Stories From Another Day
By Ken Maher
Stories From Another DayMay 07, 2024
The Day Karma Didn't Come Around
A beautiful summer day on the lake turns into a troubling mystery with a tragic ending. In this episode we tell the story of the day Collingwood was rocked by the sudden loss of eight young men and women, and the response of the community to a shared grief.
Following the story we invite the listeners to join us in all the activities we have planned for May is Museum month. From Our Climate Quest, to Blue Mountain Pottery and Staff Picks, we have brand new and exciting exhibits for you to come and see and enjoy. See our Facebook page and Museum newsletter for more information. And on International Museum Day, Saturday May 18 the Museum will have free admission, so there is no excuse not to celebrate with us! We look forward to seeing you soon.
Episode Picture:
The Karma. Photograph courtesy of Kirk Jones
Research:
Enterprise Bulletin July 24, 1956
Enterprise Bulletin July 26, 1956
Enterprise Bulletin August 2, 1956
Enterprise Bulletin August 9, 1956
Toronto Daily Star July 24, 1956
Toronto Daily Star July 26, 1956
Links:
“Black Sunday” Season 1, Episode 19 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/Black-Sunday-e1fth8l “The Wabauno” Season 1, Episode 12 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/The-Waubuno-e19gj3j “The Kiltie Band” Season 2, Episode 8 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/The-Kiltie-Band-e21c3f4
HMCS Moose Jaw
In this episode, we tell the tale of the HMCS Moose Jaw, a flower class corvette built in Collingwood for transatlantic duty during WWII. Learn about the pivotal role Canadian civilian dockyards, including the Collingwood Shipyards, played in the construction of these important naval ships and listen to the riveting story of the HMCS Moose Jaw’s first battle against enemy U-boats. After the story we share information on, and invite all of our listeners to come out to a wonderful travelling exhibit the Museum will be hosting in conjunction with Science North. “Our Climate Quest” runs May 8-29 at the Central Park Arena and promises tons of hands-on activities for all ages. Call the museum or check out our Facebook page for more details.
As always, if you have any questions, comments, or story ideas we would love to hear from you. Drop us a line at www.facebook.com/collingwoodmuseum or museum@collingwood.ca Episode Picture:
Launch of the HMCS Moose Jaw, 1941 [Collingwood Museum Collection, 995.31.49]
Research:
Leithead, Maggie. “Collingwood Skiffs & Side Launches: Building Canada’s Marine Heritage.” 1994. The Collingwood Museum. https://www.moosejawtoday.com/local-news/eighty-years-ago-the-launch-of-corvette-hmcs-moose-jaw-3850495 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower-class_corvette
Department of National Defence / National Archives of Canada, PA-105829.
Enterprise Bulletin November 27, 1941 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower-class_corvette
Links:
“Beginning at the End” Season 1, Episode 1 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/Beginning-at-the-End-e100arj
“Lighting a Fire” Season 1, Episode 9 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/Lighting-a-Fire-e17k586
Madge Watt
In this episode we explore the life of Collingwood daughter Madge Watt and the global movement among rural women that would result from her unwavering drive and determination. Join us as we look at this important figure in Canadian history and her pivotal role in the formation of the Women’s Institute and the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW).
After the story we invite the listeners to join us at the Museum this month for our Women in Local history Exhibit, produced in partnership with the Sheffield Park Black History and Cultural Museum. We also invite children and their families to join us over the March Break for lots of fun an activities.
Episode Picture:
Undated photograph of Mrs. Alfred Watt [Collingwood Museum Collection, X976.563.1]
Research:
Ambrose, Linda. A Great Rural Sisterhood: Madge Robertson Watt and the ACWW UofT Press. 2015
“Girl from Collingwood.” Enterprise Bulletin May 26, 2017
Montreal Standard & Montreal Family Herald December 1, 1948.
Collingwood Library Genealogy Files
Links:
Associated Country Women of the World https://acww.org.uk/home A Great Rural Sisterhood: Madge Robertson Watt and the ACWW by Linda Ambrose https://www.amazon.ca/Great-Rural-Sisterhood-Madge-Robertson/dp/1442615796
The Country Doctor Who Organized a Town
In this month’s Stories from Another Day podcast episode, host Ken Maher introduces Dr. A.R. Stephen, a caring country doctor, soldier, and civic leader who moved to the tiny settlement that would become Collingwood in 1853, before the first train arrived in town. Dr. Stephen would spend more than 50 years organizing, protecting, serving, and caring for the residents and town he loved. The marks of his skilled hands are still visible across our community to this day.
After the story we direct our listeners to go back through some of our older episodes with knowledge that Dr. AR Stephen was a prominent figure in each of them (see the links below). And then we end our time together with an invitation to share Family Day together at the museum. February 19 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. There will be lots of self-guided fun and games, free admission and 50 free activity kits for families. Come early, when they are gone they are gone. Episode Picture:
Dr. AR Stephen [Collingwood Museum Collection X973.687.1]
Research:
Collingwood Public Library Local History Files, A.R. Stephen.
Enterprise Messenger December 3, 1908
Collingwood Bulletin December 10, 1908
Enterprise Bulletin October 27, 1982
Enterprise Bulletin December 3, 2010
Lane-Moore, Laurel. Collingwood Historic Homes and Buildings BMFA 1989, p. 16
Links: “A Royal Snub” Season 1, Episode 8 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/A-Royal-Snub-e16qvsq “Fair Play” Season 1, Episode 11 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/Fair-Play-e18r8g2 “No Shot in the Dark” Season 1, Episode 7 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/No-Shot-in-the-Dark-e14s4hj “Letters to Mother” Season 3, Episode 3 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/Letters-To-Mother-e2bajjv
Tornaveen
What makes a house into a home? There are nearly as many different answers to that question as there are different kinds of families to ask it. In this episode we look at one historic Collingwood house, and just how very differently (and wonderfully) it has served as a true home for thousands of lives over its long and storied history.
After the story we invite your house stories. We would love to hear the history of the places you call home. And finally we are excited to share our new online collections database. “At the click of a button, residents and researchers from around the world can now access over 500 photographs from three of the Museum’s most requested photograph collections – Historic Residences, Huron Institute Historical Catalogue, and Hurontario Street. For example, if you type “Tornaveen” into the key word search you will come up with a number of photographs depicting the historic home from our story through the ages including this podcast’s cover image.” You can find our online collections database at: https://collingwood.pastperfectonline.com/ Episode Picture:
Tornaveen in 1898 [Collingwood Museum Collection X971.545.1]
Research:
Collingwood Times Newspaper article, Collingwood Library Historical Files, Tornaveen.
Lane-Moore, Laurel. Collingwood Historic Homes and Buildings. Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts. 1989. p. 82-84
https://www.nsa.on.ca/2023/03/08/tornaveen-our-campus-home-history/
Links:
“The Telfer Brothers” Season 3, Episode 1 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/The-Telfer-Brothers-e28q0vp
The Dumbells
From the front lines of battle to the bright lights of Broadway, we follow the story of Canada’s early kings of comedy. The Dumbells, formed as a musical comedy troupe to entertain the men and women serving overseas during WW1, became so much more than just a welcome distraction in a very tense time. They would go on to become an international sensation and a Canada wide comedy hit. Join us as we explore the group’s personal connections to our area, and find out that the Dumbells still may have a thing or two to share with us today. Following the story we invite everyone to come out and meet the museum staff at the Collingwood Downtown BIA Christmas Market on December 8 and 15. For more information see our Facebook page: (facebook.com/collingwoodmuseum) or go to our website (collingwood.ca/culture-recreation-events/heritage-museum/collingwood-museum). And from all of us to all of you ... Happy Holidays!
Episode Picture:
Poster of the Dumbells Sixth Annual Revue in “Ace High”, undated [Collingwood Museum Collection 983.10.1]
Research:
The Dumbells. North Cumberland Historical Society. https://ncumbhistorical.wixsite.com/genealogyhistory/the-dumbells
WW I-era Dumbells a slice of Canadian comedy history CBC.ca https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/ww-i-era-dumbells-a-slice-of-canadian-comedy-history-1.1342477
The Dumbells. The Canadian Encyclopedia. 2014 https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/the-dumbells-emc
The Dumbells. Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia. 2022. https://www.canadiantheatre.com/dict.pl?term=The%20Dumbells The Dumbells Concert Party in the Great War. Canadian Expeditionary Force Research Group. 2020. https://cefrg.ca/blog/the-dumbells-concert-party Miles, Anita. Chicago of the North p.76-77
Links:
The Dumbell Rag performed by Lori King https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdRqtAyt_FU
Letters To Mother
No news is good news unless you are a mother waiting to hear from your child serving overseas. In this episode we follow the story E.L. Knight and Gordon Sinclair serving in the South African War at the turn of the twentieth century. The harrowing and heroic stories told by Knight and Sinclair in personal letters to family members, were also shared with the entire town through the local newspaper. These letters not only give insight into the war itself, but into the hearts and minds of those waiting at home for news of their friends and loved ones.
Following the story we take a moment to invite everyone to join us on the museum grounds on Saturday November 11 for Collingwood’s Remembrance Day service, and we also provide some information on an upcoming PA day program for children ages 6-12. For more information and to register go to our Facebook page (facebook.com/collingwoodmuseum) or see our website (collingwood.ca/culture-recreation-events/heritage-museum/collingwood-museum).
Episode Picture:
Military portrait of Major Edward Lewin Knight [Collingwood Museum Collection X2009.63.1]
Research:
Lane-Moore, Laurel. Collingwood Historic Homes and Buildings. Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts. 1989. 28.
Enterprise Messenger Dec 19 1901 (C2 p2)
Enterprise Messenger May 29 1902 (p4)
Collingwood Bulletin, July 31, 1902 Canada and South African War published 2006, edited 2021 https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/south-african-war Canada and the Battle of the Somme published 2006, edited 2022 https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/battle-of-the-somme
The Battle of Hart’s River. Veterans Affairs Canada https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/wars-and-conflicts/south-african-war/battle-of-harts-river
The Light at the End of the Tower
For well over a century some of the most important men and women for the ongoing safety and well-being of our community were also the most isolated and in danger themselves. Yet their indomitable spirit shone as brightly in the story of Collingwood as the light they maintained shone over the waters of the bay. Join us in our latest episode as we recount some of the personal stories connected to over 124 years of lighthouse keepers on Nottawasaga Island.
After the story we invite our listeners to check out some further lighthouse resources in the museum gift shop, follow the work of the Nottawasaga Lighthouse Preservation Society, and join us in an upcoming PA day program. As always, your feedback, reviews, and sharing of the podcast are most appreciated. Drop us a line and let us know what you think!
Episode Picture:
Nottawasaga Lighthouse and Keeper’s Cottage, 1936 Collingwood Museum Collection X968.896.1]
Research:
Sandell, Marion, Keepers of the Light. The Print Shop, Collingwood 2004.
Collingwood Times October 30, 1984. p.7
Library Historical Files. Nottawasage Lighthouse.
Nottawasaga Lighthouse Preservation Society https://www.nlps.info/about-our-organization/ Links:
“No Shot in the Dark” Season 1, Episode 7 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/No-Shot-in-the-Dark-e14s4hj Nottawasaga Lighthouse Preservation Society https://www.nlps.info/
The Telfer Brothers
We begin season three with a sweet treat as we tell you the story of a cookie empire founded right here in Collingwood. Join us for the story of the Telfer Brothers and their famous Cream Soda Biscuits. Cookie of choice for Kings and Canadians from coast to coast. Witness a half-century of business and innovation, that began here, but stretched right across the country bringing the Collingwood name into kitchens and pantries everywhere. That is, until the whole thing crumbled. After the story we invite our listeners to join us for some or all of the many annual events happening in and around the museum this month. September 8 and 9 is our highly anticipated Shipyard Social, September 16 is the Town’s Art Crawl and our building’s 25th anniversary, and from September 22-24 we will be at the Great Northern Exhibition! See our website (collingwood.ca/culture-recreation-events/heritage-museum/collingwood-museum) or Facebook page facebook.com/collingwoodmuseum) for more details. We can’t wait to see you all!
Episode Picture:
Telfer Biscuit Tin [Collingwood Museum Collection X2017.2.1]
Research:
Untitled Newspaper Article, Collingwood Library Files on the Telfer Family
Isabel Griffin, “Telfers were Fine Pioneers”. Enterprise Bulletin. June 18 1993
Isabel Griffin, “Telfers were Fine Citizens”. Enterprise Bulletin. July 2 1993
Isabel Griffin, “Telfers were Fine Citizens”. Enterprise Bulletin. July 9 1993.
Collingwood Bulletin, December 20, 1906.
Lane-Moore, Laurel. Collingwood Historic Homes and Buildings. Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts. 1989. 83.
Telfer, Alan. Revelations of a 50 year Old Takeover. Collingwood Library Files on the Telfer Family
Vuckson, David. The Telfer Brothers-Biscuits, Brooms, & Whisks-A Clean Sweep. Stories of Collingwood, Collingwood Historical Society. June 30, 2023.
Links:
“The Elegant Lady Who Built Our Town” Season 2, Episode 1 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/The-Elegant-Lady-Who-Built-Our-Town-e1nbijl
Bloomers of Blessed Memory
In this bonus summer episode we take a break for the heat to remember winter and snow as we hear the harrowing (and hilarious) tale of a horse and sleigh, and a young girl and her bloomers.
Are you old enough to remember bloomers? Did you wear them? Did you like them? Should they make a comeback? (Not right now ... for winter weather of course.) We would love to hear what you think!
Episode Picture:
Horse-drawn sleighs line the streets outside of the Dominion Stable on Hurontario Street, c. 1890s. [Collingwood Museum Collection X970.961.1]
Research:
Miles, Anita; The Chicago of the North. Town of Collingwood, 2004. p.123.
All Others Pay Cash
Have you heard all the back to school ads yet? They are a sure sign that the seasons are soon changing. But they also can’t compare to the flare, fun, and marketing genius of a long time Collingwood store owner Mr. T. N. Brown from many long years ago.
And because the fall will soon be upon us, this will be the final bonus episode of the summer, as we look forward to our fast approaching third season of the podcast. Make sure to tune in on September 5 for the first episode.
What is the one advertisement from the past that you still remember to this day? (Let’s see how far back we can go!) What was the best one you ever heard? We would love for you to share those ads of yesteryear with us!
Episode Picture:
Interior of T.N. Brown’s Grocery Store, c. 1913 [Collingwood Museum Collection X973.637.1]
Research:
Barbara Arp, ed., Reflections An Historical Anthology of Collingwood (Collingwood: The Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, 1983), 195.
Oh Say, Can You See?
Flag raisings are an important part of our Collingwood culture and community even to this day. In this bonus summer episode we travel more than a century into the past to tell the tale of a flag raising that nearly sparked an international incident right here on our main street. Or so one young lad would later say.
Episode Picture:
United States Consulate Office in Collingwood in the 1890s. [Collingwood Museum Collection X973.404.1]
Research:
Leithead, Maggie. Collingwood Skiffs & Side Launches (Collingwood Museum, Collingwood, 1994), 10.
Barbara Arp, ed., Reflections An Historical Anthology of Collingwood (Collingwood: The Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, 1983), 105.
Fireworks From the Fire Hall
For many people, July and fireworks go together like peanut butter and jelly. So what better time to share the story of youthful fireworks gone very wrong. And the best part of this bonus summer episode? It is a story told by the son of a former town’s fire chief.
Do you have a story of something you thought was a good idea at the time, but which turned into something very different than you had planned? We would love to hear it!
Episode Picture:
Built in 1911, Collingwood’s 3-storey Fire Hall located on the west side of Ste. Marie Street between Simcoe and Ontario Streets. [Collingwood Museum Collection X968.723.1]
Research:
Skelding, Douglas. Ordeal By Fire: A History of the Collingwood Fire Department 1852-2005(Barrie: Northern Printworx Inc., 2005), 167.
Grace's Story
In this special bonus episode of the Collingwood Museum's Stories from Another Day podcast we turn the microphone over to local student, Grace Johnson, who shares with us a story she researched and wrote for the Simcoe County Heritage Fair which was held in May at the Simcoe County Museum. The touching history of Grace’s ancestors may be familiar to many families who now call Canada home.
Grace’s project won the Ontario Ancestors Award from the Ontario Genealogical Society at the Simcoe County Heritage Fair and she was one of six students chosen to represent Simcoe County at the Regional Gathering in Toronto. We are honoured to share “Grace’s Story: Dutch Immigration to Canada after WWII” with you. We know you are going to love this episode as much as we do.
Off The Rails
In the last episode of our second season we revisit the story of the railroad in Collingwood, this time to trace its slow and steady decline and eventual disappearance from our town. Along the way we will discuss some of the wonderful and wild ideas proposed to keep the role of the railways a going concern for Collingwood, and the lasting impact the now removed railways still have on our little town today.
After the story we take some time to thank all those who have been an important part of bringing you this season’s stories. We invite everyone to come out to the museum to see the Refuge Canada Exhibit while you still can and we remind everyone of our many summer programs designed specifically for children ages 6-12. More information can be found on our Facebook page, (www.facebook.com/collingwoodmuseum) or at our website, (www.collingwood.ca/culture-recreation-events/heritage-museum/collingwood-museum)
And finally a big thank you goes out to all of our listeners and subscribers. We appreciate all your comments and feedback. Please keep sending in your questions and story suggestions to museum@collingwood.ca. While our new season begins on September 5, look for some bonus content and a very special episode over the summer!
Episode Picture:
Canadian 1363 National Steam Engine at the Collingwood Station, 1937 [Collingwood Museum Collection X970.414.1]
Research:
Isabel Griffin, Enterprise Bulletin May 21, 1980
Sewell, John. The History of Collingwood. 5 Lectures. 2003
Messenger, William. Building of the First Railway. 1969
The Story of Collingwood. Enterprise Bulletin Presses Ltd. 1958 p 22-26
Barbara Arp, ed., Reflections An Historical Anthology of Collingwood (Collingwood: The Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, 1983), 237
J.T. MacMurchy, Enterprise Bulletin. Twenty in the Series of Business Articles “The Railway Has Always Been A Part Of The Collingwood Business Scene”. 1963
Links:
“A Royal Snub” Season 1, Episode 8 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/A-Royal-Snub-e16qvsq “The Elegant Lady Who Built Our Town” Season 2, Episode 1 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/The-Elegant-Lady-Who-Built-Our-Town-e1nbijl
The One That Flew Away
The work of museums in preserving the past is sometimes fraught with loss and disappointment. Despite everyone’s best efforts sometimes a piece of our history still gets away and is lost in time. In today’s episode we look at two such losses connected by a strong sense of irony. We also end with a note of hope for the same currents of time and circumstance sometimes work in the museum’s favour. Join us as we follow the story of a stuffed Passenger Pigeon that was on display at the Collingwood Museum’s predecessor, the Huron Institute, until disaster struck.
After the story we give you all the details of this month’s celebration of all things Museum. In honour of May being Museum month look for special lighting of the Town Clock (May 18 to 25) and a day long event also on May the 18th where admission to the Museum will be free, the hours will be extended (until 8:00 pm) and the members of the Museum Advisory Committee will be on hand (between 4:00 and 5:00 pm) to meet and greet you all.
Ken will be there and is hoping to say hi to any podcast listeners who want to come by! We look forward to seeing you then.
Episode Picture:
The Huron Institute [Collingwood Museum Collection X970.577.1]
Research:
Miles, Anita; The Chicago of the North. Town of Collingwood, 2004. p.17-18
Passenger Pigeon. Canadian Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/passenger-pigeon
Vuckson, David. The Carnegie Library Revisited. Collingwood Historical Society, April 2017. https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/3bf734df-da42-4fed-b6fc-91e612df8825/downloads/April%202017%20-%20The%20Carnegie%20Library%20Revisited.pdf?ver=1678821694161 Isabel Griffin, Enterprise Bulletin March 18, 1981
Enterprise Bulletin April 11, 1935
Enterprise Bulletin April 18, 1935
Enterprise Bulletin May 9, 1935
Links:
“The Museum That Wasn’t” Season 1, Episode 23 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/The-Museum-That-Wasnt-e1ig37a
The Kiltie Band
For more than seven decades of our town’s history the Kiltie Band provided the soundtrack to Collingwood’s joys and celebrations. They were also present to mark many a special occasion and more than a few sombre moments. This community band provided a welcoming stage to many local musicians and encouraged many a young boy and girl to learn an instrument and give back to the community. In their smart kilted uniforms they brought a sense of pride and awe to countless town parades and events. In the latest episode of the Collingwood Museum’s podcast Stories from Another Day we remember the gift of their music to Collingwood. After the story we ask for your band memories. Did you or a family member play in the Kiltie band? We would love to hear your stories! We also point you to a travelling exhibit coming to the Museum. Refuge Canada provides the context for Canada’s place in the global refugee crisis and brings to light the challenges faced by refugees in Canada. More details will be posted on our webpage and our Facebook page in the coming days. We mention our upcoming PA Day program coming in April, again details to follow on all our social media pages. As always, if you have any questions, comments, or story ideas we would love to hear from you. Drop us a line at www.facebook.com/collingwoodmuseum or museum@collingwood.ca Episode Picture:
The Kiltie Band [Collingwood Museum Collection 001.12.1]
Research:
Enterprise Bulletin Dec. 10, 1925
Enterprise Bulletin Nov. 20, 1926 (p.1) Collingwood Kilties on Air Thursday Evening
Enterprise Bulletin Sep. 6, 1928 Collingwood Kilties to play at T.O. Exhibition
Enterprise Bulletin Mar. 17 and 24, 1932 The Band Question
Enterprise Bulletin July 31, 1958 (p. 2) Collingwood Bands Kept Town in Step Since Early Years
Barbara Arp, ed., Reflections An Historical Anthology of Collingwood (Collingwood: The Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, 1983), 180.
Cowley, Christine E. “Butchers, Bakers and Building the Lakers: Voices of Collingwood”, 2008. Pg. 68. Links:
“Coming Home ... Again” Season 1, Episode 17 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/Coming-Home-----Again-e1eeis5
Lilies For The Soul
In this episode we reflect on the life and times of an amazing woman who brought “lilies for the soul” to our community through beauty and colour. Mary McKay’s story and her connection to Collingwood is both as vibrant and inspiring as her artwork.
After the story we invite everyone to check out our sidewalk exhibit on Hurontario Street, celebrating women in local history. A joint project with the Sheffield Park Black History and Cultural Museum, it runs until March 20th. Make sure you find all twelve unique signs showcasing business owners, war-workers, medical professionals, artists (including Mary McKay) and sports heroes. A quick thank you to Carole Stuart at the Collingwood Public Library’s Local History Department is long overdue. Much of the research for this podcast wouldn’t be possible without the resources to be found there.
As always, if you have any questions, comments, or story ideas we would love to hear from you. Drop us a line at www.facebook.com/collingwoodmuseum or museum@collingwood.ca
Episode Picture:
Collingwood Museum Collection, TR1871. Nina Ridley (left) stands beside Mary McKay (right).
Research:
Isabel Griffin, Enterprise Bulletin March 18, 1981
Obituary Notice Enterprise Bulletin January 1987
The Group of Seven, Canadian Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/group-of-seven
Collingwood Public Library Local History files on the McKay family.
The Norman P. Clement
The quiet routine of daily work and life is shattered by an explosion that rocks the shipyards and surrounding area. Windows are shattered, and a huge piece of the ship crashes down outside of the shipyards. The press of questions come raining down almost immediately. What caused it? Could it have been prevented? Was anyone hurt? And what happened after the dust and debris settled? Join us to hear the explosive tale of the Norman P. Clement.
After the story we express our on-going gratitude to the shipyard workers and their lasting legacy in town. We invite your feedback and ask for your story suggestions. We also highlight our Black History Month activities in partnership with the Town of Collingwood and Sheffield Park Black History and Cultural Museum. And lastly, we invite everyone to join us for Family Day (Feb. 20th) when the museum will be open with games and activities for young and old alike. We hope to see you all there!
Episode Picture:
The Norman P. Clement (being towed out by the tug Dana T. Bowen) [Collingwood Museum Collection 2010.8.185.]
Research:
Maritime History of the Great Lakes. https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/54664/data
Maritime History of the Great Lakes. https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/24427/data?g=d
Toronto Telegram October 22, 1968
Enterprise Bulletin. October 17 1968 p.1
Enterprise Bulletin. October 23, 1968 p.1
Links:
“The Night the City of Collingwood Burned” Season 1, Episode 22 https://anchor.fm/cwoodstories/episodes/The-Night-the-City-of-Collingwood-Burned-e1hrehb
The Brightest Spot in Town!
A second-hand sign with a risque past and a paragon of family entertainment for nearly a century come together to tell the story of "bright lights, small town." Join us as we look at the history of a cherished local landmark of downtown Collingwood, the historic Gayety Theatre.
After the story we invite our listeners to share their questions, comments, or suggestions for a future story we should tell. We love hearing from you. Send us an email (museum@collingwood.ca) or leave us a message (www.anchor.fm/cwoodstories) We also take a moment to hand out a few well deserved thank you’s in time for the new year and let everyone know about our upcoming Winter Wonderland PA Day program on January 27 for children ages 6-12. For more information and to register, please go to our web page www.collingwood.ca/museum.
Episode Picture:
Gayety Theatre [Collingwood Museum Collection X968.551.1]
Research:
Barbara Arp, ed., Reflections An Historical Anthology of Collingwood (Collingwood: The Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, 1983), p178
Cowley, Christine E. “Butchers, Bakers and Building the Lakers: Voices of Collingwood”, 2008. Pgs. 56, 280.
Collingwood Bulletin May 30, 1929 Talkies at Gayety (C3)
Enterprise Bulletin February 25, 2003 The Passing of a Cinematic Era (p6)
Enterprise Bulletin May 2, 2003 A New Life for the Gayety (p3)
Enterprise Bulletin February 28, 2013 Gayety Gets a Facelift (p11)
Links:
“Deck the Hull” Season 2, Episode 4 https://anchor.fm/cwoodstories/episodes/Deck-The-Hull-e1rloe2
Deck The Hull
While the festive mood of Christmas has been a constant for the people of Collingwood, the shape of their celebrations has seen some interesting changes through the years. Like when the town’s Christmas tree wasn’t a tree at all! Join us as we travel back to the lean years between the two world wars to see what shape the holiday season took when times were difficult. We hope you will find the stories as heartwarming as we do!
After the story we talk about family Christmas traditions and invite the listeners to join the Museum in some of our newest holiday traditions. And we ask for your help in locating pictures of a shipyard hull decorated for Christmas in years past. Do you or your family have one you would be willing to share? Contact us at our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/collingwoodmuseum) or send us an email to museum@collingwood.ca. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Episode Picture:
Boy, Dog, and Sled [Collingwood Museum Collection X2007.188.1]
Research:
Cowley, Christine E. “Butchers, Bakers and Building the Lakers: Voices of Collingwood”, 2008. Pgs. 64, 260, 328.
Miles, Anita. “The Chicago of the North”, 2004. Town of Collingwood. pg. 51, 52
Bryan, Ruth Carmichael. “Tales of Collingwood”, 1967. pg. 10-11
Links:
“The Bells of St. Harry” Season 1, Episode 15 https://anchor.fm/cwoodstories/episodes/The-Bells-of-St--Harry-e1bhac7
The Ridgway Brothers
Just in time for Remembrance Day, we look into the story of not just one local man, but six – and all of them brothers – who took up the call to serve King and country in the First World War. One will have the distinction of serving as honour guard to the King himself on one of Canada’s most important days. But each man’s story is equally important and will range from close to home to Azerbaijan and every place in between.
After the story we can’t help but make an incredible story even more so with some added details we know you will like. We also encourage the listeners to find the Ridgway brothers in the Remembrance Day Banners the town puts out each year, and to join us on the museum grounds for the Remembrance Day Service on November 11. The museum will be open special hours for that day so you can come in and see our extensive WW1 exhibit ... including a life-sized picture of Tom Ridgway. Visit our website or our Facebook page for full details on the hours we will be open.
Episode Picture:
The Ridgway Brothers (Back Row: l to r Eddie, Laurie, John, Tom; Front: l to r Bert, Ernie)
[Photo supplied by Cathy DeRuiter]
Research:
Extensive Research for this Episode came from the Genealogical Files and Ridgway Brother’s Service records compiled by Cathy DeRuiter
Smedman, Lisa. Dunsterforce, Vancouver Courier. https://cdbe6920-b060-4736-bf2a-58f92dcfee21.filesusr.com/ugd/5273e0_0ebf14d8fa5d427fa57c4ae3899efe17.pdf
Brown, Eric and Tim Cook The 1936 Vimy Pilgrimage. Canadian Military History, Volume 20, Number 2, Spring 201, pp 46-47, 52. https://allnationsstampandcoin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/5-Brown-and-Cook-Vimy-Pilgrimage-v-2.pdf
Links:
Phyllis Ridgway Story https://globalnews.ca/news/7922913/phyllis-ridgway-dead-canada-toronto/
“The Museum That Wasn’t” Season 1, Episode 23 https://anchor.fm/cwoodstories/episodes/The-Museum-That-Wasnt-e1ig37a
Throw Up the Sponge
Sometimes the most fascinating history is hidden in plain sight. In this episode we look at a tragic and pivotal moment of our town’s early history through the lens of an underappreciated building in our downtown. A building you have probably walked past and looked past many times already. Come back in time with us as we talk about the day that could have brought an end to our town, but instead only strengthened our resolve to rebuild and continue on, better than before!
After the story we invite our listeners to come and visit us in our lovely building to see all that is going on, and to check out our upcoming Children’s Spook-tober PA Day Program on October 24th. Go to our website, Facebook page or give us a call for more information.
Episode Picture:
Downtown Fire 1881 [Collingwood Museum Collection X970.593.1]
Research:
Collingwood Bulletin, September 28, 1881.
Skelding, Douglas. Ordeal By Fire: A History of the Collingwood Fire Department 1852-2005(Barrie: Northern Printworx Inc., 2005), 32-33.
Isabel Griffin, Enterprise Bulletin September, 1981
Library Files on the Land Title of properties on Hurontario Street.
Links:
“A Day of Tall Work and Many Tears” Season 1, Episode 10 https://anchor.fm/cwoodstories/episodes/A-Day-of-Tall-Work-and-Many-Tears-e18694q
The Elegant Lady Who Built Our Town
In the very first story of our second season we listen as powerful men make big plans and pretty speeches and it is left to an elegant lady to do the heavy lifting of creating our town ... practically from nothing! We travel back to January 1, 1855 to witness the arrival of the Lady Elgin and trace the myriad of ways that historic day and its visitor impacted every part of our town’s history right up to today.
After the story we dig a little deeper into a couple of the characters associated with the events detailed. One famous fellow (he has his very own Canada Heritage Minute devoted to his story) has very strong connections to our town and the other person has a very dubious connection to our host. We also give you an update of all the fun and exciting activities happening at the museum (boy are we busy!) so you won’t miss out on the excitement and as always we invite your feedback.
Episode Picture:
The Lady Elgin [Collingwood Museum Collection X976.256.1]
Research:
Isabel Griffin, Enterprise Bulletin March 21, 1984
Isabel Griffin, Enterprise Bulletin May 21, 1980
Walker, Frank. Four Whistles to Wood Up: Stories of the Northern Railway of Canada. Upper Canada Railway Society Inc. Toronto 1953. p 5-13.
Sewell, John. The History of Collingwood. 5 Lectures. 2003
Messenger, William. Building of the First Railway. 1969
The Story of Collingwood. Enterprise Bulletin Presses Ltd. 1958 p 18-22
Links:
“Fair Play” Season 1, Episode 11 https://anchor.fm/cwoodstories/episodes/Fair-Play-e18r8g2
Sir Sanford Flemming Heritage Minute https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiTgrhEqw5A
The Last Chapter
To finish off our first season we circle back to our very first episode through the high arctic and a monumental archaeological discovery that our town had a small, but vital part in. History has a unique way of connecting every story eventually, and the many stories of our town are no exception. We can’t wait to make more of those connections in our next season of stories.
We take a moment to thank the behind-the-scenes team that have worked so hard to make these episodes available. We hope you have enjoyed them. And finally, we invite you, the listeners, to come out and join us in person for some of our exciting programming over the summer months. As always, more details will be posted on our Facebook page. www.facebook.com/collingwoodmuseum.
We will be back with season two in September.
Episode Picture:
CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Copyright Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans, https://inter-j01.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fdat/vessels/100
Research:
Watson, Paul. “The Star with the Franklin search: How the Franklin wreck was finally found” Toronto Star July 12, 2017. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/09/09/the_star_with_the_franklin_search_how_the_franklin_wreck_was_finally_found.html
Warrior, Claire and Jeremy Mitchell “HMS Terror and Erubus.” Royal Museums Greenwich. https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/hms-terror-erebus-history-franklin-lost-expedition
Fiery Ann and the Orangemen
In this episode we go back in time to observe the annual Orange Day Parade through the lens of a fiery local character. And while there on that hot July day we see patriotism, prejudice, a practical joke and just a little bit of profanity all come together to take a very serious (and controversial) international movement and put a decidedly local (and funny) twist on it. After all, a community is defined by its resident characters, no matter what else is going on in the world around it.
After the story we let you know about the upcoming summer activities at the museum including late night openings for Jazz and Blues at the station and our children’s summer programs, which you won’t want to miss! We also say good-bye to Elise Barr-Klouman, Museum Program Director and Podcast Producer, without who’s energy and excitement this podcast wouldn’t be. We are sad to see her go, but know she will be awesome in her new job. Thanks Elise!
Episode Picture:
Orange Day Parade, July 1925 [Collingwood Museum Collection X968.844.1]
Research:
Barbara Arp, ed., Reflections An Historical Anthology of Collingwood (Collingwood: The Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, 1983), 191.
The Orange Order in Canada https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/orange-order
Orangemen’s Day in Canada https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/canada/orangemen-day
Grand Orange Lodges of Ontario http://www.orangeontario.org/about-us/brief-history/
Orange Order in Canada https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Order_in_Canada
An Evening By The Water
Take a stroll with us down by the water, not just in the evening but back in time as we explore some of stories that show the changing nature of our town’s waterfront through the years. From the community hub and enter of activity it is today, to idyllic postcard scenes of unspoiled nature of yesteryear, to an absurd tale of nature fighting back against those who would try to tame it, this episode may have you looking at the waterfront in a new light.
Following the story Ken has a humorous tale of his own losing battle with nature and we highlight both the trails of Collingwood (many of which run down by the water) and a music festival coming up in honour of the same. See the links below so you don’t miss out on either.
Episode Picture:
Methodist Choir Picnic, early 1880’s [Collingwood Museum Collection X970.344.1]
Research:
Barbara Arp, ed., Reflections An Historical Anthology of Collingwood (Collingwood: The Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, 1983), 2,6.
Links:
Trail Tunes information and schedule can be found at www.cyclesimcoe.ca/trailtunes
The Collingwood Trails Map is available in the Museum or online at https://www.collingwood.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/trails_map_final_for_website.pdf
The Museum That Wasn't
In this episode we introduce you to Mr. David Williams, a man whose resume both here in Collingwood, Ontario, and to parts beyond defies all belief! Recognized for his tireless work across so many fields, he would win many honours and awards. But a most fitting recognition would escape him as the museum that would proudly bear his name never came to be. And so it is that we honour the memory of a pivotal figure who helped to create our museum by telling you about the history of a Collingwood Museum that might have been ... but never was.
After the story we remember David’s wife Ida, a similarly busy citizen worthy of remembrance in her own right. And finally, from a history of what might have been we give you a look into the future that will be as we invite you to join us for the opening of a new travelling exhibit to help us mark May's Museum Month. See our Facebook page for more information.
Episode Picture:
Artist’s Rendition of the Proposed David Williams Memorial Museum [X2013.11.1, The David Williams Memorial Museum, Collingwood, Ontario Pamphlet ]
Research:
Cowley, Christine E. “Butchers, Bakers and Building the Lakers: Voices of Collingwood”, 2008. Pg 314.
Prominent Citizens, Collingwood Public Library
Mayor Directory, Collingwood Public Library
“The Museum Mystery”, The Collingwood Museum: On Track vol 4 issue 5, 2010. 5
X2013.11.1, The David Williams Memorial Museum, Collingwood, Ontario Pamphlet
The Night the City of Collingwood Burned
Rush with us down to the harbour in the middle of a dark and tragic night in 1905. Terrible circumstance works against personal heroism and the town’s collective determination to cause one of the saddest stories of Collingwood’s waterfront history. When all is said and done and the City of Collingwood has burned down to the water, what is left but to learn from what happened and prepare for the next time danger rears its terrible head?
Following the story we focus on Museum Month (this May) with a number of announcements about upcoming exhibits and our next episode of the podcast, which will feature a special story of what our museum might have been if history had been just a little different. If you haven’t been in the museum in a while now would be a great time to visit!
As always we would love to hear from you. Send us an email to museum@collingwood.ca or leave us a voice message on our podcast homepage http://anchor.fm/cwoodstories
Episode Picture:
The Steamer, City of Collingwood [Collingwood Museum Collection X974.306.1]
Research:
Barbara Arp, ed., Reflections An Historical Anthology of Collingwood (Collingwood: The Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, 1983), 104.
Skelding, Douglas. Ordeal By Fire: A History of the Collingwood Fire Department 1852-2005(Barrie: Northern Printworx Inc., 2005), 43-44.
“Disastrous Fire” Enterprise Bulletin, June 22, 1905.
Operators Are Standing By ... Until 4pm
Our world is fast changing and always has been. Technologies constantly spring up with promises of a new and better life. But which ones change the culture and which get put in the back of the closet with last year's fads? Join us in this episode as we look at the earliest days of the telephone in Collingwood, when people still hadn’t figured out what kind of future it would hold.
Next we focus in on the story of one particular telephone operator who worked through very interesting times. And finally we give a much deserved shout-out to our museum volunteers as we approach National Volunteer Week on April 24-30. As always if you have a story to share, any questions, or comments ... or are interested in volunteering for the museum ... we would love to hear from you! Send us an email to museum@collingwood.ca, go to anchor.fm/cwoodstories to drop us a line, or you can use that newfangled telephone by calling 705-445-.4811.
Episode Picture:
Telephone Operators in 1922 [Collingwood Museum Collection X986.14.10]
Research:
Barbara Arp, ed., Reflections An Historical Anthology of Collingwood (Collingwood: The Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, 1983), 57, 83.
Discover Collingwood Heritage Walk, https://www.collingwood.ca/sites/default/files/docs/Economic-Development/heritagewalk-downtown-15x17-2017.pdf
Bell Canada, 1894-2017 https://beatriceco.com/bti/porticus/bell/canadian_bell_companies.html
“Bell Canada Installed First Service in Collingwood in 1886”, Enterprise Bulletin July 31, 1958 Section 5 p. 2.
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Wild West Originals
Beginning with the story of a famous wild west sharp shooter who may or may not have been in Collingwood, we turn our attention to several of our own wild west originals, who called Collingwood home when it was a rough and tumble frontier town and the gateway to the wild, wild west. We talk about Kitty and her darn motorcycle as a reminder that there is always more to the story of a person’s (or town’s) life than what you see today. And finally we invite you the listeners to join with us in celebrating two recent good news stories from the museum.
March Madness is over and out of all the very worthy contenders our own artifact and story about Nurse Dawson has come out victorious. You can find the link to all the videos on our facebook page: www.facebook.com/collingwoodmuseum.
And lastly, this podcast has been honoured to be included in Feedspot’s list of top Canadian History Podcasts. You can find all the great podcasts (ours included) at: https://blog.feedspot.com/canada_history_podcasts/
Episode Picture:
The International Hotel before 1875 [Collingwood Museum Collection X970.916.1]
Research:
Barbara Arp, ed., Reflections An Historical Anthology of Collingwood (Collingwood: The Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, 1983), 3, 15, 17, 191.
Cotton, Larry. Whiskey and Wickedness, vol. 4, Town of Collingwood, Angus, Stayner, Creemore, Wasaga Beach and Clearview Township, Ontario 1830 to 1900. (Deep River: Larry D. Cotton Associates Limited, 2005), 98.
Shaw, Melissa. “Annie Oakley came to Collingwood's fair in 1898 ... maybe” CollingwoodToday.ca, December 1, 2019. https://www.collingwoodtoday.ca/remember-this/annie-oakley-came-to-collingwoods-fair-in-1898-maybe-1892375
Black Sunday
In this episode we look deep into the eye of the storm as we travel back to the year 1913, when Collingwood finds itself at the center of an international tragedy of staggering proportions. And days later, as the news slowly comes out it just kept getting worse and worse for the families of our town. After the story we talk about the memorial windows in All Saint's Anglican Church, dedicated to those lost in the great storm. And finally, we invite our listeners to head over to our Facebook page and follow our quest to reign supreme in the Simcoe County Museum March Madness competition with our story of Nurse Ethel May Dawson, who is also featured in a memorial window in All Saint's.
Episode Picture:
The Launch of the SS James Carruthers [Collingwood Museum Collection X974.539.1]
Research:
Scotty Carmichael “Black Sunday” Barbara Arp, ed., Reflections An Historical Anthology of Collingwood (Collingwood: The Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, 1983), 131-132.
Hardy, Michael “The Great Storm of 1913” Thumbwind.com October 4, 2021. https://thumbwind.com/2016/11/07/1913-great-lakes-storm/
“Black Sunday” UsGenNet Great Lakes Maritime History. April 17 2016. http://www.us-data.org/mi/glm/storm/1913/nov-9.html
Shaw, Melissa. “White Hurricane tore through the Great Lakes sinking 19 ships” CollingwoodToday.ca, November 10, 2018. https://www.collingwoodtoday.ca/remember-this/remember-this-white-hurricane-tore-through-the-great-lakes-sinking-19-ships-1117708
Play Like a Girl
What do hockey pucks and corsets have in common? Join guest contributor Melissa Shaw as she dives into the little-known beginnings of women’s hockey in Collingwood on this special International Women’s Day edition. Keep listening for information about Gaslight Community Theatre and their role in bringing history to life through live performance. As well, we discuss the International Women’s Day festivities in the Town of Collingwood and invite you to become a guest contributor. Follow us on Facebook [facebook.com/collingwoodmuseum] or check our website [Collingwood.ca/museum] for up-to-date details about the museum’s operation.
Episode Picture:
Collingwood Ladies Hockey Club, c. 1898-1899 [Collingwood Museum Collection, X969.745.1]
Research:
“Won Both Matches” Enterprise Messenger, 1 March 1897.
“Collingwood at Hockey” Enterprise Messenger, 19 March 1897. P1.
Links:
Gaslight Theatre https://gaslighttheatreproductions.com/
International Women’s Day https://www.internationalwomensday.com/
Town of Collingwood’s IWD Events https://collingwood.ca/iwd
Coming Home ... Again.
A World War 1 veteran named Fred, his brother Charles and a long and sometimes volatile history of how we remember those who served and uphold our civic duty to all who made sacrifices for our freedom ... give a listen as it all comes together in this week’s episode ... lest we forget! Following the story we talk a little about the town Cenotaph which shares the grounds with our museum and we ask for listeners’ stories about the veterans they know and remember. Our gallery is open once again for self-guided tours. Call ahead (705-445-4811) for information and to book your time.
Episode Picture:
The Cenotaph’s Unveiling [Collingwood Museum Collection X986.625.1]
Research:
Isabel Griffin, “Our Controversial War Memorial”, Enterprise Bulletin, October 16, 1985, October 30, 1985, November 13, 1985.
Erika Engel, Thievery, physical threats: Collingwood's cenotaph had a controversial journey to its final home. https://www.collingwoodtoday.ca/local-news/thievery-physical-threats-collingwoods-cenotaph-had-a-controversial-journey-to-its-final-home-1843543
Blame Mickey!
Shipbuilders, Tigers, and a notorious Chicago barkeep all converge in our story that asks the question “How far are you willing to go to get what you are after?” The answer might just make you sick. We travel back to the early days of Ontario Hockey for a notorious game where the skullduggery off the ice nearly caused one team to lose the game, but cost the other team everything. Afterwards we introduce you to the late Scotty Carmichael, who first told this and many other wonderful stories of Collingwood’s past. We ask for your favourite sports stories ... we would love to share them! And finally we ask if you would be so kind as to share this podcast with those you know.
Episode Picture:
Jack Dance of the Collingwood Shipbuilders [Collingwood Museum Collection X999.14.146]
Research:
Barbara Arp, ed., Reflections An Historical Anthology of Collingwood (Collingwood: The Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, 1983), 116-117.
The Bells of St. Harry
In this special Holiday episode, we remember a much loved mayor of Collingwood and his yearly gift to the children of Collingwood. Do you remember the sleigh rides with Mayor Harry Bell? As we get closer to the holidays we ask you to share your memories of what made the holidays special here in Collingwood. We also give all you last minute present seekers an inside scoop on both a sale in our gift shop and the “Gift of Membership” promotion running until Christmas. Make an appointment to do some shopping or tour the gallery before we close up shop for the holidays (Dec. 24 – Jan. 4). And from all of us at the museum to all of you listening at home ... Have a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Wonderful New Year!
Episode Picture:
Mayor Harry Bell and His Sled [Thank you to George Czerny for giving us permission to use his photograph for this episode!]
Research:
Cowley, Christine E. “Butchers, Bakers and Building the Lakers: Voices of Collingwood”, 2008. Pgs. 58, 75, 93, 277, 328.
Mayor Directory, Collingwood Public Library
Johnson, Maddie. “Seemingly impromptu sleigh rides made for fond childhood memories” CollingwoodToday.ca, February 21, 2021. https://www.collingwoodtoday.ca/rooted/seemingly-impromptu-sleigh-rides-made-for-fond-childhood-memories-3437066
The Bombers that Built Houses
Episode Picture:
Wartime Home [Collingwood Museum Collection X970.929.1]
Research:
“Local Trivia Challenge ... Clyde Aircraft”, The Collingwood Museum: On Track vol 5 issue 5, 2011. 2
Barbara Arp, ed., Reflections An Historical Anthology of Collingwood (Collingwood: The Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, 1983), 198, 200-205, 221.
“de Havilland Mosquito” Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Mosquito
Scott, Dave. “The Last Days of Kaufman Furniture” Flickr.com www.flickr.com/photos/7941972@N02/albums/72157605092475771/
Until the Cows Go Home
You never know who you might meet when you are out and about in Collingwood. Some of my favourites are of the four-legged variety (much to their owner’s amusement). In this episode we travel back to the end of the nineteenth century to witness the debate in our town over the place of our animal friends on our town’s streets. But the animals in question may surprise you. After the story Ken has a little fun exploring the town’s by-laws (when are by-laws not fun?) and lets you know about a special promotion the Museum is currently holding. Many of the items in our gift shop are discounted up to 40% off during the month of November. Call to set up your appointment and get that Christmas shopping done early!
Episode Picture:
Cows at Shannon’s Bridge, Pretty River [Collingwood Museum Collection X2014.30.1]
Research:
Cotton, Larry. Whiskey and Wickedness, vol. 4, Town of Collingwood, Angus, Stayner, Creemore, Wasaga Beach and Clearview Township, Ontario 1830 to 1900. (Deep River: Larry D. Cotton Associates Limited, 2005), 101-2.
The Waubuno
Tragedy was an ever present possibility for those who worked in, or relied upon the great lakes shipping in the days of steamships and paddle wheelers. And when it struck, whole families and communities were often left with unanswerable questions. Such is the story behind the disappearance of the Waubuno, bound from Collingwood to Parry Sound in November of 1879. Following the story we remind our listeners to check out our excellent four part video series over on Facebook (facebook.com/collingwoodmuseum), “Stories of Unsettling Lore” where, in episode three, you can hear more about the Waubuno’s sad story through the lens of two of her passengers on that ill fated final journey. We also make the connection to Ernest Taylor, a local artist and his amazing painting of this tragic story which you can see for yourself by coming to the museum for a visit. Call 705-445-4811 to book your appointment.
Episode Picture:
The Waubuno [Collingwood Museum Collection X007.19.25]
Research:
Barbara Arp, ed., Reflections An Historical Anthology of Collingwood (Collingwood: The Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, 1983), 71.
Dallaire, Elise.“The Waubuno’s Battle” http://www.elisedallaire.com/49/the_waubuno_s_battle.htm
“The Waubuno” The Diver’s Nook. July 2008 http://www.diversnook.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=72
Warnes, Kathy. “The Newly-Weds, a Winter Storm, and the Waubuno” Magic Masts and Sturdy Ships https://magicmastsandsturdyships.weebly.com/the-newly-weds-a-winter-storm-and-the-waubuno.html
Fair Play
What do you do when you think you are not being treated fairly by the powers that be? You cheat your way into a better deal, of course! Or at least that is what some of the citizens of the fledgling town of Collingwood decided to do when they felt they were not getting fair play. Can two wrongs make a right? Join us in this episode to find out. Finally, we let you know of a series of four videos coming from the Museum just in time for Halloween ... Stories of Unsettling Lore ... from Collingwood’s past. And the haunting story Ken will share as part of that series is directly tied into our next podcast episode, so don’t miss it. You can find all our Stories of Unsettling Lore on our Face book page in the last two weeks of October. Go to facebook.com/collingwoodmuseum ... if you dare!
Episode Picture:
W.B. Hamilton, First Mayor of Collingwood. [Collingwood Museum Collection X976.545.1]
Research:
Barbara Arp, ed., Reflections An Historical Anthology of Collingwood (Collingwood: The Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, 1983), 10-11.
Cotton, Larry. Whiskey and Wickedness, vol. 4, Town of Collingwood, Angus, Stayner, Creemore, Wasaga Beach and Clearview Township, Ontario 1830 to 1900. (Deep River: Larry D. Cotton Associates Limited, 2005), 86.
A Day of Tall Work and Many Tears
Water and fire combine in a story of irony and anguish on the day on August 13, 1890 when a day of celebration turns to grief and a local landmark is changed forever. We then discuss historical tours of places that no longer exist, ask your help in discovering if photographs of a particular building still exist. (We would love to see them if you have them!) And finally we let you know about our upcoming PA day activity kits and how you can keep your eyes out to snag one when they become available. As always you can contact us at facebook.com/collingwoodmuseum or by sending us an email to museum@collingwood.ca
Episode Picture:
The Steamer City of Midland and The Collingwood Town Hall [Collingwood Museum Collection X974.838.1 and X007.19.41]
Research:
Barbara Arp, ed., Reflections An Historical Anthology of Collingwood (Collingwood: The Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, 1983), 97.
Lighting a Fire
What do absentee politicians, horse races, the queen’s birthday, and a deck fire on a great lake steamer all have to do with the beginnings of our town’s shipbuilding past? In today’s episode we will find out as we journey back to 1883 and the grand opening of the Collingwood Dry Dock! We also point out where you can still see this local landmark for yourself and invite you to come and see our brand new permanent gallery exhibit “Launch Day” which details one of the most exiting parts of that very same shipbuilding history. We are open, by appointment only, Tuesdays through Saturdays 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Call us at 705-445-4811 or email us at museum@collingwood.cato set up your appointment.
Episode Picture:
The Steamer Oneida in the Collingwood Dry Dock [Collingwood Museum Collection X986.31.25]
Research:
Barbara Arp, ed., Reflections An Historical Anthology of Collingwood (Collingwood: The Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, 1983), 78-79.
Leithead, Maggie. Collingwood Skiffs & Side Launches (Collingwood Museum, Collingwood, 1994), 9-10.
A Royal Snub
Royal visits are fraught with etiquette and ceremony ... so what happens when you break protocol? In this episode we journey back to 1860 for the visit of Albert Edward, the young Prince of Wales and the future King Edward VII of England to explore what can only be described as a Royal Snub. Later, we discuss meeting famous people and ask for your stories of the same. We also enlist your help to track down a photograph of this royal visit that disappeared from our care nearly sixty years ago.
Episode Picture:
Gold Tassels from Prince of Wales’s Royal Coach Car [Collingwood Museum Collection X970.266.1]
Research:
Barbara Arp, ed., Reflections An Historical Anthology of Collingwood (Collingwood: The Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, 1983), 38.
1860 – The future King Edward VII of the United Kingdom the first visit to North America by a Prince of Wales. https://europeanroyalhistory.wordpress.com/2020/09/21/1860-the-future-king-edward-vii-of-the-united-kingdom-the-first-visit-to-north-america-by-a-prince-of-wales/
“A Royal Visit”, The Collingwood Museum: On Track vol 5 issue 3, 2011. 3
No Shot in the Dark
This Episode places us in the middle of a night of terror gripping Collingwood. The threat of armed invasion seemed imminent. How would the citizens respond? The answer, given in part through later advertising in a local paper, might surprise you! Finally, we also give some updates around our Gallery reopening, which you should take advantage of while the podcast is on a short break in August. And lastly we tell you how your children can still take part in some of our summer crafts and activities at home, even though all our physical kits have been spoken for.
Episode Picture:
The Collingwood Rifle Company, posing before the Globe Hotel, ready to defend the Niagara Front [Collingwood Museum Collection X970.890.1]
Research:
Barbara Arp, ed., Reflections An Historical Anthology of Collingwood (Collingwood: The Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, 1983), 30-31, 272.
Senior, Hereward. “Fenians” The Canadian Encyclopedia.ca, February 7, 2006. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/fenians
The Dictionary of Canadian Biography “The Fenians” © 2003-2021 University of Toronto/Université Laval http://www.biographi.ca/en/theme_fenians.html
Never Miss an Opportunity
Not One Left Behind
In this episode we discover just how rowdy our town could be when we travel back to the year 1856 to witness a riot in Collingwood’s streets that overwhelmed the good townsfolk, carried over two days, and required an armed force from Barrie to come and finally break it up. And all of it because a group of revelers didn’t want to leave something behind. Ken tries to blame Mr. Dressup for something important he once left behind and we ask for your own stories of leaving something important behind. And finally we let you know about our Summer Activity Kits to keep little hands (ages 6-12) busy over the school break. You won’t want to miss these Heritage inspired Activities and Crafts.
Call (705) 445-4811 ext 7211 to place your order.
Episode Picture:
Huron Street Saloons [Collingwood Museum Collection X2012.85.1]
Research:
Cotton, Larry. Whiskey and Wickedness, vol. 4, Town of Collingwood, Angus, Stayner, Creemore, Wasaga Beach and Clearview Township, Ontario 1830 to 1900. (Deep River: Larry D. Cotton Associates Limited, 2005), 83-84.
Fit To Be Tied
In this episode we look at the life and times of John Rutherford Creelman, Chief Constable of Collingwood from 1874 to 1876. A man trapped in a tough job (and some ridiculous situations) made even more difficult because of his personal failings. We'll cover his run-in with a church camp and how a local businesswoman escaped his clutches on the train to Barrie. We also dig a little deeper into early policing in the Town of Collingwood and encourage our listeners to explore more of this same history through a couple of wonderful resources available in our gift shop.
Episode Picture:
“Billy Club and Police Badge” [from the Collingwood Museum Collection items 2010.22.1 and 999.52.1]
Research:
Cotton, Larry. Whiskey and Wickedness, vol. 4, Town of Collingwood, Angus, Stayner, Creemore, Wasaga Beach and Clearview Township, Ontario 1830 to 1900. (Deep River: Larry D. Cotton Associates Limited, 2005), 106-110.
Pie in the Sky
In this episode we head down to the fair in the year 1913 for the very first appearance of an airplane over the skies of Collingwood. We also consider the adage "Be careful what you wish for ... " and ask for our listeners' favourite memories of the GNE (The Great Northern Exhibition).
You can reach us by email at museum@collingwood.ca or leave a message on our podcast page. We would love to hear from you!
Episode Picture: Airplane at the GNE 1913 [Collingwood Museum Collection X970.538.1]
Research: Shaw, Melissa. “Fairgoers Flee Fairgrounds for First Chance at Flight.” CollingwoodToday.ca, September 22, 2019. https://www.collingwoodtoday.ca/remember-this/fairgoers-flee-fairgrounds-for-first-chance-at-flight-1705410.
The Man Who Wouldn't Be Mayor
In this episode we step into the strange world of town politics circa 1864. We are introduced to Mr. Charles Gamon by way of an unusual announcement he felt compelled to publish to the Electorate of Collingwood. Ken asks what job would you go to great lengths to get out of? And finally, we provide you with more information on our "cheeky" new T-shirts at the museum. Get them while they last! https://www.facebook.com/collingwoodmuseum
To order your T-shirts call the Museum at 705-445-4811 ext. 7211
Episode Picture:
Collingwood Town Hall, 1858. [Collingwood Museum Collection, X973.515.1]
Research:
Barbara Arp, ed., Reflections An Historical Anthology of Collingwood (Collingwood: The Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, 1983), 43.
Beginning at the End
In our inaugural episode we start by looking at the end of a pivotal era in Collingwood's history. Ken opines about history in the making and whether we know it when we see it. And finally we give a few details about May being Museum Month and some upcoming treats at the museum.
Thank you to George Czerny for giving us permission to use his photograph of Hull 230, Sir Wilfrid Laurier for this episode!