FORESTERS FALLS — Memories filled the air at the Orange Hall in Foresters Falls Friday evening as the Whitewater Historical Society celebrated its 30th anniversary and 20 years of Ross Museum.
“It was a great event,” said Mac Coughlin, president of the society. “Lots of food, lots of laughs and lots of memories were shared.”
The crowd of about 85 people enjoyed a roast beef dinner and entertainment by local people.
“They played good, old valley music and got us into a festive mood,” said Joanne Pratt, one of the event’s organizers and a charter member.
There are three active charter members: Hazel Hawthorne, Lawrie Barton and Ms. Pratt. However, Ms. Pratt noted Ms. Hawthorne is the lone charter member who remained involved throughout the 30 years, while Ms. Barton and herself remained members, they weren’t always active.
The society was formed back in 1985. On a government document kept in the files, it was noted that on Jan. 31, 1985, Lawrie Procher (now Barton) and Helen Wood applied for a grant through Canada Works. The objectives of the heritage group was to complete a history of Grant Road Settlement for publication; organization of a heritage association to preserve the history of Ross Township and to conduct a feasibility study to locate and procure a log building, to set it up on donated land in order to establish it as a local archives and museum, if time allows.
It was suggested this work would be carried out from May 6 to July 12, 1985.
Ms. Pratt was to prepare the Grant Road Settlement history. She said, “I don’t know why I thought I would get this all done in six weeks.”
It didn’t happen and she did note, it’s 30 years later, and it still has not been accomplished.
But, what she did accomplish for Friday evening, working with Ms. Barton, was an historical timeline of the Whitewater Historical Society.
The first meeting of the Whitewater Historical Society and Ross Museum was July 9, 1985 at the Ross Township Municipal hall. Subsequent meetings were held at members’ homes.
In October 1985, Evelyn Moore Price was named honourary president and in May 1989 the first constitution was created.
On May 3, 1995, the minutes state a log building was to be donated by Jack and Janice MacLaren, a home to his grandfather, John Code. It was dismantled and moved to property donated by Roy and Bette Anne Dittburner. Many volunteers, restoring the log home, now called Ross House.
In 1996, Ross Museum was officially opened; in 1998 step and stone work installed to Hillside Garden; in 2002 resource centre and office opened in former Ross Township municipal building; in 2004 restoration started on brick work at St. Aidans Anglican Church; on June 24, 2006, the grand opening of St. Aidans was held; in 2009, a Trillium Grant was received to install Heritage Billboards in all the communities of Whitewater Region; in 2010, an historical display was set up in the lobby of the council chambers in the newly-renovated Whitewater municipal hall; in 2011 new bylaws were created; the first wedding was held in St. Aidans Church in 2012; in 2014 Ross House shingles replaced on porch and summer kitchen; and in 2015, Keith, Dale and Scott Bennett removed trees and cleaned up the Hillside Garden. The Heritage Garden sign was replaced with a new sign and birdhouses were installed around the Hillside Garden.
During Friday night’s event, Mr. Coughlin explained to those present how the society operates.
A special moment was the In Memoriam, whereby Ms. Hawthorne placed a white chrysanthemum into a vase while Ms. Pratt read aloud the names of the members who are now deceased.
Another part of the evening consisted of groups of people recalling memories. While the memories were to be about the society, it turned out to be memories of life and happenings in and near Foresters Falls, Mr. Coughlin said.
Some of the memories written down included: Having apple cider in the house at the tree lighting; carol singing at St. Aidans and Lawrie playing the old organ; school displays; pig roast during pioneer days; antique roadshow; moving the house to be used as a museum; community presentation at the Foresters Falls rink; Canada day parades and barbeques; Black family reunion; Bells store on a Saturday night; ball games between Cobden and Queens Line; broomball games; jumior farmer dances; Lola Byce, who lived across the road, had a spare key and would tour visitors around if the museum wasn’t open; Keith and Ruby Bennett’s horse and wagon rides during the historical tour of Foresters Falls … just to name a few.
There were also two presentations. A certificate to honour the society’s 30 years was presented on behalf of the MPP and a framed certificate honouring the 30 years was presented on behalf of the Ontario Historical Society.
Mr. Coughlin said he was surprised that more than 80 people attended the event.
“We thought between 40 to 50 people, so we printed 50 tickets,” he recalled. “Then we printed 20 more and there were still people showing up at the door without tickets.”
Mr. Coughlin noted Ms. Pratt and Ms. Barton have worked hard for the society and museum over the past 30 years, and it was certainly noticed Friday night, as they were also the organizers of the event.
The 2015 season of the museum ended at the end of August, and it will re-open in May 2016. It operates May through to the end of August, Mr. Coughlin said.
There are special event days held througout the season, including Opening Day, Pioneer Day and Art in the Park.
The final celebration for this year is the carol sing and tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 5. The annual general meeting will be held in January 2016, where a new president will have to be elected, because Mr. Coughlin’s two-year term comes to an end.
