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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 10, 1972 /lvcEJN1 *. ; iN U-r S PICKERING TOLNSHIP MUSEUM BOARD 1/72 A meeting of the Pickering Town- .. ship Museum Board was held on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY the TENTH, 1972 at EIGHT p.m. at the Municipal building PRESENT : Mr. H. Cook, Mrs. D. Earle Mr. R. Miller Mr. llillic. Clark Mr. R. Freeman Mr. B. Davidge Mr. W. McGee Mr. D. McLean Mr. J. Alma N. C. Marshall, Secretary 1. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN- Moved by Mrs. Earle, seconded by Mr. Miller that Mr. Harry Cook be appointed chairman of the Pickering Town- ship Museum Board for the year 1972. Moved by Mr. McLean, seconded by Mr. McGee that nominations close. Carried unanimously. Mr. Cook assumed the chair. The chairman welcomed the new members to the museum board and thanked the board in general for his ,appointment. 2. MINUTES- On motion of Mr. LIcLean seconded by Mrs. Earle the minutes of the meeting of December the 9th were approved subject to a check on the reference to the school of Mr. Lye who is understood to be associated the Sir John A. MacDonald public school . 3. ACCOUNTS- .- On motion of Mr. Clark, seconded by Mr. Davidge the follow- ing accounts were approved: Mrs. Marr $ 24.02 Ferris Textiles 66.48 R. Miller 97.10 Clifford Postill 305 .94 Andy Ramsay 192.50 R. Miller 250.00 DX Oil 35 .13 Robert Batty - saw 100.00 Russel Pilkey - glass 100.76 R. Miller - heater & repairs 99.42 4. % INTER WORK'S SCHEME- The secretary advised that he had submitted and received approval under the winter works incentive plan for assist- ance in the restoration of the historic buildings at the museum property. The grant would cover 100% of the cost of eight weeks work for one carpenter, two labours, and two painters for a total salary grant of $3923.00 together with material and supervisory costs of $980.00. He emphasized that the work must be completed by May the 31st and for this reason final plans for the •lork to be carried out must be finalized by the first of April at the very latest. In this connection Mr. Freeman wondered whether or not the board was prepared to support a motion encouraging the -2- 1/72 participation of students in preparing an inventory of historic buildings within the municipality under the auspices of the historic sites committee of the provincial government. This could be carried out in conjunction with the proposed federal youth incentive program. In the discussion that followed the suggestion, some members expressed the opinion that this was more properly a function of the historical society and that the museum had more than enough to keep itself occupied at the present time. It was felt by other members that the endorsation of such a project by the museum board would add impetus to it and perhaps give the historical society a much needed project in which to become involved. On motion of Mr. Freeman, seconded by Mrs. Earle and carried, the museum board went on record as supporting and encouraging the completion of an inventory of historic buildings in the township and recommends that the historical society embark upon such a project possibly under the auspices of the federal youth incentive program. 5. FINANCIAL REPORT- The board had for their consideration the year end state- ment for the museum activities including the 1972 budget allocations for comparison purposes. The secretary advised that council had agreed to a grant of $6675 .00 for the year 1971. The board members suggested several changes to the various accounts. On motion of Mrs. Earle seconded by Mr. McLean and carried it was agreed that provision be made in the current year's budget for an honorarium of $250.00 for the administrator. On motion of Mr. Freeman seconded by Mrs. Earle that $25.00 be transferred to account number 13 conventions. Some of the members inquired concerning the possibility of an increse in the amount allocated to account number 54, antique purchases. It was pointed out that the contingency fund could be used for this purpose should it be necessary. In addition it was suggested that possibly the historical society might be interested in covering the purchase of a specific item as a donation. 6. BOARD OF EDUCATION - REQUEST FOR LOAN OF SCHOOL DESKS- Birchcliff Heights public school in Scarborough will be •„ borrowing the school desks presently in storage at the museum to assist them in the celebration of the golden anniversary of the school . Arrangements had been completed through the secretary and the administrator for this loan. The secretary explained that such action had been taken in the past with favourable publicity results. He noted that the museum was becoming more and more popular with the metro area and the museum was getting frequent requests for assistance in displays of this nature. 7. SCHOOL TOURS- The secretary mentioned the number of delightful letters received from the grade five students of the Vaughan Willard public school following their visit to the museum in November. They were apparently under the impression that council was not lending too much support to the museum activity and each student had on his own initiative sat down and written a letter to the clerk urging council to increase their support of the facility and voicing their enthusiasm for the museum property in general. The secretary had replied to the students clarifying the mis- understanding as far as council 's involvement goes and -3- 1/72 would attempt to get the letters for the next board meeting in order that they might examine them. 8. ADMINISTRATORS- On motion of Mr. McLean seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously, Mr. Robert Miller was reappointed as admini- strator of the museum for the year 1972. The chairman and members of the board voiced their appreciation for the untiring efforts of Mr. Miller in connection with the museum and offered their appreciation to him for the many hours that he put in. 9. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT- Mr. Miller reported at length on the activities of the museum during the year 1971. Highlights of the report include: 1. Harold Smith and Ernie Carruthers had completed the underground wiring to all of the buildings on the property with the exception of the south barn and the church shed. 2. The harness shop has been finished and the exterior of the Brougham central hotel completed. This includes new windows, new plaster, the repair of the original front doors, new siding and new steps. Part of the wood used was purchased from Bill Wood of Uxbridge while some of the lumber used on the hotel was made from the logs donated by the county of Ontario which were sawn by Walt Hope of Goodwood. The new windows in the hotel were made by Mr. Miller and glazed by Russ Pilkey. The hotel will require inside trim, a new stairway, repairs to the floors and a fair amount of plastering. 3. Blacksmith Shop. Mr. Bill Clark had set up an excellent display in the blacksmith shop and had also arranged for the installation of the stairway to the upper loft. 4. Mrs. Gordon Duncan has checked the articles in the log house, collins house, and the cole house and confirmed that the period of these homes should be 1830, 1850, 1860 respectively. She suggested that the contents of these buildings be changed before opening this year to reflect the correct date. 5. Mrs. Marr and Mrs. Ebiernacki of Bayridges have com- pleted all of the curtains in the cole house and are presently working on obtaining wall paper. They have an 1862 Wilson and Wheeler sewing machine which they are endevouring to restore with a view towards setting up a display in the cole house showing how the machine would have been used to sew the curtains. 6. The Housier wagon and Ocean Blend tea wagon have both been restored. 7. Three steam engines including a 100 horsepower engine were donated to the museum by Mr. Hodgson of Haliburtan. The cement base for the 100 horsepower engine has been completed. 8. A saw mill has been purchased from Mr. Robert Batty for $100.00 and has been delivered to the museum grounds. It will be installed south of the boiler and large engine on the east side of the steam barn. 9 . The cole house has been completely painted both inside and outside although the outside trim has yet to be com- pleted. Mr. Don McLean completed the inside painting. 10. Both the hotel and the harness shop have one coat of primer. 11 . The administrator expressed his appreciation for the efforts expended on behalf of the museum by the secretary and in particular his work on the pamphlet which was handed out at history in action. ..I -4- 1/72 10. NEW BUSINESS-- Following his report, the administrator showed the committee a sample of the signs that would be used to identify the various buildings. The signs would be on three foot stakes and measure five inches by eight inches. He advised that the legend sign is presently being repainted and would indicate that guided tours are available. Mr. Miller mentioned the fact that he has a number of books concerning different aspects of the museum which may be of interest particularily to the new members. The board considered a suggestion that perhaps the new building to be located to the rear of the school house and housing the refreshment area could be expanded to approximately thirty-two feet by thirty-six feet in order J to provide a sufficiently large size to establish a lecture area for students. This particular size would be in accord with multiples of twelve feet which is charac- teristic of the bents used in old buildings. It was agreed that the administrator would discuss this matter further with other members of the board and come up with a firm recommendation in order that the Kiwanis would be able to finalize plans for the building. 11. ADMISSION CHARGED- A motion recommended by the administrator, that the ad- mission charge for entry to the grounds be raised to a dollar, the family maximum to two dollars and fifty cents, 4 and a student rate to fifty cents stimulated a lively discussion. Proponents of the increase in price argued that the public were getting far more value for the admission price charged at the present time than warranted, particularily in view of the availability of the guided tours. Arguments raised against this suggested change included the fact that an increased admission charge would tend to discourage many people from visiting the property at a time when some form of inducement was needed to in- crease attendance. It was also noted that the historical society provided guides on weekends on a free basis and unless there was a logical reason for increasing revenue via this method, the disadvantages might outweigh the ad- vantages. It was also suggested that if the sole purpose to the increase rate was to generate increased income then possibly other methods might be better received by the public. Put to the test the motion failed to carry and it was agreed that the prices remain as they were in 1971 . One of the members of the board suggested that possibly an approach should be made to the people in charge of the Scarborough Board of Education excursion trips to determine whether or not they might be interested in visiting the property as part of their field trips. 12. PARADE- The secretary recommended that the annual parade be dis- pensed with for the year 1972. He pointed out that it was becoming increasingly more expensive to put on such an event and it was painfully obvious that many of the people that turned out to the parade did not follow it up with a visit to the grounds. On motion of Mrs. Earle seconded by Mr. Freeman and carried it was agreed that the annual history in action parade be dispensed with for the year 1972. -5- 1/72 13. PUBLICITY- A general discussion took place on various forms of publicity which could be carried out to increase attendance at the property. On motion of Mr. McLean seconded by Mr. Davidge it was agreed that t e secretary write to radio station CFRB to the attention of their public relations department to determine whether or not the administrator might be in- terviewed ty Mr. John Bradshaw on his Sunday morning program or possibly Mrs. Betty Kennedy on her afternoon program with a view to further the cause of the museum. Having dealt with publicity in the past Mr. Ron Freeman had three specific recommendations which he felt would assist the museum. (a) Amend the existing road-side sign by adding a sign underneath it which would read "history in action and show the date. This would be of the same style as the existing sign. (b) Involve the students of the township in a poster contest whose theme would be the promotion of the museum. These posters would be displayed in the various communities .J in the township. It was suggested that the contest might have more positive results if the contest aspect of it was played down and it was treated more as a project of the curriculum. (c) Develope a basic herb garden as part of a display at the annual Ajax flower show to be held in April . On motion Mr. Freeman seconded by Mrs. Earle and carried it was agreed that the board proceed with the suggestions innumerated above. The importance of an active publicity campaign was stressed and in order to get working on such a project as soon as possible the following committee was named to carry out this activity: Miss Green, Mrs. Earle, Mr. Davidge, and Mr. Freeman. It was suggested that this committee invite Mr. Barry Murkar of Pickering Village and Mrs. McKenzie of the Brock Road to assist in the first instance with the publicity and in the instance of Mrs. McKenzie with the herbs. 14. DISPLAYS - MASONIC HALL- It was agreed that the following committee be formed to investigate, make recommendations and ultimately with the approval of the board implement a proper display in the masonic hall. Members are Mr. Don McLean, Mr. John Alma, Mr. Bill Clark, Mr. William McGee. On motion the meeting adjourned at 10 :45 p.m. , .J 15. LIST OF THINGS TO BE DONE AT THE MUSEUM 1972- Repair the following: a . gate saw b. arm for capston c. thrashing machine (Ken Hastings) d. groundhog mill (in shop) e. birrell cupboard (Oddfellows Hall) f. reaper - Bill Fox (Parts Hugh Gregg) g. automatic shingle mill h. fix wheeled scraper (2 wheels) make one out of two i. change axels in Houssier Wagon j . obtain bolts or cedar blocks for shingle mill (16" long) k. make curtains for the upstairs rooms in the Cole House J t. r r-. L `6- 1/72 1 . fix Jack Wilson 's cider press m. fix doors on Bible Christian Church n. make a sliding or folding partition in the gas barn Lobtain planking to complete rafters in barns for storage purposes A number of other things must be done which include: 1 . complete the inside trim in the harness shop 2. - fix the floor in the south-west corner of the hotel - take all shelves in store out of hotel - take out stairway in the hotel and replace (Art Hall may be of some assistance) -trim all windows and doors in hotel f - clear out all articles of hotel L 3 . Repair the window sill in the log house 4 . Complete the booth at the back of the school (should there be a cistern underneath it?) 5 . repair the boards on the church 6. construct a bridge over the ditch at the Cole House L L Dated Chairman L Secretary L L L • L L L lw to. L