“Awesome, you guys were awesome!”

Sharon White and Donna Fano presented a
selection of “Stories from the Archives”

Compliments are great after hard work, so when Rachel Henry of Chartwell Bayview Retirement Residence told us we were awesome, we felt good.

Being sandwiched between Jeanette Arsenault and the Fiddleheads can be a tough act, but the presentation of some of the stories from the archives, including ones written by Bill Kennedy, Lois Foster, Diane Sule, Al Cleary and Donna Fano held its own to a standing-room-only audience in the (small) theatre at the residence.

Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis discussing the exhibits
with Lois Foster on March 30th

The Community Archives / Historical Society exhibits, featuring the Farley Mowat poster set plus sixteen other panels, were also popular.

A steady stream of visitors throughout the three-hour event spent considerable time matching descriptions with the panels on display.

 More pictures from the event can be seen in this album.

Report and photos, Nick White

At the Seniors Fair in Belleville

Now in its third year, the Seniors Showcase Information Fair at the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre has become a popular annual event attracting local, provincial and national exhibitors and visitors from across the Quinte region and beyond.

Our booth with the “morning crew” from the left, Al Cleary, Mary-Lynne Morgan, Elizabeth Mitchell,Jeanie Delany, Donna Fano and Kieran Delany

The Historical Society and the Community Archives have been there every year with joint displays on the history of Hastings County.

This year we featured two new attractions - posters from the 2013 Heritage Hastings project with the Belleville Art Association and a find the house challenge based in the 1874 Birds Eye map of Belleville.

Our booth was busy, we were engaged with visitors, discussing the exhibits and helping them with the challenge.  Thanks to the generosity of W.T. Hawkins Ltd., we were able to hand out Cheezies!

Our exhibit was attractive and popular, and our volunteers did a great job of promoting awareness of our local history.  The Fair was also a great opportunity for us to meet exhibitors from other organizations.

Many thanks to all who assisted with this event: Bill Kennedy, Adel Dibben, Gerry Boyce, Hal Wilson, Diane Sule, Mike Shaw, the “morning crew” mentioned above, and the Archives Volunteers who helped put the exhibit together.

More pictures from the event can be seen in this album.

Report and pictures Nick White

DocFest 2014

Display at the CORE Centre

Both the Historical Society and the Community Archives were proud to sponsor showings at the 2014 Belleville Downtown DocFest and to have a display at the CORE Centre from February 28 to March 2. 

Sharon White and "Celebrating City Hall"

 Sharon White (on behalf of the Archives) and Mary-Lynne Morgan (for the Historical Society) each introduced a film, described our organizations, and showed enthusiasm and support  for the local documentary filmmakers.

Doug Knutson, Aaron Bell and Peter Lockyer
at the panel discussion

At the 4 o'clock Friday screening at the Pinnacle Playhouse, Sharon expressed her pleasure at seeing old photographs from the Community Archives being given a new life and wider exposure in films such as Aaron Bell’s ‘Celebrating City Hall.’

Aaron’s film outlines the history of the Belleville City Hall and commemorates the 25th anniversary of its renovation by visionary local architect and engineer Bill White.  The film can be viewed on the Internet at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcdZoHewYY4


The filmmakers at this session – Aaron Bell (Celebrating City Hall), Doug Knutson (A Hope in Hell) and Peter Lockyer (History Lives Here) – participated in a Q&A afterwards and made very positive comments about the role of the Community Archives in providing historical images for their work.

Mary-Lynne Morgan with two of the many DocFest volunteers

On Saturday at the Pinnacle Playhouse screening room, Mary-Lynne Morgan introduced a local project which is sure to make a return in future years at DocFest. Called 'Quinte at Home: Vintage Home Movies from the Quinte Region',  the project is the brain-child of project curators Brent Kleinsteuber and Amy Bodman. The pair showed "a compilation of vintage home movies in their original formats, documenting aspects of life in the Bay of Quinte Region from the advent of home movies in the 1930's through 1980" (Docfest program). It was fascinating to watch these amateur movies, and equally interesting to see a variety of vintage projectors (for 16mm, 8mm and Super 8 formats) all working so well.

Mary-Lynne explained the HCHS mandate and many activities dedicated to making history come alive. She pointed out how appropriate it was for the Society to sponsor 'Quinte at Home' at Docfest, as the home movies constituted a documentary of life in our area - our own personal history - from military parades to wedding parties..and some very camera-shy children.

The History opf CJBQ Radio in Quinte

Join the Haastings County Historical Society on March 18, 2014 and hear about the fascinating 68 year history of CJBQ Radio in the Quinte Area.

Presented by Quinte Broadcasting Personality Sean Kelly

The Amazing Life & Times of Billa Flint

Join the Hastings County Historical Society on January 21, 2014. Hear the story of Billa Flint, prominent builder extrodinaire of Hastings County.

Presented by author and historian Paul Kirby

Heritage Art Traditions on Show in Belleville

Marlene Brant Castellano

Opening reception for First Nations art show at Belleville's Art Gallery 121 on January 11, 2014 was a huge success.  Many Tyendinaga Mohawk artist's will have their creations displayed and for sale from January 7 to March 1.

Kim Maracle began the ceremony with smudging with sage a tradition that the native elders say that all ceremonies, tribal or private, must be entered into with a good heart.

Curtis Maracle carries on the proud tradition
of moccasin making like his ancestors

Opening remarks were by Marlene Brant Castellano who trained as a social worker and adult educator.  Marlene helped found the native studies program of Trent University in Peterborough.  She was also co-director of research with the Royal commision on Aboriginal peoples and has served with various related organizations.

Native art has played a important part in perserving native culture both historically and today.

David & Kim Maracle,
Kim plays the drum and
sings with an angelic voice

This art records important historical events in drawings, bead work, sculptures, feather work, basket weaving, wood carving, pottery, dance, music and story telling.  Tyendinaga Mohawk artists have kept their traditions and stories alive through their pieces.
Story and Pictures Bobby-Jo Morris 

David R. Maracle poses
with his widely admired carving
'Spirit Woman"

Janis Brant a talented painter
tells her stories with inspiring paintings

Carol Anne Maracle showing her
Black Ash basket and a Corn Husk Medicine Man
giving Thanks to Creator....

Suzanne Brant pictured with one of
her wonderful creations
which she paints with a "magic brush" 

Rebecca Maracle tells her stories through creations
using feathers, this piece was inspired
by the life of  Nelson Mandela

Trevor Brant's art pieces let the imagination
soar like the eagle's wings that they resemble

Lisa Martin, Shirley Martin (mom) & Nancy Green create
beautiful native bead work that
carries on the history of the Mohawk people

Will Fisher one of the new generation
of artists shows one of his stone sculptures

Peter C. Newman a pioneer in
investigative journalism stands with
David R. Maracle and Curtis Maracle

Holiday Cheer

The Archives Volunteers celebrated their accomplishments in 2013 at a year-end get-together that provided a welcome opportunity for socializing, nibbling on holiday treats, and general merrymaking. Most of the volunteers from the Archives and the Historical Society Board of Directors attended, with a few other honoured guests and partners.

Many thanks to all who contributed their time and talents to the work of the Archives in 2013: Laurel Bishop, Marney Black, Gerry Boyce, Breanna Brethour, Ann Butryn, Al Cleary, Jeanne Delaney, Kieran Delaney, Adele Dibben, Donna Fano, Lois Foster, Lorna Garbutt, Sarah Herren, Richard Hughes, Janet Johnston, Matthew Lutz, Renée McWilliam, Katharine Mills, Elizabeth Mitchell, Bobby-Jo Morris, Annis Ross, Erin Ryan, Diane Sule, Mary Jane Throop, and Nick White.

Special thanks to Lois Foster for hosting our year-end celebrations, to the Historical Society Board of Directors (always supportive and helpful), and to the many others who have assisted with special projects, including Rick Garbutt, George Pearce, Lindi Pierce, Peter Ross, and Barb Throop.  It is a pleasure to work with you all!

Sharon White

Coming Event

Saturday October 26, 2103

 

Travelodge Hotel Ballroom

 

Annual Banquet & Celebration of Local History

 

Our Guest Speaker: 

The Hon. Sheila M. Copps, PC, OC

 

" We Are Nobody's Babies" 

HCHS Presentation October 15, 2013

Add caption

 

Coming Event

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

 

Quinte Living Centre Auditorium

 

Bill Kennedy - Historical Society Director / Researcher

 

Men and Women of Hastings County Who Served in WWI

 

 

HCHS Presentation September 17, 2013,

Coming Event

Tuesday September 17, 2013

Quinte Living Centre

Heather Hawthorne - Ontario Ministry of the Environment

Deloro Mine Site: Its Fascinating History & Heritage

Queen of the Furrow - Hastings County Plowing Match & Farm Show

Pictured left is Rebecca Haan, the 2013 Queen of the Furrow, with three of the six new display panels made for the 2013 Hastings County Plowing Match and Farm Show.

All six of the new panels on the theme of Agricultural History in Hastings County, were researched and prepared by Community Archives / Historical Society volunteers.

The new panels can be seen in more detail at at this link.

In addition to the new panels, the exhibit featured a slide show of the 1986 International Plowing Match and a display of local history books, a number of which were for sale.  A (currently being updated) list of books and other publications on the history of Hastings County available for purchase can be found at this link.

 

As well as the other exhibitors, there were a couple of interesting pieces of transportation; a three wheel potty-on-the-go from Shannonville (left) and a popular paint your own slogan on a car (pictured below).



 



It was great to see everyone there.  A big thanks to Hastings County for the space in their tent and to everyone who dropped by to say hello and/or see the exhibits.

Photos by Bobby-Jo Morris, Lorna Garbutt and Donna Fano,

Walking Around Belleville's Coleman Ward

David Bentley with HCHS president John Anderson examining the
 City of Belleville  General Leger No. 8. in this 1988 picture.
Source: Community Archives of Belleville and Hastings County
Intelligencer Negative fonds

David Bentley, a long-time active member of the Society is also known for his work with the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario including the walking tours he organizes in the Quinte region.

The walk on Sunday the 19th of August focused on the Coleman Ward of Belleville- its architecture and its place in the history of Belleville's development.

 
The following pictures and words were supplied by David.

The Settling of Hastings

The first Loyalist refugees came to the front of Hastings County in 1784. Two of the first settlers were the families of Captain George Singleton and Lieutenant Isaac Ferguson who set up a trading post on the river the native people called "Sagonaska". For a brief period of time the area was known as "Singleton’s Creek". Both men died in the spring of 1790. By 1800 other notable Loyalist were in this area - John Taylor, James Mc Nabb, John Simpson and his wife, Margaret, and Asa Yeomans. The village did not extend further north than Dundas Street. Beyond were scattered farms and woods. The land we are now standing on originally belonged to the settler, John Taylor, who sold it to John Meyers.

John Meyers (1745 - 1821)

Captain John Meyers was a United Empire Loyalist who came to Upper Canada after the American Revolution. By 1806 the settlement at he mouth of the river was known as "Meyer’s Creek" even though it was situated some distance from Captain Meyer’s mill and dam. Meyers originally hoped to locate a mill close to the mouth of the river and had endeavoured to lease the land from the native people for an annual payment of "a gallon of rum and fifty weight of flour". Unfortunately, the government would not recognize this lease, so Captain Meyers was forced to purchase the north half of Lot 5 from John Taylor. On this land he erected his mills. which are now gone. The land is now the Lion’s Park on Station Street. In addition to a grist mill, Captain Meyers operated a sawmill, fulling mill, distillery, a fur trading enterprise, a nearby inn. To transport his lumber and merchandise Captain Meyers had several sailing vessels. He built the first brick house in the area on the hill over looking his businesses below.

Expansion

Between 1806 and 1850 the village started to expand. By 1816 there were many buildings on Lot 4, which belonged to the native people, so the government purchased the land (428 acres) and ordered it surveyed. A road from Captain Meyer’s mills to the bay became a guideline for Front Street (Belleville’s downtown main street). In the same year, the name of the village was changed from Meyer’s Creek to Belleville in honour of Lady Arabella Gore, wife of the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada. Lord and Lady Gore had passed through the settlement in the spring of 1816 and the villagers had been very impressed with the charming lady.In 1836 Belleville became an independent municipality (separate from the Township of Thurlow) and was incorporated into a "police village". It was governed by a Council or Board of Police with Billa Flint elected as the first President of the Board. The first courthouse was built on the brow of the "east hill" in 1838. On January 1^st, 1850, the village was incorporated by the Baldwin Act into a town. The town was divided into four wards: the Sampson Ward, the Ketcheson Ward, the Baldwin Ward, and the Coleman Ward.

The Coleman Ward

The Coleman Ward was named after Thomas Coleman who owned a saw mill and grist mill on the Moira River near the corner of present day Coleman and West Moira Streets. Coleman’s mills burned in 1884 but were rebuilt by R.B. Cooper, who had purchased the mills five years previous. The Coleman Ward was to comprise "all the land of the town which lies on the west side of the Moira River".In 1874, by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario issued in pursuance of petition by the Town Council of Belleville, the limits of the town were expanded. Three new wards were added; the Bleecker Ward, the Murney Ward, and the Foster Ward. The wording of the Coleman Ward boundaries was changed to add "North of Moira Street".

Celebrating 100 Years of Marmora Town Hall

The Community Archives and Historical Society prepared an exhibit for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Marmora Town Hall held on the 3rd of August.

The handsome building (pictured to the right) was rescued from being a derelict and renovated in 1913.  It still retains the features of that time, including extensive pressed tin tiles on the walls and ceiling.  And they’re planning for the future: the tile roof, new in 2008, has a 100-year life expectancy!


Warden Rick Phillips (pictured left with Reeve Terry Clements) was there to present congratulations and a commemorative plaque from Hastings County and enjoy the exhibits, lunch and of course, the cake.











The exhibits of Marmora’s history assembled by Marmora civic staff were fascinating, as were the drawings by school children of how they imagined the village to be 100 years ago and 100 years in the future.

But the show stoppers were (1) a video shot in the 1920s showing the village and including parades and a re-enactment of the fire that burnt St. Agnes Church; and (2) entertainment by Marmora resident John Davidson. 

Admitting to be two years younger than the Town Hall, John (pictured above), a farmer for 61 years until he retired, entertained the audience with stories, poetry and rhymes that he learned as a young man in the 1920s.



Our exhibit (pictured left with Archivist Sharon White) featured 19 images of Marmora from the HCHS collections at the Community Archives.  Congratulations to Marmora and Lake, and municipal staff (especially Typhany Choinard) for organizing the event and inviting us—we always appreciate the opportunity to participate in our local history!


You can view the images we exhibited and listen to some of John’s recordings at the Heritage Centre in Cannifton.

Story and pictures, Nick White

Celebrating Canada Day in Belleville

The 2013 Canada Day exhibit the Society and Community Archives presented at the Tom Gavey Pavilion in Zwick's Park was a brilliant success.

The nineteen volunteers worked really hard. They handed out 393 “Find the Picture” quiz forms and gave out approximately 500 prizes!

Although we do not have an exact count of the number of visitors to our exhibit, we estimate there were approximately 800 people who came through—that's about 1 in 8 of those attending the event.

We made a number of changes in 2013, dropping the treasure hunt and introducing two new puzzles/games.  The “Find the Picture” quiz was very popular and appealed to all ages, from the very young who had to have the questions read to them to “old- timers” who were part of some of the events on the poster boards.  And the quiz wasn't easy; we had forty display boards containing around 150 images.

It was great to see visitors (especially younger people) reading the stories on the poster boards and discussing them with our volunteers, with their friends and other visitors.  

In addition to the forty posters and the map puzzles, we had a display of local history books, a video display of the Hotel Quinte booklet and a display of 2012 activities and upcoming 2013 events.

Our thanks, not only to those who staffed the exhibit, but to the Belleville Canada Day Committee and to all those volunteers who worked so hard in the weeks before to put all the pieces together!

100 Years of Delivering Mail in Belleville

Travis Shalla, Letter Carrier Supervisor at Canada Post's Belleville Operations, approached the Historical Society and Community Archives last year about their celebration for the 100th anniversary of mail delivery service in Belleville.  Travis began collecting historical information from the letter carriers (active and retired), and the Archive Angels researched the collections at the Community Archives for information about the post office and postal service in Belleville.

The results of that work became apparent last week.  Travis give a short presentation at the Historical Society's meeting on May 21, describing the history of letter carriers in Belleville.  Some of the images he featured are in the Archives collections, including the photograph below of the posties assembled on the steps of the old post office at the corner of Pinnacle and Bridge Streets at 11 am on May 24, 1913 - just before the very first delivery mail in Belleville.

But the highlight of the week was the celebration at the Belleville Operations building on on the actual 100th anniversary date of May 24, 2013, with the unveiling of the cancellation stamp, pictured right, that will be used in Belleville from that afternoon until the end of the year.

The image of the old post office used on the cancellation stamp is based on a silk screen print, pictured left, that is part of the Mika collection in the Community Archives.








At the May 24th celebration, the Historical Society and the Community Archives were presented with one of the commemorative numbered prints showing a view of the old post office with the anniversary cancellation stamp.  Print #2, shown below, will be preserved at the Community Archives for future generations.

Story Nick White / Sharon White. Picture of Travis Shalla, Nick White, other images from Community Archives.