Oshawa Historical Society Annual Report 2009€¦ · Oshawa Historical Society Annual Report 2009...

Oshawa Historical Society Annual Report 2009

OSHAWA COMMUNITY MUSEUM & ARCHIVES 1450 Simcoe Street South

Oshawa, ON L1H 8S8 Tel: 905-436-7624 Fax: 905-436-7625

Email: [email protected] Website: www.oshawamuseum.org

Oshawa Historical Society 1 2009 Annual Report

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Oshawa Historical Society 2009 Annual Report

Contents Year at a Glance…………………………………………………………..…..2

President’s report…………………………………………………………….…3

Operating Highlights…………………………………………………………..4

Mandate………………………………………………………………………..6

Governance…………………………………………………………………....6

Events & Highlights……………………………………………………………..7

Collection Highlights…………………………………………………………...9

Archive Highlights……………………………………………………………..10

Sponsors & Donors...………………………………………………………….11

Public Programming………………………………………………………….12

Education Programming…………………………………………………….14

Society Programming………………………………………………………...15

Volunteers……………………………………………………………………...16

Museum Staff………………………………………………………………….17

Drive Shed Report…………………………………………………………….18

Minutes………………………………………………………………………...19

Board of Directors ……………………………………………………………20

Ad Hoc Committee………………………………………………………….20

Financial Report………………………………………………………………21

2010-2011 Exhibition Schedule………………………….………………….22

Remembrances of…………………………………………………………...23


A Year at a Glance


One of the most ambitious projects undertaken by the Oshawa Historical Society was finally realized with the successful completion and opening of the drive shed. This project now allows the museum to display some of its most interesting made-in-Oshawa transportation and agricultural artefacts. As you can imagine with a project of this size, there are a number of individuals – too numerous to mention in this brief report –who played a role in making this dream a reality. I would, however, like to specifically thank Laura Suchan for her work in coordinating the efforts of the City, the contractor, the museum staff and others in the completion of this important project. Thanks go out as well to Merle Cole for chairing the board committee looking after this project. I would also like to thank all of our Society members who generously provided financial support to help build the drive shed. It is with a great deal of regret that I announce the retirement of Isabelle Hume, a long-standing member of the Historical Society and a member of the Board of Directors for many years. Isabelle’s commitment to both the Historical Society and to the Board could never truly be expressed. Her direction, insights and hard work have made the Society and the Board the vibrant and successful organizations they are today, and I would like to thank her from the bottom of my heart on behalf of the Board of Directors, the staff and all the people who have had the opportunity to visit the museum – a visit that would not have been possible without her. This will be my final report as President as my term will end this year. Therefore, I would like to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to members of Board, without whose considerable knowledge and commitment we would not have been able to accomplish so much in the past five years. No organization can exist without the active support of its members, so I would like to thank all of you as well. Also, thanks to our Executive Director, Laura Suchan, the museum staff and all of our volunteers, for helping to make the Museum and the Society an essential thread in the cultural tapestry of our community. Stoney Kudel, President Oshawa Historical Society

President’s Report


Operating Highlights

The OCMA remains the only museum in Oshawa with a mandate to present and preserve the history of the entire City and our operating highlights for the year 2009 reflect the varied work we performed: Objective: To promote awareness of Oshawa’s diverse history and ensure its preservation.

• Participated in 21 partner events • Identified new partnership opportunities with Oshawa Public Libraries, Autofest,

Thornton Cemetery, Oshawa Photography Club • Participating in City’s Art and History Committee • Archaeology writer Heather Pringle program at library

• Received Museum Assistance Program grant to purchase new collection software

• 14 000 collection records migrated to new system • Purchased 2 new Smith Pottery pieces • Received Job Creation Grant to catalogue recently acquired camera

collection • Received Pictorial Oshawa printing plates and copyright

• Several publications digitized and available online in partnership with the Oshawa Public Libraries

• Weekly newspaper column continuing • Staff article appeared in History of Education Journal, Durham Chapter of

OGS newsletter and Families • Museum Blog updated with research and exhibit news • Staff presenting at History on the Grand Conference in Guelph. • Research completed for online exhibit History of Education in Oshawa.

• Continue monthly speaker series • Moved monthly meetings to Oshawa Public Libraries – higher profile location • Sponsored Photography contest

• New brochure developed • Continued use of social media to publicize museum and events

• Partnered with Thornton Cemetery and Library to present new initiatives • Continued to participate in external events

Objective: Promote awareness of the Oshawa Community Museum to build a strong base of community support.


• Staff articles published in History Teacher journal and newsletter of Durham Branch OGS

• Mourning After exhibit booklet published • Updated blogs to reflect collection and research focus • Over 1100 photos uploaded to Our Ontario site

• Introduced summer evening hours and Lamplight Tour • Family Day opening • Facebook updated regularly • ROM loan of Egyptian artifacts

• Networking project completed • Surveyed visitors to monitor client satisfaction, 95% of respondents listed their

satisfaction as good or very good.

• Permanent galleries in Robinson and Henry houses painted. • Mourning After exhibit opened • Hosted 1 traveling exhibit.

Operating Highlights Continued

Objective: Continue to meet the annual financial plan.

• OPG sponsorship of Mourning After exhibit • Continued sponsorship opportunities for Christmas Lamplight tour • Continue to participate in Community Museum Operating Grant Program • Successful Drive Shed donation drive

• Items added to storefront on website • Continue sales of redundant articles on EBAY • Successfully applied to Summer Job Creation Program and Young Canada

Works • Awarded Museum Assistance Program Grant

• Donation button added to website • Drive shed donation drive

Objective: To deliver a meaningful and engaging visitor experience through exhibits, programs, services and other means of access.


Mandate

The Oshawa Historical Society was founded in

1957 and is an affiliate of the Ontario

Historical Society. The purpose of the Society

is to bring together those individuals

interested in the diverse historical aspects of

Oshawa and to research, record, retain,

preserve and present historical information

pertaining to the Oshawa area. The

objectives of the Society are:

• Encourage the study and research of the

history of Oshawa.

• Secure and preserve an accurate account

of the historical, architectural and

archaeological heritage of Oshawa.

• Promote public interest in the history of

Oshawa.

• Maintain, as an agent of the City of

Oshawa, a community museum and

archives as a repository for artifacts and

written records of historical interest to

Oshawa.

Governance The Oshawa Historical Society’s governing

body is its Board Of Directors whose 9

members were elected by the

membership at the Annual General

Meeting held in April. The role of the Board

is to provide guidance to the staff of the

Oshawa Community Museum and Archives

and to represent the Historical Society and

the interests of its members in the

community.

Several standing and ad-hoc committees

assist the Board in their duties. These

committees report to the board and bring

important matters to the board for

discussion and direction. For example, the

Property Committee works directly with the

museum director to ensure that the three

historic homes that comprise the museum

are maintained and that all maintenance

issues are dealt with in a timely fashion.

Other committees include: Nomination

Committee, By-Law Committee, Human

Resource Committee, the Honours &

Awards Committee and the Drive-Shed

Committee

The day-to-day operations of the Oshawa

Community Museum and Archives and the

Oshawa Historical Society are the

responsibility of the professional staff.


Highlights & Events

January • Snowflake tea launches monthly Victorian Tea

• Jill attends 3 day Retail Conference

February • Laura presents Stories from the Homefront

for Trent University • Participated in the Port Hope Heritage Fair • Laura attends publishing seminar • Tara Lember begins grant program; the conservation & cataloguing of newly acquired camera collection

• Heritage Tea

March • Staff participated in Gizmos & Gadgets Event at Oshawa Public Library main branch

• Jill & Melissa attend CMA conference • March Break Program • Maple Tea

April • Melissa attends YDAMA workshop • Participated in Historica Fair at Pierre Elliott Trudeau P.S

• 2009 Earl Hann Volunteer Award Recipient- Jacqueline Frank; award was presented at the Annual Volunteer Recognition Tea

• Spring tea

May

• Participated in Historica Fair at Cullen Park • Archaeological author Heather Pringle lectures at McLaughlin Public Library to discuss her book The Mummy

Congresss

• Mourning After

exhibit opens • Mourning Tea

June

• Participated in Swing into Seniors Festival • Union Cemetery Tour • Lakefront Kids Reunion • Participated in Children’s Community Fair • Participated in Peony Festival • Jill attends Discovery Box workshop at the ROM

• Strawberry Social Tea • Museum is awarded a Museum Assistance Program Grant to upgrade cataloguing of collection & network computers

July

• Canada Day celebrations • Children’s Summer Programs begins • Tara Lember leaves upon completion of grant

• New summer hours, museum stays open until 8pm every other Thursday

• Outreach presentation at Fairy Daycare, Oshawa

• Participated in Oshawa International Festival

• Lemon Tea

Images, Top Left: children participating in March Break program. Bottom Left: Jillian Thurn working with students at Historica Fair. Right: Heather Pingle discussing book The Mummy Congress


Highlights & Events Continued

August

• Participated in McLaughlin Day celebrations at Parkwood Estate

• Participated in Autofest Weekend • Participated in CNE heritage display • Garden Party Tea

September • Participated in Whitby Heritage Days • Pioneer Cemetery Tour • Drive Shed Opening • Participated in Doors Open Oshawa • Harvest Tea

October

• Participated in OPL Heritage Festival • Participated in Conant Neighborhood Fair • Attended Columbus 150th Anniversary Event

• Jennifer Weymark leaves for maternity leave, Tara Lember returns as temporary archivist

• Melissa Attends YDAMA workshop • Halloween at the Harbour Celebration • Launch of “Check out a Museum” program in collaboration with Oshawa Public Libraries

• Halloween Tea

November • Jill attends accessibility workshop at

Simcoe County Museum • Outreach presentation of “Stories

from the Homefront” at Legends Center and Jess Hann Library Branch

• Laura and Melissa attend the ‘Art of Transition’ Symposium

• ‘Kiss the Kids for Dad’ Book Launch

• Community Su ite at GM Centre, volunteer recognition night

• Reminiscences of Oshawa Tea

December • Participated in ‘Deck the Halls’ event

at Northview Community Centre • Staff attends accessibility workshop • Highlights of History Outreach

presentation • Christmas tea • Annual Lamplight Tour

Images: Bottom Left; Jillian Thurn hanging out with D&D Exotic’s snake at

Halloween at the Harbour. Top Right: Professor Y.A Bennet discussing book “Kiss the Kids for Dad” at book launch. Bottom Right: OHS member and friends at the Annual Lamplight tour


Curators Report

The museum received several interesting and wonderful artifact donations from a number of patrons in 2009. Here is a glance at some of the highlights of newly acquired items by the museum over the year:

� Collection of glass samples from the W.E. Phillips Company that later became PPG.

� 2 Smith Potteries pieces one is an art deco lamp and the other is a small white glazed baby booty.

� Beaver Pelt Hat made in Oshawa by the Canningtons Hat Factory.

� Restored McLaughlin Cutter, 1890 – currently on display in the new Drive Shed.

� Edison Home Phonograph Player which still works.

We would like to thank all of our donors for making a contribution to the preservation of Oshawa’s history. Your commitment will help us preserve our community’s heritage for future generations. The first half of 2009 was spent researching and designing the popular Mourning After

Exhibit, which focused on Victorian Mourning and Death Customs. This was one of the most enjoyable exhibits I have researched and put together. I felt a sense of pride to know how many patrons came to the museum to specifically tour this exhibition. The museum received one travelling exhibit through the course of 2009 from the Archives of Ontario, entitled Enslaved Africans in Upper Canada which was on display during Black History Month in February.

Two outreach exhibits were created one for the Simcoe Street United Church’s event, Remembering World War II and the other for the McLaughlin Library in North Oshawa which focussed on Sports in Oshawa. The museum continued their partnership with YDAMA and produced another fantastic exhibit for the CNE focusing on rural life in the Durham Region.

The museum was

the fortunate recipient of a Job Creation Grant which was used to hire Tara Lember to accession and clean the large collection of cameras dating from the late 1800’s to the mid 1900’s that came to us from Bernie’s Foto Source. Bernie’s was a longstanding, local business that closed its doors after sixty years in the community. Tara Lember accessioned and cleaned each camera and they were then stored according to museum standards.

The museum has a great line-up of exhibits

planned for 2010 including Lights Cameras

Lenses: A Journey Through the History of

Photography, which will highlight some of the collection that was acquired from Bernie’s Foto Source. In the fall, the museum will be hosting a travelling exhibit from Guelph Museums which is called, Remembering

John McCrae: 1872-

1918. Watch for more details in our quarterly newsletter, Historical

Happenings. I would like to thank

the volunteers who have contributed their time in assisting with the organization, accessioning and development of the museum collection. Melanie Abrey assisted in cataloguing new acquisitions and preparing artifacts for display.

Images are of the newly acquired artifacts. Left; Smith Pottery Art Deco Lamp. Top Right: Kodak

Brownie camera from Bernies Foto Source Bottom Right; Smith Pottery white glazed baby booty


Archives Report

The Archives continues to work on many projects simultaneously, which will hopefully provide a more accessible collection to the public. Digitization of documents and photographs progresses on a daily basis. We have been sharing local images on the Our Ontario website, which has also been beneficial for our research. We have had people identify family members from the website that were previously unidentified. We would like to thank Jennifer Green and the McLaughlin Library Branch for scanning our over-sized photographic collection. These images are now available digitally from the archives. This past year the museum purchased two photographs taken by E.E. Henry from an American collector. They are post-mortem images that were on display during the successful exhibit The Mourning After. Oshawa Historical Society member Dr. Gillian Gilchrist has very generously donated her research findings regarding the Village of Harmony and its early settlers. We are working with Gillian to compile her extensive research into a publication that will be available to the public.

The History of Schools in Oshawa is a manuscript written in 1967 by music teacher Olive French. It is a fascinating look into the early school system in Oshawa, and we are working towards transcribing her writings into a more organized coherent format. The archives continue to contribute a bi-weekly heritage related article to The

Oshawa Express. The Oshawa Community Museum & Archives has also gained full copyright of the Thomas Bouckley publication Pictorial Oshawa, Volumes I-III. Bouckley’s images of Oshawa are a significant collection that is extremely rich in research value and an ideal addition to our photographic collection.

Images: Top Right; Post Mortum photograph that was on display at the Mourning After Exhibit, Left; John Norendorf, Photograph taken by E.E Henry


Sponsors & Donors

The Oshawa Historical Society relies on community participation to achieve excellence in exhibitions, events and programming. The OHS would like to thank the following supporters for their generous support during January 1- December 31 2009.

Executive Director Laura Suchan with sponsor David Dowsley at the Drive Shed unveiling in September 2009

Donors

David and Joan Andrews Y.A. Bennett

Mildred Bouckley Ron Bouckley Lisa Cooper

Alan and Bob Ann Dickson Janet Dowson

Francis Montgomery Victor Michael Saccuci Audrey Morrish- Smith

Drive Shed Sponsors

Anonymous Donald and Donna Bradley

Melissa Cole Merle and Mary Ellen Cole Carol Gabourie Cooper Pearl and Frank Cooper

Alan and Bob Ann Dickson David Dowsley

Gordon and Marilyn Dowsley Sandra Gaskell Eric Glenholmes

Brian and Myrna Gough George Guy Ted Hann

Sharon Henderson Stoney Kudel

Beverley and Robert Leask Murray MacKay Marlene Malish Edward Novak

Oshawa Harbour Commission Kathryn Ranstad

Olivia and Scott Smith Doris Spencer Laura Suchan

Event & Exhibit Sponsors

Robert Bell CRCS Disaster Kleen Up

Janet Dowson Geissberger Farmhouse Cider

IODE Lions Club of North Oshawa Oshawa Funeral Homes

Oshawa Harbour Commission Ontario Power Generation

Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Thomas Bouckley Collection of Photographs

Vandemeer Nursery

Community Partners in 2009

Oshawa Public Libraries: McLaughlin Branch York Durham Museum and Archives Group

Oshawa Camera Club Clarington Museum & Archives Taeden Hall & Derek Cutting Fashion History Productions


Public Programming

It was another busy year for the programming department. The Museum produced 210.5 hours of public programming an outreach in 2009. This averages 17.5 hours per month. These public programs also had over 4200 participants. We had an enormous amount of fun participating in events such as the Port Hope Heritage Fair and Oshawa Centre Heritage Week, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau school level Historica Fair as well as the Region wide Historica Fair, the Peony Festival and Doors Open Oshawa. In the summer we hosted the international Communities in Bloom Judges and Committee for tea and a tour of the Henry House Gardens.

Children’s programming was also successful. Programming staff chose to run Wands & Wizards, Children’s Victorian Tea, Victorian Herbs and Crafts, and

Digging up the Past. We had 54 children participating throughout the summer.

We secured and fostered a success partnership with Geissberger Farmhouse Cider. After they sponsored the first Summer Lamplight Tour, we asked them to return for Halloween at the Harbour and our Annual Christmas Lamplight Tour. Attendance for these programs was 34, 159, and 161 people respectively.

Victorian teas were offered to the public on the last Thursday of each month. The cost was $10 for adults, $8 for Oshawa Historical Society members and $5 for children. This included a light lunch of sandwiches, scones and dessert followed by a tour of the Museum with a costumed interpreter. Over 12 months we had 219 guests for tea with Total Revenue of $1676.54.

The Museum hosted two events in conjunction with the Mourning After Exhibit. The first was a Mourning Tea, in which traditional Victorian funeral cakes and gruesomely delicious black coloured desserts were served! The second was a lecture by renowned author Heather Pringle on her fascinating book, The Mummy Congress. In partnership with the McLaughlin Branch of the Oshawa Public Library, the Museum flew Heather in from Vancouver to speak to the Membership and the public on May 20th. Heather and Visitor Experience Co-ordinator, Jillian Thurn appeared on Rogers Television earlier in the day, followed by lunch with fellow lecture organizers Laura Suchan, Tammy Robinson and Jennifer Goodman at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery. Heather’s discussion about mummies in Chile and Egypt and her experiences at the Mummy Congress left everyone in attendance wanting more. This was one of our favourite events in 2009.

Images, Top Left: Children participating in museums Digging up the Past program. Bottom Left: Volunteer Kay Murray leading activity at Halloween at the Harbour, Top Right: Heather Pringle author of The Mummy Congress at McLaughlin Branch, OPL


Public Programming continued

Visitor Satisfaction Surveys As a way to track demographics of visitors for the Mourning After Exhibit the museum decided to implement Visitor Satisfaction Surveys after tours. The surveys allowed OCMA to see what attracted their visitors to the museum and what may require more attention from the OCMA in the future. The implementation of the surveys proved to be very successful as it gave OCMA a better understanding of the visitors we service. The survey questions revolved around the following; postal codes, returning visitor, rating of the different exhibits, rating of staff service, favourite and least favourite parts of their visit, and how did they hear about the museum.

The following are quotes taken from some of the Visitor Satisfaction Surveys that the OCMA received in 2009.

Cemetery Photo Contest To kick off the Mourning After exhibit, the museum put on a photo contest about interesting Gravestone photography. The OCMA received 50 submissions for the contest. The photographs were judged by two members of the Oshawa Camera Club and one staff member from the OCMA. The top 10 photographs were put on display at the museum during the month of August where visitors were invited to vote for a Visitors Choice Award. Top Three Winners of Photo Contest

1st place: Emery Presbyterian Cemetery, by Jason Alaksa 2nd place: Tracadie-Sheila, NB, by Gale Richardson 3rd place: Memorials in the Mist, by Mary Ellen Cole

“Great, educational, informative, insightful”

“It’s a nice social & interesting place to have an afternoon tea with friends since I grew up along the lakeshore …”

“The “Celebration of Death” was the best I’ve ever seen”

“Very well presented- makes you feel that you are walking through history”

“Well stocked, and friendly staff”


2009 saw countless changes in Education Programming. The year began with a complete overhaul of the programs offered to schools in Durham Region. It was decided that there would be one program per grade based on the current Ontario Social Studies curriculum with the

exception of grades 9, 11 and 12. Grade 9 was omitted because the curriculum could not be incorporated into our programming and programs for grades 11 and 12 were based on the

Dramatic Arts curriculum. Objectives specific to our new programs were pulled directly from the curriculum and we also created ‘Site-specific Learning Objectives’. Each program was subsequently rewritten to reflect the Museum’s current tour. After this was complete a catalogue was created with a format similar to the Oshawa Historical Society newsletter. ‘Hands on Heritage: History and Imagination Coming to

Life’ was distributed to every elementary and high school in Durham Region. (Subsequently in early 2010 the Museum saw its first group of 70 children which participated in the new A Day in the Life of a Victorian Child program, and was a complete success.)

In late 2009 the main revamp of the Museum’s Education Outreach Kits began. Each artifact in the education collection was evaluated to determine whether or not they would be incorporated into the kits once again. This process continues into 2010. Throughout 2009, we saw 11 schools either at the Museum or through outreach programming educating a total of 606 students in Durham Region.

Education Awards Recipients

Images: Top Left: Student learning how to use a washing board as part of the Day in the Life of a Victorian Child program. Bottom Left: School group learning how plant seeds. Top Right: Students participating in calligraphy exercise using slate and slate boards.

Each year the Oshawa Historical Society awards the Honourable Michael Starr History Award (a $50.00 prize) to the top-earning student in history at each of Oshawa’s secondary schools. The 2009 awards were as follows: GL Roberts CVI Cody Lamb Dr. F. J Donevan C.I Dharani MeHulkumar Monsignor Paul Dwyer Alison Perry Catholic High School R.S. McLaughlin CVI Michael Quade Monsignor John Pereyma Jeremy Koloadziej Catholic High School

OHS Golden Anniversary Award As part of 50th anniversary celebration in 2007 a new annual student award was launched by the OHS to honour a project of Oshawa history. Each year a staff member from the OCM selects the winner during the Historica Fair. 2009’s recipient was Taylor Meisner from Fallingbrook Public School for her project on Sandy Hawley.

Education Programming


Society Programs

The Society members enjoyed programs and visitors at the regular monthly meeting held on the third Tuesday at 7 pm, with the exception of June, July, August and December. Meeting days, time and location were changed this year to accommodate more member and to promote/increase non -member attendance. Meetings were changed from Centennial Albert United Church to the Oshawa Public Library, McLauglin Branch on 65 Bagot Street, Oshawa.

OHS Meeting’s of 2009 Jan 20th – Mike Robinson, History of the Daguerreotype Feb 17th - OHS Members, Drive Shed Exhibition Project** March 17th – Pickering Museum, Temperance Presentation April 14- Oshawa Historical Society: Annual

General Meeting May 19 – Victorian Mourning Customs, Presented by Museum Staff Jennifer Weymark, Melissa Cole and Laura Suchan September 15-“ Family Health Trees” Authors, Luanne McNabb, Elizabeth Curtis, Kathleen Barclay Bowley October 20th - Sonya Jones, Curatorial Assistant of the Robert McLaughlin Gallery. “McLaughlin Carriage Co.” November 17- Research Symposium, Guest speakers

Membership Services In addition to assisting in the preservation of Oshawa’s history, membership in the Oshawa Historical Society offers free admission to the monthly Speaker Series that addresses a variety of heritage topics, the Society newsletter Historical Happenings, free admission to the Oshawa Community Museum, a 15% discount at the Sydenham Country Store, early notice of historic tours and special events sponsored by the Society. As of December 31st 2009 the total number of Society memberships was 107 with 7 new memberships.

Membership Fees:

Membership Breakdown of 2009

Individual 55

Family 20 Friends of the Society 2 Community 1 Life 13 Complimentary 16 (Volunteer/ City Council) Total Membership 107

Individual $20

Family $25 Student $5 Friends of the Society $60 ($40 tax receipt) Life $300 ($200 tax receipt)

** Original speaker scheduled for this date was Rosemary Sadlier, President of the Ontario Black History Society, unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances she was unable to attend.


Volunteers

The Museum had a fantastic group of volunteers in 2009. They spent countless hours helping in the garden, in the collection and archives, on tours and with the kids. The 2009 Earl Hann Volunteer of the Year award recipient was Jacqueline Frank. At our celebration in April, volunteers and their guests were treated to tea and desserts followed by a presentation by Sonya Jones, Curator of the Thomas Bouckley collection at the Robert

McLaughlin Gallery. Ms. Jones showed photos from the Bouckley collection and discussed how the minute details in photos tell us stories and provide us with important research information. We continued to partner with Operation

Springboard and the Durham Region Association of Volunteer Administrators and brought eight new volunteers on board! We have expanded our ‘At Home’ and ‘Junior Volunteer’ sectors and found that these up and coming opportunities could soon be our most popular form of volunteering. Thank you to the following volunteers for all of your assistance throughout 2009!

Jillian Thurn and Ted Hann presents Jacqueline Frank with the Earl Hann Volunteer Award in April 2009

Melanie Abrey Dylon Angi Tyler Angi Tim Cain

Michelle Couperthwaite Bob Ann Dickson Jacqueline Frank Sharon Henderson Kathryn Holden Dorothy Kitchen

Gabrielle Lavictoire Peter Martin

Ann Menheere Kathy Moffat Kay Murray

Uwe Schneider Olivia Smith Irene Stone

Susanne Sutton Operation Spring Board

Erika Suchan Lisa Terech Lynda Wills

2009 Volunteers

Images: Top Left: Volunteer Olivia Smith with children at Halloween at the Harbour. Bottom Left: Junior Volunteer Gabrielle Lavictoire helping out with museums March Break Camp.


Museum Staff

Executive Director, Laura Suchan Laura has been employed at the Museum for 20 years and is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Museum. She has a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree from Trent University majoring in Anthropology and a Master of Arts degree from York University in History.

Archivists, Jennifer Weymark & Tara Lember Jennifer has been employed at the Museum since September 1999 and is responsible for the administration and presentation of the Museum’s archival collection. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree from Trent University, a Museum Management and Curatorship Certificate from Sir Sandford Fleming College and a Master Degree in Museum Studies from Leicester University. Tara started with the museum in February 2009 to aid in the camera collection before taking over the position of Archivist while Jennifer is on maternity leave. She has her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Anthropology and History, and her Masters degree in Museum Studies from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Curator, Melissa Cole Melissa joined the staff in August 2000 and is responsible for the administration and presentation of the Museum’s collection of artifacts. She has a Bachelor of Art (Honours) degree in Anthropology from Trent University and a Museum Management and Curatorship Certificate from Sir Sandford Fleming College.

Visitor Experience Coordinator, Jill Thurn Jillian has been employed at the museum since September 2002 and is responsible for the planning, monitoring and evaluation, as well as the design, fabrication and delivery of tours and activities to ensure visitor experience is positive, engaging and meaningful. As part of her duties Jillian manages the volunteers, gift shop and Henry House garden. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brock University majoring in history and classical studies.

Program Assistant, Ashley Ludlow Ashley started with the Museum as part of the summer student program in 2008 & 2009, before becoming part of the staff team in September 2009. She is responsible for assisting with public programming, membership, tours and events. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Art & Art History from the University of Toronto, a Merchandising and Marketing diploma from Fanshawe College, and a Bachelor of Education degree in Junior/Intermediate Education from York University.

Interpreter, Lindsey Hill Lindsey has been employed at the Museum since the summer of 2009. She is responsible for leading tours for the public, assisting with special events, and has been maintaining the digital collection on the Our Ontario website. She has a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree, majoring in Neuroscience and Biology from McMaster University.

Maintenance, Wayne Rundell Wayne has been employed at the museum since February 2009. He is responsible for maintaining the Museum’s physical facilities and takes a leading role in maintenance and exhibition projects.

Museum Staff of 2009: Jill Thurn. Laura Suchan, Tara Lember, Ashley Ludlow, Melissa Cole, Lindsey Hill Not in photo: Jennifer Weymark, Wayne Rundell


Drive Shed Report On September 30, 2009 we celebrated the opening of the Anniversary Drive Shed to the public. Construction on the Victorian era

drive shed was awarded to B. Fayer and Son

Construction Ltd. and started in July 2009. Located just to the north of ca 1846 Henry House, the

drive shed complements the museum’s current displays, and provide exhibition space for 4 major artifacts currently in storage. These artifacts include a 1914 McLaughlin Buggy, a 1900 McLaughlin Carriage/Buggy, a McLaughlin Cutter, and a W.T. Dingle Works fanning mill (used to clean and separate grain). Each of these artifacts has a strong tie to the industrial history of Oshawa. In addition, numerous other smaller tools and machines will be displayed in the rafters and on the interior walls.

The idea for an additional exhibition area was launched in 2007 during the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Oshawa Historical Society. The Board of Directors wished to commemorate this milestone with a permanent, tangible addition to the museum complex and the City’s lakefront property. The Oshawa Historical Society extends thanks to the City of Oshawa for their generous support towards the project. Specifically the City has provided,

� Approval to place the drive shed to the northeast of Henry House

• Staff support for the site planning to properly integrate the structure

• A pledge of matching funds, up to $10,000, to assist us in raising the remaining funds to complete the project (to match both cash and in-kind donations)

• Additional landscaping and walkways to blend the new structure into the site (to be completed over time)

As well the Board of Directors wishes to recognize all the individual and organizational donors to the drive shed project.

Images: Top Left: McLaughlin Buggy being moved from offsite storage facility to new Drive Shed. Bottom Left: McLaughlin Cutter & the W.T. Dingle Works Fanning Mill inside the drive shed Top Right: Drive Shed after building completion


Stoney Kudel, President of the Board, called to order the 51st Annual General Meeting of the Oshawa Historical Society, and drew attention to last year’s minutes printed in the back of the Annual Report. Motion was called to accept the Minutes of the March 17, 2008 Annual General Meeting as presented. Moved by Bob Bell; seconded by Isabelle Hume. Carried. Stoney then asked the Membership to review the information contained in the Annual Report. Motion was called to accept the 2008 Annual Report as written. Moved by Doris Spencer; seconded by Dorothy Kitchen. Carried.

Stoney called Nicole Patterson, Chair, to present the Nominating Committee Report. Nicole noted that the Board is to have 13 positions; 12 elected at the Annual General Meeting and 1 appointed by Oshawa City Council. As at December 2008, 9 positions were filled; with 3 vacant. Of the 9 incumbents, David Dowsley and Isabelle Hume have expressed their regrets to leave the Board in 2009, and Nicole thanked them for their service; further acknowledging that Isabelle served on the Board for 20 years. The remaining 7 current candidates standing again for Board of Directors are as follows: John Beirness, Merle Cole, Janet Dowson, Val Foster, Brian Gough, Stoney Kudel, and Nicole Patterson. Nicole advised that in order to achieve full complement, we need 5 additional persons to serve on the Board. However, we were unsuccessful in our advertising campaign, and acknowledge that 5 positions remain unfilled at the time of this Annual General Meeting. The Nominating Committee will continue throughout 2009 to

seek candidates to fill those positions. She encouraged anyone interested to approach any member of the Board for more information. Motion was called to accept the report of the Nominating Committee that the 7 Board members be returned by acclamation. Moved by Linda Bazowsky; seconded by Bob Bell. Carried. Stoney then asked for a motion concerning appointment of auditors for 2008. Motion: to reappoint Deloitte and Touche as auditors for 2009. Moved by Kay Murray; seconded by Nicole Patterson. Carried. Stoney then called on Sherri Upton who announced that Jacqueline Frank will be the recipient of the 2008 Earl Hann volunteer award, with the plaque to be presented at the Volunteer Banquet in April. Sherri also advised that Kathryn Holden, another of our long-time volunteers, will be receiving a 5-year Provincial Award on April 28th at the General Sikorski Hall.

Stoney called on Val Foster to present Appreciation Pins to Society Members as follows:

5 years: Alan & Bob Ann Dickson, JoAnn Hayden, Sharon Henderson, Stoney Kudel 10 years: John Auld, Ron & Shirley McIntyre, Val Foster 15 years: Francis & Pearl Cooper Life Members: Lisa Cooper & Janet Dowson

Motion to adjourn the 51st Annual General Meeting of the Oshawa Historical Society was Moved by Terry Black; Seconded by Susanne Sutton. Carried.

April 14th, 2009 at McLaughlin Branch, Oshawa Public Library, 7 pm

Minutes A Annual General Meeting


Board of Directors

Stoney Kudel – President Merle Cole – Vice President David Dowsley – Treasurer Brian Gough- Human Resource Committee Chair

John Beriness- Property Chairperson Val Foster – Honour and Awards Chair Nicole Patterson – Nominating Chair Janet Dowson – Secretary to the Membership

Standing Committees for 2009 The President is an ex-officio member of all committees. Committees and Members were:

Executive Committee Stoney Kudel – President Merle Cole- Vice President David Dowsley – Treasurer

Finance Committee David Dowsley – Chair Janet Sowson Merle Cole Stoney Kudel- Ex-officio Laura Suchan- Executive Director

Property Committee John Beirness- Chair David Dowsley- Treasurer Stoney Kudel- Ex-officio Laura Suchan – Executive Director

Nominating Committee Nicole Patterson – Chair David Dowsley Merle Cole Stoney Kudel – Ex-officio

AD HOC Committees Ad Hoc committees are established from time to time by approval of a motion at a meeting of the Board of Directors.

By Law Committee Merle Cole – Chair Brian Gough David Dowsley Stoney Kudel – Ex- officio Laura Suchan – Executive Director

Human Resources Committee Brian Gough - Chair David Dowsley Janet Dowson Merle Cole Stoney Kudel – Ex- officio Laura Suchan – Executive Director

Honours & Awards Val Foster – Chair Stoney Kudel – Ex- officio Melissa Cole – Curator

Drive Shed Merle Cole- Chair Melissa Cole- Curator Brian Gough John Beirness Stoney Kudel – Ex- officio Laura Suchan – Executive Director


Financial Report

Special Gifts & Memorial (Bequest) Fund This fund was established in 1990 and is financed entirely by contributions and bequests from individuals, organizations and businesses interested in the preservation of Oshawa’s history. The Special Gifts and Memorial Fund finance the work of the Society in preserving the history of Oshawa. The income earned from the fund is used towards projects that result in a tangible, permanent product and communicate a message regarding the history of Oshawa. Examples of the projects for funding include, but are not limited to, plaques, markers, books and videos. Donations in excess of $200 are recognized on a plaque located in Guy House. The principal is invested in a TD Canada Trust Investment Certificate. Interest from the certificate is deposited annually in the Fund’s interest account. This investment is held at TD Canada Trust. Financial Statement Dec, 31 2009 Balance $5, 885 A copy of the administrative guideline may be obtained by contacting:

President Oshawa Historical Society 1450 Simcoe Street South

Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8S8

In 1973, the Society received a bequest of $2,000, the interest from this is to be used to finance projects that result in a tangible product and communicate a message regarding heritage of Oshawa through Henry House. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to; design projects to enhance the period look of the house or the purchase of artifacts for the house. The principal is invested in a GIC with TD Canada Trust. The interest from the certificate is deposited annually in the fund’s interest account. Financial Statement Dec. 31 2009 Balance $2,914

Society Income & Expenses The Society’s income is based on membership fees, 50/50 draws, fundraising and donations. The majority of the expenses in 2009 were for speaker honorariums, and hall rental fees.

Total Income $3,413

Total Expenses $1,557

January 1st 2009 - December 31st 2009

Henry House Bequest Fund

Volunteer Award Investments In 2007 an investment was started at DUCA Financial Services, the interest of which will fund the purchase of a garden brick to commemorate the Volunteer of the Year. Financial Statement Dec. 31 – 2009 Balance $1,250

The 2009 auditor’s report completed by Deloitte and Touche is on file and available upon request.


2010- 2012 Exhibition Schedule

Lights, Camera’s Lenses: A Journey through the History of Photography March 24th 2010 – September 20th 2010

Remembering John McCrae: 1872- 1918 October 1st 2010 – December 20th 2010

Voices of the Town: Vaudeville in Canada Entertainment in Oshawa

May 2nd 2011 – August 9th 2011

“Stories from War of 1812” Tentatively Scheduled for 2012

Oshawa Dairies

Tentatively Scheduled for 2012


Reminiscences of: First Memory of Oshawa Taken from November 2009 Tea

“Finding my way around with all the one way streets- (I) just started driving”

“I remember Rossland Rd, as a gravel road, with the stone gates leading into the Ansley property to the north & the Thompson farms at the top of the hill where the “Glens” are now”

”The terrible single lane ‘rotten’ road called Thornton Rd N (mid-winter)”

”Taking my dad’s lunch pail to him at his driving range (just west of Lakeview Park)”

”The danger sign –open docks ahead- at the end of Lakeshore Rd next to our house.”

”Driving down Simcoe St below Bloor. There were train tracks down the middle of the street. Yikes! Toronto didn’t have those.”

”Taking the bus downtown and shopping at Kresges”


OSHAWA COMMUNITY MUSEUM & ARCHIVES 1450 Simcoe Street South Oshawa, ON L1H 8S8

Tel: 905-436-7624 Fax: 905-436-7625 Email: [email protected] Website: www.oshawamuseum.org

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