of premature births.

Photograph Mother nursing her two-week-old baby, about 1930 From the book of Helen MacMurchy’s. The Canadian Mother’s Book. Ottawa: F. A. Acland, National Health Publication, Little Blue Book series, No. 2, 1930. McGill University Libraries

Photograph “Gouttes de lait” babycare kiosk in Lafontaine Park, 1916 Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P120-15,P117

“Gouttes de lait” babycare centres were established in many of Montreal’s poorest neighbourhoods starting in 1910. Mothers could go there at no cost and get pure milk for their infants, as well as medical attention.

Food and drink Modern technology makes it possible to safely store milk and other perishable foods. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case a hundred years ago, when far too many youngsters died from drinking contaminated unpasteurized milk, especially in summer.

Paul and Louise “I love eating outside when it’s hot in summer!” “And drinking lots of cold juice and milk! You’ve always got your head in the fridge!”

Photograph Children having a picnic, Montreal, 1989 David Hopkins Private collection

Infant mortality

In Montreal in 1900, one child in four died before the age of one! This was a particular problem in poor neighbourhoods, where children also lived in dirty, poorly ventilated, overcrowded, dark flats. Many children lost brothers and sisters. In 1999, the infant mortality rate was one in… 185.

Growing Up in Montreal 12 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Photograph Goose Village children (Point St. Charles), Montreal, about 1910 Art Studio photograph Gift of Mr. John Stanley Kennedy McCord Museum, MP-1979.131

Milk for baby—a real challenge!

Baby bottle 1880-1885 Made by Excelsior Glass Company, Montreal McCord Museum, M975.64.3

Bacteria in unpasteurized milk served in unsterilized or poorly sterilized bottles caused many infant deaths in the early 20th century. Education campaigns for mothers focussed on breastfeeding, recognized by reformers at the time as the healthiest choice for babies.

Similac bottle 1970 Made by Ross Products Gift of Mrs. Jewel Lowenstein McCord Museum, M2004.26.1

Baby formula made from a blend of wheat, cow’s milk and malt was first sold in 1867. It was not until 1915, however, that formula was refined to produce S.M.A. (Synthetic Milk Adapted). This new product resembled human breastmilk more closely, making it better suited to babies’ constitutions.

Baby bottle 1994 Made by Playtex Gift of Mrs. Ann Silverstone McCord Museum, M2004.65.4

Baby bottle with Montreal Canadien logo 1990 Private collection

Baby bottle 1990 Made by MAM Babyartikel GesmbH Private collection

Baby bottle 1987 Made by Milupa Private collection

Nuk baby bottle with orthodontic nipple 1984 Made by MAPA GmbH Private collection

Growing Up in Montreal 13 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Hygienic baby bottle 1990 Made by Remond Private collection

Thermos baby bottle 1987 Private collection

Bottle and plastic liners About 2000 Made by Playtex Private collection

Jean St-Germain, a Quebec inventor, was responsible for a revolutionary change in baby feeding. In 1953, at age 16, he invented disposable baby bottle liners. The pre-sterilized liners collapse and contract as the baby sucks, reducing gas that can often cause colic. Mr. St-Germain went on to develop over 130 other inventions!

Sterilize, pasteurize… and survive!

Pasteurized milk bottle tops 1930-1940 Photolithography Gift of Mr. David M. Lank McCord Museum, C253-A02/18-01

In 1914, only one-quarter of all milk consumed in Montreal was pasteurized (sufficiently heated to destroy the dangerous bacteria in it). Only the well-off neighbourhoods in the western part of the city had access to pasteurized milk at the time. The City made the process mandatory in 1925 and sent out inspectors to enforce standards.

Automatic electric sterilizer (model 972) About 1980 Made by Hankscraft (Canada) Ltd., Toronto Musée de la civilisation collection, 92-846

Baby bottle warmer About 1900 Made by the Eu-Ja Company Musée de la civilisation collection, 68-530

Baby bottle warmer for a car 1965 Made by Hankscraft (Canada) Ltd., Toronto Gift of Armand and Noëlla Ouimet Musée de la civilisation collection, 1998-146

Baby bottle warmer About 1945 Made by Sunbeam Products, Inc., USA Musée de la civilisation collection, 91-2079

Growing Up in Montreal 14 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Healthy diets for growing children

Photograph Mealtime, 1999 Private collection

Pablum cereal box Patented in 1934 Musée François-Pilote, G.1980.214.1

In 1931, three doctors from Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, Frederick Tisdall, Theodore Drake and Alan Brown, developed a remarkable Canadian innovation: Pablum. These cereals contained all the essential nutrients for healthy early growth, including minerals and vitamins A, B1, B2, D and E. Feeding babies Pablum also decreased the incidence of nutritional rickets, a serious disease early in the century that causes softening of the bones. In 1961, Dr. Charles Scriver, a research pioneer at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, linked rickets with a vitamin D deficiency. This discovery led to the routine addition of vitamin D to bottled milk, a move that has virtually eliminated nutritional rickets in Canadian children.

Baby bowl About 1930 Made by Bridgwood, England Gift of Mrs. Louise Hurtubise Bousquet McCord Museum, M2000.41.144

Serving babies warm food is not so much a matter of health as of preference. It is perfectly safe and healthy to feed them food straight from the refrigerator. As new parents quickly discover, though, most babies refuse their food unless it is warmed up slightly.

Baby bowl About 1930 Made by Bridgwood, England Gift of Mrs. Louise Hurtubise Bousquet McCord Museum, M2000.41.145

Baby bowl 1900-1925 Gift of Miss Catharine C. McCormick McCord Museum, M980.76.8.2

“Bunnykins” dishes 1950-1990 Made by Royal Doulton, England Private collection

Spill-proof cups (“sippy cups”) 1999 Private collection

Humpty Dumpty glass 1950-1974 Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.82.63.9

Growing Up in Montreal 15 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Bib holder About 1930 Gift of Mrs. Lawrence Hart McCord Museum, M973.144.4

Bib pin, inscribed “Michel” About 1945 McCord Museum, M2003.92.1

Bib About 1910 Quilted cotton Gift of Mrs. William R. Bentham McCord Museum, M965.169.39

Bib About 1916 Cotton terry cloth Gift of Mrs. Marie-Ange R. Gaucher McCord Museum, M993.11.5

Bib About 1920 Cotton terry cloth Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.19.6

Bib About 1940-1950 Cotton Gift of Mrs. Kathleen Simpson McCord Museum, M2001.80.6

Bib About 1962-1965 Plastic Private collection

Hygiene, cleanliness and healthy children!

Principes d’hygiène brochure 1936 (2nd edition) Published by the Quebec Public Health Department Bibliothèque nationale du Québec

In 1923, the Public Health Department published a brochure promoting healthy habits for families. The golden rules: cleanliness, for a wholesome home, and fresh air, to strengthen the constitutions of children living in unhealthy housing.

Potty chair About 1920 McCord Museum, M22458

Growing Up in Montreal 16 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Child’s potty About 1950 Private collection

Quilted pad 1940 Cotton Gift of Mrs. Fabienne Bélanger McCord Museum, M2002.109.7

Quilted pad 1916 Cotton Gift of Mrs. Marie-Ange R. Gaucher McCord Museum, M999.87.1

Diaper cover About 1930-1950 Wool Gift of Mrs. Louise Hurtubise Bousquet McCord Museum, M2000.41.130

Diaper pins About 1950 Private collection

Diapers with velcro tabs 1997 Cotton Private collection

Plastic-lined pants 1960-1969 Cotton, plastic lining Gift of Mrs. Céline Tardif McCord Museum, M2003.89.3

Plastic-lined pants 1960-1970 Nylon, plastic lining Gift of Mrs. Nancy J. Dunbar McCord Museum, M974.36.12

Baby’s layette About 1965 Handwoven wool Gift of Mrs. Nancy J. Dunbar McCord Museum, M973.39.1.1-5

Photograph Bath in a metal tub, 1941 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P6246

Growing Up in Montreal 17 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Photograph Children playing in the bath, 1987 Linda Rutenberg Private collection

Growing Up in Montreal 18 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006

2.3. From home to daycare

Throughout the 20th century, most children spent their preschool years at home, with their mothers, where they played with siblings or neighbourhood friends. A family member would usually care for them when mother wasn’t around. Daycare centres for the children of working mothers were created by religious orders in the late 19th century and by the federal government during World War II. It was not until the mid-1970s, however, when large numbers of women joined the workforce, that the daycare movement truly took off.

In 1997, a network of government-coordinated childcare centres (known as CPE in French) was established to assist Quebec families. These non-profit organizations receive provincial government funding and parents of children attending a centre hold most of the seats on its board. Young children in these childcare centres and family daycares enjoy a structured program of activities offering them intellectual and physical stimulation. The Quebec government’s family policy has also made it possible to open up large numbers of places in these and private daycare centres at a lower cost to parents (initially $5 and now $7 a day). Today, close to half of the approximately 368,000 Quebec children under age four attend daycare from an early age.

Photograph Class at the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary kindergarten, Laurier Avenue East, Montreal, 1943 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P8735

Photograph Girl playing in balls at a daycare centre, Montreal, 1998 Private collection

In 1973, there were some 250 Quebec daycare centres, most of them for-profit operations, looking after 8,000 children. In 2003, more than 160,000 children attended daycare, 80 % of them in government-coordinated childcare centres and family daycares.

Backyards and daycare centres Montreal children have long played in backyards and alleys and on balconies. Daycare centres have become popular mainly in the past thirty years, offering children from every socio-economic background a wide range of activities, games and toys while their parents are at work.

Paul and Louise “I’d like to have a car like that t oride around my yard.” “They don’t make them like that anymore! What’s wrong with the ones at daycare?”

Photograph Master William Cornelius Covenhoven Van Horne, Montreal, 1910 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-180316

Growing Up in Montreal 19 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Sandbox games and learning

Sandbox 1950 Gift of Dr. Francis Boston McCord Museum, M2003.9.2

Children’s games are a way for them to explore their universe with their senses. A sandbox is the perfect place to dig lakes, erect towers, build roads, fill and empty trucks and dream of cities and castles. Parks with children’s play areas and equipment were built in Montreal neighbourhoods starting in the 1920s and 30s.

Sand bucket About 1950 Made by G.S.W. Ltd., Canada Gift of Mrs. Isabel Barclay Dobell McCord Museum, M974.173.2

Truck 1945-1965 Made by GAMA, Germany Gift of Mrs. L. M. Hart McCord Museum, M967.134.17

Riding off to explore the world

Rocking horse About 1910 Made in Germany Gift of Mrs. William Van Horne McCord Museum, M970.23.67

Giddyup, horsey! Children have always loved their toy horses — on wheels, gliders or rockers. What fun to climb on a horse’s back and gallop off for an imaginary adventure or simply enjoy the soothing rocking motion.

“Mobo” bouncing horse About 1950 Made by Sebel Products, South Africa Gift of Mr. Saul Ettinger McCord Museum, M992.101.216

Miniature sulky About 1920 Gift of Mr. R. L. Gales McCord Museum, M988.100

Growing Up in Montreal 20 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 A cuddly teddy bear

Teddy bear Early 20th century Gift of Mrs. R. S. Logan McCord Museum, M948.2.2.1-7

The first teddy bears, cuddly and realistic looking creatures, were made in Germany around the turn of the century. They took their name from Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt (1858-1919), President of the United States, who one day refused to shoot a bear he was offered during a hunt.

Teddy bear About 1914 Gift of Mrs. John de M. Marler McCord Museum, M988.97.1

Just imagine! The owner of this sweet teddy told of how in about 1914 the bear became sick and died… probably of appendicitis! He was buried in the backyard of his owner’s home on Peel Street, and dug up again one year later. Quite an adventure for a teddy bear!

Teddy bear 1980 Gift of A. T. Henderson McCord Museum, M982.74

Minnie Mouse stuffed animal, character created by Walt Disney in 1928 About 1935 Made by Steiff, Germany Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.81.7

Uncle Wiggily stuffed rabbit, character created by American author Howard R. Garis in 1910 About 1940 McCord Museum, M990X.366.1.1-7

Rocking horse 20th century Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.81.73

Learning fun

Building blocks 1905-1910 Made by American Art Stone & Mfg Co., USA Gift of Miss Louise Desforges McCord Museum, M995.47.2.1-3

Building blocks About 2000 Made by Mega Bloks, Montréal Private Collection

Growing Up in Montreal 21 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Crib mobile About 1980 Made by Fisher-Price, USA Private collection

In the final quarter of the 20th century, now that education was no longer a luxury but a necessity for finding and keeping a job and one’s social status, attention turned to offering early stimulation for children, even newborns. Much of this movement drew on the research of psychologists and psychoanalysts like Jean Piaget, who had closely studied child development. Their theories led to a better understanding of how children learn, and to effective education programs specially adapted to their needs.

Crib mobile About 1980 Made by Semper, Sweden Private collection

Rattles Late 20th century Private collections

Preschool learning game About 2000 Private collection

Starting in the 1970s, daycares were required to follow provincial standards governing their activity programs — these were designed to provide children with a variety of play opportunities matching their different needs and interests. Because young children do most of their learning through play, daycares offer a host of toys, games and activities to stimulate and awaken their senses and help socialize them before they start school.

Toy animals About 1910 Made by the A. Shoenhut Company, Philadelphia, USA Gift of Mrs. Clement M. Badgley McCord Museum, M983.210.1-7

Photograph Deanna Luck and her teddy bear, 1940 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P4688

Girl or boy ?

Who do you think wore these playclothes : A girl or a boy? Can you tell?

1910-1925 Girl!

Play dress 1910-1925 Cotton, lace Gift of Mrs. N.L.C. Mather McCord Museum, M970.28.6

Growing Up in Montreal 22 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Photograph Mrs. McGibbon’s children, Montreal, 1890 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-93886

Through the first decade of the 20th century, young boys wore dresses until the age of 5 or 6. Some families continued this practice until about 1940. Over the course of the century, boys made the transition to pants at a progressively earlier age, eventually not wearing dresses at all. Boys were dressed as “little men,” in knee-length or shorter trousers. This trend toward distinguishing gender right from birth, using clothing styles and colours, picked up momentum over the last hundred years.

About 1914 Boy!

Boy’s summer suit About 1914 Cotton Gift of Mrs. William Van Horne McCord Museum, M970.23.48.1-3

Photograph Mrs. B. A. Martin and children, Montreal, 1921 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-245115

White cotton in a variety of weights and weaves was the most popular choice for both boys’ and girls’ clothing in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This fabric was seen as practical, as it could withstand the aggressive laundering techniques of the period, and looked neat when starched and pressed.

About 1930 Boy!

Boy’s romper About 1930 Cotton Gift of Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Taylor McCord Museum, M965.134.18.1-2

Photograph Child climbing on a table, 1950 Joseph Guibord Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, E6,S7,SS1,P50343

New and revolutionary one-piece rompers and playsuits became popular in the early decades of the 20th century. Growing recognition of the importance of play in child development and the freedom of movement it required made infant dresses seem restrictive.

Growing Up in Montreal 23 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 1920-1940 Girl!

Play dress with matching bloomers 1920-1940 Printed cotton Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.19.19.1-2

Photograph Young girl dressing herself, 1941 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P6290

The 20th century saw a growing emphasis on the gendering of children’s clothing. In the 1920s, pink and blue began to be associated with girls and boys, respectively. This custom took thirty more years to become firmly entrenched. At the same time, while dresses for little boys were losing popularity, bloomers for girls (worn under dresses) were gaining ground.

About 1965 Boy!

One-piece boy’s playsuit About 1965 Polyester Gift of Mrs. Nancy J. Dunbar McCord Museum, M976.40.4

Photograph Children in play clothes, 1989 David Hopkins Private collection

By the 1960s, children’s clothing reflected the latest advances in fibre and fabric technology. The new synthetic fibres, first nylon, then polyester, spandex and an ever-larger variety of blended and knit fabrics, were enthusiastically adopted for their comfort and easy maintenance. Dye and fabric technology now allowed frequent laundering without fading or the need for starching and pressing.

1999 Boy!

Overalls, t-shirt and sandals 1999 Cotton, suede Private collection

Photograph Children running, 1991 David Hopkins Private collection

A girl might just as easily have worn this outfit. Overalls were introduced very early in the 20th century, first for boys and for girls soon thereafter. After the Second World War, they became a wardrobe staple for both boys and girls.

Growing Up in Montreal 24 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 3. ORPHANAGES AND HEALTH CARE CENTRES IN THE CITY

3.1. Growing up healthy

Pediatrics—specialized children’s medicine— emerged in the early 20th century. Hospitals devoted solely to caring for children were built in Montreal in the first decade of the century. They improved tremendously in the postwar period, offering the expertise, equipment and treatment needed to help sick children. In 1961, a government program made free hospital care available to all Quebeckers. Visits to the doctor began to be covered by Quebec health care in 1970.

One hundred years ago, children died mainly from gastrointestinal diseases, pneumonia and influenza, as well as from diphtheria, accidents, measles and scarlet fever. Medical research, vaccinations, public health improvements and education efforts all helped to virtually eradicate these diseases. The leading causes of death for children today are accidents, congenital problems and cancer.

Photograph A check-up at the doctor’s, Montreal, 1932 Ville de Montréal, Gestion des documents et archives, VM94/Y1,17,106.6

Photograph Dr. David McGillivray examining young Jesse, 2000 ODCPhoto.com Montreal Children’s Hospital

Visiting the doctor Modern medicine makes it possible to prevent and cure many childhood diseases that were fatal one hundred years ago. Today, accidents are the leading cause of death for children.

Paul and Louise “I like going to see the doctoer. Nobody gets mad at you when you stick out your tongue!” “When I grow up I want to be a doctor so I can cure sick babies.”

Photograph Family check-up, 1965 Antoine Desilets Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P697,515

Growing Up in Montreal 25 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Expert advice

National Home Monthly October 1945 Published under the direction of L. E. Brownell by A. Stovel, Winnipeg, Manitoba Private collection

Starting in the early 1900s, different kinds of experts began serving mothers and their families: public health workers, nurses and eventually doctors, nutritionists and psychologists. Over the course of the past one hundred years, caring for a child became more than just a matter of following the suggestions of family and friends. Mothers were advised to listen to experts, especially the family doctor, who monitored their offspring from birth. Regular check-ups became a matter of course.

Keeping an eye on health

Baby scale About 1940 Museum of Health Care at Kingston, 1985.12.1

Fleischer stethoscope About 1923-1963 Made by Becton, Dickinson & Co., USA Museum of Health Care at Kingston, 993004237

Fetal stethoscope Early 20th century Museum of Health Care at Kingston, 997038005

A doctor used this stethoscope to listen to a fetus’ heartbeat, by placing it on the mother’s abdomen. The 20th century saw the development of obstetrics, along with major scientific advances in the field of medical imaging technology such as ultrasound, and in diagnostic techniques like amniocentesis.

Tongue depressor About 1913-1919 Museum of Health Care at Kingston, 1969.330.1

Tongue depressor About 1960-1969 Museum of Health Care at Kingston, 992043001

Ear, eye, nose and throat diagnostic kit 1942 Made by Klinostik Reg’d, UK Museum of Health Care at Kingston, 995005029

Sore throat? Many children in the 1950s and 60s had their tonsils removed, often as a preventive measure. Ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists saw it as a way of avoiding repeated throat infections. Developments since then, in particular the widespread use of antibiotics, have made tonsillectomies much less common.

Growing Up in Montreal 26 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Reflex hammer About 1960 Gift of Mr. Pierre Gingras McCord Museum, M2004.87.2

Adrenalin vaporizer About 1950 Museum of Health Care at Kingston, 1985.6.2

Today, respiratory problems, including asthma, are the leading cause of hospitalization for children. For reasons that remain unclear, the incidence of such problems has increased rapidly over the past twenty years — today they account for 25% of all school absenteeism.

Certificate of vaccination against poliomyelitis 1960 Private collection

The French chemist Louis Pasteur established the scientific principles of vaccination in the late 1800s. His discovery made it possible to eradicate a number of infectious diseases over the past century. One of these diseases was poliomyelitis, a potentially fatal disease that attacks the nervous system and can paralyze its victims. It struck hundreds of Canadian children between the ages of five and ten in the first half of the 20th century. A vaccine developed in 1952 by Jonas Salk, an American doctor, greatly reduced the incidence of the disease. Today, children are still routinely immunized against polio, along with diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, whooping cough and tuberculosis.

Ultrasound print 1998 Private collection

Listen to a baby’s heartbeat before birth!

Growing Up in Montreal 27 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Children’s hospitals in Montreal

Montreal has three hospitals specializing in the care of children. All three are recognized throughout the world for their medical breakthroughs, research initiatives and patient care.

Dr. Alexander MacKenzie Forbes and Dr. Harold Cushing were at the forefront of a visionary group responsible for opening the Children’s Memorial Hospital in 1904—the first Montreal hospital whose sole mandate was to care for sick children. In 1956, the newly-named Montreal Children’s Hospital moved to its current location on Tupper Street, and since 1997 has been part of the McGill University Health Centre. Today, the Children’s has an international reputation in the fields of ultra-specialized surgery, specialized tertiary and quaternary medical care, care of critically ill infants and children, and assessment and short-term management of children with atypical development. Justine Lacoste-Beaubien founded Sainte-Justine hospital in 1907 with a group of French-Canadian women concerned about children’s health. The hospital was originally run by nuns from the Congregation of the Daughters of Wisdom. In 1957, it moved to its current location on Côte-Sainte-Catherine Road. The Quebec government designated Sainte-Justine’s as the Centre hospitalier universitaire (CHU) mère-enfant in 1995—an ultra-specialized centre of excellence offering complex care to Quebec children, adolescents and mothers. Affiliated with the Université de Montréal, Sainte-Justine’s is the largest Francophone pediatric hospital in North America.

The Shriners Hospital-Canada, on Cedar Avenue, is one of 22 Shriners Hospitals throughout North America. Opened in 1925, the 40-bed hospital accepts and treats children with routine and complex orthopaedic problems. Utilizing the latest treatments and technology available in pediatric orthopaedics, the hospital also embraces the role of the family as a vital part of a child’s ability to overcome an illness or injury.

Children’s Memorial Hospital nurse with a group of children getting some fresh air, first quarter of the 20th century, Montreal Children’s Hospital, 9.

Photograph Dr. Leo Stern, Director of the neonatal unit at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, examining a baby in an incubator, about 1970-1980 Montreal Children’s Hospital, 452

Photograph Artificial lung, Children’s Memorial Hospital, 1953 Canada Wide Photo Montreal Children’s Hospital, 498

Photograph Children outside the Children’s Memorial Hospital Physiotherapy Department play while waiting for treatment, 1942 Montreal Children’s Hospital, 500

Photograph Recreational therapy for patients at the Children’s Memorial Hospital, 1934 Montreal Children’s Hospital, 501

Growing Up in Montreal 28 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Photograph An operating theatre at the Children’s Memorial Hospital, about 1950 Montreal Children’s Hospital, 454

Photograph Young patients at the Shriners Hospital out in the fresh air, late 1930s Shriners Hospital, 41

Photograph Justine Lacoste-Beaubien, founder of Sainte-Justine hospital, handing out gifts to hospitalized children, about 1950-1959 Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P655,S2,SS5,D15,P3

Photograph Daughters of Wisdom nun and child at Sainte-Justine hospital, 1945 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P12209

Photograph Nurse and young patients at Sainte-Justine hospital, 1944 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P10651

Photograph Doctor at Sainte-Justine hospital examining a baby, 1944 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P10657

Photograph Nurse at Sainte-Justine hospital feeding a young patient, 1947 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P15574

Do you know the Dingbats?

You may have seen them in a drugstore or at a doctor’s office or hospital. These funny characters with their red noses and enormous eyes were born in 1915, when they were created to illustrate the calendars handed out by the Montreal pharmaceutical company Charles E. Frosst. Every year until 1993, they were seen having fun concocting new experiments and conducting scientific research.

Vaccination Time in Dingbat Land 1982 Gunter Scherrer Watercolour Merck Frosst Canada

School Check-Up in Dingbat Land 1971 Alex McLaren Watercolour Merck Frosst Canada

Growing Up in Montreal 29 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 From pounds to kilos

You can use these antique doctor’s scales to weigh and measure yourself. The results will be shown in pounds and ounces. Then you can use the calculator to convert them into kilograms and centimetres.

1 pound = 0.45 kilograms 1 inch = 2.54 centimetres

Doctor’s scale About 1940 Private collection

A healthy weight

Starting in the early 1900s, babies with low birth weights were monitored closely, because they are much weaker and more susceptible to disease. Today, health care workers are concerned about another phenomenon: 25% of all children between the ages of 7 and 13 are overweight!

Photograph Mrs. J. D. Miller’s children, Montreal, 1890 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-93986

Two ways of weighing things

Question: Throughout much of the 20th century, Montrealers like all Canadians used the English system of measurement. Weight was expressed in pounds and ounces and height in feet and inches. In what year did Canada officially switch to metric?

Answer: Now we express weight in kilograms and height in centimetres. Old habits die hard, though, and many people still use inches and pounds…

Paul and Louise Louise, what’s heavier: a pound or a kilo? Pick up both bags and see for yourself! 1 pound / 1 kilo

It’s good for you!

Do you remember the taste of cod liver oil? Anyone who ever had to take this daily “medicine” probably does, and wouldn’t want to relive the experience. Children today are luckier: they get enough vitamin D, a vital nutrient, from drinking milk and exposure to sunlight so that they don’t have to take cod liver oil. Can you remember any other potions, vitamins or remedies that your parents claimed were “good for your health” despite their vile taste?

Growing Up in Montreal 30 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Paul et Louise “I’m the doctor and you’re the patient.”

Toy doctor’s kit About 1950-1959 Gift of Mrs. Diane Nagy McCord Museum, M2002.126.1.1-9

Child’s hot water bottle About 1970 Gift of Miss Gilberte Falardeau McCord Museum, M2003.30.20

Face mask worn by a mother to avoid spreading germs to her baby 1940-1950 Gift of Mrs. Louise Hurtubise Bousquet McCord Museum, M2000.41.60

Seminole Baby Cough Syrup 1903-1968 Made by Fraser, Thornton and Co., Cookshire, Quebec Gift of Mr. Eddy Echenberg McCord Museum, M2002.69.1733.1-2

Thornton’s Worm Syrup 1903-1968 Made by Fraser, Thornton and Co., Cookshire, Quebec Gift of Mr. Eddy Echenberg McCord Museum, M2002.69.1734.1-2

Mathieu’s Cod Liver Oil 1904-1971 Made by J. L. Mathieu Co. Ltd., Sherbrooke, Quebec Gift of Mr. Eddy Echenberg McCord Museum, M2002.69.534.1-2

Gauvin’s Aniseed Syrup Patented in 1913 Made by J.A.E. Gauvin, Montreal, Quebec Gift of Mr. Eddy Echenberg McCord Museum, M2002.69.1731

“Gauvin’s Aniseed Syrup – Prepared with the approbation of an eminent physician. The syrup can be given in cases of colics, diarrhoea, dysentery, painful dentition, inability to sleep, coughs, colds, etc. Price 30 cents.”

Pardec Vitamins About 1980-1983 Museum of Health Care, 000001219

Baby’s Own Tablets About 1920 Museum of Health Care, 996001093

Growing Up in Montreal 31 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006

3.2. Life in an orphanage

Children who were orphaned, abandoned or neglected by their families also needed to be cared for. By the late 1800s, such places were operated by various philanthropic, religious and charitable organizations. Orphanages and crèches took in children, seeing to their day-to-day needs and education until such time as they were adopted by a new family or reached the age of majority. The government generally took a hands-off approach for many years, leaving family and childhood matters to private agencies, especially the Catholic Church.

In 1951, Quebec passed youth protection legislation, but it was in 1979, with Bill 24, that children’s rights truly came to the fore. This bill also established a guiding principle: everything possible should be done to keep children with their families. This was a major change, since up to that time abandoned, neglected or delinquent children had always been “placed” in institutions. Bill 60, in 1984, created youth protection as we know it today. It is a charter of children’s rights.

Photograph Caregivers and children at the Ladies Benevolent Institution, Montreal, 1909 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-174417

Photograph St. Patrick’s Orphanage, Outremont, about 1910 McCord Museum, MP-0000.888.7

Photograph Nursery at the Notre-Dame-de-Liesse orphanage, 1943 Claude Décarie Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, E6,S7,SS1,P10809

Growing Up in Montreal 32 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 4. SCHOOL

4.1. School days

The bell rings and children file into the classroom and sit down at their desks. This familiar scene has been an integral part of every child’s life from the ages of 6 to 14 for the past sixty years. There was much debate and concern about education during the first half of the century, when huge numbers of students left school at a young age, even before completing grade five, mostly to go to work.

Beginning in 1943, legally compulsory school attendance and various measures including free elementary education encouraged many youngsters to stay in school. However, it was only when major reforms were introduced in the 1960s that free, mixed schooling was truly accessible to everyone.

Photograph Grade one class, Montreal, 1993 David Hopkins Private collection

Today, 25 % of the population on the island of Montreal is of other than French or English origin, as compared with only 5 % in 1901.The massive influx of immigrant families, especially over the last quarter century, has transformed the face of Montreal schools. There has been a great deal of heated debate in Quebec regarding the choice of French or English as the language of instruction for these children.

Off to school! Did you know that one hundred years ago children didn’t have to go to school? Education was a matter of parents’ choice — provided that they could afford it — rather than a right or an obligation, as it has been in Quebec since 1943!

Paul and Louise “School days, school days; Dear old golden rule days. Readin’ and ‘ritin’ and ‘rithmetic; Taught to the tune of the hick’ry stick.”

Photograph Off to school, Montreal, 1961 Private collection

What’s in my schoolbag?

Leather schoolbag About 1955 Gift of Mrs. Ann Silverstone McCord Museum, M2004.65.1

Growing Up in Montreal 33 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Schoolbag 1945 Musée de la civilisation collection, 95-6

Schoolbag 1999 Private collection

Wooden pencil box About 1960 Gift of Mr. Pierre Gingras McCord Museum, M2004.87.11

Pencil case About 1960 Private collection

Pencil case 1999 Private collection

Straight pens and nibs About 1920-1950 Private collection

Earthenware inkwell Early 20th century McCord Museum, M996X.2.644

Schoolchildren in the first half of the century dipped their pens in inkwells as they formed letters in their copy books. Then they used blotting paper to absorb any excess ink. But there were still lots of stained fingers and spilled inkwells! Although ballpoint pens were invented in the United States in the late 1800s, they have existed in their present form only since the 1940s.

Ruler 1925 Gift of Mr. Pierre Gingras McCord Museum, M2004.87.1

Grade three dictation 1969 Private collection

Dictation book 1941-1942 Private collection

Grade two arithmetic test 1967 Private collection

Learn-to-read flash cards 1999 Private collection

Growing Up in Montreal 34 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Anne Bélanger’s exercise book, Grade two About 1949-1950 Gift of Mrs. Anne Bélanger McCord Museum, M2002.63.1

L’Économie domestique à l’école primaire, Grade three, Congrégation de Notre-Dame 1926 L’action sociale Ltée, Québec McCord Museum, M2000.74.2

“May 26, 1927 Dishwashing. Take pride in a job well done. The dishes and utensils must be washed, and the kitchen swept, Immediately after each meal. That way everything will be clean and tidy.”

Snack time

Kindergarten lunchbox 1987 Private collection

Starting in the late 1970s, schools began to set up lunchtime and after-school programs to accommodate the growing number of families in which both parents worked outside the home.

Snack box About 1955 Private collection

Kindergarten

Colouring book Au temps de mon grand-père, by J. P. Brutto, illustrations by Maurice Raymond 1942 Librairie pédagogique, Montreal Gift of Miss Janice Logan McCord Museum, M989.99.1.4

Public kindergartens first appeared in Montreal after 1910 and became official in 1923. They offered a program of exercises and games for children ages 3 to 6 as a way of easing the transition from home to school. When the Depression hit in the 1930s, however, these costly schools were forced to close. In the 1960s, five-year-olds were once again able to attend kindergarten before starting elementary school (consisting of grades one to six at that time).

Growing Up in Montreal 35 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Creta Polycolor Crayons About 1935 Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.82.77.1.1-2

Crayons were invented by Edwin Binney and Harold Smith, who owned a paint company in New York City. They combined paraffin wax with different pigments to create inexpensive art supplies. First marketed as Crayola crayons in 1903, they were an instant success!

Paul and Louise I love colouring!

Tiny Town School 1936-1938 Made by Spears Games, England Gift of Mrs. Sonja Arnold-Forster McCord Museum, M994.24.55.1-11

The honour roll

Report card 1938-1939 Private collection

Teachers often place comments on a student’s behavior and study habits beside their grades in the various subjects. Parents have to sign the report card before it is returned – giving them a way to keep track of their child’s progress.

Report card 1961-1962 Private collection

Certificates of Primary Elementary Studies 1942 and 1943 Private collection

From 1923 until the school reform in the 1960s, students who had completed seven years of schooling received a certificate of primary elementary studies.

Report card, Roslyn School 1934-1935 Gift of Victor Isganaitis McCord Museum, P522/A.01

A school uniform?

Tunic from The Study, a Montreal girls’ private school About 1960 Polyester and wool Gift of Mrs. Douglas T. Bourke McCord Museum, M988.68.1.1-2

Growing Up in Montreal 36 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Uniform jacket from Selwyn House, a Montreal boys’ private school About 1982 Wool Gift of Mr. S. Langdon McCord Museum, M982.32.1

Do you wear a school uniform? Did your parents? Up until the 1960s, many schools, even public ones, encouraged their students to wear uniforms. A navy blue tunic was often suggested for girls, and grey or navy trousers, a dress shirt and sometimes a tie for boys. Over the past thirty years, however, there has been a trend away from uniforms in public elementary schools, although they are still worn in private schools.

Uniform from École Saint-Joseph, a Montreal private school 2004 Polyester acrylic blend tunic, acrylic cardigan, polyester cotton blend shirt Sauvé, le Groupe Bovet

Photograph Ceremony commemorating the beginning of construction/conversion of a building for the Jewish Peretz School, Duluth Street in Montreal, 1942 R. E. Fleischman Canadian Jewish Congress National Archives, Montreal

In the early 1900s, Montreal Jewish families, large numbers of whom had come from Eastern Europe, sent their children to schools run by the city’s English Protestant school board

To learn about their own cultural heritage, these students attended community-run schools outside of regular classroom hours. In 1930, the government created a Jewish school board in Montreal, but the community failed to embrace it. Then, in the 1960s, a novel solution, unique in North America, was found for this community: Jewish students attend private schools, subsidized in part by the government, that combine academics and traditional learning.

Paul and Louise School is a place where you learn, study and follow the rules. But recess is a time for playing with friends. School is also where children learn social skills.

Photograph School yard, 1977 Henri Rémillard Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, E6,S7,SS1,D771205

Growing Up in Montreal 37 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 5. THE HOME: A SCHOOLCHILD’S PERSPECTIVE

5.1. Bedrooms and what they tell us

In the early 1900s, children generally slept in the same room as their parents or shared a bedroom (and bed) with their siblings. When the economy boomed after World War II, many families were able to invest in improving their lives, moving into larger houses, sometimes with a room for each child. For children, this new era of prosperity meant that they could stay in school longer, and did not have to go out and work like those who came before them.

From the 1950s on, more and more products designed specially for children were available, and because times were good, people could afford them. Today, children typically have a say in decorating their rooms, asserting distinctive personalities at an early age. Moreover, many of the latest technological purchases in a home—TVs, video- game consoles, computers, DVD and CD players and digital cameras—are found in the children’s rooms!

Photograph Janet Symmes in her bedroom on Hutchison Street, 1972 Clara Gutsche National Archives of Canada, PA-237054

Photograph Boys ready for bed, Westmount, 1906 Alfred Walter Roper Gift of Mr. Vennor Roper McCord Museum, MP-1977.76.138

A room of your own! Not so very long ago, a room of your own was a real luxury. Children almost always had to share a room or even a bed with their brothers and sisters!

Paul and Louise Not so very long ago, a room of your own was a real luxury. Children almost always had to share a room or even a bed with their brothers and sisters!

Photograph Child’s room, 1997 David Hopkins Private collection

Growing Up in Montreal 38 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Quite the family!

The baby boom from 1940 to 1965 was created in large part by the flurry of weddings and pregnancies that had been postponed because of the Depression in the 30s and the Second World War from 1939-1945. And while the average woman had fewer children than in previous generations, many more women had babies during this period.

After that, the birth rate dropped steadily. Young people married later and put off having their first child, largely because women wanted to further their education and were joining the workforce in larger numbers. Over the last quarter century, families have undergone a transformation. With legislation in 1968 making divorces much easier to obtain, single-parent families and blended families have become increasingly common. Many children in joint custody move back and forth regularly between their mothers’ and their fathers’ homes.

Photography and children

Children have always been a favourite subject in family photography, a pastime that became increasingly popular in the early 1900s with the ready availability of easy-to- use, portable cameras. These photos were less formal than studio portraits, where the family was represented as a solemn institution. Family photography is an essentially nostalgic practice—a way to record family members’ images for posterity.

Starting at the turn of the century, people used equipment like the Brownies and Folding Pocket cameras marketed by Kodak Ltd. of Rochester, New York to record significant events and everyday moments. With constant technical improvements, from the first amateur cameras to 35mm film between the two World Wars, the invention of Polaroid instant cameras in 1947 and digital photography, taking photographs became a popular family pastime—one that even children could enjoy. Photography, both as a fun activity and a symbol of family togetherness, evolved in step with childhood throughout the 20th century.

Photograph Léona taking a photograph, 1944 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P10175

Photograph Philip Simpson Ross family, 1904 C. W. Dennis McCord Museum, N-0000.72

Photograph Rutherford family, about 1900 Gift of Mr. Andy Rutherford McCord Museum, MP-1983.2.3

Growing Up in Montreal 39 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Photograph Four generations of the Hague family, 1909 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-174573

Photograph Mrs. Herbert Marler and her children, Montreal, 1909 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-173150

Photograph Mrs. Anna Leonowens and her grandchildren, 1911 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-186467

Anna Leonowens, a British writer who claimed to have tutored the children of King Mongkut of Siam, recounted her experiences in a book entitled The English Governess at the Siamese Court, published in 1870. Mrs. Leonowens’ story was widely popularized in a number of film versions, including the musical The King and I. She died in Montreal in 1914.

Photograph Mr. and Mrs. H. Song and their children, Montreal, 1913 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-198453

Photograph Hon. Ernest Casgrain and his grandson, 1914 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II- 202851

Photograph Nelson Newberger and his family in a sidecar near Dorval, 1930 Nelson Newberger Gift of Mr. Nelson Newberger McCord Museum, MP-1973.36.11

Photograph Mrs. Matheson with her grandson, 1944 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P10011

Photograph A Canadian soldier with his family, 1943 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P9386

Photograph Allyn family, Montreal, 1946 William Notman & Son Gift of Mr. George Dudkoff McCord Museum, II-337569

Photograph The sisters of Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Conseil welcoming immigrants at the Port of Montreal, 1953 Archives of the Institut Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Conseil de Montréal

Growing Up in Montreal 40 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Photograph Young girl and her grandfather in Côte-des-Neiges cemetery, 1999 Private collection

Photograph Mother and daughter, about 2000 Private collection

Photograph Hopkins family, 1987 Gabor Szilasi Private collection

Photograph Family in a park, 2002 Megapress/ Image State/Fritz, 00102540

Photograph Cannella family, about 2000 Private collection

Photograph Timothy Armstrong (Ojibwa Saulteux) and his six month old daughter Sienna Private collection

Who’s that hiding under the bed?

Royal Army Medical Corps lead soldiers About 1915 Made by Britains Ltd., UK Gift of Dr. Desmond Morton McCord Museum, M2003.61.2.2-19

Painted wood dollhouse furniture About 1935 McCord Museum, M991X.2.122.1-7

Paul and Louise “Look! A secret hiding place!”

Sweet dreams!

Nightgown 1966-1967 Flannelette Private collection

Pyjamas 1920-1930 Flannelette Gift of Mrs. Betty Ann Sylvia McCord Museum, M983.6.14

Growing Up in Montreal 41 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 The flammability of children’s sleepwear has been regulated since 1971, in response to numerous tragic accidents. Strict guidelines for manufacturers regarding the cut and fabrics used in pyjamas and nightgowns have helped to substantially reduce the risk of burns and fatalities.

Nightgown and dressing gown About 1965 Cotton and synthetic blend Gift of Mrs. Nancy J. Dunbar McCord Museum, M976.40.2.1-2

In the drawer …

Child’s handkerchief 1940-1950 Cotton Gift of Mrs. Diane Nagy McCord Museum, M2000.52.31

Handkerchief with Ferdinand the Bull, a comic book character created by author and illustrator Munro Leaf in 1936 About 1940 Cotton Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.19.46.1

Boy’s gloves About 1903 Leather Gift of J. M. McGillis McCord Museum, M977.114.1-2

Girl’s gloves About 1950 Kid leather Gift of Mrs. Andrée Murphy McCord Museum, M982.35.2.1-2

Girl’s stockings 1910-1920 Silk Gift of Mrs. Louise Hurtubise Bousquet McCord Museum, M2000.41.44.1-2

Baby girl’s socks 1965-1970 Nylon Gift of Mrs. Nancy J. Dunbar McCord Museum, M973.39.44.1-2

Child’s “waist and drawers” About 1910 Cotton Gift of Mrs. Louise Hurtubise Bousquet McCord Museum, M2000.41.59.1-2

Growing Up in Montreal 42 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Baby’s undershirt 1920-1935 Wool Gift of Mrs. M. Naylor McCord Museum, M989.13.6

Girl’s drawers 1920-1930 Cotton Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.19.38

Sunday best

Matching dresses for two sisters About 1912-1915 Silk lace and silk chiffon Gift of Mrs. Herbert Yuile McCord Museum, M966.152.1.1-2, M966.152.2.1-2

These two matching dresses belonged to two sisters. In the 1800s, children of the same sex were often dressed like twins, even if they differed in age. The emphasis was on family ties rather than individuality. This practice continued until the Second World War, particularly when children were taken to be photographed at a professional studio.

Dress About 1965 Cotton Gift of Mrs. F. M. Driscoll McCord Museum, M972.14.1.1-2

Boy’s romper About 1930 Silk crepe de chine Gift of the Estate of Mrs. B. M. Hallward McCord Museum, M972.75.27.1-2

Jacket and short pant suit About 1950 Wool flannel Gift of Mrs. Denyse Bousquet Assabgui McCord Museum, M2001.78.3.1-2

The variety and number of clothes worn by children today would surely have been the envy of children from the first half of the 20th century. Back then, most youngsters had much smaller wardrobes. They had school clothes, play clothes and “good” clothes, always worn with hats and gloves. Often, they had just one outfit for each occasion!

Baby booties (“pussy boots”) 1920-1925 Leather, fur Gift of Mrs. Peggy-Jean Thomas McCord Museum, M999.69.1.1-2

Growing Up in Montreal 43 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Photograph Peggy-Jean, aged six months, wearing her pussy boots, 1928 Gift of Mrs. Peggy-Jean Thomas McCord Museum, MP-1999.28.1

Boy’s dress 1930-1940 Cotton Gift of the Estate of Mrs. B. M. Hallward McCord Museum, M972.75.31

Photograph Master J. Hallward wearing a similar dress, about 1930 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-295811

Dress About 1925 Silk chiffon, silk satin ribbon Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison Musée McCord, M974.19.1

Photograph Margaret Anna Corley, aged six years, wearing the dress on display, 1929 Rice Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, MP-1974.139.2

Reading through the century

The content and availability of children’s books have changed enormously over the past one hundred years. In the early part of the century, books with religious themes were often the only printed material available in the home, perhaps along with a few textbooks and volumes imported from Europe or the United States. By the 1940s, we begin to see a proliferation of titles aimed at children — biographies of saints, heroes and model children, conservative and rather moralizing tales and novels, followed by adventure series.

After a slump in the early 1970s, children’s literature truly took off. Books ran the gamut from highly colourful storybooks to realistic, fantasy and humorous novels and books based on children’s favourite television shows. Special interest stories also appeared, helping children deal with divorce, the loss of a pet and other stressful situations. Young readers today can choose from among the 200 to 300 children’s books published in Quebec alone each year: close to 35% of all Quebec fiction!

A selection of children’s literature: 1900 — today

Adults and children continue to enjoy the dogeared “classics” of children’s literature, no matter how long ago they were published. Children always find room on their bookshelves, however, for new stories with contemporary themes and imaginative imagery. Are some of these books among your favourites?

Growing Up in Montreal 44 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 A Doll for Marie books, for a little girl and her doll, by Louise Fatio 1957 Whittlesey House, New York McCord Museum, C117/B.02.01-02

Bisque head doll About 1910 Made by Jumeau, Paris, France McCord Museum, M972X.87.1-9

L’arche de Noé, by P. Guigou and A. Vimar 1894 Librairie Plon, Paris McCord Museum, C117/A.01

Noah’s ark 1900-1910 Gift of Mrs. William Van Horne McCord Museum, M970.23.44.1-21

Photograph Big brother reading to the twins, Montreal, 1988 David Hopkins Private collection

Photograph Mrs. W. B. Evans reading to her daughters, Montreal, 1912 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-191023.1

Photograph Story hour at Notre-Dame-de-Grace library, 1944 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P10190

Words and music

Tante Lucille raconte, by Lucille Desparois 1944 La Librairie Granger & Frères Limitée, Montreal Gift of Mrs. Danielle Lamoureux McCord Museum, M2001.49.6

Tante Lucille enjoyed tremendous success telling stories for 3 to 5 year-olds. Her first storybooks, which appeared in 1944, were translated into nine languages. She also made a number of recordings. She was first heard on radio in 1948, and her show continued to be broadcast for 27 years — quite a feat!

Take a few moments and listen to her here.

Jeux de tante Lucille, by Lucille Desparois About 1970 Les Éditions Héritage Inc., Montreal Private collection

Growing Up in Montreal 45 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 “Deluxe” 78 rpm phonograph 1930-1950 Made by the General Industries Co., Elyria, Ohio, USA Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.81.60.1-3

45 rpm record player About 1975-1985 Gift of Mr. Conrad Graham McCord Museum, M2002.24.1

One Elephant, 2 Elephants, by Sharon, Lois & Bram 1978 (first album) Elephant Records Private collection

Sharon Hampson, Lois Lilienstein and Bram Morrison, a group of Toronto musicians and songwriters, have been working with children for over 25 years. Some three million copies of their 16 records have been sold internationally. They are also well-known for their television shows for the preschool set.

You can listen to them here.

Having Fun with Ernie & Bert 1976 Children’s Records of America Private collection

Goldorak comme au cinéma 1979 CBS Records Canada Ltd. Private collection

Goldorak was a popular Japanese cartoon show televised from 1978 to 1983 that spawned a movie and various spinoff products.

50 chansons enfantines 1975 K-Tel International Ltd. Private collection

Singable Songs for the Very Young, by Raffi 1976 Troubadour Records Ltd. Private collection

Growing Up in Montreal 46 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006

5.2. The family play room

In the second half of the century, more and more space within the home was given over to children. The “family room” appeared, a room in the house where family members congregated. Family rooms were mostly a suburban phenomenon, but they reflected a new and evolving way of viewing family relationships: family life now revolved around children’s instead of parents’ activities.

Children saw their universe transformed in another way as well: radio and television and later the Internet brought the world right into their homes. Young people were fascinated by these new technologies, and more and more programs and games were designed especially for them. Children became a select clientele, a special target market.

Photograph Mrs. Ballon’s children, a musical trio, Montreal, 1908 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-170608

Photograph Pauline listening to the radio, 1940 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P4828

Photograph Baby girl intrigued by a television, about 1966-1967 Private collection

Fun and games When they were young, today’s grandparents listened to radio. Today’s parents watched television. Now children sometimes play computer games while watching television and listening to music. Amazing how things have changed in just three generations!

Paul and Louise “Can you believe that grandpa didn’t play computer games when he was little? They didn’t have any back then!” “So what did they play?”

Photograph Children absorbed in a computer game, 1990 David Hopkins Private collection

Growing Up in Montreal 47 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Irresistible television

The first television show hit the airwaves in 1952… in black and white, of course! Colour didn’t come along until 1967. In 1954, when the average Quebec factory worker earned $2,829 a year, a television set cost $300 to $500. Only about 800 households across Quebec had a television (but no remote control!), on which they could watch Radio-Canada in French or the CBC in English.

By the 1960s, researchers were already exploring ways to employ the popularity of television to do more than just entertain children. The idea began with Sesame Street, which went on the air in the U.S. in 1969 with the specific goal of improving children’s literacy and promoting the joy of learning. In studying children’s viewing habits, the creators of this success story realized that youngsters were more sophisticated television viewers than anyone had imagined. Soon the different networks were competing to come up with their own shows designed to engage children and cater to their interests.

Paul and Louise “Time for a TV break!”

Do you remember your favourite children’s television programs?

Some of them kept thousands of youngsters happy, their eyes glued to the set. Here you can take a look at a few of the programs that delighted young audiences for over 15 years.

Bobino (1957-1985) The Friendly Giant (1958-1985) Fanfreluche (1956-1971) Mr. Dressup (1967-1996) Sol et Gobelet (1957-1971) Chez Hélène (1959-1973)

Suzie the mouse from Chez Hélène, a bilingual show run from 1959 to 1973 by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation 1959-1973 Gift of Mrs. Hélène Baillargeon-Côté McCord Museum, M994.31.1.1

Les chansons de Chez Hélène, from the television show by the same name About 1960 Dominion Série française Gift of Mrs. Hélène Baillargeon-Côté McCord Museum, P132/F.01

Chez Hélène used games, stories and songs to teach French to countless English-speaking preschoolers and vice-versa. In the 1950s, Dr. Wilder Penfield, a famous Montreal neurosurgeon, reported that it was easier to learn a second language between ages 3 and 7. Other researchers set the upper limit at around puberty. Today, the whole concept of an ideal age for learning a second language is being called into question. Recent studies place more emphasis on the quality and duration of language training.

Growing Up in Montreal 48 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Girls’ toys, boys’ toys

Whether they realize it or not, adults naturally tend to choose toys for their children that reflect their own values as well as dominant social trends. Throughout much of the 20th century, boys were given toy cars, building sets and space ships, while girls were offered dolls and miniature kitchen appliances. Toys were a way to accustom children to the roles they would assume in the adult world.

Over the past 30 years, the gender distinctions reflected in toys have begun to change. Starting in the 1960s, the woman’s movement argued that girls were growing up with limited career ambitions because of the toys they played with as children. Likewise, as they see their fathers taking an increasingly active role in childcare, little boys tend to be more interested in “playing house.” Ultimately, children themselves have always insisted on keeping their play options open, and today’s marketing mavens have responded enthusiastically by packaging toys and games of all kinds for both sexes.

Photograph Shirley giving her dolly a bottle, 1940 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P4729

Photograph Mr. Lucas’ children with their electric train set and miniature village, 1946 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P12880

Boys’ toys

Canadian Pacific passenger train 1920-1940 Lionel Corporation, New York, USA Gift of the Estate of Omer Lavallée McCord Museum, M992.110.52-85

Railway signal Early 20th century Gift of Mr. Tim Broadhead McCord Museum, M2002.118.1.26

Canadian Pacific freight train and station About 1930 Gift of the Estate of Omer Lavallée McCord Museum, M992.110.13-80, M2002.118.1.17

Railway crane 1912-1923 Gift of Mr. Tim Broadhead McCord Museum, M2002.118.1.29

Growing Up in Montreal 49 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Little People DC-9 airplane About 1970 Made by Fisher-Price, USA Gift of Annmarie Adams McCord Museum, M2004.88.2.1-6

Motorcycle and sidecar About 1965 Gift of Dr.Victoria Dickenson McCord Museum, M2004.8.5

Fire truck About 1950 Gift of Raynald Lepage McCord Museum, M987.167.2.2

Triumph T.R.3. tin-plated toy car About 1960-1969 Made by Bandai Toys, Japan Gift of Mr. Mario Hétu McCord Museum, M2002.75.2

Volvo P1800, tin-plated toy car About 1962 Made in Japan Gift of Mr. Mario Hétu McCord Museum, M2002.75.3

This tin-plated toy car is similar to the one driven by Roger Moore in the TV program “The Saint,” which aired from 1962 to 1969.

Ford 2-door sedan, tin-plated toy car 1955 Made in Japan Gift of Mr. Mario Hétu McCord Museum, M2002.75.4

Golden Gate Ho Roadrace set About 1970 Made exclusively for Eaton’s by Aurora Plastics Corp., West Hempstead, New York, USA Gift of Mr. Philip Leduc McCord Museum, M2000.111.1-52

Capsule 7 space vehicle with floating astronaut (Series # 3417) Mid 1960s Made by Modern Toys Company, Japan Private collection

Moon showing lunar landing areas 1963 Made by Replogle Globes, Inc., USA Private collection

Growing Up in Montreal 50 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Apollo 11 American Eagle lunar module (Model # 7020) 1970 Made by Daishin Kogyo Company, Japan Private collection

Apollo 11 space rocket About 1969 Made by “T.N”, Japan Private collection

Space capsule Mid 1960s Made by “S.H.”, Japan Private collection

Mobile crane About 2000 Made by Lego Systems Inc., USA Private collection

Mobile crane About 2000 Made by Lego Systems Inc., USA Private collection

Lego block house 1995 Lego Systems Inc., USA Private collection

Table hockey game 1953 Made by Munro Games Ltd., Ontario Gift of the Monet Family McCord Museum, M2002.93.1

Marbles Mid 20th century Gift of Joan Murray McCord Museum, M983.201.2

Altar and accessories for playing at celebrating mass About 1935 Gift of Mrs. Anson C. McKim McCord Museum, M990.783.1-40

Certain toys reproduce the real world in miniature, encouraging children to try out different social roles, consciously or unconsciously. These toys from the early 1900s allowed youngsters to play at being a choir boy, altar boy or priest, tasks that only males were allowed to perform in the Catholic Church.

Cap guns About 1960 Gift of Miss Susan Jane Lustgarten McCord Museum, M985.156.7A-B

Growing Up in Montreal 51 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Lead soldiers Early 20th century Made by Britains Ltd., UK Gift of Dr. Desmond Morton McCord Museum, M2003.61.1.7-18

G.I. Joe dolls, Adventure Team series About 1972 J-P collection

G.I. Joe appeared in toy stores in 1964. Unlike Ken, Barbie’s boyfriend, G.I. Joe is an action figure, a soldier, a toy for boys. But like Barbie, G.I. Joe comes with a wide variety of outfits and accessories and the company is always bringing out new, up-to-date gadgets to appeal to young buyers.

Girls’ toys

Child’s wicker chair About 1902 Made by Kammer & Reinhardt, Germany Gift of Mrs. S. Boyd Millen McCord Museum, M977.153

Bisque head doll 1880-1900 Gift of Mrs. Elizabeth Lewis McCord Museum, M992.70.4.12.1

Toy tea set Before 1938 Gift of Mrs. Diane Nagy McCord Museum, M2000.61.1.1.1-2

Doll house 1940-1950 Gift of Mrs. J. E. L. Duquet McCord Museum, M973.59.1.1

Doll house furniture 1940-1960 Made by Reliable Toys, Toronto, Ontario McCord Museum, M991X.2.63.5-58

Miniature bisque dolls 1920-1935 Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.82.7-10

Doll’s cradle About 1908 Gift of Mrs. Laura Rowles McCord Museum, M988.145.10

Growing Up in Montreal 52 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Doll-E-Feeder set About 1954 Made by Amsco Toys, Hatboro, Pennsylvania, USA Gift of Miss Susan Jane Lustgarten McCord Museum, M985.156.6.1-23

Doll with baby bottle 1922-1925 Made by Arranbee Doll Co., New York, USA, using an imported German bisque head Gift of Mrs. David MacDonald Stewart McCord Museum, M995.45.11.1-6

Composition head baby doll About 1950 Made by Reliable Toys, Toronto, Ontario McCord Museum, M980.57.1-2

Bisque head doll About 1910 Made by Bébé Bru, France McCord Museum, M979X.57.1

Bisque head baby doll About 1910 Made by Kestner, Germany McCord Museum, M983X.158

Felt head doll About 1935 Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.81.12.1-7

Sock monkey About 1960 Handmade from men’s red-heeled socks Gift of Mrs. Moira McCaffrey McCord Museum, M2004.133.1

Ballerina doll About 1930 Gift of Mrs. L. M. Hart McCord Museum, M967.134.2.1-3

Bride doll with a music box that plays Here Comes the Bride About 1950 Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.82.36.1-3

Doll wearing roller skates 1955 Gift of Mrs. Diane Nagy McCord Museum, M2000.52.5.1-3

Growing Up in Montreal 53 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Cabbage Patch doll 1985 Made by Coleco Canada Ltd. McCord Museum, M985.166

Nun doll About 1940 Made by Angelo Studios Reg’d, Québec City Gift of Mrs. Betty Dorian McCord Museum, M990.766.1.1-3

Rag doll About 1955 Gift of Mrs. L. M. Hart McCord Museum, M967.134.16

Air Force doll About 1942 Made by Reliable Toys, Toronto, Ontario Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.82.1.1-4

Knitted sailor doll About 1935 Gift of Mrs. L. M. Hart McCord Museum, M967.134.3

King Little doll, a cartoon character created in 1939 by Paramount Pictures Inc. 1939 Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.81.16

Grumpy doll, one of the seven dwarfs from the 1937 Walt Disney movie version of Snow White 1937 Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.81.8

Shirley Temple doll About 1935 Made by Ideal Novelty & Toy Co., USA Gift of Mrs. David MacDonald Stewart McCord Museum, M992.91.10.1-6

When Shirley Temple made her film debut in 1931, she was so popular that Shirley Temple dolls and a line of young girls’ clothing appeared on the market. Marketing tie-ins between movies, television and the world of toys have become increasingly common.

Shirley Temple dress Mid 1930s Cotton Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.19.23

Growing Up in Montreal 54 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Patsy Ann and Her Trunk Full of Clothes paper dolls About 1939 Whitman Publishing Co., USA Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.180.24

Cowgirl’s outfit About 1955 Cotton, leatherette Gift of Mrs. Sonja Arnold-Forster McCord Museum, M994.24.71.1-3

Little girls enjoyed playing Cowboys and Indians too.

Caillou doll 2000 Private collection

Doll 1955 Gift of Mrs. Diane Nagy McCord Museum, M2000.52.12.1-4

Barbie doll About 1964-1965 Made by Mattel, USA Gift of Annmarie Adams McCord Museum, M2004.57.1

Barbie fashion dolls, created by Ruth Handler, an American, arrived in stores in 1959. These dolls, with their highly curvaceous figures, were aimed at the pre-teen set, and gave girls lots to dream about. Barbie had all sorts of jobs, and came with accessories of all kinds, from furniture to vans, cars, swimming pools and bicycles. The personification of the perfect consumer! And then there was Barbie’s little sister, all her friends and her boyfriend, Ken.

Skipper doll, Barbie’s little sister About 1964-1965 Made by Mattel, USA Gift of Annmarie Adams McCord Museum, M2004.57.2

Skooter doll, Skipper’s friend About 1964-1965 Made by Mattel, USA Gift of Annmarie Adams McCord Museum, M2004.57.3

Barbie dressing table 1967 Made by Mattel, USA Gift of Mrs. Huguette and Mrs. Lucie Beaupré McCord Museum, M2004.64.3.1-8

Growing Up in Montreal 55 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 An increasingly technological universe

Mercury stereoscope About 1905 Made by Underwood & Underwood, USA Gift of Bruno Bargelletti McCord Museum, M985.234.1

Song and story puzzle blocks About 1920 Gift of Mrs. Louise Hurtubise Bousquet McCord Museum, M2000.41.3.1-31

Lotto game About 1935 Made by Chad Valley Works, England Gift of Mrs. Louise Hurtubise Bousquet McCord Museum, M2000.41.173

Crusade game About 1937 Made by Samuel Gabriel Sons & Co., USA Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.180.25.1-23

Magic slate 1930-1950 Made by Pax Manufacturing Co., Toronto, Ontario Gift of Miss Janice Logan McCord Museum, M989.99.3

Etch-A-Sketch 1960 Invented by Arthur Granjean Made by Ohio Art Co., USA Gift of Dr. Victoria Dickenson McCord Museum, M2000.62.6

Uncle Sam’s Movie Projector and Movie Tracer Mid 20th century Made by Durable Toy & Novelty Corp., New York, USA Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.180.13.1

Spear’s Bead Pictures About 1935 Made by J. W. Spear & Sons Ltd., Germany Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.180.2.1-11

Lite-Brite 1968 Made by Hassenfeld (Canada) Limited Private collection

Growing Up in Montreal 56 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Power Guide microscope About 1959-1960 Made by Hilton, Japan Gift of Mrs. Kathleen E. Simpson McCord Museum, M2003.18.6.1-2

Qui sait ? game 1908 Gift of Mrs. Louise Hurtubise Bousquet McCord Museum, M2000.41.5

Junior Electro 3-6 game About 1970 Private collection

Eaton’s Christmas catalogue 1959 Musée de la civilisation collection, 93-6040

Eaton’s Christmas catalogue 1974 Musée de la civilisation collection, 87-3769

Mille Bornes game 1962 Private collection

Game Boy electronic game About 1987 Private collection

Nintendo electronic game 1985 Private collection

Growing Up in Montreal 57 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 6. FROM STREET GAMES TO ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES

6.1. Gaining Independence

In the early 1900s, an extended family would often live in the same neighbourhood, recreating a reassuring sense of family solidarity even in the middle of an anonymous big city. With the exception of a few neighbourhoods, however, this practice did not last, and family members spread out around the city as they looked for jobs and better housing. The home, the school and the neighbourhood park formed the safe boundaries of a child’s universe. As children grew, this familiar space would expand and they would be allowed to explore other parts of the city, venturing out of neighbourhood parks to the streets downtown.

The boundaries of a child’s familiar territory expanded constantly throughout the century, as access to a burgeoning public transit system made it easier to get from one neighbourhood to another. At progressively earlier ages, children accompany adults throughout the city in cars, buses and on the metro. Along with this expansion come new dangers. Parents now purchase a car seat before their baby is born, and toddlers wear helmets on tricycles. Stringent limits are set on where children may venture—in real (and virtual!) space. As the world changes at a faster and faster pace, we scramble to keep children safe wherever their explorations take them.

Photograph Young “driver” meeting a policeman, 1937 Conrad Poirier, Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P1721

Photograph Children admiring an Ogilvy’s Christmas window in downtown Montreal, about 1980 Michael Drummond

Growing up in the neighbourhood One hundred years ago, Montreal had no facilities or activities available specifically for children. No day camps, playgrounds or arenas. It was really only after the Second World War that recreational activities were organized for children in the different neighbourhoods. They quickly became very popular!

Paul and Louise “Look at all those kids doing exercises!” “It must be a day camp that’s taken over the neighbourhood pool!”

Photograph Group exercising at an outdoor pool in Verdun, 1943 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P9649

Growing Up in Montreal 58 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 The corner store

Who doesn’t remember proudly heading off to the corner store, or dépanneur, with a bit of change in their pocket to buy some “penny” candy or some collectable cards or figures?

Set of hockey cards 1977-1981 Private collection

The New Teen Titans and Les nouveaux jeunes Titans, Batman and the Outsiders and Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars, published by DC Comics and Marvel 1980-1984 Private collection

Comic books like these were very popular with young people. They had a bad reputation throughout much of the 20th century, however, because of their morally “suspect” values in the eyes of the clergy. There was even a name for newspapers with controversial morals — the “yellow press,” after Yellow Kid, the first weekly comic strip to appear in the United States, in 1896. Here in Quebec, illustrated magazines first appeared in 1920 as a way of countering the “bad influence” of these popular publications.

Smurfs 1978-1984 Private collection

Called Smurfs in English, Schtroumpfs in French, Schlümpfe in German and Smerfy in Polish, these little blue figures created in 1958 by Peyo of Belgium conquered the world, appearing in comics and movies, as collectable figures and more.

Youppi, Montreal Expos baseball team mascot 1986 Private collection

Troll 1960 Private collection

Trolls Early 1990s Private collection

Transformers 1984-1993 Private collection

Over the past thirty years or so, waves of collectable figures based on legends, comics, television shows or movies, and aimed at young consumers, have appeared in stores, ranging from Scandinavian Trolls to Smurfs and Transformers. Once they get them home, children tend to forget about them. But fashions sometimes go full circle, with figures that were forgotten for years reappearing on store shelves, updated to suit modern tastes.

Growing Up in Montreal 59 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Paul and Louise “Hot cross buns! Hot cross buns! One a penny, two a penny, Hot cross buns!”

Montreal, city of a thousand steeples

Montreal neighbourhoods in the late 1800s were already home to places of worship for a number of religions, and the variety continued to grow over the course of the next century as new ethnic groups arrived. Alongside Anglophone Protestant and French-Canadian Catholic churches, there were Irish, Italian, Portuguese and Ukranian Catholic ones, synagogues, Orthodox churches, mosques and Buddhist temples.

A strong wind of change blew through Quebec starting in the 1960s, however, especially in urban areas and among French-speaking Catholics. Families distanced themselves from the Church and attendance dropped off drastically, except for some traditional ceremonies like christenings and first communions, which remain popular.

Photograph Confirmation class, Montreal, 1925 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-265282

Photograph Child at Mass, Montreal, 2002 Megapress/Pharand, MO96713

Photograph Children in church, Montreal, 2002 Megapress/Pharand, MO96722

Communion ribbon and armband 1902 Silk, metal fringe Gift of Mrs. Mariette and Mrs. Gabrielle O’Shea McCord Museum, M980.37.3, M980.37.4

First communion souvenirs: photograph, prayer book, bracelet and rosary 1968 Private collection

Up until the late 1900s, young people attended Church-run classes at school to prepare for their first communion.

First communion dress 1954 Nylon Gift of Mrs. Cécile Thibault McCord Museum, M993.99.1.1-2, M993.99.2.1, M993.99.2.2

Growing Up in Montreal 60 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 The Authorized Daily Prayer Book, by Joseph H. Hertz 1985 Bloch, New York Private collection

Jewish boys celebrate an important rite of passage to adulthood at age 13, as they become bar mitzvah, reading a passage from the Torah, the holy book, in the synagogue for the first time. Jewish girls become bat mitzvah when they turn 12. Since the 1960s, girls in some Jewish communities have been able to mark the event in the same manner as boys, whereas elsewhere a small reception may be held, if the occasion is celebrated at all.

Photograph St. James Choir boys, Montreal, 1934 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-307251.2

Photograph St. James Choir boys, Montreal, 1934 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-307251.2

Corpus Christi altar, Montreal, 1942, photograph by Jean-Louis Poirier, private collection. The Feast of Corpus Christi is celebrated in the Catholic Church in springtime. Parishioners would form a procession from the church to a special altar set up to hold the consecrated host, in a spot chosen by the priest. The altar was traditionally richly decorated and sometimes ringed by young girls from the parish school dressed as angels.

Growing Up in Montreal 61 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006

6.2. "Organized" play

Where did children play in the city? In the early 20th century, there were few places specifically for them. Most parks were green spaces where families would go for outings. But some associations started demanding that the City create supervised playgrounds with activities specially designed for children. There were concerns, particularly among religious leaders, about children hanging around in the streets and alleys. Organized activities began to appear in some neighbourhoods and parishes.

It was not until the 1960s, however, that Montreal put together a full-fledged sports and recreation infrastructure. Since then, organized recreational activities, from socio-cultural courses to sports, have been offered in all the city’s neighbourhoods. Children today take full advantage of all the options available to them. With parents in tow, we see them headed to hockey practice on Saturday morning, ballet class on Tuesday night and swimming lessons on the coldest Sunday in January. Many parents feel obliged to buy a family vehicle large enough to ferry their children around to all their activities!

Photograph Ragweed eradication campaign, 1945 Université du Québec à Montréal, Service des archives et de gestion des documents, fonds d’archives des Cercles des Jeunes Naturalistes, 16P159/30.

Boy Scouts and Girl Guides

The Boy Scout movement was founded in England in 1907 by Sir Robert Baden- Powell. When he realized that girls were also interested in Scouting, Baden-Powell quickly founded the Girl Guides. By 1910, both movements had become tremendously popular with youngsters in many countries, including Canada. Scouting and Guiding really took off in Montreal after the 1920s, when French-speaking, Catholic troops were established. Primarily geared to urban youth, Scouting and Guiding focus on experiential learning — or learning by doing — and introduce young city-dwellers to the challenges and adventures that can be found in nature.

Membership card, Boy Scout Association, Montreal 1930 Gift of Mr. M. S. Reford McCord Museum, P018/B.01

Cub handbook 1965 Private collection

Cub handbook 1976 Private collection

Growing Up in Montreal 62 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 “Catholic Scouts” hat 1962 Felt, leather and metal Gift of Mrs. Fabienne Bélanger McCord Museum, M2002.109.16

Serge Bélanger, Fédération des Scouts Catholiques, Thetford Mines, QC 1962 Gift of Mrs. Fabienne Bélanger McCord Museum, M2002.109.25

Boy Scout scarf and knot 1965 Cotton, polyester Private collection

Boy Scout knot About 1960 Cotton cord Gift of Mr. Pierre Gingras McCord Museum, M2004.87.6

Boy Scout belt 1965 Leather, metal Private collection

Boy Scout badges, Saint-Léon de Westmount About 1965 Gift of Mr. Pierre Gingras McCord Museum, M2004.87.4-5

Girl Guide uniform About 1960 Cotton Gifts of Mrs. J. Barrie Campbell and of Mr. and Mrs. D. T. Youngson McCord Museum, M972.18.1, M972.25.4

Mary and Margaret Sifton, Girl Guides About 1935 Gift of Miss Elizabeth Sifton McCord Museum, M2004.141.1

Girl Guides of Canada pin 1920-1930 Gift of Miss Edna Wootan McCord Museum, M993.12.1

Photograph Alfred and Vennor in Boy Scout uniforms, 1913 Alfred Walter Roper Gift of Vennor Roper McCord Museum, MP-1977.76.160

Growing Up in Montreal 63 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Photograph Girl Guides, Miss Edgar’s and Miss Cramp’s School, Montreal, 1924 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-258179

Photograph Boy Scout Jamboree, 1939 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P4121

Summer fun

Girl’s bathing suit 1960-1969 Cotton Gift of Mrs. Céline Tardif McCord Museum, M2003.89.2

Boy’s bathing suit About 1930 Cotton knit Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.19.35

Roller skates About 1975 Gift of Mrs. Ann Silverstone McCord Museum, M2004.65.3.1-2

Skateboard 1989 Private collection

Photograph Boys on stilts, about 1935 McCord Museum, MP-1978.107.91

Photograph Boy on in-line skates, 1998 Private collection

Paul and Louise “Ring around the rosie, A pocket full of posies, Ashes, ashes, We all fall down!”

Growing Up in Montreal 64 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Winter Fun

Photograph Hockey player, 1995 David Hopkins Private collection

Photograph Tobogganing, 1997 David Hopkins Private collection

Child’s sleigh 1926 Gift of Air Canada McCord Museum, M996.8.29

Red River coat and accessories 1940-1950 Wool Gift of Mrs. Louise Hurtubise Bousquet McCord Museum, M2000.49.1, M2000.49.7 M2000.49.6

Doll on toboggan in Red River coat About 1926 Gift of Mrs. Lionel M. Lindsay McCord Museum, M966.96.24.1-11

Double-bladed child’s skates (“cheese-cutters”) About 1950 Gift of Mrs. Ann Silverstone McCord Museum, M2004.65.4.1-2

Not all fun and games!

In the 1800s and early 1900s, many working-class families in Montreal had trouble making ends meet. Every member of the family had to pitch in, even the children, often working as newspaper vendors, messengers or delivery boys who roamed the city streets for long hours. Some of them took jobs in factories. Legislation set the minimum working age at 12 in 1894, and raised it to 14 in 1907. It was not until 1919 that children under the age of 16 were prohibited by law from selling newspapers in public places unless they were adequately educated. In working-class neighbourhoods, girls aged 10 to 14 often had to look after their younger siblings when their mothers were at work, ill or deceased. What a lot of responsibility for a youngster!

Wooden cigar mould 1900-1920 Gift of Air Canada McCord Museum, M993.115.45.1-2

The introduction of cigar moulds transformed the division of labour in cigar manufacturing. Some of the tasks became easier, which meant that less qualified workers, such as young boys and girls, could be hired. Before 1871, children under 16 accounted for 40% of the workforce in the

Growing Up in Montreal 65 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 cigar industry in Montreal. Once this practice was prohibited around the turn of the century, they were gradually replaced by female employees over 16.

Photograph Workers (men, women and children) at the George A. Mace cardboard box production and printing shop, Montreal, 1904 Bibliothèque nationale du Québec, 5798

Photograph Group of G. N. W. Telegraph Co. bicycle messenger boys, Montreal, 1900 National Archives of Canada, PA-117883

Growing Up in Montreal 66 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006

6.3. Outings in the City

There were very few places designed specifically for children’s entertainment in the early 1900s. In those days, the clergy cautioned families against the doubtful morals of various shows and amusements around the city. It was mainly in the latter half of the century that community, cultural and recreational organizations and even department stores started offering programming, productions and activities tailored specifically to children. Over the years, trams, buses, the metro and the family car gave youngsters easier access to the ever-growing variety of recreational opportunities geared to their needs and interests.

Photograph Crowd at La Ronde during Expo 67, Montreal, 1967 National Archives of Canada, e000995981

Photograph Children’s zoo in Lafontaine Park, Montreal, 1963 Gabor Szilasi Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, E6,S7,P63 1379

Photograph Crowd of children attending a “Petite école du jazz” concert at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, about 2000 Pierre Philippe Brunet

Shows for kids

If you grew up in Montreal anytime after the early 1950s, you may have fond memories of the La Roulotte travelling shows offered in city parks in summertime by Paul Buissonneau and his team. They introduced young people to the theatre, an art form that became tremendously popular after the mid-1970s, when creative and experimental theatre for young people was staged in a growing number of venues. And then there were the movies: all kinds of children’s screenings were held in parish halls and school gymnasiums. Why there? Because a terrible fire at the Laurier Palace cinema, crowded with hundreds of 4 to 13 year-olds, took 77 young lives in 1927. The government moved quickly to regulate this fast-growing industry, and until 1962 legislation prohibited children from entering “real” cinemas on their own.

Photograph Circus parade with camels, Montreal, 1920 Henri Richard Gift of Mr. Albert Richard McCord Museum, MP-1994.9.589

Photograph Children lined up outside the Outremont theatre on Bernard Avenue, to see Two Tickets to London and Ghost Goes West, 1943 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P8847

Growing Up in Montreal 67 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Photograph Fifth Quebec children’s theatre festival at Théâtre Denise-Pelletier, Montreal, 1978 Adrien Hubert Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, E6,S7,SS1,D780702(10)

Puppets Mid 20th century Made by M. J. Burke Gift of Mrs. M. J. Burke McCord Museum, M979.152.11-15

These puppets were from a “Frog Prince” show at Christ Church Cathedral, Montreal.

Maison Théâtre 1997-1998 season poster 1997 La Maison québécoise du théâtre pour l’enfance et la jeunesse

Paul and Louise “On the good ship Lollipop, Its a sweet trip to a candy shop, Where bon-bons play, On the sunny beach of Peppermint Bay.”

Window shopping downtown

Children’s menu from the Eaton’s store on St. Catherine Street, Montreal 1971 Gift of Mr. David M. Lank McCord Museum, C285/1-3.1

Young girl’s dress About 1900-1910 Cotton McCord Museum, M977.119.1

Dress About 1900-1910 Cotton Gift of Mrs. Gordon Dorey McCord Museum, M984.150.34.1-2

Like mother, like daughter! Prior to the 19th century, children were dressed like miniature adults, in similar styles and fabrics. From the late 1700s onwards, however, the rise of new ideas about childhood prompted the appearance of clothing styles specifically for children, quite distinct from adult fashions. Their clothing was inspired by prevailing adult fashions, without directly copying them. In the last decades of the 20th century, some fashions in children’s clothing have begun to mirror adult styles very closely once again.

Growing Up in Montreal 68 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Matching outfits: boy’s overalls and girl’s dress About 1968 Cotton Gift of Mrs. Nancy J. Dunbar McCord Museum, M973.39.23, M973.39.36

These matching outfits for a brother and sister, made from the same material with a similar cut — overalls for the boy and a dress for the girl — were a way of emphasizing family ties. Such fashions were especially popular from the 1930s to the 1960s.

Photograph Boys in front of the Dupuis Frères store (open from 1878 to 1978), at the corner of St. Catherine and St. Hubert streets, 1917 Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P20,S3,P60

If the shoe fits!

Shoes 1920-1930 Kid leather Gift of Mrs. Gordon Phillips McCord Museum, M20786.1-2

Boots About 1914 Cotton canvas Gift of Mrs. G. R. Saunders McCord Museum, M970.6.19.1-2

Boots About 1910 Patent leather Gift of Mrs. Cécile Bertrand McCord Museum, M977.113.2.1-2

Shoes 1900-1920 Silk Gift of the Estate of Mrs. Archie MacFarlane McCord Museum, M21811.1-2

Shoes About 1930 Silk satin Gift of Mrs. Kenneth Reardon McCord Museum, M984.156.19.1-4

Shoes 1965-1970 Vinyl Gift of Mrs. Nancy J. Dunbar McCord Museum, M973.39.43.1-2

Growing Up in Montreal 69 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Shoes 1960-1970 Kid leather Gift of Mrs. Nancy J. Dunbar McCord Museum, M974.36.11.1-2

Booties About 1972 Embroidered cotton Gift of Mrs. Nancy J. Dunbar McCord Museum, M974.36.10.1-2

Shoes About 1968 Leather Gift of Mrs. Robin W. Berlyn McCord Museum, M968.20.1.1-2

Shoes About 1967 Kid leather Gift of Mrs. Nancy J. Dunbar McCord Museum, M973.39.27.1-2

Sailor hat About 1910 Cotton, silk ribbon Gift of Mr. Franklin Silverstone McCord Museum, M990.88.4

Sailor suit and whistle 1933 Cotton Gift of Mrs. Thain W. McDowell McCord Museum, M975.44.4.1-2, M975.44.4.4 – 6

From around 1870 until the 1940s, boys aged 8 to 15 were often dressed in sailor suits inspired by British sailors’ uniforms. Girls also wore similar fashions from the 1880s onward. The style was imported from England and remained a classic in one form or another throughout the 20th century.

Sailor dress 1920-1940 Gift of Mrs. Nora Murchison McCord Museum, M974.19.29.1-3

Sailor suit 1990 Polyester and cotton Label: La Mère Michèle Private collection

The trend in children’s fashion toward wearing brand-name clothing was already present in the 1970s. Over the past 25 years, this practice has become increasingly prevalent as first parents and then children began to favour clothing bearing popular brand names. Logos on apparel are seen to be a mark of both quality and prestige. Children choose the items and parents buy them,

Growing Up in Montreal 70 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 despite their often higher price tags. And while many parents find the trend worrisome, even young children frequently insist on wearing certain trendy brand names in order to “fit in” with the crowd.

Photograph Santa Claus parade on University Street, Montreal, 1938 Conrad Poirier Archives nationales du Québec à Montréal, P48,S1,P2214

Montreal’s first Santa Claus parade, put on by Eaton’s in the western part of downtown, was held in 1925. Dupuis Frères, farther east, held its own parade in the 1950s. Already in those days, there were all sorts of special activities for children at Christmastime, and a visit to a department- store Santa was part of the holiday magic. What Christmas memories do you have from your childhood?

Growing Up in Montreal 71 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 7. CONCLUSION

7.1. Montréal — yesterday and today

Memories of a Montreal childhood depend on what era, neighbourhood and sort of family one grew up in. The city has changed considerably in the past century—often because of children! Objects, documents and photographs are tangible evidence, preserving a piece of yesterday’s childhoods for the children of tomorrow. Personal accounts also shed interesting light on the past. What about you? What memories do you have of your own childhood?

Photograph Newsboy selling papers, about 1905 McCord Museum, MP-0000.586.112

Photograph Missie Brown and her teddy bear, Montreal, 1921 William Notman & Son McCord Museum, II-241966

Photograph Grade one class, Sainte-Madeleine school, Outremont, 1952 Private collection

Photograph Children absorbed in a computer game, 1990 David Hopkins Private collection

Photograph Child at Mass, Montreal, 2002 Megapress/Pharand, MO96713

Photograph Mother and daughter, about 2000 Private collection

Paul and Louise “I can’t wait to tell all my friends at the daycare what we saw. I’ll have to tell Chloé, Zheng Nan and Federico!” “And I want to ask my mom, my dad and my grandmother all about what it was like when they were little. I hope they have some pictures!”

Growing Up in Montreal 72 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Now it’s your turn!

Our stroll through the Montreal of 20th-century childhood ends here, in an alley, a space that’s neither fully private nor fully public. The face of many neighbourhoods, including Rosemont, Petite-Patrie, Villeray, Maisonneuve and Ville-Émard, was shaped by these laneways and makeshift playgrounds. If you grew up here, you may remember the milkman, the tinker and the ragman visiting your alley, or perhaps your memories include laundry flapping on clotheslines, or spirited street hockey matches with the neighbourhood kids.

Montreal has changed enormously over the past 100 years, as it has welcomed new immigrants from around the globe, new technologies that have both improved and complicated our lives, and new places and spaces conceived especially for children. We hope this journey will encourage you to talk about and share your memories, and to think about what the future holds for children growing up today.

Now it’s your turn. We invite you to leave us a comment or a drawing about your childhood. A happy, sad or funny recollection, of Montreal or of the place where you grew up. Your contributions will create a vibrant mosaic reflecting our city’s unique character!

Photograph Leduc alley, Montreal, 1957, National Archives of Canada, PA-123798

Photograph Children playing hopscotch, Montreal, 2003 Megapress/Pharand, M121858

Photograph Street hockey team in an alley, Montreal, about 1984 John Taylor Gift of Mrs. Nathalie Taylor McCord Museum, MP-1999.5.5029

Growing Up in Montreal 73 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006

Credits of the exhibition Growing up in Montreal

Produced under the direction of Dr. Victoria Dickenson, Executive Director, and Moira McCaffrey, Director, Research and Exhibitions, McCord Museum

Project Management Line Villeneuve, Head, Exhibitions, McCord Museum

Research, Interpretative Planning and Texts Nathalie Lampron

McCord Curatorial Team François Cartier, Archivist Cynthia Cooper, Curator, Costume and Textiles Dr. Victoria Dickenson, Executive Director Conrad Graham, Curator, Decorative Arts Dr. Vincent Lavoie, Research Curator, Photography Moira McCaffrey, Director, Research and Exhibitions

Research Advisory Committee Dr. Denyse Baillargeon, Professeure agrégée, Département d’histoire, Université de Montréal, Québec Dr. Cynthia Comacchio, Professor, History Department, Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario Dr. Janet Golden, Associate Professor, History Department, Rutgers University, New Jersey Dr. Peter Gossage, Professeur agrégé, Département d’histoire et de sciences politiques, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec Dr. Faith Wallis, Social Studies of Medicine Department, McGill University, Québec Dr. George Weisz, Chair, Social Studies of Medicine Department, McGill University, Québec

Design Origin Studios

Illustration Jennifer Kwong

McCord Museum Team Marilyn Aitken, Photographer John Gouws, Technician, Exhibitions Eve-Marie Houyoux, Officer, Development Geneviève Lafrance, Coordinator, Exhibitions Alain Lalumière, Chief Technician, Exhibitions Nike Langevin, Head, Communications Guislaine Lemay, Curatorial Assistant Anne MacKay, Chief Conservator Joan Marshall, Textile Conservator Melanie Martens, Publications Assistant Natalie Monet, Collection Technician Valerie Paquin, Assistant, Exhibitions Denis Plourde, Conservation Technician Eileen Stack, Officer, Communications Christian Vachon, Registrar Maude Bergeron, Caroline Bourgeois, Marc-André Duranleau, Yasmée Faucher, Erin Fraser, Simon Lalumière, Marie-Josée Michaud, Josée Noël, Technicians Valérie Bossé, Mireia Campuzano, Catherine Couturier, Interns Suzanne Board, Laurence Johnson, Researchers

Growing Up in Montreal 74 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006 Revision and Translation Hélène Joly, French revision and translation Pam Ireland, English translation and revision

Construction of Exhibition Modules Acmé Services scéniques

Graphic Production À toute épreuve

Sound and Video Production Sono design

The McCord Museum wishes to thank the following lenders: Bibliothèque nationale du Québec Le Groupe Bovet McGill University – McLennan Library Merck Frosst Canada Ltd. Musée de la civilisation Musée François-Pilote Museum of Health Care at Kingston

We also thank the many individuals who shared objects,photographs and memories for this exhibition; and thank our partners.

Associated Medical Services Inc. CBC Television Canadian Heritage

The McCord Museum team of the on-line exhibition

Direction Dr Nicole Vallières, Director, Collection and Information Management

Coordination Hugues Boily, DBA and Webmaster Stéphanie Poisson, Coordinator, Information Management Roxanne Raby, Coordinator, Web Projects

Photography Marilyn Aitken Peter Berra

Graphic Conception Lab)idéeclic!

The McCord Museum of Canadian History wishes to thank the Department of Canadian Heritage for its financial support in the creation of a Web interface for the exhibitions presented in its galleries.

Growing Up in Montreal 75 McCord Museum of Canadian History, 2006