News from the Essa Historical Society
by Florence Blanchard

The Essa Historical Society held its January meeting at the Thornton Library on January 25. President Brian Baker opened the meting with the prayer. Brenda Pusch spoke first on the Gibson Centre for Community Arts and Culture. This gave Brian an idea for the next mystery tour in June.

Minutes of the November meeting were read and many of our members are reading the Farms of Innisifil which was released on December 8. The group voted to give the Thornton Library two hundred dollars for the use of their meeting room. A new addition has been added to the library will buy a display cabinet for half of the wall to match the existing gone.

Dates to remember are June 15 when we join the Innisfil Historical Society on their mystery tour. We will also put a display in the upcoming Arts and Crafts display in the Essa Arena which will run on June 23.

The topic for our meeting was "Show and Tell". Brian Baker brought his painting of the northern train pulled by engine 6218 as its made its last trip through Thornton.

Margaret Baker had a 1910 grammar book. She also had a book on Robert Burns with a collection of his poetry. Hank Abspoel brought an 1892 can opener along with a box containing a cookie cutter. He also showed a 1947 Life magazine with Queen Elizabeth on the cover and a poster advertising Pears Soap.

Another interesting piece was a pie cutter.

Arnold Banting had his grandfather's account book. His taxes in Essa in 1888 were $35.08. He also mentioned businesses in Barrie and one is still around today. How we remember the Henry Simmonds store downtown.

Florence Banting showed a soup server dish. Florence Blanchard brought an ink well, a 1910 story book, a 1905 Farmer's Advocate and a christening gown first used in the Blanchard family in 1897.

Norma Hammond brought her grandmother's doll made in the 1860's. The Doll had a beautiful china face along with a cotton body and was dressed exquisitely as a bride.

Jean Cochrane showed us a brush used for wallpapering when you made your own paste.

Along with this was an old fashioned shoe stretcher. Elma Ross showed us a small salt server dish from a set of 12. Joan Truax had a box decorated with Indian quilts. She also had an interesting coin box along with a straight razor. A woven basket was made by her great uncle who was blind. He even grew his own reeds for the basket baskets.

Bill Truax had two sets of spurs that were used for climbing trees and poles. Olive Lee had Cobalt Blue salt and pepper shakers as well as a bowl made in the depression years. Ross Lee had a corner used on funeral hearses from the 1800's. What a collection to view as we journey through the last one hundred and five years. All enjoyed the social hour which followed hosted by Jean Cochrane.