Winter
Oh! The cold winds blow,
And they tell of snow,
And the leaves go dancing away;
And the clouds pass by,
And the tree-tops sigh,
As so madly about they sway.
–
All the birds have fled,
And the flowers are dead,
And the earth lies cold and bare;
And the trees are gaunt,
And their limbs they flaunt,
As they toss in the frosty air.
–
Now, the streams run fast,
For the summer’s past,
And the sky is leaden and drear;
And the snow falls light,
Till the ground is white
And we know that winter is here.
Nov 19, 1938

Negatives found on the 3rd floor of Bossons

Through the efforts of Louis Haan the contractor who discovered this treasure and building owner Laura Bossons nearly 3,000 glass-plate negatives have been saved ensuring an important piece of history is shared with the community.

The photography studio, run by Roger Sifton Williams, was in operation from 1900 until 1905 above Stepler’s Drug Store on Front Street (present-day Bossons Pharmacy). Williams was born in Strathroy in 1877 and, according to the 1901 Census, lived on Front Street with his wife Marion Maud Lucas.

During his short career as a photographer in Strathroy, R. S. Williams captured images of local residents and outdoor scenes. Many of the photo negatives are identified, making them valuable for genealogical and local history research.

Next steps include organizing, cleaning, cataloguing and storing these treasures so they are accessible to the public. The estimated cost of the project is $5,000, which includes the purchase of cleaning supplies and archival envelopes. A later phase of the project will include digitally reproducing the images so they are available to the public.

Photograph of Jessie Zavitz

Negative on light box

If you are interested in helping preserve these photographs for future generations please consider donating to Museum Strathroy-Caradoc and specify that you’d like the money to go toward the R. S. Williams Collection. All funds raised will go directly to purchasing supplies to clean and store the glass-plate negatives.

In reviewing the Museum Collection I have come across a number of items that relate to the moustache.  Below you will find photographs of men with elaborate facial hair, items that were made just to help the moustache out and ways to maintain it.

Also the second installment of the ABC’s of the collection will be starting shortly, so check back often to see what items will be highlighted next.

 The first Council of the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc in 2001 was composed of John Brennan, Doreen Gysbers, Peter Aarts, Shirley Cleve, Brad Richards, Jim Pardy, Steve Dausett, Mayor Mel Veale, and Steve Pelkman. 

This merger formalized a unique relationship that had already existed between the rural community and its commercial centre – one that has fostered our development as an amalgamated community and inspired the slogan of ‘urban opportunity’ and ‘rural hospitality’ for Strathroy-Caradoc.  Along with the slogan was the design of a new logo.  Both communities had previous crests and the design of the new logo was a step away from these crests.  The design that was chosen would be used on letterhead, pins, business cards and other decals including the new flag.  It had two swooshes in red and green around the words Strathroy-Caradoc.  The use of a swoosh is very popular and can be found in a number of different company logos. 

First Logo design for Strathroy-Caradoc

As you may know, this is not the current logo for the Municipality.  The first design lasted for about 5 years when a new design with a more historic meaning was chosen and is now our present logo.

You can eat them, paint and collect them, as well as display and study them.  From bird eggs to a felt fried egg we have it. 

Starting in the field you will find a collection of bird eggs displayed in a wooden case as well bird sketches showing the size of the egg for each bird.  When it comes to factory related items, the museum has an egg scale and stamp as well as a photo negative of Maple Lynn Foods Ltd., honouring its egg producers with an annual banquet. Thirty-five producers were awarded with plaques following 12 consecutive months of producing at least 95 percent Grade A eggs back in 1983.

Moving into the kitchen you will find an egg beater and a decorative egg cup. In the arts and crafts area we have a felt egg made by the Middlesex Women for the Support of Agriculture for educational purposes in the Fairfield Family program. There is also a photo negative of Sharon Lamont, 10, carefully decorating an egg with magic marker at Caradoc North Public School in 1983.

Next time check out F is for … FLAG

When it was donated to the museum it was without any furniture and a call went out to the community for someone who could help furnish this unique piece.  Con and Irene Steele of Strathroy were able to recreate the interior of the house. First they researched Victorian furniture designs and then they were able to design and scale the furniture to fit into the house.   The one major issue was that the dollhouse did not come apart so the furniture had to be manoeuvred into place through the windows and doors.  All of the accessories were also hand-made including the braided mat, the doilies and bedding.

Out of  the rubble P. Beaton decided to take bricks from each building and recreate the facade of each business.  Each of these bricks were carved with a dremel tool using various cutting and grinding bits.  They took between 20 and 30 hours each to complete, and were completed in November 1998.  After spending over 100 years as part of four buildings, these four bricks have become pieces of art, depicting the fronts of the buildings that they were an actual part of.

Currently the museum is looking for information on P. Beaton and images of the fire.  If anyone has information please contact Museum Strathroy-Caradoc at 519-245-0492.

Within Canada there were over 40 atlases produced between 1874 and 1881, covering most of the eastern part of the Country (Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes).  Each of the county atlases consisted of a historical text, township and town maps, portraits, views and patrons’ directory with business cards. But more important, names of residents were marked on the lots of the township maps in these county atlases. Unfortunately only the names of subscribers were recorded on the township maps for the Dominion of Canada supplements. All of these atlases were sold by subscription. Prominent county residents paid an additional sum to have biographical sketches, portraits and views of their residences or businesses included in the atlases (Information from the Canadian County Atlas Digital Project from McGill University).

Within the Middlesex County Atlas you will find sketches relating to the Firemen’s Hall in Strathroy, the Residence of I. B. Burwell (in Caradoc), Alexander Johnston of Kittridge Ave, Strathroy,  Richard W. Williams on Longwoods Road Caradoc, and James Manson of Strathroy.  Businesses include the Lager Beer Brewery on Caradoc Street Strathroy, and the Albion Hotel in Strathroy.

Personal sketches of some of the prominent Men in the County include Alexander Johnston a general store owner at the age of sixteen in 1860, and Dr. W. B Lindsay, son of Mr. G. H. Lindsay of Mount Brydges.  Business sketches include John Heard and Co Artificial Stone Works, Isaac Moore’s Hotel and Bixel Brewery all of Strathroy.

Maps include all of the townships in Middlesex County including and even preliminary village maps that did not come to fruition, like the Village of Adelaide.

The Museum has a number of copies of the Middlesex Atlas and it is a very valuable resource when doing research for genealogy and exhibit purposes.  It has since been reproduced in 1972 however even the copies have become scarce over the years.

Come back tomorrow for B is for …..