Meet Sarah Norton - Community Programmer and Marketing Assistant

Sarah Norton

This is my second summer working at Goulbourn Museum as a summer student. I do a wide variety of jobs including; off site presentations, assisting with Family Craft Days, and various other tasks that make every day new and exciting.

I am currently finishing my General Degree in Cultural Studies and Anthropology at Trent University and this fall I will be entering my first year of the Applied Museum Studies Program at Algonquin College.

By working at the Goulbourn Museum I am able to explore an assortment of jobs and tasks which sustain and maintain local heritage. This position has also allowed me to assist in the development of research and educational programs to keep local history alive.

Meet Mackenzie Bridgenaw - the Museum's Curatorial Assistant for the Summer

Mackenzie Bridgenaw

This is my first summer working with the Goulbourn Museum as one of their Curatorial Assistants. Needless to say, I was thrilled when hired and am enjoying my work with the Museum. In general, I have a broad amount of tasks to fulfill – largely working with the collection, accessioning and caring for it.

I have recently completed my studies at Algonquin College with the Applied Museum Studies program, and will be attending Carleton University’s Canadian Studies program this fall. My previous experience in the museum field was with my internship at the Museum of Canadian History (formerly Civilization) where I assisted in maintaining the ethnographic collection, managing loans and updating current exhibitions.

My experience with the Goulbourn Museum compliments the skills I will require in the future, and I am happy to work with such an exceptional staff.  I look forward to the coming months and all the experiences I will share with my colleagues.

DOORS OPEN: Get a behind-the-scenes tour of Goulbourn Museum's collection

Members of the 100th Regiment will be at Goulbourn Museum
this weekend for Doors Open Ottawa.

Goulbourn Museum cares for over 8,000 artefacts and this weekend only the public can get a rare private tour of the collection.

The Museum is once again participating in Doors Open Ottawa, a two-day event offering free access to over 120 of our National Capital’s most prestigious and architecturally appealing buildings; many of which are not normally open to the public.

Goulbourn Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 7th and Sunday June 8th.  In addition to taking a scheduled tour, visitors can also learn the history of the buildings, enjoy spinning and weaving demonstrations by the Richmond Village Spinners and Weavers Guild, and historical reenactments by the 100th (Prince Regent's County of Dublin) Regiment.

We hope to see you this weekend!

Please note that our Homegrown Heroes exhibit will be under construction during Doors Open. The official opening of this exhibit will be at our Father's Day event on June 15th.

Young Barrhaven Students Conduct Research on WWI Veterans from Richmond

We recently met Rob More, a teacher at St. Emily's Catholic School in Barrhaven, and learned about some great research his students have been doing on WWI Veterans from Richmond.

The students first searched the regiment number and looked up each veteran’s attestation papers online. They then went onto ancestry.ca and looked at census rolls to find out family information.  Finally, Mr. More went to the cemeteries and gave them the death information.

Following a format that was established by fellow teacher Blake Seward of Smiths Falls High School, students prepared brief bios and recorded them.  Five videos featuring 37 biographies can be found on the Goulbourn Museum’s YouTube site.  One pupil even represented her class at the Regional Heritage Fair and presented her findings on veteran Peter Haggerty.

Mr. More’s love of research also extends beyond the classroom.  He and Brian Tackaberry have just completed a commemorative booklet on the 103 men from Almonte who died in WWI.  The book is being released in August. He is currently compiling research on the Lanark veterans which will also be coming out in booklet format in August. You can see what he has accomplished HERE:

Next year Mr. More is publishing a booklet on the Beckwith WWI veterans and, in two years’ time, has his sights set on a publication about the WWI veterans from Barrhaven/Richmond.

Seeking Nominees for Board of Directors

Combine your love of heritage with your personal skills and play a major role in the success of the Goulbourn Museum.

Goulbourn Museum’s mandate is to disseminate the material and oral history of the Goulbourn community by collecting, preserving, displaying and interpreting local artefacts. The Museum offers a range of education programs to increase the public’s understanding and enjoyment of local history and offers a History Centre for local history and genealogical research.

The management of the Goulbourn Museum is overseen by an elected Board of Directors and that Board currently has two vacancies. The Museum is seeking nominations to fill those positions; elections will take place at the Annual General Meeting of the Museum on April 26, 2014.

If you are interested in becoming a Board Member or would like to nominate someone else for candidacy, please submit a statement to the Museum by March 31, 2014 describing the skills, knowledge and experience you can offer. All submissions must be marked to the attention of the Nominating Committee and can be emailed to: info@goulbournmuseum.ca or delivered to the Museum at 2064 Huntley Road, Stittsville, ON K2S1B8.

Board meetings are currently held during the morning of the second Friday of each month. A list of the current Board Members can be found on the Goulbourn Museum’s website. Click here to download the Nomination Form and By-laws.

From the Depth of our Collection

Stephanie Miles has spent the past two months working as a Collections Assistant at Goulbourn Museum. Today marks her last day with us.  During her time here she has spent hours meticulously going through our collection cataloging and photographing artefacts. This is one of her favourite finds:


By Stephanie Miles

While going through a few artefacts I was surprised to uncover a book on the legendary ocean liner the R.M.S Titanic. The book, The Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters: Thrilling Stories of Survivors, was donated to the Goulbourn Museum in 2011 by Donna Foster.

Having been published in the year of the historic event, 1912, it is in surprisingly good condition for its age with the exception of its missing spine and the delicate nature of the pages.

This artefact led to many questions in my mind. Why was the artefact donated here to the Goulbourn Museum? Is it possible that a citizen of the former Goulbourn Township was a survivor or a relative of a passenger on the Titanic? If so then what stories might they be able to share about this ill-fated ship?

The Titanic sank approximately 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland. Interestingly, 100 years earlier during the War of 1812, many ships carrying Irish soldiers enroute to Canada also sank off the coast of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland when their vessels hit rough seas.

Early to mid-19th century style cloth dolls on display until the end of August

Two of the cloth dolls on display at the Goulbourn Museum.

By Jennifer Adams

Now on display at Goulbourn Museum until the end of August is a wonderful collection of modern made early to mid-19^th century style cloth dolls. These dolls were all handmade by members of the Ottawa-based cloth doll club All Dolled Up.

Each doll takes a lot of work to make, as well as time and patience to get it just right. The fine detailing on the faces requires trial and error until the final product matches the doll maker’s vision for the doll. 

This style of cloth doll is reminiscent of the toys that girls would have had in the early days of Goulbourn Township when the War of 1812 was still fresh in everyone’s mind.

Among the 12 dolls on display at the Museum there is also a horse, two dogs and a duck.  Sitting atop the horse is General Brock wearing his uniform and looking very dignified. Near him are a boy and young man, wearing pioneer clothing accompanied by their dogs and the firewood they have been collecting.  The display case would not be complete without the women that also played a valuable role in our nation’s history. They range from a young girl to older women, some wearing pioneer clothing, others wearing gentry clothing. These dolls are shown knitting, collecting food from the fields and doing laundry.

In addition to the Goulbourn Museum, All Dolled Up has also had their dolls on display at art galleries and local functions.  

War of 1812 Historical Walking Tour at Beechwood Cemetery Sunday, June 9

Costumed actors will bring historical figures from the War of 1812 to life at the 2013 Annual Historical Walking Tour at Beechwood Cemetery this Sunday, June 9 at 2 p.m. 

The tour includes five stops at the gravesites of men and women of note from the war including Sgt. Andrew Hill and his wife Maria Hill who were part of the 100th Regiment of Foot. Following the war, Sgt. Hill received 200 acres of land in Goulbourn Township.  He and Maria opened a tavern named Duke of Richmond Arms and he also worked as a clerk in the commissary offices that supervised the military depot until 1822. 

Don’t miss this stroll through beautiful and historic Beechwood, the National Cemetery of Canada.  Refreshments will be served after the tour. Enter by Beechwood Avenue entrance. Tour and parking are free. Wear good walking shoes.

For more information call 613-741-9530 or visit Beechwood's website for more information.

War of 1812 on Stage at Arts Court

The Magnetic North Theatre Festival is offering the Goulbourn Museum a 50% discount on the price of tickets to The History of the Village of the Small Huts 1812-15.  (Tickets must be ordered by May 31st to get the discount.)

Written and Directed by Michael Hollingsworth this VideoCabaret Production is on stage at Arts Court Theatre from June 7-15, 2013.

The War of 1812 not only set fire to sold-out houses and slayed critics in Stratford last summer, but has just had its run at Toronto's Young Centre for the Performing Arts extended by two weeks.  The VideoCabaret Ensemble heads directly from Toronto to Ottawa for the Magnetic North Theatre Festival.

You'll be awed by the agility of the VideoCabaret Ensemble as they expertly switch into countless different roles and costumes.  One of these amazing actors is Ottawa raised Linda Prystawska, daughter of retired National Arts Centre Concert Master Walter Prystawski.

Click here for more information and to buy tickets.  Use the code VIDCAB to get 50% off the regular ticket price for this show.  Offer is good until May 31st!

ART CONTEST - Students can earn volunteer hours just for entering

The Goulbourn Museum is holding an art contest to find talented young people to create a ‘Head-in-Hole’ painting for their site.  The contest is open to students in Grades 9-12 who live or attend high school in the former Goulbourn Township (Stittsville, Richmond, Munster, Ashton). The theme of the artwork is Soldiers of the War of 1812. 

Every student who enters and meets the basic submission requirements for the initial sketch will receive 10 volunteer hours.  Artwork must be original and can be the work of one student or of teams to a maximum of five students. The artist(s) selected to transform their sketch into the final “Head-in-Hole” painting will receive an additional 30 volunteer hours plus a letter of reference, recognition in the Museum’s publications and the local newspaper, and an award of $100. The winner(s) will also be a VIP at the official unveiling of the painting at the Museum’s War of 1812 Tribute on June 16.

The deadline for submissions is April 12, 2013. All the materials needed to create the final painting will be provided by the Museum.

Click HERE for rules and entry forms.

Wondering what on earth is a 'Head-in-Hole' painting? Click on the examples below.
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3

Get Valuable One-on-One Time with Genealogy Specialists Feb. 2

If you're interested in researching your family history or military ancestors but haven't a clue where to begin, you won't want to miss A Day at the City of Ottawa Archives on Saturday, February 2. 

Specialists will be on hand from the Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS), the Sir Guy Carleton Branch UELAC, the British Isles Family History Society and the corporate Archives of the City of Ottawa. 

Among other things, these experts will explain:

• how archives work
• give tips on researching military ancestors
• provide general information on records in the UK and Ireland
• show you all the genealogical materials available in the libraries housed at the Archives
• tell you about local resources - particularly in former Goulbourn Township. 

Goulbourn Museum volunteer Jim Stanzell, also active with the OGS, will have a booth there with information about the 100 Regiment and Goulbourn genealogy.

The experts will be on hand from 1:30-3:30 on February 2 but there are other activities taking place throughout the day. Click HERE for more information.

Spread the Word About Women & the War

Kurt Johnson's New Year's wish is to help spread a better appreciation of the contributions of women to our colonial history.  We think he's well on his way with this fabulous article in The Ottawa Citizen.

Lecture on Exceptional Women of the War of 1812 at Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Genealogy Society

Few women’s stories appear in Canadian history books as their contributions to the War of 1812 are overlooked. Canada’s bicentennial commemoration is the perfect time to tell about six real women whose husbands marched off to war to defend the British colonies. These women’s stories are about bravery, devotion and perseverance. 

Perils & Petticoats: Exceptional Women of the War of 1812 will be presented during the Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Genealogy Society's December meeting by historical researcher, and Board Member of the Goulbourn Museum, Kurt Johnson. It will take place Saturday, December 15 from 1-4 pm at the City of Ottawa Archives, 100 Tallwood Drive, Room 115.

It's recommended that you arrive by 1:00 p.m. for free refreshments and a chat time (networking). For members of the OGS who cannot attend in person, the meeting will be simulcast.

Click HERE for more information.

Exceptional Women of the War of 1812 Lecture at Richmond Library

Kurt Johnson

Discover how four women from Richmond and Goulbourn Township endured the hardships and dangers of wartime in Upper Canada. 

 

On Dec. 12th our very own Kurt Johnson will be giving a lecture at the Richmond Branch of the Ottawa Public Library about Exceptional Women of the War of 1812. He will be recounting the stories of pioneer women who, along with their soldier husbands, experienced trials and tribulations during the War of 1812. 

 

The lecture begins at 2:30 p.m. Click HERE for more information or to register.

Letters from the Front - Part 8

  In letter number eight, Pte. Sefton Steward of the 77th Battalion has sad news to share with his family at home in Richmond Ontario. The complete letters will be on display until the end of November at the Stittsville Public Library in the Museum's exhibit honouring Goulbourn in wartime.

France – February 5, 1917

Dear Mother,

                Am just out of the trenches and have some very sad news to tell you which I suppose you have already heard about.  Poor Sid was killed on February 4^th while being engaged in a raid on Fritz’s trench.  It certainly is hard news to break to you as I know how the people of Richmond and surrounding country will feel over it, especially Miss Dorras who I am going to write to.

                The rest of our lads are safe, but there were quite a few casualties throughout the Ottawa Valley.  Harry Guy from Stittsville was also killed.  There were also two other casualties out of our own battalion.  It is almost impossible to send any of their belongings home.  Of course, they would be of little use at any rate.

                I am sure this will go hard on you people around Richmond.  There is so much going on here and we get so used to such things that we can scarcely realize that he (Sid) is gone.

                I think we are now done on the front and are going out for divisional rest.  It was kind of a dangerous position we held here.  They have been making these raids all along the line as you will see in the papers.  There is great talk of peace at present as I am sure the papers are full of it.  Heard today that the States declared war on Germany, but it is hard to say whether it is certain yet.  If so, I think it will bring the war to a close shortly.

                Well, Mother, you don’t want to get uneasy when hearing any of these reports as you will always get direct word.  Well, poor Sid is out of all troubles now, the only worry will be to his parents and friends.  Ervie has been very lucky, together with myself.

With love to all,

Sefton

Letters from the Front - Part 7

Throughout the month of November we will be posting excerpts from a selection of wartime correspondence between Pte. Sefton Stewart of the 77th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, and his family in Richmond, Ontario.  The complete letters will be on display at the Stittsville Public Library in the Museum's exhibit honouring Goulbourn in wartime.

This is letter number seven.

The Goulbourn Museum's wartime display at the Stittsville Library.

Somewhere in France – December 31, 1916

Dear Mother:

                Just came out of the trenches after being in for six days which included Christmas.  It was certainly a new Xmas for us.  It continued raining throughout the day; everything was quite quiet all day until coming on night when they opened up their artillery quite freely, keeping this up longer than usual.  On our side, the bombardment didn’t cause much harm.

                Got two parcels from you sent some time ago.  Had a letter from Earl the other day.  He was getting along splendidly.  He is a lucky lad all right as he will miss all the bad weather and will hardly be back here again.  Sid and Ervie are both fine.  Haven’t seen Arthur but have seen some of his Battalion who told me he was fine.  Did you get any of those Xmas cards I sent?

                I got a letter from you, Jonathan Craig and a Xmas card from Irene Neelin.  We haven’t yet seen the plum pudding they spoke of in the papers but we may get something extra tomorrow.

                I suppose you have nice cold weather in Canada.  How are they getting along their rink which I heard was to be started some time ago?

                The trenches are very muddy this time of the year, being half full of water in some places.  Have been using long, hip rubber boots when in the worst parts of the line.  On Xmas day we nearly had a few Fritzies coming over.  We were out in a saf, which is a trench running out in front of the main line, which is really a strong point.  We didn’t do any sniping Xmas day, but put on a hot celebration that night.  You speak of us getting our furloughs. They are yet to come.

With love to all,

Sefton

Letters from the Front - Part 6

Throughout the month of November we will be posting excerpts from a selection of wartime correspondence between Pte. Sefton Stewart of the 77th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, and his family in Richmond, Ontario.  The complete letters will be on display at the Stittsville Public Library in the Museum's exhibit honouring Goulbourn in wartime.

This is letter number six:

Somewhere in France – September 22, 1916

Dear Mother:

                Received your letter written Sept. 5^th the other day, being very glad to hear from you all.  Today I got letters from Clystal, Jonathan and Austin Dilworth.

                I suppose George is back from the Fair.  If he went, I hope he made out good; anyway it would be a good time for him.  I am writing this in a dugout on my knees.  By the time you receive this, the Richmond fair will be over.  Hope there is fine weather for it.  It has been very wet here lately, making the trenches very muddy and miserable.

                We are now unable to send mail regularly as we were before.  As you know, it has to be censored by our own officers.  How did Pa and George get along with the grain?  There must have been a splendid crop on the six acres.

                They are now holding the Germans down very good but they are sure hardy guys.  There is great talk of the war being over by Xmas, so they are rushing things at all points.

                I am sure that Eric would have a splendid trip west, together with the other Richmond lads.  How are Channon and Willie getting along?

                You mentioned in your last letter about Sam McFee’s brother getting shot in the leg being an accident, but it wasn’t.  It was a bullet from a machine gun that hit him while out working.

                I hear Miss Cowell is Evyleen’s teacher, also George’s.  Did you ever get my old 77^th badges which I sent just before leaving Bramshott?  If sending any underwear, send full length.  You were talking of sending money.  Well, we can get Canadian money exchanged here.

                Must close for now.

Best love to all,

Sefton