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HomeMy WebLinkAboutX2023-006-112• �:S...mtea_ wnw:_ 0 A Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture & Food P.O. Box 38 Milton [416] • 878 • 8151 A new exciting outing for the whole family is being developed on a 92-acre site near Milton, Ontario. It's Ontario's first authentic Agricultural Museum and it is a branch of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The Museum, which is expected to open its doors to the public next summer, will be a representation of agriculture and rural life in the evolution of farming in Ontario. Farm machinery, that only a few ' remember, are being restored and put into working condition. Along with the hand tools, the methods and traditions, these artifacts will tell the story of farming, frojn, log cabin days to the present. It will be a living museum, where farming practices will be demonstrated on the six farmsteads being recreated and homes used ' as though the clock were turned back in time. The sincerely and deep rooted feeling of the farm folk will be evident in this cross-roads farming community. Each farmstead will represent a different time period or area of Ontario. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food is not rushing this venture. It expects to take SHOE THE HORSE AND SHOE THE MARE, LET THE LITTLE COLT GO BARE. Early -Period Logo A colourful farmscape painted on- the side of a two and a half ton truWis'an icl unusual sight. But for the vehes of the Ontario Agricultural Museum, it's a logical decoration. Some of the basic elements of agriculture — the farm family, typical farm buildings, rural landscape and tilling the land — are depicted in the farmscape. That's why it was chosen as the logo for the Ministry of Agriculture and Food's museum. The scene is wreathed by grains and grasses and by small trilliums which indicate that the Museum is a function of the Province of Ontario. A tractor shown ploughing the field is similar to a 1918 Mogul on display at the museum. The Museum's staff artist, who designed the logo, took an early graphics approach. This gives an emphasis to the time period and the function of the Museum. Even the colour of the vehicles is symbolic of agriculture and age. They are green to represent growth. A bronze saddle design which covers the hood or cab of each 1 vehicle acknowledges soil's importance to agriculture, while also suggesting the role and age aspect of old copper and brass. The farmscape will appear on the museum's stationery, brochures, signs and + exhibits, in addition to the vehicles. 10 years to complete. But the collection of artifacts and farmsteads are very much in the works. This will not be another pioneer village, instead, it hopes to complement dther museums — its motto will be "jmhibit, enlighten, entertain". The location of the museum is also unique. It nestles in the shadow of the Niagara Escarpment near Milton, Halton County. Located on the south side of the Highway 401. The site is accessible via Highway 401 interchange at Highway 25. This museum will provide a meeting place for those who wish to reminisce and 'recapture for a day the simple values, the pleasant memories and the storehouse of experiences associated with life in rural Ontario. If you have antique equipment, tools, furnishings, books, magazines or other artifacts to donate we would be happy to have your family treasures become a permanent reminder of Ontario's rural past. Donated items on display will carry the donor's name along with pertinent facts about their place in Ontario's agricultural history. Ontario Cheese To prove the wealth that here abounds, One cheese weighed eight thousand pounds, Had it been hung in air at noon Folks would have thought it was the moon, IIt sailed with triumph o'er the seas, jI 'Twas hailed with welcome, queen of cheese. THE MATTHEWS COLLECTION For one man to assemble a sizable collec- tion for posterity would seem to be a full time pursuit. However, the late Charles Matthews accomplished it while main- taining his business of moving houses, schools, boats, and unusually large vehicles. He started to collect anything that he felt was worthy of saving and this included delicate items such as satin glass, to vast steam and gasoline machinery. He could see in each item a forne of beauty that should not be destroyed. His 4 and a half acre property in old Langstaff [now Richmond Hill] houses locomotives of varying sizes, condition and age., His two sons, Roger and Charles, follow in their father's footsteps, saving and preserving anZ item that comes their way. •N>r. Matthews senior was also following in his own father's footsteps. His family cin trace their lineage to 1200 A.D. and ever since time the family had one profession - blacksmithing and carriage making, and of course, collecting. When Mr. Matthews died, on Mar. 16/66 more than 15,000 artifacts were purchased by the Ontario Agricultural Museum. Several thousand other items found their way to the Science Center in Toronto. His generosity will always be remembered by the people of Ontario and those from other provinces and countries when they view the remarkable items preserved by this one man, and which will eventually all be exhibited at the Ontario Agricultural Museum. - FOR INFORMATION GENERAL MANAGER ROBERT W. "BOB" CARBERT MILTON ONTARIO [416] 878 • 8151 r-- AGRICULTURALestablished on the site, says R. W. Carbert, r general manager of the museum. "It will be MUSEUMone of a series of about six farmsteads we - hope to erect and restore as part of the ACQUIRES c , display". - • � The farmstead was in the Lucas family FARMSTEAD for six generations until it, recent sale by George Lucas in the sprin_, of 1974. An old landmark on Burlington's Apple- The frame house built ..heat 1835, and by Line has found a new life in the Ontario two barns built shortly thereafter were Agricultural Museum near Milton, Ontario. donated by the Steel Company of Canada The Lucas farmstead, as it is known, will which had purchased the Lucas farm for be the first set of pioneer buildings to be industrial expansion. WILLIAM E. BRECKON A generous friend of the Ontario Agri- cultural Museum is William E. Breckon of Burlington, Ontario. He has one of the largest private collections of primitive farm tools in Ontario and has donated generously From this collection. "Thornhill" were Bill Breckon was born 82 years ago was settled by his grand- parents, John and Isobella Breckon, who migrated from Yorkshire, England, in 1830. They took up a 100 acre grant on the north side of what is now the Queen Elizabethway and west of Burloak Drive. The log house they built in 1830 was replaced in 1854 by a large red brick house where Welsley Breckon, Bill's father, was born and where Bill himself was born. His intensive interest in better crop production brought about an experimental program of wheat growing. In 1954 that interest paid off and William E. Breckon became the new Wheat King of the World. His grain was Genesse Winter White. Eastern Canada was astatic - he was the loast of Canada. It was the first and last time [to date] that this honour has come to Dntar➢o. THE COCK DOTH CROW, TO LET YOU KNOW, IF YOU BE WISE, WHAT TIME TO RISE. Agricultural Antiques An International Harvester truck built in 1919 in Chicago is one of many engines being restored at the Ministry of Agricul- ture and Food depot at Hawkestone. It's a fascinating piece of machinery but its only one of many that is being restored to working condition for the Ontario Agricultural Museum in Milton. Garnet Pattenden, Restoration Officer at Hawkestone feels that he has one of the largest collections of old steam engines and gasoline tractors in one location in Ontario. The antiques date from 1930 back. Hawkestone, itself, is a fascinating centre for those interested in early Ontario implements and Canadiana in general. The 100 acre farm sits just off Highway #11, between Orillia and Barrie and contains a wealth of equipment which will all find its use in the Ontario Agricultural Museum in Milton. Two large airplane hangers and one large barn house a multitude of restored artifacts from hous.holtl items, furniture and farm machhary.