Norfolk County Heritage & Culture

For those sending hearty congratulations to Josh, we thought you might be interested in listening to today’s award presentation. The Heritage & Culture team is very proud of Josh and all of his professional accomplishments.

The Norfolk County Heritage & Culture department is launching a new e-newsletter. Want to be the first to know when Norfolk County Museums/Archives are able to re-open and keep up to date with our exhibits, events and more? Join our e-newsletter by signing up at portdovermuseum.ca/mailing-list/ ... #MayisMuseumMonth #MuseumsConnectON Port Dover Harbour Museum Norfolk County Archives Delhi Tobacco Museum & Heritage Centre Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum

Port Dover Harbour Museum is facilitating the important task of photo documentation of its collection. Watch this quick video and interesting video of the process. #MayisMuseumMonth #MuseumsConnectON

Hot Off The Press! Our celebration of #MayIsMuseumMonth continues with the 2021 Spring/Summer Edition of ART-I-FACTS. This is our bi-annual publication full of news about the Norfolk County Museums and Archives along with informative and entertaining articles about the area’s history. ART-I-FACTS will go out to all our members in the next week or so. ... Want to receive your own copy along with many other member benefits? All you need to do is support your community museum or archives through a membership. Visit the museums/archives’ websites for more information. There’s Strength In Numbers: There’s Value In Membership Norfolk County Archives Port Dover Harbour Museum Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum Delhi Tobacco Museum & Heritage Centre

Mark your calendars... Delhi Tobacco Museum & Heritage Centre Norfolk County Archives & Eva Brook Donly Museum Port Dover Harbour Museum Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum

Inside The Vault Today we are taking a look back to 2013 at a one of a series of three videos that were produced by Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum. It all started with an idea. An idea to bring the stories, that lie within the photographs of the museum's collection, to life. ... With a grant from the provincial government's Museum and Technology Fund, museum staff, Rainey Media, local businesses and a hoard of talented and committed volunteers worked together to produce three films telling stories that were unique to the Town of Waterford and former Township of Townsend. Generous property owners "loaned" their property for use in the films. We had to scout and secure locations that were similar to those found in the backgrounds of the photos. This particular video was filmed at a property along Front Road near Booth's Harbour. We filmed the day after Friday the 13th and let me tell you, it was a real challenge to shoot around the busy motorcycle traffic driving by that day. The actors, set designers, builders and installers, props people, costume people, and everyone in between were volunteers. We provided an opportunity for a young person with an in interest in filmmaking to be mentored throughout by Dean at Rainey Media and the last we heard he continues to follow this passion. We held a public premiere at The Strand in Simcoe celebrating all three films, the cast and crew. The project went on to receive an Award of Excellence from Interpretation Canada. This is an example of what can be achieved when a community works together. This particular episode tells the story of the Hellyer family and their influence on Norfolk County's ginseng industry. Ontario's first ginseng crop was first propagated right here in Townsend Township, Norfolk County by brothers Clarence and Albert Hellyer in 1890s. The strain that the Hellyer brothers developed is still used in today's ginseng gardens. The script was written by Jan Rainey and the film stars Jim Kalar and Jacob Koopman as Clarence and Russell Hellyer. We hope you enjoy this look "Inside the Vault".

The "Old Mud Church", Simcoe, ON was erected about 1843, making it one of Simcoe's earliest churches. It stood on the southwest corner of Colborne and Young Streets. According to Lewis Brown author of "A History of Simcoe , 1829 -1929, "It was built by the Congragationalist and used by them from the first, but their deed was not obtained, however, for many years afterwards. The most graphic story describing the way in which it was built was told by the late Squire John Bee...mer to the writer. Mr. Beemer was born in 1829 and at the time the church was building, he was attending the grammar on Kent street. After school hours he used to watch the progress of the workmen. The lot on the northeast corner of Colborne and Young, where the residence of Wallace Anderson now stands, was vacant at the time. Here a hollow was scooped out and the clay to be used was thrown in it and mixed with straw. Horses were driven around to masticate the clay in the hollow to prepare it for use. Once it had been thoroughly mixed it was loaded in wheelbarrows and wheeled across to where the church was being built. Workmen then placed it in the walls. It was certainly not an attractive-looking edifice when finished, but very substantial. On the top was placed a tall spire made of tin or zinc or other bright material. It pierced the sky for some thirty or forty feet, funning to a sharp point. On a bright day this spire could be seen a long way off and for more than forty years it was the centre of focal attraction for those approaching the town from any direction. Perhaps it was the only thing missed when the old church was torn down." The painting is by William Edgar Cantelon. Photograph and painting from the collection of the Norfolk County Archives & Eva Brook Donly Museum.

February is going to be a busy month. Here at Norfolk County Heritage & Culture we will be hosting virtual craft activities inspired by winter, Valentines and Family Day, celebrating Heritage Week in Ontario (more to come on that) and launching the next video in our Carved in Stone series. As part of our History at Home initiative created last year, we will be hosting virtual craft activities for families right here on our Facebook page. These online activities will explore... Norfolk County's history and artifact collection. If you miss them the day of, no need to worry, they will be posted to our YouTube channel so that you can enjoy them anytime. February 5: History at Home Ice Edition Skate into the past and explore ice. Make a chillingly fun craft! February 12: History at Home Valentines Edition Roses are red, violets are blue, we’ve got a special History at Home for you! The museum vaults have been opened to show off some of the most amazing Valentines in the collection inspiration for the sweetheart craft we’ll be doing and history on why we should be thanking William Shakespeare for this romantic day. February 15: History at Home Family Day Fun Edition Scavenger hunt Heritage & Culture style; a perfect way to celebrate Family Day! Whether in teams or as an individual challenge, discover just how many hidden treasures can be found in and around your home. All you need are some creative and sharp detective skills, a pencil and our top secret Heritage & Culture hunting sheet. Once completed, send us a message for a chance to win one of our famous prize packages. Please share and we hope you'll join us! Delhi Tobacco Museum & Heritage Centre Port Dover Harbour Museum Norfolk County Archives & Eva Brook Donly Museum Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum

Here is a video we came across where Delhi historian Dave Rusnak Sr. talks about Croton Dam.

Welcome to another episode of Norfolk County Heritage and Culture's A Crafty Christmas. Today we will learn to make Victorian paper fans for your Christmas tree. These would make a lovely Christmas present for someone special.

Welcome to Norfolk County Heritage and Culture's new video series A Crafty Christmas. In this episode you will learn about the tradition of Christmas cornucopias and learn to make one of your own.

2020 has been a year of challenges for everyone. With it quickly coming to a close and the holiday season upon us, Norfolk County Heritage and Culture would like to invite everyone in Norfolk to step outside on Christmas Eve at 6 p.m. and ring a bell for a full minute. Imagine the sound ringing across the County! From Wilsonville to Long Point and everywhere in between. We may not be able to be together in the traditional sense this Christmas but we can certainly greet fa...mily, friends and neighbours with the cheerful sound of a bell. We hope you will join us in spreading this simple message of cheer and hope. Port Dover Harbour Museum Norfolk County Archives & Eva Brook Donly Museum Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum Delhi Tobacco Museum & Heritage Centre

A Crafty Christmas presents the traditions of Christmas Past along with fun crafts to enjoy with the whole family. Launching Friday, December 11 right here on our Facebook page and our YouTube channel.

This delightful and whimsical artifact from the Norfolk County collection is a cat and kittens skittle game. It was most likely made in Germany. The toy is fashioned from paper mache and the cats sport glass eyes. The craftsmanship is outstanding. Skittles is very similar to bowling. The kittens would have been stood up and knocked down with small balls (now missing). The kittens safely store inside the larger "mother" cat when not being played. According to our records, this toy was won by a Mrs. Patterson in 1910 for winning a "foot race". The prize was offered by Captain Spain's Museum of Curiosities in Port Dover.

Welcome to Norfolk County Heritage and Culture's new video series "Carved in Stone". "Carved in Stone" is an exploration through our community cemeteries to tell the fact-based stories of the everyday people who once called Norfolk County home. Our first episode highlights the St. John's Anglican Church Cemetery and features the story of Samuel Gardner, sculptor and engraver.... Thanks for joining us, for liking, and for sharing our important social history. Enjoy!

Thanks to the Simcoe Reformer for sharing our upcoming Christmas activities. Mark your calendars as we hope you are able to join us for some if not all. #christmascheer

It’s official! The Norfolk County Archives & Eva Brook Donly Museum has been established as the municipal archives for Norfolk County. Josh Klar is the County archivist and his knowledge, dedication and passion for this work is a real asset to our division and the corporation. Thank you to the Norfolk Historical Society for entrusting their significant collection to our care.

The Norfolk County Book of Remembrance was dedicated in November 2018. It honours all those from Norfolk who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedom. The physical copy of this beautiful tribute is located in the foyer of the Corporate Administration Building at 50 Colborne Street, Simcoe. A page is turned each month. With COVID-19 affecting access to the Book of Remembrance, we wanted to remind you that it is also available as a searchable database. ...Each of the names in the Book of Remembrance can be found by clicking on the link below. We will remember them. https://www.norfolktourism.ca/norfolk-/book-of-remembrance/ Delhi Tobacco Museum & Heritage Centre Port Dover Harbour Museum Norfolk County Archives & Eva Brook Donly Museum Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum

At the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show, performers who engaged in death defying feats always drew large crowds of onlookers. During the early 1900s, a number of these unique attractions were popular with fair goers. Dorothy DeVonda was one such performer and a star attraction at the fair for several years. Every afternoon around 4 p.m., Dorothy climbed aboard a hot air balloon. It rose to 3,000 feet and then Dorothy jumped from the balloon and floated back to earth using... a parachute. As you can imagine, there was a certain element of peril involved with this activity. In 1913, the British Canadian newspaper reported: "Just as Miss Dorothy DeVonda, the aeronaut was making her landing a block north of the fairgrounds on Grove Street, the parachute fell on one side of the telegraph wire and the lady on the other. Happily, Miss DeVonda was not hurt, as she was so close to the ground that the distance she dropped was not great." Photo: Collection of Norfolk County Archives & Eva Brook Donly Museum: "Waiting for the Balloon Ascension" Norfolk County Fair, Simcoe, Ontario, 1913. Gordon Photo, Port Dover. Delhi Tobacco Museum & Heritage Centre, Port Dover Harbour Museum, Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum

The outhouse. At one time a common site but now very few remain. The outhouse was a little building, four or five feet square. They were frames with two-by-fours and boarded over on the outside. Many had peaked roofs while others had a single slope roof. A door for privacy also kept the elements at bay. ... Inside, there was a bench that ran the full width of the structure. A hole or sometimes more than one was cut into the bench. Under the bench was a pit. Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum has a four-holer in its collection. This raises some questions! Recently, we discovered this Norfolk County outhouse. Can you guess it’s location? Port Dover Harbour Museum Norfolk County Archives & Eva Brook Donly Museum Delhi Tobacco Museum & Heritage Centre Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum

Today would have been the opening of the 2020 rendition of the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show. While we can't be there in person to enjoy all this annual celebration has to offer, Norfolk County Heritage and Culture will be posting all week from a historic perspective. We hope you enjoy these heritage snapshots. The history of the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show dates back to 1840 when the Talbot District Agricultural Society was first established. In 1852, the name... was changed to Norfolk County Agricultural Society. Traditionally, opening day at the fair is celebrated with Young Canada Day. Elementary and secondary school students are admitted free and enjoy a day at the fair with friends and family. Gathering at the grandstand, students participate in races, cheerleading and tug of war competitions. Their enthusiastic school spirit can be heard blocks away from the fairground. By including students in this annual agricultural celebration, the Norfolk County Agricultural Society has ensured the ongoing and sustainable success of this Norfolk County institution. It is a family tradition for many. Thank you to the many, many volunteers, members, sponsors, staff, community organizations and local businesses and attendees. You have contributed to a vital Norfolk County celebration that each October reminds us of our rural roots. Photo: Collection of Norfolk County Archives & Eva Brook Donly Museum: Young Canada Day Cheerleading Competition (date unknown) Delhi Tobacco Museum & Heritage Centre, Port Dover Harbour Museum, Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum

Stay tuned... Norfolk County Heritage and Culture staff have been working on a new video series that explores the fascinating social history found in our local cemeteries. Our first video will launch Wednesday morning. We hope you’ll tune in.... Delhi Tobacco Museum & Heritage Centre Norfolk County Archives & Eva Brook Donly Museum Port Dover Harbour Museum Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum

DOVER ROCKS BOX - Support Home Project LIGHT it UP supports Port Dover Harbour Museum!

Bruce Forrest off to the Walsh Fair better known as the Donnybrook Fair in the 1930s with his cows, pigs and chickens.

Welcome to Norfolk County Heritage and Culture's Virtual Sunset Service. The first Remembrance Day was observed on November 11, 1931. Every November 11th since, Canadians have paused in a moment of silence to honour and remember the men and women who have served, and continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict and peace.... This is our way of honouring those from Norfolk who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice. We are remembering 405 men and one woman who lost their lives defending our freedom. We have projected each of Norfolk's fallen onto the Norfolk War Memorial, Carillon Tower. Names will appear in alphabetical order. We will remember them.

What a wonderful initiative to support Port Dover businesses and the Port Dover Harbour Museum during an unprecedented time. Thank you DOVER ROCKS BOX - Support Home! #christmasspirit

As this weekend would have found people enjoying all that Pumpkinfest Waterford has to offer, today's jigsaw puzzle commemorates this annual fall festival as we look forward to next year's celebration. Delhi Tobacco Museum & Heritage Centre Norfolk County Archives & Eva Brook Donly Museum Port Dover Harbour Museum Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum

The Norfolk War Memorial, Carillon Tower was originally built to honour the memory of those who lost their lives during the First World War. It was built with funds raised by the citizens of Norfolk County and is situated on a piece of land donated by the Simcoe High School. The tower was built between 1924 and 1925 from limestone quarried at Hagersville, The Norman architecture tower measures 60 feet tall by 22 feet square.... The bronze bells, of which there are 23, were cast in 1923 in Croydon, England at the Gillett and Johnston Bell Foundry. The largest bell weighs 1,568 pounds and rings the hour. Westminster chimes play every quarter hour. Gillett and Johnston were so pleased with their work on the carillon, that they exhibited it at the British Empire Exhibition (world's fair) in Wembley, England in 1924. World famous carilloneur Josef Denyn came from Belgium to play it and the radio carried its sound throughout the British Empire. The carillon was shipped to Canada on March 26, 1925 and installed in the tower. On June 17, 1925, a dedication ceremony took place. It began with a mammoth parade from the Armouries and concluded with an impressive ceremony at the Carillon Tower with an enormous crowd on hand to witness the event. Today the Norfolk War Memorial, Carillon Tower stands proudly recognizing all those from Norfolk who paid the ultimate sacrifice defending the freedom of our country. #wewillrememberthem

The midway at the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show has always been popular with fair goers. Interestingly, there were years when the midway was eliminated from the fair. The British Canadian newspaper of October 1916 reported, "The bar against Midway Features has been removed and a number of good attractions are promised." Rides were eagerly looked forward to by the young and the young at heart. The merry-go-round, ferris wheel, bumper cars, and the tilt-a-whirl to nam...e a few. On October 9, 1985, George Kitley who operated the Scrambler married Audrey Varty on the pirate ship ride. According to Kitley, who at that time had worked for carnivals for 36 years, it was a carny tradition to be married on a midway ride. The service was held at 6 p.m. and beforehand several show employees decorated the pirate ship with tissue paper flowers and streamers. The bride wore a blue chiffon dress while The Sultans Six, a Dixieland band hired to play at the fair provided the music. Following the ceremony, the newlyweds went for a ride on the ship, signed the register, cut the cake and were showered with confetti. Delhi Tobacco Museum & Heritage Centre Port Dover Harbour Museum Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum

We are working on our next episode of Carved In Stone but we need your help. Without giving too much away, this episode will have a connection to the Simcoe Christmas Panorama. We'd like to include some recent photographs of the Panorama so if you have a photograph or two you would like us to consider please email them to us at [email protected]. Please only send a maximum of two photos. If we use your photograph in the next episode of Carved In Stone, credit... will be given and you will receive a Norfolk County Heritage and Culture swag bag! We look forward to your submissions. Good luck and please share! Delhi Tobacco Museum & Heritage Centre Norfolk County Archives & Eva Brook Donly Museum Port Dover Harbour Museum Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum

A railway freight car derailed at the Y Bridge west of Waterford.

Samuel Chadwick (1838-1923) mausoleum in Oakwood Cemetery, Simcoe, ON. His wife Elizabeth Brown (1839-1917) is also interred here. Chadwick was a jeweller in Simcoe and lived at 124 Norfolk Street, South.

In 1853, a parcel of land at the corner of John and Agricultural Street, now South Drive was purchased from John Axford. At the same time the Agricultural Society advertised to receive tenders for construction of a building in which to host exhibits. The advertisement advised, "octagon building, 60 feet in diameter at the base, suitable of exhibition purposes and not to cost more than $1600." The building was dubbed the Crystal Palace named after the original Crystal Palace... in London, England. Sadly, the Crystal Palace was destroyed by fire in 1903. On July 10, 1903 the Simcoe Reformer headline read, "A Terrific Electric Storm: Lightning strikes the main building on the Norfolk Fair Grounds." It went on to report, "A week ago this morning this vicinity was visited by one of the fiercest summer thunder storms in our memory. The lightning was intensely vivid and the thunder peals followed the flashes almost instantly and were quite tropical in their severity. Trees and telegraph poles in the Simcoe area were struck, but about 10:30 an electric bolt hit the main landmark of the Fair Grounds, the handsome tall Crystal Palace that had dominated the site. The flames made an imposing sight, as the building was all of most flammable material and was of large dimensions." A document located in the Norfolk County Archives provided the following information: "Indeed, with its octagonal shape, large dimensions (60 feet in diameter at the base) and tall domed cupola four storeys high, the Crystal Palace attracted huge crowds. An 1895 renovation rearranged the interior to better cope with the thronged crowds, adding stairways in opposite corners. The second floor was changed to provide a square room in the center, beneath the glass dome, flooded with natural light for the picture and art exhibits. New glass cases showed off the butter and dairy products displays in their best light (as well as protecting these items from dust and fingers!) Traffic jams were a continuing hazard in the Crystal Palace, as the displays of fruit, domestic manufacture and ladies' work also were on view there. Within days of the July 3, 1903 fire, the Fair Board had put its plans in place to ensure that the Fair would go on as usual that fall. Replacing the building would be put off until the next year, to avoid rushing into an expensive and ill-planned building programme that summer. The Fine Arts and Women's Department displays would move into extra space in tidied up poultry, grain and carriage buildings on the grounds, while those agricultural departments would be housed in large rented tents." Photos: Collection of Norfolk County Archives & Eva Brook Donly Museum Delhi Tobacco Museum & Heritage Centre, Port Dover Harbour Museum, Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum

Today would have been the opening of the 2020 rendition of the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show. While we can't be there in person to enjoy all this annual celebration has to offer, Norfolk County Heritage and Culture will be posting all week from a historic perspective. We hope you enjoy these heritage snapshots. The history of the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show dates back to 1840 when the Talbot District Agricultural Society was first established. In 1852, the name... was changed to Norfolk County Agricultural Society. Traditionally, opening day at the fair is celebrated with Young Canada Day. Elementary and secondary school students are admitted free and enjoy a day at the fair with friends and family. Gathering at the grandstand, students participate in races, cheerleading and tug of war competitions. Their enthusiastic school spirit can be heard blocks away from the fairground. By including students in this annual agricultural celebration, the Norfolk County Agricultural Society has ensured the ongoing and sustainable success of this Norfolk County institution. It is a family tradition for many. Thank you to the many, many volunteers, members, sponsors, staff, community organizations and local businesses and attendees. You have contributed to a vital Norfolk County celebration that each October reminds us of our rural roots. Photo: Collection of Norfolk County Archives & Eva Brook Donly Museum: Young Canada Day Cheerleading Competition (date unknown) Delhi Tobacco Museum & Heritage Centre, Port Dover Harbour Museum, Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum

This week's jigsaw puzzle is a painting created by William Edgar Cantelon depicting the "Pioneer Hotel in Forestville". Enjoy and let us know how long it takes you to complete! Delhi Tobacco Museum & Heritage Centre, Norfolk County Archives & Eva Brook Donly Museum, Port Dover Harbour Museum, Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum

1829-Reformer Staff, Simcoe Centennial-1929 August 3-5, 1929 Standing (l-r) - Tom Morgan, linotype operator; Claude Cunningham, adman; Hans Calvert, pressman; Rodney Packard, adman.... Sitting - Jack Stedman, makeup; Ted Challen, janitor; George Brown, foreman.

Waterford looking west about 1900.

They’re back. We will be bringing you a new jigsaw puzzle every Saturday. Today’s puzzle features the Olcott Passenger Ferry courtesy of the Port Dover Harbour Museum.

#talklikeapirateday is this Saturday, September 19th! To celebrate, Captain Museum Bones will be hosting a virtual pirate adventure for children 5 to 11 years of age at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The cost is just $10 and includes an activity kit that includes everything you need to participate in the hour long session of games, crafts and pirate activities. Did someone say buried treasure? Hope you'll join us. Pre-registration is required. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/pirate-adventure-tickets-118356

Vittoria, ON considered by many here in Norfolk as the Centre of the Universe, will be featured on Still Standing, October 27th on CBC.

A wonderful folk art model of an Alligator Tug created by Mr. Aitken, circa 1920.