Issue 81 - September — October 1992 The OHS finds a home By Everette Moore and North York Centre area. The tall Elwood Jones, Co-Chairs, shiny towers of Yonge Street OHS Fundraising Committee will provide a contrast to the The Ontario Historical quiet dignity of this Queen Anne Society, after more than a centu- style residence with its Arts and ry of temporary arrangements, Crafts features. In an area expe- has found a permanent home, riencing so much change, effec- worthy of its history and versa- tive reminders of the past will be tile for its needs. Over the years comforting to residents and visi- past Boards have pursued oppor- tors alike. tunities for a permanent location, We need your help to realize knowing that our present office our dream. We must raise at 5151 Yonge Street and the $200,000.00 in the next few additional rented space in months to proceed with the Metropolitan Toronto were only restoration of the structure and temporary. This new home is a its outbuildings, and to ensure a tribute to their patience and a trust fund to meet the ongoing fulfilment of a dream. capital costs without eroding our OHS’ The home (known as operating budgets. If we all work After 105 years of existence The Ontario Historical Society has its own home. The Society is launching a cam- the John McKenzie House) is together, we can all take pride paign to raise the in necessary capital to restore and maintain the three-storey brick residence located close to its pre- located at 34 Parkview Avenue helping make this dream reali- sent headquarters. (Photo courtesy of Cathy Febbraro.) a in North York. The three-storey ty. brick residence will provide The OHS has some 2500 TAHA explores Mission St. Claude ample space for all of our needs. members making our campaign Our staff will have improved goal relatively modest. It would working conditions. New and be great if those who were able, By Bruce W. Taylor, disappointed to find nothing on federal Department of Culture unique opportunities for an donated $5,000.00. It would be President, Temiskaming the site except an historic and Communications, to con- expanded workshop programme even greater if every member Abitibi Heritage Association plaque. duct an archaeological survey present themselves, including donated $100.00 to $200.00. In For years tourists have been The Temiskaming Abitibi of the site. restoration work associated with this way the house would really led by a series of historic site Heritage Association (TAHA), Archaeologist Dr. John the house and grounds. Our be our home. With each member markers from Highway 11B in co-operation with Le Société Pollock started excavating the numerous publications including giving support we can achieve near Haileybury, 35 km south d’historique et genealogie du site in early July with a crew of Ontario History and the OHS this reasonable objective. to Mission Saint Claude on Temiskaming franco—Ontarien, five students. By mid-August Bulletin will have increased All donors will receive an to Lake Temiskaming only be hopes to eventually provide they had completed test pits in work space. Additional facilities income tax receipt, and all visitors with something to see several locations, including a such as meeting rooms and dis- names, and any gifts given as besides a spectacular view of hospital, and had collected play space for heritage groups memorials, will be recorded in the lake. 2164 artifacts. Dr. Pollock was and a permanent space for devel- our donations book, which will INSIDE The two organizations are also able to identify the exis- oping a resource and research be permanently on view in the developing the Old Mission tence of a prehistoric First centre will better serve the needs house. Everyone contributing project which will include a Nations encampment which SPECIAL of our members. The added over $100.00 will have his or her legal and topographical survey; yielded 800 year—old arrow- FEATURES: space will allow us to consoli- name inscribed on plaques that collection of archival and his- heads and scrapers. date our operational and storage will be displayed throughout the torical information; interview The Mission Saint Claude needs one A in central location. house. letter to our President ..... ..p.8 with local citizens, including was established in 1863 by the With an improved setting for Make your cheques payable Archives Advisor ............... ..p.2 elders on the nearby North Oblate Order to administer to our many activities, we hope to The Ontario Historical Archives clinics ................. ..p.3 Temiskaming Reserve; archae- the needs of the Algonquin members will regularly visit our Society, and please indicate that Gibson House Christmas .....p.8 ological testing and informa- people. By the time it was house, to share special events, wish donation go to Heritage Canada and Canada you your to tion sessions with area abandoned in 1887, it had volunteer their time and talents, our new home fund. Post co—operate ................ ..p.8 municipalities. grown to include resi- _ two and seek new ways to discover Members wishing to make Information wanted ............ ..p.3 As a first step towards dences, a hospital Ontario’s OHS brings back and school rich history. very special gifts, or who have developing the historic site, (run by the Grey Nuns), a Many members have old favourites .... .. already ideas for fundraising, should TAHA received a $29,750.00 church and fann expressed their Pin us on .............. .. buildings. delight that the contact the Society’s Executive PMCL celebrates grant under the Access to Society, which has fought so Director, Dorothy Duncan, or a Archaeology programme of the Port Hope book .... .. (See TAHA explores p. 2) many historical and heritage bat- member of the Board of Simcoe Ball .......... .. tles,’ will be a partner with the Directors. THB presents ....... .. City of North York in preserving We hope to see you at one of Windsor roots ................... ..p.8 The perfect Christmas this important heritage structure. the special events at our home Women’s gifts history The house will have high visibil- over the coming months. Please commemorated ............... ..p.5 ity in the traffic patterns of the be generous. This Christmas, do some- consider purchasing a pocket- thing different. Send your sized calendar as a gift. These The Ontario Historical Society friends and relatives on an vinyl-backed booklets appear in Canada Poalaa 5151 Yonge Street Poat Canada REGULAR adventure, a trip through time OHS blue with the Society's Ifl r\m.ugp pad l\.vI Willowdale, Ontario lb.IyQ FEATURES: they will never forget. Give name and address. Each calen- M2N 5P5 them a membership in The dar sells for $4.00 by mail, FIRST PREMIERE Ontario Historical Society as a including postage and handling, CLASS CLASSE Donors ............................... ..p.5 gift. and $3.00 at any of our events E-17075 Executive Director’s report .p.2 With every three new mem- and workshops. Scarborough, Ontario From the Bookshelf ........... ..p.7 berships you purchase will Give Ontario’s Museums News ..............~ ..p.6 you the gift of receive a complimentary of heritage New Members .................... ..p.5 copy this Christmas by pur- Garden Dreams — Ontario History .................. ..p.5 of Kingsmere chasing a membership or calen- President’s message ........... ..p.3 and Mackenzie King, by dar from the OHS. Edwinna Upcoming events .............. .. p.4 von Baeyer, published For further information, Workshops ......................... ..p.4 by Dundum Press in 1990. This please contact the Society at elegant book is valued at $39.95. 5151 Yonge Street, Willowdale. If a small memento of the Ontario M2N 5P5, (416) 226- Society is more to your taste. 9011. 2 OHS BULLETIN Executive Director’s report I OCAA appoints archives-advisor By Dorothy Duncan, OHS brate Lang’s 25th birthday and thanks go to the donors and the Executive Director the laying of the cornerstone for shoppers for their interest and New Heritage Legislation the Homestead Farmhouse. generosity. The Ontario Council of Archives announces the appoint- . Among those bringing greetings the On August 19 members of the Meet Us at the Fair! ment of Johanne Pelletier as Archives Advisor. 1992 is and recognizing the contribution the Archives Minister's Advisory Committee If you are attending the Royal second year in which the Council has sponsored of the late B. Napier Simpson, to on New Heritage Legislation for Winter Fair, November 12 to 21, AdVi—S01' prograrnme; Jr., were Warden Gary Stewart; Ontario presented The look for The Ontario Historical The programme provides information, technical assistance MPP Bill Domm; MPP Jenny Honourable Karen Haslam, Society as we have been invited and advice to established archives and groups interested in Carter; Ken Doherty, in Ontario. Users of this Minister of Culture and to join Riverdale Farm at its dis- establishing an archival programme Peterborough Centennial Communications. with their play. We will join the Fann in complimentary service do not have to be members of the Museum; Dennis Carter- report. OHS members will presenting an ongoing pro- OCA. and can be profit or nort-profit. Edwards, representing The ohanne Pelletier at ] remember that the Honourable gramme of crafts and skills and For furtherinforination please contact J Ontario Historical Society and Station Rosario Marchese. then Minister giving visitors an opportunity to the Ontario Council of Archives, Box 128, P, your humble scribe representing 324-2231. of Culture and Communications, participate and learn more about Toronto, Ontario M518 2S7, (416) The Ontario Heritage announced the formation of this the past. Foundation. This gala day was Committee at our Annual Notions and Nostalgia indeed a fitting tribute to Dr. Conference in May of I99] in Black Creek Pioneer Village Margaret McKelvie and her ded- Brockville.