The Harriston Historical Society continues to accentuate the town’s new cultural centre located in the recent addition to the Carnegie Library.
The facility’s ribbon cutting in June drew visitors from several areas including members of the Wellington County Historical Society.
The society assisted in selecting historical photographs for the July opening of Tannery Park. These photographs were transferred to eight-foot murals and affixed to the wall of the store which provides the park’s north boundary. Signage will eventually accompany the murals but these have been delayed after vandalism to the original contribution plaques occurred less than a week after installation. An elevator makes the third floor of the library accessible. On this level are housed the Minto Arts Council display rooms plus the John Webb Gallery of the Historical Society (John Webb was the first settler in the area of what was to become Harriston).
Initial displays included a major exhibit of Queen Elizabeth II coronation, silver, gold, and diamond anniversary items to mark her 2012 Jubilee. A second complimentary display graced a downtown store window as part of the society’s Travelling Museum. Current displays include an antique doll collection, Canada Packers memorabilia, Boy Scout history, Harriston High School memories, and Minto churches of the past and present.
In February 2013 a Sports exhibit will occupy the rooms of the Arts Council Gallery, and in the summer months it will feature Minto rural and town public schools.
Always available for viewing and reading is the growing collection of family histories, pictures and scrapbooks.
A draw for a large doll house, constructed by the society’s president Dr. Carol Homuth, will be held on Dec. 15. Tickets are available at the gallery, from any member, or in locations around town i.e. Harriston Meat Packers, the Home Hardware and Davie’s Antiques
Many Christmas gift items are available for sale such as publications on the history of Harriston, interviews with senior citizens, historical houses, stamped postcards depicting a number of historic sites, and a DVD with scenes from the 1940s up to the ‘90s.
Regular hours at the John Webb Gallery are Tuesdays 1 – 4:30pm and 6:30 to 8pm and Saturdays 11am to 3pm. Other times by appointment, or any time the “Open” sign appears by the parking lot entrance door. Recently a website was created for the society. It currently provides basic information but will be expanded to include more pictures, lists of archive stock items, and some family histories. The website may be accessed at www.harristonhistoricalsociety.com
During the recent Culture Days’ weekend the story-telling kicked off at the gallery where Minto Mayor George Bridge guided visitors around the gallery and gave a brief summary of the various displays. Of particular pride to Bridge was the Lady Minto Rebekah Lodge cabinet containing jewels and china from his mother, Florence Bridge, who is a charter member.
The historical society hosted its first annual general meeting on Oct. 25, with the emphasis on guest speaker Barbara Draper. Draper was born and raised in St. Jacobs and has deep roots in the Mennonite community of the Waterloo Region.
While working on her master’s in Theological Studies she began researching local Mennonite culture of the 19th century. A 10-year. project resulted in the production of The Mennonites of St. Jacobs and Elmira, published in 2010.
