Show and tell at Essa Historical meeting
ESSA HISTORICAL NEWS
by Florence Blanchard

The Essa Historical Society held its January meeting at the Thornton Library. President Brian Baker opened the meeting with a prayer.

Secretary Olive Lee read the minutes for the October and November meetings. She reminded us that February is Black History Month and Heritage Week begins on Feb. 18.

The Simcoe County Historical Association will hold its annual meeting on May 20 at Stevenson Farms. Roll Call was answered with a snow story. It was agreed that the winters of 1947 and 1957 produced snow banks to the top of telephone poles. Treasurer Margaret Baker gave her report and we are happy that we continue to sell copies of our update to the township history book.

This month's program was show and tell and it is amazing what new treasures are produced. From horse pulled winter cutters, we saw a robe which kept you warm along with a foot warmer shaped like vinegar jug.

A French trader's axe from the 1600's, which was found in Innisfil, was also shown. A gorgeous picture of a classroom in a one room school which showed the pot bellied stove, double desks attached to runners and the platform.

A christening gown first used in 1897 was shown as well as a Simcoe County Atlas from 1881. What a lovely farm Henry Whiteside had on the fifth line as well as the Nicol homestead at Nicolston.

A measuring table and a trisquare was shown. A dog tag from Barrie dated 1890 came next. A shaving mug was produced. Cornflakes made into jewellery and a flower and ear rings were shown. A kitchen clock belonging to Grandmother Davis which had an eight hour movement. It was used in the 1870's and 1880's.

A china bowl that many used as a centre piece of the dining room table was shown. A story book from 1904 along with the old Red Primer was produced. Pen nibs used in our early pens were viewed.

Ron Menary was agent operator at Orangeville in 1945 and 1946. He had pictures of a mixed train 1088.

Other trains ran from Orangeville to Walkerton, Orangeville to Teeswater and Orangeville to Elora. An old Vogue cigarette maker along with a handmade clothes basket aroused interest.

Annual reports were given and a new slate of officers was read by Arnold Banting.

Honorary president Brian Baker, president Wayne Cole, vice president Arnold Banting, secretary Olive Lee, treasurer Margaret Baker, directors Ross Lee, Norma Hammond and Bill Truax, auditors Ron Menary and Florence Banting, historical sites Lorne Carruthers, historical research Joan Truax, program Joan Truax and publicity Florence Blanchard and representative to the Simcoe County Historical Society Hank Alspoel. Brian Baker was presented with a plaque for his eight years as president by Wayne Cole.