We are looking forward to anotherday out and about in Simcoe Countyfor our Fifth Annual Barbecue. Thisyear, the event is hosted by SheffieldPark Black History and CulturalMuseum, a gem of a site just outsideCollingwood. This is a must-see spotthat includes thrilling undergroundrailway facts, artifact displays andmodel ships on their spaciousproperty. Guided tours will beoffered throughout the day. Ourevent runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Our barbecue takes place from noonto 2 p.m. and includes a hot dog orhamburger, tea, coffee or pop, and adessert square all for $7. Admissionto the site is included in the barbecuecost. Covered eating areas areavailable, but you might want to

pack your lawnchair to guaranteeyourself a seat!The Park is located on Highway 26,approximately two miles west ofCollingwood on the shores ofGeorgian Bay – 705-445-0201.Consider September 18th SimcoeCounty’s historic event day! After a10 a.m. tour and an early lunch withus, you can head over to Innisfil forthe Garden Dedication and AndrewHunter plaque unveiling, or enjoythe Nine Mile Portage Heritage TrailPhase II Grand Opening. If you’renot too exhausted, take in theSimcoe County Quilt, Rug and CraftFair on Sunday – better yet, go onFriday when it starts for the bestselection! So much to enjoy in onelovely fall weekend!

September BBQ ...................... 1

SCHA 2004-2005 .................... 1

President’s Message.................. 2

Young Historians’ Adventures .. 2

Orillia Museum of Art and History

Update ...................................... 3

Essa Historical Society...... 4 & 5

Canadian Websites ............ 4 & 5

Fort Willow: Preparations .... 6-7

Fort Willow’s Native Garden .. 7

SCHA Speakers ........................ 8

Mnjikaning Update .................. 9

Museum Ground Breaking .... 10

SCHA Executive .................... 10

Andrew Hunter Award .......... 11

Coming Events ...................... 12

Preserving the Past, in the Present,

for the Future.

NEWSviewsand

September 2004

Visit our Websitewww.simcoecountyhistory.ca

In this issue...

The Quarterly Newsletter of the Simcoe County Historical Association Vol. 32, No. 3ISSN 0700-4427

NEWSandviews 1

SCHA 2004-2005 Schedule October 19 – Dr. Anthony Hopkins – “The Simcoe District Gaol: theOriginal Footprint”, at the Simcoe County Museum, 8 p.m. – see page 8 November 16 – Charlton Carscallen – “Excavations at the Allandale TrainStation”, at the Simcoe County Museum, 8 p.m. – see page 8January 18 – Dr. Brad Rudachyk – Beautiful Barrie, at the Parkview Centre,8 p.m.February 19 – Heritage Week Saturday Seminar – Publishing for HistoricalSocieties, at the Simcoe County Museum, time TBAMarch 15 – Larry Cotton – Whiskey and Wickedness in Simcoe County, at theSimcoe County Museum, 8 p.m.April 19 – Dr. David Beasley – celebrated author of Sarah’s Journey andThe Canadian Don Quixote; the life and works of Major John Richardson,Canada's first novelist, at the Simcoe County Museum, 8 p.m.May 17 – Annual General Meeting at the Bell Farm Road Banquet Hall

See you on September 18th

N&V: Where did you go this time tocheck out another historic SimcoeCounty spot?Amy: My mom took me to ChappellFarms just north of Barrie on thePenetanguishene Road.N&V: What did you do there?Amy: The Farms are having their170th birthday, and they put a wholebunch of their old things into a bigdisplay for visitors and schoolgroups to look at.N&V: What was the best part of youradventure?Amy: Seeing their dog, but he wasn’treally part of the display; he was justfriendly. I liked the old water pumpthey have in the laundry display.

N&V: What was your least favouritething?Amy: That’s hard because it was allgood. I wish was in grade three sothat I could come out with my wholeclass. I’m glad it is open toeverybody so I can go too and try tomake butter and learn how to do thelaundry.Amy and her mom want to thankMrs. Chappell for showing us hermany items such as foot pumpedbutter churns and butter molds fromthe 1860s to the 1890s. The oldCockshutt buggy hanging from therafters is wonderful too. We reallyliked the picture of the fourthgeneration Chappell kids riding inthe buggy long ago.The students of Simcoe County aregoing to get a great chance to stepback in time, not only as they learnto make butter, but also as theyperform laundry duty; all thenecessary implements are availablefor pumping the water into the tintub, heating it on the wood stove,scrubbing the clothing on the

washboards, hanging it up on theclothesline, and then flattening it allout with the antique irons.We look forward to going back to seeall the pictures of seven generationsof Chappells who have lived,worked and played on their beautifulfarms for the last 170 years. Eric,seen below, is a member of theseventh generation.

2 NEWSandviews

At our AGM in May, SCHA awardedthe Andrew Hunter Prize for the veryfirst time. Our inaugural winner, Mr.David Osborne, proved to be both aworthy and generous recipient. Astudent in the Laurentian Universityprogramme at Georgian College,Dave had some difficulty obtainingmaterials pertaining to SimcoeCounty history. As a result, hegenerously donated his $750 firstplace prize to the Georgian Collegelibrary to further develop itsholdings in Simcoe County andCanadian history.

Dave’s generous gesture got methinking about how we might alsoassist in developing the Collegelibrary’s history collection. How manyof us have spare copies of localpublications lying about? What aboutthose back issues of CanadianHistorical Review, Ontario History, orThe Beaver that are just gathering dust?I am confident that they would find ahappy home in the Georgian Collegelibrary, where more than 100 eagerand budding Canadian historianswould put them to good use. If wewant to see more and better prize-

winning essays, we need to helpensure that the resources are to hand,especially when it comes to thosematerials most directly related to thehistory of Simcoe County.If you or your local associationwould like to help, or for moreinformation, give me a call at (705)726-7380 or send me an e-mail atrudachyk@allstream.net. Puttinglocal history books in the hands ofyoung scholars, I can scarcely thinkof a better way of “Preserving thePast in the Present for the Future.”

Young Historians’ Adventures in Simcoe County

Where Amy Went

President’s Message

Dan Needles was the Master ofCeremonies at this year’s LeacockAward Dinner at Geneva Park onJune 12th. Once again, the StephenLeacock Memorial Medal forHumour was awarded to anoutstanding Canadian author. IanFerguson won the award, and the$10,000 prize for his book, Village ofSmall Houses: a Memoir of Sorts. Formore information on this colourfultale and its writer’s history, seewww.leacock.ca/win2004.html.

Right: Heath Needles, Ian Ferguson,and Dan Needles

Orillia Museum of Art and History Updateby Dr. Richard Johnston

NEWSandviews 3

Pat Angus, Olive Schisler, (far right)and Wendy Hutchings (right) werehonoured at the June meeting of the Orillia Museum of Art andHistory for their distinguished,long-standing service. QuenneferBrowne organized the convocation atthe Leacock Museum, including asingsong orchestrated by OMAH“music faculty members” LloydDennis and Peter Gill on bagpipes.

Jean Sargeant, OMAH Board chair,kindly provided some information tothe editor for this update. If you havedriven down Peter Street in Orilliathis summer, the construction at theSir Sam Steele building has beendifficult to miss! With funding fromthe federal government, the TrilliumFoundation, the City of Orillia, andnumerous private supporters, a longhoped for renovation of the 112-yearold landmark building is nearlycomplete. Over the summer, during

my frequent visits to MariposaMarket, I have enjoyed watching thereconstruction of the roof, whichshould be finished by the end ofSeptember. That will make way forrepairs to the clock which will see itonce again in working order (I think Iwas too young to drive the last time Isaw the hands move). The spire,removed by the city police to makeway for their communicationsequipment, will be reconstructed aswell.

The museum staff, and that of the artgallery, anticipate moving duringOctober and opening the building tothe public by the end of that month.Congratulations to the OrilliaMuseum of Art and History on yournew home. Locals and tourists alikewill benefit from your expandedexhibition and gallery space. For alittle history on the building, visith t tp : / /www.scen icor i l l i a . com/historical-orillia/sirsamsteele.php3.

Museum Construction Update

“Honourary Degrees” Conferred

44 NEWSandviews

Late April in 1979 was the origin ofour future ambitious society. HelenWanless had a taste of historicalsocieties in a previous area andbecame very interested in theprospects of having a group in Essa.Harold and Helen called a number ofneighbours and area residents to theirhome to see if they could stir up a bitof interest.The second meeting was called forMay 28th, at Woods School (thenEgbert Community Centre). Thirty-six potential members made theirway to the Centre, and as a result,Essa Historical Society was founded.Helen Wanless was nominatedPresident, Eugene Smith VicePresident, and Norma Hammondsecond Vice President. Alma Rosswas elected recording secretary,Norma Currie correspondingsecretary, and Edward Bantingtreasurer. The guest speaker wasBurton Ford, and he became amember of the society.We were all green except Helen andBurton, and we had plenty to learn. Iended up in charge of the sitescommittee and quick like a bunny, Iwas pressed into work. Our oldermembers well remember Neil

McBride and his tireless workmaking plaques and cleaning upWilson’s Hill Cemetary – cleaningthe paths so I could climb the hill tovisit the graves. I guess Neil did toogood a job because one day heclimbed the hill, and on the southeastcorner he found a dug grave. It waslater learned that a gangster had beenkilled nearby, and this was hisintended resting place. Neil plantedtrees and flowers at Wilson’s Hill. Heleft filled water bottles beside hisplantings for passersby to water hisflowers and trees. He made woodencarved plaques for the society toplace, one at Egbert Churchcemetery, one for Wilson’s Hill, onefor our lilac tree at the new Townshipoffice, and many more around thetownship.We placed photos of all the Reeveswe could find on the ground floor ofthe Municipal Building. We alsoplaced plaques at Elines’ for FirstSettlers, Foundings of Angus,Thornton and Ivy, two pioneersawmills, the fishery, NicholsonDam, and Utopia school site. Wewere present to help with St. Peter’scemetery dedication, and we havetwo more that we are working on forthe future.

On our tenth birthday, I believe wegathered at the Township office – theold one – and put on a skit written byArthur Fletcher of the first Townshipcouncil holding a meeting. We servedbirthday cake after the show.We walked the cemeteries of Essaand prepared notes to record theburials, a task Simcoe CountyGenealogy Society took over and arestill working at. We gathered muchinformation on Essa, and HelenWanless made the registry office andarchives her second home for years toget the old history recorded. Our lastproject was Essa: the Garden ofSimcoe County. Here we recordedhistory from 1950 to 2000. We havethese lovely books for sale for $20now.The society meets on the fourthSaturday of the month at 1:30 p.m. atthe Thornton Library. Manyinteresting discussions come out ofour roll call, and the programs are alearning experience – sometimes old,sometimes new. I am sure anyoneinterested in the history of Essa andarea would enjoy the 2 ½ to 3 hourswe spend each month. Please join usif you so desire.

Founding of the Essa Historical Society Presented by Norma Hammond at the Society’s 25th Anniversary, June 12, 2004

Visit the CBC's The GreatestCanadian web site at:h t t p : / / w w w. c b c . c a / g r e a t e s t /g r e a t c a n a d i a n s / i n d e x . h t m l to meet some great Canadians. You will find biography and more links to explore. In Octoberlook for a six week GreatestCanadians TV series on CBC.

The New Canada Quizhttp://www.statcan.ca/english/edu/can q u i z / c q u i z 1 . h t mNew quizzes are posted every threemonths. Answers can be found in“Canadian Statistics” on the top barof the Statistics Canada site.The Canadian Heritage Quizhttp://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/quiz/index_e.cfmTen questions to answer on-line.

National Flag Day of Canadaht tp : / /www.pch .gc .ca / spec ia l /flag-drapeau/index_e.cfmCanadian Arts Quizh t tp : / /www.pch .gc .ca / spec ia l /arts/musique/mus_quiz_01_e.cfmGolden Jubilee Quizhttp://www.pch.gc.ca/jubilee/quiz_e.htm

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NEWSandviews 55

Essa Historical Society Charter Members

The Essa Historical Society celebrated its 25th Birthday on June 12, 2004. A photo of the Chartered Members wastaken to commemorate the occasion. Back row, left to right: Lorne Carruthers, Elsie Arnold, Brian Baker, Ron Menary, Olive Menary, Elma Ross,Norma CurrieFront row, left to right: Florence Blanchard, Joan McLean, Helen Wanless, Norma Hammond, Edith Wilson

Canada QuizzesPrime Ministers of Canada Quizzeshttp://www.hpedsb.on.ca/smood/pm/pm.htmRead about the Prime Ministers andthen take the quiz challenge. Tenquestions for each Prime Minsterfrom Sir John A. Macdonald to JeanChretien.

About Canadahttp://www.hpedsb.on.ca/smood/canquiz/trivia2.html Government of Canada site with linksto information about many aspects ofCanada. Test your knowledge afterexploring the About Canada Site.Provinces and Territories Quizzesht tp : / /www.hpedsb.on .ca /col l /provinces/province.htm

Geography Quiz on Canadahttp://www.hpedsb.on.ca/smood/canquiz/trivia2.htmParliament Hill- Ottawa puzzlehttp://jigzone.com/ms/z.php?p=jz/nag/Parliament_at_Ottawa&z=48_piece_classic&q=gtAn on-line puzzle of Parliament Hill,Canada’s capital.

MMoorree iinntteerreessttiinngg wweebbssiitteess ttoo eexxpplloorree

6 NEWSandviews

Fort Willow Improvement GroupDedicated to the Preservation, Improvement, Restoration,

and Promotion of the Fort Willow Heritage SiteProud recipients of the 2002 Ontario Heritage Foundation Achievement Award

Article No. 3 in a series for News and Views

FFoorrtt WWiillllooww::PPrreeppaarraattiioonnss ffoorr tthhee MMccDDoouuaallll EExxppeeddiittiioonn ooff 11881144

by Keith H.J. BaconWe continue the coverage of the McDouall Relief Expedition that passed through Fort Willow on its way toMichilimackinac, as revealed by contemporary documents in the Simcoe County Archives, to whom credit is given. In the previous article we reviewed two military letters that outlined the desperate conditions at Fort Michilmackinacunder threat of American attack in early 1814, and the formation of the relief expedition being sent from Kingston inUpper Canada (Ontario) to relieve, reinforce, and supply that key garrison. Plans were being made to send an advanceparty of boat-builders to the area to build the 29 bateaux that the expedition would employ for transport, via theNottawasaga River and Georgian Bay, to get to Michilmckinac.The following is an extract from the Family History of Richard Titus Willson. Richard was born in 1793 inPoughkeepsie New York State. The family immigrated to Canada from the United States in 1800, and in 1810 movedto East Gwillimbury, to a farm opposite the temple in Sharon (then known as Hope). He did garrison duty at York inearly 1813. He volunteered again and was stationed at Presque Isle Point, U.C. when York was captured. He had someexperience on the lakes with timber rafts and small vessels.Later in his Family History he tells the fascinating story of his involvement in the surveying of the Sunnidale Roadand in the forces opposing the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837 and 1838: a really interesting read.Extract from the History of the family of Richard Titus Willson, born 1793 (pages 4 and 5)

In the latter part of November of that year [1813] two boats were brought up Yonge St., for the purpose of

taking a large quantity of flour in bags and some clothing for the troops and others about the Sault Ste. Marie

at the foot of Lake Superior. These were the first boats that ever crossed Lake Simcoe. I was hired by The

Hon. Duncan Cameron to go and manage these boats. The flour, etc., after being taken to where Barrie now

stands, was taken on the back of horses, to the head of Willow Creek, the eastern branch of the Nottawasaga

River, from whence it was to have been at once taken in large canoes to its place of destination; but the frost

set in early and froze up the creek, so it had to remain there until the next spring. The horses that carried

over the flour, etc., were taken from about Yonge St., some twenty or more, and were piloted by one of the

Snake Indians (John Snake) from near Aurora, by the way of Lloydtown, down to Grasse Point on Cook's Bay,

and thence to Barrie. It was all woods then and unsurveyed.

In that winter Capt. Dennis, grandfather of Lt. Col. J.S. Dennis, went over with a party of men to Willow

Creek, and there built some twenty-five or thirty boats of about 5 tons. I assisted at the work until - April the

1st when I hired as a substitute, for one Daniel Clarke, uncle to Silas Clarke of East Gwillimbury, and again

went to Little York. Here I remained until June the first, when Edward Clarke and I took a contract from

the government to boat stores from Holland Landing to where Barrie now stands. We followed that

business until the close of navigation.

This summer, the group at Fort Willow attempted some native stylegardening. The presentation by Dr. Conrad Heidenreich, reported inthe previous two issues of News and Views, detailed the necessarysoils, preparation, planting, and fertilizer used by the Huron people.Black Creek Pioneer Village donated the native seeds for the threesisters principle of farming (corn, beans, squash). A rainwater recoverysystem caught rainwater from the shelter roof, stored it in barrels, andthen distributed it via a 125 m pipeline to give an ongoing supply ofirrigation water. (The Rotary Club of Barrie funded the project). Inaddition to the three native plants, we added broom corn (dating back

to Columbus’ time), decorative gourds, cucumber, and pumpkin around the outside perimeter. A note of interest isthat raccoons do not like the prickly stems on the squash, pumpkin, and similar plants, and this tended to keep themaway from the corn. One change we made to the soil was, where the native people used wood ash for fertilizer, weadded a little Miracle Grow to get everything going the first year. With the garden’s success, we will probably trywood ash next year. The garden was started in the later part of May, and checked once a week for watering andweeding if necessary. The corn is probably up to 8 or 9 feet (2 1/2 m) at present. (Editor’s note: Wow!!)

The document makes reference to the transporting of the two boats up Yonge Street and the carrying of supplies as faras Fort Willow, which remained there for the winter. It then documents the building of the 29 bateaux, and the shippingof supplies from Holland Landing [Fort Gwillimbury] to Barrie [Kempenfelt Bay]. I now somewhat reluctantly raise the issue of the location at which the bateaux were built for the McDouall expedition.I wrote the booklet “Fort Willow and the Nine Mile Portage” in March 2000. In the introduction I said that I believedthat the bateaux were built at or near Fort Willow. I should clarify that this is my personal view and does notnecessarily reflect the views of other members of the Fort Willow Improvement Group. My view may not be agreeableto some readers; in fact it involved me in a degree of controversy when I wrote the booklet. Please note that in theabove extract, Richard is quite clear as to where he assisted in the construction of the bateaux - Willow Creek. This isobviously at variance with the traditional local history that they were built at Glengarry Landing near Edenvale, whereMarl Creek joins the Nottawasaga River. I feel that the Glengarry Landing site may well be where the bateaux werebuilt for subsequent employment on the Nottawasaga River. The original 29 bateaux were taken to Michilmackinac.Future shipments on Lake Huron were by the sailing vessel Nancy. Bateaux were still required for the WillowCreek/Nottawasaga leg.Please consider the following points:1) I question how the supplies were transported from Fort Willow to the Glengarry Landing.2) Chewett’s 1820 survey notes that the trees in the area of Fort Willow were pine, an easily worked timber.3) The Glengarry Landing location may have been inspired by Bulger’s reference to embarking and descending the

“Nottawasaga River” (Bulger’s Biography will be the subject of a future article in this series). Wilmot's 1811 mapof his Penetanguishene Road Survey shows Willow Creek as the East Branch of the Nottawasaga River.

4) Bulger’s transit time of three days (22nd thru 24th) also seems reasonable. Water levels prior to agriculturaldeforestation were considerably higher.

The reader may well point to the bronze plaque at Edenvale; however, recent correspondence with staff at the HistoricSites and Monuments Board of Canada has determined that there is no documentation package to support the wordingon the plaque. Whilst not wishing to get into any protracted discussions on the subject, I am open to and wouldappreciate any input supporting the Glengarry Landing position, or indeed the Fort Willow position, in the form ofcontemporary documents or more recent histories supported by contemporary source information. Thank you.The next article in the series will provide a really focused snap-shot of the McDouall expedition passing through York(Toronto) in early 1814.

NEWSandviews 7

Fort Willow’s Native Gardenby Bernie Longson

8 NEWSandviews

SCHA’s Fall Speakers

The project seeks to investigate theintellectual, architectural, and socialhistory of three Radial gaols designedby Thomas Young of Toronto in1839-41. Two of the gaols still stand.Government policies of the periodrequiring gaols to be built are wellknown. Historical documents of avariety of kinds are known andavailable in the Provincial Archives.Others are held locally in facilities inKingston, London, Guelph, Goderichand Barrie; (and some, lost for nearlytwenty years, were recentlyrediscovered). Some architecturaldrawings and plans for the buildingsalso exist.

The gaols, however, have not beenstudied as a group, nor have theybeen studied in terms of the range ofideas and motives driving theirunusual eight-sided design in thehinterlands of Upper Canada. Thestudy seeks to answer the questionthat presented itself when I firstencountered the gaol in Goderich -how did such a large, unusualbuilding come to be here at such anearly date?Answering that question involvesthe history of English prisonarchitecture, and a survey of publicand governmental attitudes aboutcivic administration in Upper

Canada. Extensive searching through1835-45 books, documents, andLegislative Assembly Acts is anecessity, as is a search for earlydrawings and plans related to thedesign and construction of the threeOntario gaols. Because of the uniquenature of many of the documents,quite a few of which cannot circulateor withstand repeated handling,photographing and other forms ofduplicating documents is mostnecessary if they are to be studiedintensively.

October 19, Dr. Anthony Hopkins “The Simcoe District Gaol: the Original Footprint” at the Simcoe County Museum, 8 p.m.

November 16, Charlton Carscallen “Excavations at the Allandale Train Station” at the Simcoe County Museum, 8 p.m.

In the fall of 2000, AFBYArchaeological & HeritageConsultants was contracted by theNew VR to perform anarchaeological assessment of theAllandale Station property. Theassessment was part of the siteevaluation process required prior tothe planned redevelopment of theproperty for a broadcast centre. Theprinciple concern of theinvestigations was the possibility thatthere was an Iroquoian ossuarylocated beneath the station’s westernplatform. A major challenge of the project wasthe use of fill and grading over thecourse of 150 years of use of the siteas a train station. To accommodatethis, a gradall was used to removerailway ballast and fill to expose

original soil surfaces. Once this wasdone, shovel testing across theproperty was completed to establishwhether any archaeological depositswere present.No evidence of the ossuary wasencountered. However twosignificant archaeological featureswere identified: A midden associatedwith a 13th century Iroquoianoccupation of the site and remnantsections of the train station’ original1853 foundations. Both of thesecomponents present a fascinatingglimpse into Barrie’s history. The Iroquoian midden was still in tactbecause filling of a small gulley areaprotected it. Unfortunately, this wasthe only portion of the 13th centuryoccupation that was undisturbed.Interpretation of the site is difficult

because only limited settlementpatterns were identified. However,the density of materials and largenumbers of ceramic vessels identifiedall point to a fairly substantial site.The train station foundation was anunexpected find. A section offoundation wall from the originalone-room structure projects frombeneath the existing platform areabetween the main sections of thestation house. Identification of thefoundation with the original buildingis based on comparisons with plansand photographs of the station’svarious configurations over the last150 years.

NEWSandviews 99

PLEASE JOIN US IN A SUNRISE CEREMONY AT THE NARROWSSunday, October 3rd, 2004with Elder John Snache

Time: Sunrise! Please plan to arrive 15 minutes in advance of the sun.Place: On the Crothers/Hot Knots property on the west side of the Narrows, immediately north of the bridge.

Directions: If you are coming from Orillia, move to the centre left-turn lane as you approach the bridge. Lookfor the “Hot Knots Boat Sales” signs and turn left into the driveway that goes between the east end of theNarrows Plaza and the two-story grey house. If you are coming from Atherley, the driveway is immediatelypast the green Orchard Point Road direction sign. Turn right.

Social Time: We will be gathering for a pot-luck breakfast following the ceremony at the Ramara Centre onHighway 12. To get there, turn left onto Atherley Road as you exit the property. Continue past the lights atAtherley and the Rama Road intersection. The Ramara Centre is a short distance further on your right, besidethe satellite parking lot for the Casino.

The fish have gathered twice a year for millennia at this sacred place we call Mnjikaning. Again this year, the fish are showing signs that all is not well.

Come and pay respect to the fish, to the water, to Mother Earth, to Grandfather Sun –for future generations.

Biindigen/Bienview/Welcome: families, children, persons of all cultures.

If you need more information, call Janet at 705-835-9331

During the past year, the Fish FenceCircle members have been busy withpublic ceremonies, their travellingvisual display, presentations to localhistorical societies, and conferencesaround Ontario. This fall, JanetTurner will be presenting the FishWeirs story at the Orillia PublicLibrary on Thursday, September 23rd

at 2 p.m. As well, a SunriseCeremony is scheduled for Sunday,October 3rd, please see below.

An exciting future venture is theCircuit Champlain, a Francophoneinitiative designed to replicate thepath Champlain took across Canada.Great numbers are expected to beattracted to Ontario to celebrate thishistoric event. Currently, in NovaScotia, there are festivities tocelebrate the 400th anniversary of thefounding of Port Royal. In 2008,events in Montreal willcommemorate the 400th anniversary

of the founding of New France. In2015, similar celebrations will occurto recognize Champlain’s stay andexplorations in Huronia in 1615. TheHeritage Committee of La Cle d’ laBaie en Huronie in Penetanguisheneintends to coordinate the HuroniaCommemorations of Champlain’sarrival in New France and Huronia.

Mnjikaning Fish Fence Circle Updateby Janet Turner

1100 NEWSandviews

Ground Breaking at the Simcoe County Museum

Warden George MacDonald lendsa hand to his neighbours at themuseum during their groundbreakingceremony.

Four shovels are better than one, as demonstrated by the many helping handsat the June 22nd event. Pictured above are Paul Bonwick, MP, Warden GeorgeMacDonald, David Walker, Simcoe County Museum Advisory CommitteeMuseum Campaign Co-Chair, and Barry Ward, Councillor, City of Barrie. The$5.5 million dollar expansion will see corporate sponsors, partners and thecommunity join with the County of Simcoe and other levels of government toenhance the growth and development of the museum.

Simcoe County Historical Association ExecutiveBrad Rudachyk, President 726-7380 rudachyk@allstream.netChristina Elliott, Vice President 733-7740 allcanadian_elliott@yahoo.comSusan Downs, Second Vice President 431-7410 sdowns@bconnex.netPeter Wiseman, Treasurer 725-0224 peterwiseman@sympatico.caJill Hynes, Corresponding Secretary 739-6220 mark.jill@sympatico.caEllen Millar, Recording Secretary 726-9331 emillar@county.simcoe.on.ca

For Membership Information, contactBill Packham, Membership Chair 739-0906 wpackham2795@rogers.com

Does your society have an active correspondent who can provide reports onyour activities? Historical groups are invited to submit photos and articles regarding your significant event. Imagine your society on the cover! Photos will be returned. Deadline for the next issue is November 20, 2004

NEWSandviews 1111

A Note from the EditorIn light of the many changes thisnewsletter has experienced dutingthe past year, the Board hasdecided to solicit advertisementsto help cover the costs ofproduction and distribution. We would like to give you, oursubscribers, an opportunity to participate. The cost will be$250 per year for a business cardsized ad (4” x 2.5”), four times per year in our quarterlypublication, and once in our Annual Report. If you are interested in providingsponsorship of the SCHA in this way, please contact me, Jill Hynes, at Box 144, Barrie, ON, L4M 4S9 prior to November 20th for inclusion inthe December issue.

With thanks toThe Ontario Trillium Foundation

for their financial support.

Don’t forget to notify ourMembership Chairman, BillPackham, if you have a change ofaddress. Contact him at our postoffice box, or through theinformation listed on page 10.

The Simcoe County Historical Association is pleased to offer The AndrewHunter Prize again this year to college and undergraduate university studentsstudying Simcoe County topics. Last year’s recipient, Dave Osborne of the Laurentian University at Georgian College program, wrote on the Black Settlement of Oro Township after reading a brief reference in one of his textbooks.Be sure to encourage any college and university students you know,grandchildren, friends, adult students, etc., to submit a qualified paper. TheSCHA Board would be thrilled to award both the first and second prizes atthis year’s Annual General Meeting.

1122 NEWSandviews

Barrie Historical Association –contact Val BruckerMeet at Barrie City Hall – 7:30 p.m.Sept. 9 – Steve McEown – Barrie: APeople in Motion videoNov. 11 – Show and Tell

Essa Historical Society –contact Olive LeeMeet at Thornton Library – 1:30 p.m.Fourth Saturday of the month –Call 458-9971Genealogical Society –contact Claudia McArthurMeet at Church of Jesus Christ ofLatter-Day Saints79 Ferris Lane, Barrie – 2 p.m.Sept. 11 – David Lorente – Story of the Home ChildrenSept. 16 – OGS Region V AnnualMeeting – Richmond Hill LibraryGlenn Wright – WWI Records1-3:30 p.m.Oct. 2 – Special Seminar – InnisfilLibrary, Lakeshore Branch – 9-4 p.m.$40 includes lunch and lecturer RyanTaylor, Genealogy Librarian and authorCall 487-3937 to pre-registerHuronia Museum HuronOuendat Village –contact Jamie Hunter, curator549 Little Lake Park Road, Midland –Call 526-2844 Sept. 10-Oct. 11 –Quest Gallery & Huronia Schoolof Visual Arts ShowOct. 15-Nov. 15 – Alexander von Svoboda: People andPlaces Around the World

Innisfil Historical Society –contact Ross WallaceMeet at Knock Community Centre,10th SR at 9th Line, Innisfil – 2 p.m.Sept. 18 – Heritage Garden andAndrew Hunter Plaque DedicationOct. 16 – Donna Wice –History of the Stroud Curling ClubNov. 20 – Annual Banquet – 6 p.m.Cookstown United ChurchMidhurst Historical Society –contact Alice MitchellMeet at the Library, Findlay Mill Road7:30 p.m. Call 726-7363Sept. 20 – TBA

Midland Heritage Committee –contact Bill SmithMidland Council Chambers –7 p.m. – Call 526-5285Oct. 17 – Meeting of Municipal HeritageCommittees of North Simcoe CountyMnjikaning Fish Fence Circle –contact Janet TurnerCall 835-9331Sept. 23 – Janet Turner – Fish WeirsStory – Orillia Public Library – 2 p.m.Oct. 3 – Sunrise Service – see page 9

Orillia Museum of Art and History –contact Ross WallaceMeet at St. Paul's United Church, PeterSt. and Coldwater Rd., Orillia - 7:30 p.m.Oct. 20 – Jamie Hunter –Franz JohnsonNov. 17 – Flash and Jessica Clayton –Memories of WWIIDec. – Christmas Social – TBA

Penetanguishene CentennialMuseum and Archives13 Burke St. at Beck Blvd. –Call 549-2150Sept. 2-Oct. 4 – Paintings of Art PikeNov. 20-Jan. 20 – Listen to the Night:Bats of Ontario

Simcoe County Museum1151 Highway 26, Midhurst –Call 728-3721Sept. 17-19 – Simcoe County Quilt,Rug, and Craft FairOct. 16 – Last Blast – Equipment run Oct. 27-28 – An Eveningof Hallowe'enNov. 12-14 – Christmas atSimcoe County MuseumDec. 12 - Victorian Christmas

Tecumseth & West GwillimburyHistorical Society –contact Helen YieldingMeet at Tec We Gwill Hall,Newton Robinson, 7:30 p.m.Call 905-775-7144 or 905-936-3659Sept. 20 – Dorothy Duncan –Nothing More Comforting:Canada’s Heritage FoodOct. 18 – Mary Munnoch –Lost Hamlets of AdjalaNov. 15 – Ron Brighty –The Avro ArrowDec. 5 – Annual Christmas Party

C O M I N G E V E N T S of our Member Societies

Visit our Websitewww.simcoecountyhistory.ca