Uxbridge Historical Centre

Monthly E-Newsletter

Rick

Johnson & County Jamboree rocks the Hoedown crowd at the

first annual Heritage Hoedown, which took place on Aug. 27th.

September 2016

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In This Issue...

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New Exhibits at the Centre

Page 2

Upcoming Events

Pages 3-5

Rural Diary Project Update

Page 6-7

New Acquisitions

Pages 8

Volunteer Opportunities

Page 9

News

Pages 10-11

Hoedown & Heritage Days

Pages 12-13

Visit the Vintage Nook Gift Shop

Page 14

Hold Your Next Event at the Centre

Page 15

Become a Member

Page 16

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Getting Married? Uxbridge

Historical Centre offers beautiful
grounds, gardens, and heritage
buildings. Rent for photos,
ceremony, reception, or all three!
Contact us for details and to book
your viewing. Click Here for rates
and more information.

New Exhibits at the Centre

ARTifacts Exhibition and Vintage Camera/Memorabilia Display
The Uxbridge Arts Association is sponsoring the ARTifacts photo exhibit at Uxbridge Historical Centre. The exhibit features artistic interpretations and unusual
perspectives of the Historical Centres collection, taken by members of the North
Durham Photographers Association. The NDPA meets on the grounds every first
Wednesday of the month, and many of their members are represented in the
club's first photo exhibition. Also on display with ARTifacts is a display of predigital, vintage cameras and processing equipment.
The exhibit can be viewed until September 25th, Wed-Sun, 10am-4pm. Prints of
the photographs can be ordered for $50. Proceeds will go to the NDPA and the
Uxbridge Historical Centre.

Gould-Carmody House
If you visit the Gould-Carmody House (c 1870) you will find refreshed displays and new signage and labels for the artifacts on display. Summer staff have been hard at work on this building and hope
you will visit soon to see the new displays.

An Uxbridge Story in Stone - Stone Sculpture Sesquicentennial

Project
This season the Historical Centre is pleased to host an Artist-in-Residence. Local sculptor Fly Freeman will be on site several days a week carving a new piece
of public art celebrating Uxbridges history. Fly and Stuart Blower will also be
running stone carving workshops, open to the public, every Thursday at 6:30pm.
Fly has been busy working on the first panel of the sculpture which depicts Joseph Gould cutting down trees and reads We cut the trees to build. (Pictured
on the left) She will soon be moving onto the second piece of stone which will
read the town that brought the people and depicts a wheel from a mill. This
represents the importance of mills and industry in Uxbridge history.
The Historical Centre is honoured to be hosting Fly Freeman and this project.
We hope you will visit the Historical Centre to see Flys progress and watch this
wonderful tribute to Uxbridges heritage unfold.

Upcoming Events
Art on the Fringe
Saturday, September 16th and Sunday, September 17th
For its second year, the Uxbridge Art Associations former Siloam Studio Stop moves
to the Uxbridge Historical Centre for Art on the Fringe! A variety of artists with their
original works for sale in one convenient location. Tour the museum buildings and
grounds, and see heritage demonstrations and artisans at work. Also available are refreshments, picnic tables and the best view in town.

Lecture: Every Trail Has A Story: Heritage Travel in Canada

Thursday, September 22nd at 7pm in the Schoolhouse
Join local author, outdoor adventurist, educator, and story-teller Bob Henderson for a
talk about following historical trails, heritage travel, and stories from across all of Canada East to West - North to South. Canada is packed with intriguing places for travel
where heritage and landscape interact to create stories that fire our imagination. Scattered across the land are incredible tales of human life over the centuries. From the
Majorville rock formation (dated as being older than Stonehenge), through the systems of walking trails developed by pre-contact Native Peoples, and the fur trade
routes, to the grand stories of the Chilkoot Gold Rush of 1897, Bob Henderson, the
traveller, captures our living history in its relationship to the land. This talk is by donation, please arrive early to guarantee your seat.

Upcoming Events
Saturday, September 24th

Canadian Friends (Quakers) Historical Association

Conference & Annual General Meeting
The story of the Uxbridge Quaker community and principal families spans over 200
years. Dont miss the opportunity to support the Canadian Friends Historical Association
and enjoy the wealth of knowledge of Allan McGillivray as he brings the history of the
Uxbridge Quakers to life.
The full day program will include:
9:00am-12:00pm: A morning business meeting held in the manner of Friends
Lunch
A fascinating afternoon bus tour of notable local Quaker sites with tour guide and
keynote speaker Allan McGillivray
Dinner and keynote presentation with Allan McGillivray, well-known speaker, historian and former curator of the Uxbridge Historical Centre
Non-members are welcome to attend this event. Come for the full day or just the dinner
and keynote presentation. Registration details and form can be found at www.cfha.info/.

Sunday, September 25th at 1pm

Harvest Church Service

An interdenominational service will take place in Uxbridge Historical Centre's historic Fifth Line Church (c.1870). Reverend Dr. Bill Fritz will be leading the service.
This church was originally located in Coppins Corners and was relocated to the

museum grounds in 1979. Following the service, refreshments will be available in

the Centre's historic Quaker Hill

Schoolhouse (c.1924). Guests are welcome to

snip and take home heritage herbs from the Centres Garden of Herbs and
Scents.

Upcoming Events

Rural Diary Archive Project

Last summer, the Historical Centre staff collaborated with Dr. Catharine
Wilson from the Department of History at the University of Guelph to digitize two historic Uxbridge diaries to be included on a new online database
titled, Rural Diary Archive. This website, created by the University of
Guelph, showcases over 130 Ontario diarists from 1800 to 1960 whose diaries are available in archives across Ontario. The website honours the daily
records of rural people of the past, broadcasts the availability of archival
diaries, and encourages future research into rural history. The diaries we
submitted belonged to Samuel Johnson, who lived on Concession 2 in Uxbridge Township and wrote his diary between 1873-74; and George Lewis, who lived on Concession 4 in
Uxbridge Township and also wrote his diary between 1873-74. These diaries have now been transcribed by
volunteers and the Centres summer students, and are ready to be viewed. Visit the Rural Diary Archive
website for a glimpse of the daily lives of two Uxbridge farmers, almost 150 years ago.
In the near future, another diarist from Uxbridge, Daisy Mellow, will be featured on the Meet the Diarists
page. She was married to Dr. Frank Mellow and wrote 11 diaries between 1938 and 1952. Her diaries were
purchased privately at an auction and recently donated to the museum.
We encourage you to take a look at this informative website, and are proud to have Uxbridge represented!
Go to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/

Samuel Johnson, Uxbridge resident, diary written in 1873-74

Samuel is an earnest young man who struggles with shyness in an attempt to become a better Christian.
He frequents many different churches, is chaplain of the local Sons of Temperance and secretary for the
Union Sabbath School. He dutifully and fully records his work on the family farm and that of his father and
their various hired men. As an eligible bachelor, he gets invited to many social events in Goodwood and the
larger community.

Excerpts from the Johnson Diary:

Saturday, May 24, 1873.
Warm today. This morning I went to Dr. E. Pagans(?) to get some medicine for my sore throat. I came
home & went on the railway to Uxbridge Village to a Temperance Tea Party. Revd Mr. Manning Grand Division Lecturer gave a good address in the Ontario Hall. I came home on the 7 oclock P.M. train. There was
a pretty large excursion to Uxbridge.
Thursday, July 17, 1873:
There was a nice heavy shower about daylight. Dull all day, except a while about two oclock P.M. it was
very warm & a very heavy shower came up from the North, which was an immense good. So that the crops
may yet yield a good harvest. May God grant us grateful hearts. We finished mowing out crop of Hay except
some in fence corners, & Owen Lewis & W.A. DeGeer finished hoing the first sowing of Turnips. A little boy
named Joseph Richman is here.
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Wednesday, September 10, 1873:

A fine warm day. About 1 oclock this morning I started for Toronto. Drew A. Degeer accompanied me. I had
a load mixed, of wool got 35c per lb, Potatoes @ 50c per Bag, butter lb rolls @ 25c, eggs @ 16 per Dozen.
Stayed at Black Gordon Hotel.

Thursday, October 9, 1873:

Fair & Very Pleasant. John Smyth helped us to finish digging our potatoes today. This evening, Miss Hannah Robinson & Miss McCullough were here to Tea & we went to prayer meeting. We had a good time. The
Lord be praised.

George Lewis, Uxbridge resident, diary written in 1873-74

During his five-month diary, George has a lot of fun. As a thirty-five-year-old bachelor and destined to take
over his fathers farm, he gets invited to lots of social events. Apple paring bees which were well known for
their kissing games and courting opportunities are his favourites. So are sprees. After one he notes Hard
Anough this morning after Spree doin nothing all day. The next year he finds the apple of his eye and marries.

Excerpts from the Lewis Diary:

Sunday, September 28, 1873:
Another beautiful day. All hands of William Gurles to church and to Robert Chapmans to tea and then to
Brother Frederick Croford's. To church at night to hear Brother Conor shout.

Friday, October 17, 1873:

Plowing the potato ground. Went to Samuel Tod[d]s paring [bee] at night.

Sunday, November 2, 1873:

To the dedication of the new church the fore noon and to church. To fathers the afternoon and to Claremont
at night baptizing. At night seven ware baptized. A raw drisling day.

Wednesday, November 23, 1873:

Drawd one lode of wood to Goodwood and started to draw logs to the mill, and gave James Dilling forty five
pounds of pork. A side and sholder.
Thursday, December 4, 1873:
One of the wind[i]est day that I thin[k] I ever saw. I think Lorenzo Van horn [killed]. Got 6 post's from Ransom
[Forsyth].

New Acquisitions to the Centre

Above: Left - A container of Wernets Powder for Comfort and Confidence. The top reads Accepted. Council on Dental Therapeutics. American Dental Association.
Right The back of the container. It reads Wernets Powder. Holds false teeth tight. Absolutely harmless. Directions Clean plate
with Dentu-creme and Wernets plate brush. Moisten plate, sprinkle powder lightly and evenly. Ill-fitting dentures may impair
health. Consult your dentist regularly. For sale at all drug counters.

Wernets Dental Manufacturing Company was established in New Jersey in the early 1900s. 50% of the company
was purchased by Block Drug Company in 1925. Block Drug was purchased by GlaxoSmithKline in 2001. Wernets
Powder can still be purchased but is now under the name Polygrip.

Above: Two small cast-iron cannonballs, date and origin unknown.

Above: Three parts of a seven part pipe -match holder chalkware

set. The set represents the Seven Deadly Sins. These three represent: Lust, Envy and Gluttony.

Volunteer Opportunities
Do You Enjoy Gardening?
The Historical Centres beautiful heritage gardens with beds of perennials, annuals,
herbs, and shrubs are lovingly managed and maintained by a small group of dedicated
volunteers. We are currently looking for volunteers with gardening experience who
would be interested in becoming part of a succession plan to take over managing the
gardens.
For more information, please contact the Historical Centre at 905-852-5854 or museum@town.uxbridge.on.ca. Help to preserve your local community heritage!

Volunteer Tour Guides and Reception

Do you enjoy history? The Historical Centre is looking for volunteers to fill
the position of Tour Guide/ Reception/ We offer guided tours to the public
Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Volunteers can create their own flexible schedule.
Learn more about your local history and meet great people.
This position would be suitable for adults, seniors, and older teens.

Volunteer for Fright at the Museum!

Do you love Halloween? Uxbridge Historical Centre is looking for volunteers
to help with the 4th annual Fright at the Museum! Halloween Haunted
Village and Scavenger Hunt happening on Friday, October 21st. Last years
family-friendly event saw over 400 visitors go through the haunted museum
village in an evening! This event cannot be done without the generous help
of volunteers, and we are looking for help in many areas. We are looking for
both adults and teen volunteers. Teen volunteers must be in a minimum of
Grade 8, and need to be mature, responsible and able to follow directions.
Please contact Rachel at the Museum, 905-852-5854, or
museum@town.uxbridge.on.ca to let us know you are interested in
volunteering.

News
Rev it - Up Hot Rod and Custom Car Show
On Sunday, September 4th, the Rev it Up Hot Rod and Custom Show saw 500 hot
rods, classic cars, and custom vehicles stream onto the Historical Centre grounds
for one of the last shows of the season. Hundreds of visitors came to the Centre to
either show their vehicle or to browse the fantastic array of vehicles on display
throughout the day. Thanks to Gary Charity, Tracee Sheldrake and their team for
choosing our location and putting on a fantastic event. Proceeds from this event directly support the Historical Centre. Were looking forward to holding this event at
the Historical Centre again next year - Dont miss it!

Do you Like to Play Horseshoes?

Did you know that the Historical Centre has two horseshoe pitches on site that the public can
use? If you like to play horseshoes, or would like to learn, visit our pitches (between the GouldCarmody House and Nesbitt shed on site) to enjoy a fun game on top of the panoramic Quaker
Hill. The pitches are free to use. Pease bring your own horseshoes outside of business hours.
We are considering starting a Horseshoe Club for men & women that would meet once a week.
If this is something you would be interested in joining, contact Bob Kirvan at 905-852-9176 or
email at rkirvan@interhop.net. for further information.

Weddings and Events at the Centre

The Centre has been experiencing an increase in
wedding and special event bookings in the last few
years, and this year the trend continues with multiple
weddings booked so far. The Centre is a beautiful
venue to hold a wedding or event with its historic
buildings, panoramic view, and heritage gardens. Do
you have an event coming up? We offer very reasonable rates and yours will be the only special event taking place here at that time.
Call or email us to book a consultation with staff about your event. Contact us at
905-852-5854 or museum@town.uxbridge.on.ca.
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News
Pokmon Go
We have definitely noticed a rise in younger visitors to the Historical Centre
grounds since the release of the extremely popular mobile game, Pokmon Go. In
this game, players use the GPS on their cell phones to find pokmon in real places.
The concept of the game gets people out of the house to travel to places around
town to catch pokmon. Historical sites, community centres and churches are common places to find Pok-stops and Pokmon Gyms which are integral to being
successful in the game. We welcome all Pokmon Go players to the Historical
Centre where there is a Pok-stop and Pokmon Gym. Come catch em all, enjoy
the beautiful view and take a tour of the museums collection.

Books Available for Purchase at the Uxbridge Historical Centre

There are a number of historical, non-fiction books on sale in the Centres gift
shop, the Vintage Nook. The newest book available is A Home of Her Own.
Lucy Maud Montgomery and Ontarios Leaskdale Manse National Historic Site.
This book tells of the restoration of the Leaskdale Manse and the story of
Mauds life there from 1911 to 1926 through pictures and words, some from
contemporary contributors and some by Maud herself. Other books include
Burrs and Blackberries from Goodwood by Eleanor Todd, Jewel on the Hill.
The Story of Ontarios Thomas Foster Memorial by Conrad Boyce, Tales of
the Uxbridge Valley by Allan McGillivray and more. Stop by the Centres Vintage Nook to take a look at these local books.

Start Your Geocaching Treasure Quest at Uxbridge Historical Centre

Do you dare to take the Geocaching Treasure Quest challenge? The world-wide
hobby of geocaching has officially been launched in Uxbridge as a part of the
Uxbridges Healthy Kids Community Challenge Initiatives and it is an activity that is
fun for all age groups! The Geocaching Challenge puts you on a combination of a
treasure hunt and hide and seek game as you follow your GPS to different locations
around Uxbridge, hunting for Geocaches hidden away in plain sight!
To start your Geocaching journey, stop by the Uxbridge Historical Centre (or by the Uxpool) to pick up your
passport, instructions and, if you do not possess a GPS unit or smartphone, borrow a GPS from us for free.
If you complete the booklets challenge and turn it in at the Historical Centre or Uxpool, you can earn a
collectible Trail Capital of Canada geo-coin! This activity is free for everyone, thanks to Take T.I.ME.
Uxbridge. Pick up your passport and start finding geocaches today!
For more information about Geocaching, visit http://taketimeuxbridge.ca/free-family-fun/
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Hoe-Down
On August 27th, as part of the new schedule for Heritage Days, the Historical Society held its first annual
Heritage Hoedown event, with great live music by Rick Johnson & County Jamboree, a BBQ dinner catered by The Meat Merchant, and refreshments by Thornbury Cider and Girls Night Out wines. We hope to
see you next year for the next Hoedown!

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Heritage Day
The 45th annual Heritage Day took place on August 28th. Visitors enjoyed reenactors, kids crafts and activities, antique
vehicles and tractors, vendors, displays, and more. Thank you to sponsors Main Street Pools, McDonalds, Leuschner's
Lawn and Landscape, Castool, Green Tractors, Brian J. Evans Financial Services, Thornbury Village Beverages, Uxbridge Veterinary Hospital, James Campbell Insurance Brokers, and Vince's Market.

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Visit the Vintage Nook Gift Shop

The days are getting shorter and the air is getting chilly all signs that the long days of summer are coming
to an end. However, there is still plenty of time to visit the Vintage Nook gift shop. New fall item such as
lovely square serving plates depicting fall leaves and festive pumpkin serving bowls have been added so
come on by and pick up some new items for your Thanksgiving and Halloween festivities.
It is also the perfect time to start picking up Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers. You are sure to find
something to meet the needs of everyone on your list. There are also some great Christmas items such as
small glass dishes and serving trays, which would be great to give as a hostess gift on their own or with a
pile of homemade goodies. All prices include tax and are very reasonable. All proceeds made through the
gift shop go towards the Uxbridge-Scott Historical Society which in turn uses that money to help upkeep the
museum grounds/buildings, bring in guest speakers at our public meetings, and run Heritage Days. Thank
you for your continued support.

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Enjoy Great Benefits as a Member

Your membership and donations help maintain and improve the Uxbridge Historical Centre keeping our heritage
alive for present and future generations. Your support allows us to preserve and enrich the collection, bring in
interesting guest speakers, and hold special events such as Heritage Days.
Your annual membership provides benefits such as:

Direct financial support to Uxbridge Historical Centre

Free guided tours of the Museum site

10% discount in the Kydd House gift shop

10% discount for use of Historical Centre grounds for private functions

Reduced rates for workshops, special events and use of Historical Centre Archives

Newsletters

Invitations to members-only events (such as exhibit openings)

Advance notice of upcoming events

Enjoyable Historical Society and Museum public meetings and events

You can download a membership form from the Society website at http://uxbridgescotthistoricalsociety.ca/wp-content/
uploads/2016/05/Uxbridge-Historical-Society-Membership-form-final-2015.pdf

Uxbridge Historical Centre

(Uxbridge-Scott Museum & Archives)
7239 Concession Road 6, Uxbridge, ON (905) 852-5854 museum@town.uxbridge.on.ca
www.uxbridgehistoricalcentre.com

Uxbridge-Scott Historical Society

board@uxbridgescotthistoricalsociety.ca
www.uxbridgescotthistoricalsociety.ca

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