September 2012 NEWSandviews The Quarterly Newsletter of the Simcoe County Historical Association Vol. 40, No. 3 ISSN 0700-4427 In this issue... Two Big Events on One September Weekend 2012 Festival at Fort Willow Visitors are reminded that there is no Two Big Events ...... 1-2 On Saturday, September 15, come out to parking available at Fort Willow. There the Festival at Fort Willow to will be free parking and a free shuttle at the Grenfel Community Hall located at SCHA 2012 Meetings ...... 1 experience encampment life during 1812. Fort Willow was developed as a 1989 Sunnidale Road. The shuttle will half way point between Kempenfelt Bay run from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm or you can park at George Johnston Rd & President’s Ponderings ...... 2 and the Nottawasaga River enabling a continuous trade and transportation Seadon Road and walk the mile trail to route from Lake through to the Fort. SCHA Executive ...... 2 Georgian Bay. During the War of 1812, Royal Visit to Sainte-Marie the British military utilized this portage Among the Hurons Upcoming SCHA Speakers: route for the transport of supplies and Their Royal Highnesses the Earl and personnel as the lower lakes were October, Dorothy Duncan and Countess of Wessex (Prince Edward and occupied by the Americans. November, Ted Barris ...... 3-4 Sophie Rhys-Jones) will visit the Admission is free and visitors can enjoy historic site Sainte-Marie among the the various re-enactors as they Hurons, near Midland, on Sunday, Book Reviews ...... 5 demonstrate their daily tasks including September 16, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 blacksmithing, candle making and p.m. This is the first time in history that musket ball making. There is a surgeon, British Royalty has visited the site. Andrew Hunter Award 2013 ..... 5 magician, traveling minister, musicians Sainte-Marie plans an extensive, fun, and a seamstress. The Fort is brought to and highly animated experience for the Coming Events ...... 6 life with re-enactors performing various Royal couple as they tour the site. The tasks and interacting with festival public is welcome to attend, and are visitors. The Festival at Fort Willow is a Contact the editor, Jill Hynes encouraged to arrive early. Sainte- great venue for families with interactive Marie opens at 10:00 a.m., regular site at 705-739-6220 or at stations, children’s entertainment and admission rates will apply. [email protected] hands-on historical displays. ...cont. on page 2

Visit our Website SCHA 2012 Schedule – Simcoe County Museum www.simcoecountyhistory.ca September 18 – Andrew Hunter Award winner 2012, Adrian Bowles with his essay, The Paths of George McLean and Leslie Frost: Two Soldiers from Orillia and the First World War – at the Simcoe County Museum, Midhurst, at 7:30 p.m. October 16 – Dorothy Duncan, SCHA Board Member, with her recent book, Hoping for the Best, Preparing for the Worst: Everyday Life in Upper Preserving the Past, , 1812-1814 – at the Simcoe County Museum, Midhurst, at 7:30 p.m. in the Present, November 13 – NOTE DATE CHANGE – Ted Barris, CBC Host, Author for the Future. and Journalist, at the Simcoe County Museum, Midhurst, at 7:30 p.m.

NEWSandviews 1 President’s Ponderings by Helen Coutts The back to school move and the start up looking sick, too. installations that retrieve the oil from the of regular events remind us that fall is Our educational S.C.H.A. meetings start sands there. As long as we remain here. Nature certainly gave us a HOT, in September. Come out to the Simcoe dependent on petroleum these types of DRY summer which was perfect for County Museum, which is Barrie’s also, innovations will need to continue. cottage, boat and holidays but difficult for on September 18 at 7:30 to meet the Don't forget Fort Willow on September farmers and gardeners. Cattle farmers are author of the winning essay this year. 15. They have wonderful re- enactments scrambling to have enough hay for the Details of that meeting and October and at that event. Closer to home, our winter. Grain farmers have been thankful November are on the front page. Note the Midhurst United Church celebrates 125 for the few rains which kept the crops change of week of the November meeting years this month in various ways each developing. Pictures from other parts of only. War of 1812-14 celebrations week with a special service at 10:30 a.m. Ontario show crop failures from drought. continue into the fall and next year. on September 16. Then the Coutts are off Meanwhile, gardeners tried to water and to Europe to see some of their built history still saw vegetables decline. Personally Our personal historical event this summer th from the Danube. many of the annuals I bought gradually was a visit to the 100 Anniversary died and some of my hardy perennials are Calgary Stampede with a side trip to Fort See you at the meetings! McMurray to personally see the

Continued from page 1 renovation of the historic church possible. the parishioners can attend along with As part of the royal couple’s seven day Onley and his wife will accompany the the Royal visitors and dignitaries, visit to Ontario and the Arctic starting Earl and Countess of Wessex when they including Penetanguishene Mayor Gerry September 11, they will also visit St. take part in the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Marshall, Simcoe North Member of James-on-the- Lines Anglican Church in service at the church, which will be lead Provincial Parliament Garfield Dunlop Penetanguishene. by Archbishop Colin Johnson as well as and Simcoe North Member of Parliament Bruce Stanton and their spouses. The two facilities found out about the the Reverend Ray Porth, who will retire visit about five weeks ago but it was just at the end of the month. The small The service will be broadcast to the released publicly on September 5. garrison church has a congregation of parish hall across the road, for up to 100 about 108 people and it normally holds a more people, all of whom must pre- St. James-on-the-Lines was chosen maximum of 119 people. arrange passes. Folowing the service, the because the Honorable David Onley Royal couple will take part in a “walk visited the church last year for its 175th Special provision from the Penetanguishene Fire Department will about” before heading to Sainte-Marie anniversary and was “so impressed” with among the Hurons at noon. its accessibility. A Federal grant made the allow for 40 additional seats, so that all

The SCHA acknowledges the financial support of the County of Simcoe and of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Culture.

Simcoe County Historical Association Executive Please submit photos and articles about your historical Helen Coutts, President 721-0587 [email protected] happenings in Simcoe County. Mark Fisher, First Vice President 728-3825 [email protected] Photos will be returned. Gord Harris, Treasurer 739-7649 [email protected] Mail to SCHA, Box 144, Amber Bagg, Corresponding Secretary 252-7094 [email protected] Barrie, ON L4M 4S9. Deadline for the For Membership Information, contact next issue is Earl Elliott, Membership Chair 734-9808 [email protected] November 30, 2012

2 NEWSandviews Upcoming SCHA Speaker: Dorothy Duncan Dorothy Duncan has worked with former master. The book focuses on With the declaration of war in June organizations across Canada and the families, homes, gardens, farms, 1812, Upper Canadians realized that around the world to ensure that roads, villages, towns, not only their lives, but their future Canada’s culinary history is shops, and fabric of peace and prosperity were recognized, researched, and recorded. everyday life in this threatened. They In 2007 her book Canadians at Table frontier society. responded with won the Cuisine Canada and Upper Canada was a perseverance, loyalty, University of Guelph Culinary Book land in transition as and unexpected acts of Gold Award. She lives in Orillia, and First Nations, fur bravery. brings much wisdom and wit to our traders, Loyalists, Join us on Tuesday, Board of Directors of the SCHA entrepreneurs, October 16 as Dorothy where she serves as a Director-at- merchants, presents her research and Large. farmers, and discusses the aspects of Her latest book, Hoping for the Best, newcomers from early Canadian life before Preparing for the Worst explores the every walk of and during the war that are web of human relationships that life formed often excluded from other developed in Upper Canada alliances and remembrances and historical following the American Revolution, partnerships records. We will meet at the in the years leading up to the War of based on Simcoe County Museum, 1812, and during the conflict that friendship, marriage, respect, Midhurst, at 7:30 p.m. religion, proximity, and the desire to raged for two years between the Photo and overview provided by Dundurn Press young United States and Britain, its survive and prosper. http://www.dundurn.com/authors/dorothy_duncan

Upcoming SCHA Speaker: Ted Barris On Tuesday, November 13, (take note straight and telling the history well. Arts from in 1976 that this is a week earlier than our Born in in 1949, Ted knew in (receiving his degree at the same regularly scheduled monthly meeting), grade school he wanted to become a graduation as his wife Jayne MacAulay we welcome Ted Barris to our monthly writer. Coincidentally, it was during his – they had married in 1975). meeting at the Simcoe County Museum research for a term paper – The Causes Drawn initially to journalism at 7:30 p.m. of the War of 1812 – and at the urging associated with entertainment Ted Barris is an accomplished author, of an inspirational elementary school coverage, in the early 1970s Barris journalist and broadcaster. As well as teacher (Mike Malott) that he fell in wrote freelance music reviews for the hosting stints on CBC Radio and love with history and historical writing. Globe and Mail, and a number of regular contributions to the Globe and The practical side of writing hit him Canadian show-business magazines. Mail and , Barris has early, however, because while This writing put him in line for a staff authored 16 non-fiction books and is a attending high school, he earned position with Warner Bros. Records in full-time professor of journalism at spending money by contributing stories the company’s artist and repertoire in Toronto. He has on high school activities to the department, but instead he moved west also written a weekly newspaper neighbourhood weekly, the Agincourt to work in radio and television. For two column - The Barris Beat - for more Mirror. years he worked on staff at the than 20 years. In 1968, Barris entered Ryerson University of Saskatchewan, writing, Writing military history was not Ted Polytechnical Institute’s three-year directing and editing educational TV. Barris’s first choice. Like most writers, Radio and Television Arts program. One short film he wrote and directed – he began his writing career in search of Though he graduated with an RPI a public service message about noise stories, and, like his father (Alex diploma, he eventually returned to his pollution – won the White Owl Barris) before him, has established a studies, made up the credits required Conservation Award (Montreal) in solid reputation for getting the facts and received his Bachelor of Applied 1973.

NEWSandviews 3 Ted Barris, cont. While residing in Saskatoon, Barris Using Toronto as his base again in the offer first-hand accounts of their discovered data about the earliest days late 1980s, Barris began writing a wartime experiences during a full of steam navigation on western syndicated weekly column, called The November 11 observance. Canada’s major waterways; he learned Barris Beat and he freelanced on-air During this same period Barris that there were first-hand witnesses, principally for CBC Radio. He began completed two other books on non- diaries and files in local archives writing for Facts and Arguments in the military subjects. In 1999, he co- brimming with similar material; so he Globe and Mail and when the National authored with Rod Austin Carved in set about tracking down the sources for Post came on the scene in the 1990s, he Granite: 125 Years of Granite Club a potential manuscript. On receipt of a wrote features for its Issues and Ideas History (Macmillan); and in 2001, he Canada Council grant in 1974, he section. And his features focusing on co-authored with Alex Barris Making began researching, interviewing and Canadian military history began Music: Profiles from a Century of writing his first book – Fire Canoe: appearing in Legion magazine, the Canadian Music (Harper Collins). Prairie Steamboat Days Revisited Canadian Aviation Historical Society (McClelland and Stewart, 1977). Journal, Airforce magazine and Esprit In 2004, his most popular Canadian de Corps. history work up to that time was In 1978, Barris took up freelancing released by Thomas Allen Publishers, fulltime – as a journalist and Documentary radio and periodical on the 60th anniversary of the D-Day broadcaster – moving back and forth writing about Canadian military history invasion of Normandy. JUNO: across the country as work demanded. led to longer manuscripts and the first Canadians at D-Day, June 6, 1944 was His documentary work was again of his military books – Behind the a bestseller on the day it was published. recognized in 1978, when his Glory: The Plan that Won the Allied th conversations with witnesses in The Air War (Macmillan, 1992); Days of A rewritten and updated 60 Sinking of the Titanic aired on CKO, Victory: Canadians Remember 1939- Anniversary Days of Victory edition earned him the International Billboard 1945 co-authored with his father, Alex was published by Thomas Allen Radio Documentary Award (New Barris (Macmillan, 1995); and Publishers in 2005, as well as a York). Deadlock in Korea: Canadians at War republished edition of Behind the Glory: Canada’s Role in the Allied Air Taking up residence in Edmonton in 1950-1953 (Macmillan, 1999). All were bestsellers in hardback and War, completing Barris’s trilogy of 1979, Barris returned to his writing of books on the Second World War. history as a focus for much of his paperback. Macmillan also published His recent books, Victory At Vimy, freelance work and income. He wrote his book Playing Overtime: A Canada Comes of Age, April 9-12, scripts for the Alberta Educational Celebration of Oldtimers Hockey (1995). 1917 and Breaking the Silence: Communications Authority, including Veterans’Untold Stories from the Great documentaries on Aboriginal and Metis As a spin-off of his military writing, War to Afghanistan received national life, as well as a series of history Barris was invited to join the roster of coverage and accolades. documentaries called The Alberta speakers travelling the country as a Barris also acts as historical consultant Experience, which celebrated the guest speaker for the Association of th and guide for veterans’ revisits to province’s 75 anniversary year. Canadian Clubs. In 1993, Ted Barris Second World War sites: to Juno During his stay in Edmonton he also received the Canada 125 medal “for Beach, liberation sites in Holland, and wrote his next three books – Positive service to Canada and community.” to the U.K. to visit the locations where Power: The Story of the Edmonton Academia came calling in 1999. their secret war was waged against the Oilers Hockey Club (ESP, 1983); Centennial College’s School of Axis. His wartime tour of Poland, Rodeo Cowboys, the Last Heroes Communications, Media and Design Czech Republic and northern Germany (Prairie Books, 1985); and Spirit of the (in Toronto), needed a qualified was a unique glimpse behind the old West (Key Porter, 1987). When Hurtig journalist and broadcaster to teach at its iron curtain. He also led tours to join th th Publishers began preparing entries for Centre for Creative Communications. the 90 and 95 anniversary observances at Vimy Ridge, in France. its new Canadian Encyclopedia He re-instituted Remembrance Day (1985), Barris was invited to write activities at the college; each year since We look forward to his presentation to several history entries ranging from 1999, the communications school has us on November 13. sport to navigation to wartime material. come to a full stop as invited veterans Excerpted from Ted Barris’ Biography website at http://tedbarris.com/about/

4 NEWSandviews Book Reviews The Andrew Hunter Award 2013 Tiger Dunlop – Soldier, Engineer & Army The Andrew Hunter Award is offered annually for historical research on Surgeon by Paul Carroll Simcoe County, Ontario, written by an undergraduate student for a course The well-illustrated 140 page popular in any university or college. In this eighth year of competition, we look history presents Dr. Dunlop’s forward to receiving many worthy entries recollections of the American War, with for each of the two awards being offered. annotations, explanations and commentary by local heritage author, Conditions: The entry shall be an essay Paul Carroll. The book has been prepared between 3,000 and 5,000 words in length or to celebrate the contribution of a local a fourth year undergraduate thesis paper (no hero for his service in the War of 1812. length restriction) on some aspect of the To purchase a copy for please contact history of Simcoe County, Ontario, written in Paul Carroll at [email protected] or English or in French. The author must have 519-524-8303 – Cost $25.00 been a part-time or full-time undergraduate Our Ansley Story. Over 900 Years of student in a degree program at an accredited Family Tales. by Margaret Ansley university or college at the time of writing. Ferguson The essay must have been written to meet the In a time in Canadian history before requirement of an undergraduate credit women had the vote, six Ansley sisters in course during the 2012-2013 academic year. a family of ten children ventured into an The thesis paper must have been submitted unknown field of operating a private for grading in the 2011-2012 academic year. Entries become the property of residential school and home for severely the Simcoe County Historical Association and may be published as part of mentally handicapped children. At the an essay collection. time of opening there were no Ontario laws to support them, no template to Submissions: Essay entries shall be postmarked by April 22, 2013 and follow, and little encouragement from the undergraduate theses shall be postmarked by September 30, 2012. psychiatrists who trained them. The Submissions will not be returned to the contestants. Papers must be typed Ansley Home for Children opened in St in Times New Roman 12 point font, double spaced, and should not bear the Catharines in 1920, having about eight or instructor’s comments or grade. Three copies must be provided. A cover nine children, then moved to Niagara-on- sheet must list the author’s name, address, phone number, year of study, the-Lake in 1927, at the site of Riverbend Inn. school affiliation and department, and the name of the instructor for whom Two of the sisters were Ontario the paper was written. elementary school teachers, two had been Entries should be sent to: nurses overseas in Italy in WW1, one had been editor of the Mothers’ Magazine for The Corresponding Secretary the David C. Cook Co. in Illinois, and Simcoe County Historical Association one was the music and calisthenics P.O. Box 144 director. The School operated successfully for fifty-two years, closing Barrie, ON L4M 4S9 in 1972 when only two sisters were left. Adjudication: Entries will be judged by a distinguished panel appointed The author is a niece of these women, by the Simcoe County Historical Association. The winners will be knowing them and their school from an announced in early May 2013 with the presentation of the awards to take infant to the time when she taught with place at the Annual General Meeting of the Association. her aunt for several years. Award: There will be two awards offered in Canadian funds, one for The book is enhanced by many photos, $500 for the best undergraduate essay and one for $500 for the best several maps, and a complete genealogy undergraduate thesis. The Simcoe County Historical Association may edit from 1066 to 2012. It is a tale of courage, adventure and dedication – a social, the winning entries for the purpose of publication. political as well as a family history. The Simcoe County Historical Association is under no obligation to grant To purchase a copy for please contact David the awards. For more information, see www.simcoecountyhistory.ca Hemmings, [email protected] 905-468-4964 – Cost $30.00 NEWSandviews 5 COMING EVENTS of our Member Societies

Alliston Historical Society – contact Surgeon – A Canadian in the U.S. Civil Penetanguishene Centennial Jackie Baillie War Museum and Archives – contact Nicole Jackson 705-435-5626 or [email protected] Nov. 3 – Ron Wencer – Looking Through Meet at Museum on the Boyne, Fletcher Steve’s Eyes – Rediscovering a Forgotten 13 Burke St. at Beck Blvd. Cres., Alliston 2:00 p.m. Second Veteran Call 705-549-2150 www.pencenmuseum.com Wednesday of the month February - June Huronia Museum Huron and October - November Ouendat Village – contact Jamie Hunter Sept. 29 – Settlers’ Day honouring the Descendents of War of 1812 Barrie Historical Association – contact 549 Little Lake Park Road, Midland – 705- Oct. 27 – Halloween Spooktacular – Doug Hamilton 526-2844 www.huroniamuseum.com 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Meet at Barrie City Hall – 7:30 p.m. Innisfil Historical Society – contact Oct. 30 – Rescue Mediums Viewing and www.barriehistorical.com Donna Wice Tour – 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. $5 admission Sept. 20 – Dorothy Duncan – We Are At War: Meet at Knock Community Centre, 10th Ramara Historical Society – contact What Now? SR at 9th Line, Innisfil – 2:00 p.m. Cathy Westcott www.innisfilhistorical.ca [email protected] Nov. 8 – TBA Sept. 15 – John Burns – Old Time Radio Meet at Udney Community Centre, 2347 Collingwood District Historical Society – Concession Road 10 (east of Orillia) contact Joan Miller Oct. 20 – Terry Boyle – Ontario Haunted 7:00 p.m. Third Thursday of the month Sites 705-445-1119 (except July and August) Meet at Leisure Time Club, 100 Minnesota Nov. 17 – The Celebration of our 40th Simcoe County Museum – contact Street, Collingwood – 7:00 p.m. Anniversary at Churchill Hall Kelley Swift-Jones www.historicallyspeakingcdhs.ca Museum on the Boyne – contact Katie 1151 Highway 26, Midhurst – 705-728-3721 museum.simcoe.ca Oct. 1 – Shane Ardiel – The Apples of Huddleston-Naieb Sept. 14-16 – Simcoe County Quilt, Rug Georgian Bay: The Road to Success 250 Fletcher Crescent in Riverdale Park, and Craft Fair Nov. 5 – Ian Darling – Amazing Airmen: Alliston – 705-435-0167 Oct. 13 – Last Blast - Historical Stories of Canadian Fliers in WWII Orillia Museum of Art and History – Construction Equipment Event Essa Historical Society – contact Olive Lee contact Lynda Whiston Oct. 24 & 25 – Evenings of Halloween 705-458-9971 30 Peter Street South, Orillia – Dec. 17 & 18 – Artisans’ Christmas Show Meet at Thornton Library fourth Saturday 705-326-2159 www.orilliamuseum.org Stayner Heritage Society – contact of the month except July, Aug. & Dec. – to Oct. 27 – Frozen in Time/Images Within Dorothy Millsap 1:30 p.m. Oct. 28 – Art Meets History Tour www.staynerheritagesociety.com 705-428-2540 Friends of Historic Fort Willow – Nov. 6-Jan. 5 – Marta Brestovansky – contact Gord Hanson fortwillow.com Heart of Two Worlds – opening reception Tecumseth & West Gwillimbury Historical Society – contact June Sept. 14-15 – Festival at the Fort – See Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. Chambers page 1 Orillia History Speaker Series – contact Meet at Tec We Gwill Hall, Newton Daniel Byers Genealogical Society – contact Linda Robinson, 7:30 p.m. Mitchell Meet at St. Paul’s United Church, Peter St. Third Monday of the month January-May and September-November Meet at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- and Coldwater Rd., Orillia – 7:00 p.m. Call 905-775-7144 or 905-936-4086 Day Saints79 Ferris Lane, Barrie – 2:00 Oct. 17 – Donald Macdonald – The Moose p.m. River Mine Disaster Sept. 17 – How I spent my Summer www.simcoebogs.com Holidays Nov. 21 – Marc Stevens – Escape, Evasion Oct. 6 – location change – 30 Worsley St. Oct. 15 – War of 1812-14 and the pivotal and Revenge role played by Chief Tecumseh Barrie, Steckley Gooderham Nov. 19 – Veterans of both World Wars Michael Fitton – Country Doctor/Military Dec. 17 – Old-Fashioned Christmas Party

6 NEWSandviews