Fifty Years of Walking Around Belleville - Part 3

Saturday May 4th 2013

The second walk, Back Side for Your Backside, was an accessible fitness trip following the Riverfront Trail along the Moira River.

Led by fitness expert Ashton Calnan, geologist Hannah Chittenden, and BDIA executive director Sarah Tummon, around 50 participants explored downtown's back side ― the buildings on the west side of Front Street and the east side of Coleman Street.

Guest speakers included the Greenleys, erstwhile booksellers, and Shane Ross, owner of The Old Firehouse restaurant, who discussed the history of their buildings.  Lots of stories, including how the former Eddie Thomas Cigar Store (now Earl & Angelo's) hosted a 30-year-long gambling game on the second floor.  Police department insiders would tip off the gaming room in advance of any police raids.  Two house rules: answer phone calls immediately, and don’t spit on the floor.

As the leaders wrapped up the Walk, one participant declared it to be “fabulous, nobody wanted it to end.”

And another observed, “History and fitness, life doesn’t get any better!”

Story: Nick White & Anthea Weese; photos Marianne Scott.

Fifty Years of Walking Around Belleville - Part 2

Saturday May 4th 2013

Trailed by around 150 explorers, Orland French led the Meet Me at the Four Corners walk ― a celebration of downtown with a poke into history, an introduction to present downtown uses and culture, and an exploration of issues and possibilities for the future.

Orland fed the walkers on a diet of juicy historical tidbits along the downtown Front Street route, and was joined by downtowners such as restaurateur Paul Dinkel and Funk 'n' Gruven's Mike Malachowski who introduced the crowd to the charming courtyard alley behind their establishments.

Richard Courneyea discussed his family's decision to “put their money where their mouth is” and to make the move to living downtown, above his Richard Davis store.

Returning to the market, Don Wilson told how, with the participation of his grandchildren, seven generations of Wilsons have now been market merchants in downtown Belleville.  That’s a story in itself.

Story: Nick White & Anthea Weese; photos Kim Stinson

Fifty Years of Walking Around Belleville - Part 1

November 11th, 1963

It isn’t know when the first walking tours of Belleville were held, but Jane’s Walks continue a tradition.

It has been nearly fifty years since the Intelligencer announced on August 26, 1963 that the Hastings County Historical Society would hold it’s first “experimental Walking Tour”.


The event must have been successful as the Walking Tour of Lower Front Street held on September 1st was followed by six additional walks in October and November of that year.




As evidenced by the pictures, believed to have been taken on November 11, 1963, the weather wasn't always as pleasant at that time of year as that we experienced on the three Jane’s Walks held this year.

Photos and clipping from the HCHS scrapbooks at the Community Archives

2013 Ontario Volunteer Recognition

Six people were nominated for volunteer awards this year by the Society.  The awards, made by MPPs Todd Smith and Rob Milligan on behalf of the Provincial government, recognise each five years of continuous volunteer work performed by a person to the nominating organisation.

In this picture, taken after the awards ceremony at the Banquet Centre in Belleville, from left to right, Gerry Boyce (56 years), Orland French, Mike Shaw, Elizabeth Mitchell Dick Hughes (back) and Nick White (foreground).  Picture taken in very difficult lighting conditions by Sharon White.

Presentation - Historic Wooden Ship Masts

In the 1800's it was the great wooden ships that help transform North America. These ships were the means of transporting the masses of European people to a new homeland, of transporting lumber and farming products. These ships were also vehicles of warfare and destruction.

How and where were the massive masts of the wooden ships made ?

Join the Hastings Historical Society on May 21, 2013 and hear the answers from historian Lloyd Jones.

Stories from the Archives

At this month's meeting we will be featuring more stories from the Community Archives.

Last year we had a fascinating mixture of snippets of history from around Hastings County.

Expect more of the same.

At The Senior's Information Fair

Elizabeth Mitchell with display

The Historical Society joined forces with the Community Archives to present an attractive and iformative display at the 2013 Seniors Information Fair held at the Sports and Wellness Centre on March 28th.

The Hotel Quinte was the theme of the photo and story display highlighted by a video presentation.  Visitors received brochures and listings of coming events. A busy team of volunteers greeted the visitors and promoted the work of the Society and Archives while exchanging many memories of the history of our city and county.

Donna Fano, Katharine Mills and Annis Ross

               

Also featured was a display of books by Gerry Boyce, Bill Hunt and Orland French with signage encouraging the reading of historical books by local authors. Shown top right are Donna Fano, Lindi Pierce and Mike Shaw.

The lower right picture shows (some of) the afternoon crew.  In this picture, Dick Hughes, Katharine Mills, Mary-Lynne Morgan, Mary Jane Throop, Diane Sule and Bill Hunt.




Below are general pictures taken from the gymnasium balcony showing the booth setup in new Sports and Wellness Centre.

Pictures: Nick White  Story: Donna Fano and Nick White.