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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-06-29, Page 52Page 24 — Stops SLfong cEfte 4/Vay '94---- Neill’s models integral part of collection Continued from page 23 a short presentation depicting the early pioneer hardships through a film by the National Film Board called The First Winter. Then it’s on to the first gallery, one dedicated to the museum’s own history and particularly to the colourful founder, Herbie Neill, who died in 1969. The exhibit is full of the working models Mr. Neill made to demonstrate how pioneer chores were accomplished. He was a man ahead of his time, says Raymond Scotchmer, assistant curator at the museum. In an age when museums had a "look but don't touch" policy, Herbie Neill wanted people to become involved in his little museum. He created models of people sawing wood or grinding flour and put handles on the side so people could set the displays in motion. He was so inventive, Mr. Scotchmer recalls that officials from the Ontario Science Centre visited Goderich to see the displays when they were planning what would become a world-famous museum that let people get involved in the action. When the museum opened on July 4, 1951, it had one thing to set it aside from the other collections of pioneer artifacts that were becoming museums around the country: the models created by Mr. Neill. Eventually there were 145 models in the museum demonstrating all kinds of pioneer tasks. One of the things that made the museum special for a visitor in those days too was the presence of Mr. Neill himself. Taking school children through the museum he delighted in helping them crank the models and make them turn. His love of history was obvious in the way he answered the endless questions the youngsters threw at him. There are many stunning displays at today's museum. One occurs when the visitor, after touring the relatively enclosed military gallery, enters the airy, two-storey agriculture gallery where full sized Huron museum celebrates history Huron Historic Gaol This unique octagonal’building served as the Huron County Jail from 1842 until 1972, when all inmates were transferred to larger regional facilities. The building originally housed the County Courts and Council Chambers as well. The Governor's House was built in 1901 in the area of one of the courtyards. The Gaol is located at 181 Victoria Street, Goderich, Ontario. Marine Museum Located in the wheelhouse of the "SS Shelter Bay," this small museum is dedicated to the men and women who made their living on Lake Huron. The Great Storm of 1913, the famous natural disaster that killed over 250 sailors during a period of 48 hours, is one of the many exhibit highlights. While touring the museum visitors will also enjoy seeing the shipping activities of the Goderich Harbour, which the Museum overlooks. Apple Park The Laithwaitc Apple Park farm near Goderich has fascinated people for four generations, with its many sculptures fashioned from cement, metal, fieldstone and found materials by George Laithwaite (1873-1956). Some of the human figures were created as satirical or political commentary on world events while others were based on comic strip characters. Visitors are welcome to come see the statues on the lawn set among over 350 trees. windmills hang in front of a two-storey window. The other is the History Hall, the huge gallery created around the railway engine. The room is 100 feet long and 45 feet wide with a 30 foot ceiling. In the centre is the railway engine, looking as if it has just steamed in through an archway. Around the engine is a re-creation of a small town main street, created with bits and pieces salvaged from various Huron county buildings that have fallen under the wrecker's hammer in recent years. The museum's collection of early firefighting equipment is housed in an old fire hall, recreated with materials from the old Wingham fire hall. A tiny chunk of the once-elegant Queen's Hotel in Brussels lives on in the storefront from the old sample room which now houses a clothing shop. Other pieces of the museum collection show up in other store fronts along the way. Upstairs on the right hand side of the History Hall is an apartment, recreating the lifestyle of the era, complete with replica wallpaper. The apartment is filled with smaller rooms that show off pieces of the collection, including a huge wooden bedstead with a headboard that looks like it could support a third storey of the museum. The museum is full of contrasts as the viewer makes his way through the various galleries. After learning about the museum itself in the gallery filled with the models of Mr. Neill (including the long-time favourite of museum visitors, his large, mechanized music box), the visitor starts his trip into the history of the region, starting in the European gallery that contrasts the harsh life lived by the poor with the lavish life lived by the upper class. It attempts to give an idea of the hardships that drove people to risk their lives in a dangerous ocean crossing to seek a new life in North America. That the hardship didn't stop in their adopted country is illustrated in the next gallery, dedicated to the early pioneer life. The Apple Park farm market also has butter, apple cider, honey, maple syrup and seasonal fruits and vegetables for sale. Located just east of Goderich on Highway 8. Van Egmond House This Georgian manor, built by Constant Van Egmond and his wife Anne Johnston is one of the oldest houses in Huron County. The Van Egmonds played a fundamental role in the opening in the Huron Tract, and one million acre parcel owned by the Canada Company. Today the Van Egmond house is restored to its original splendor to provide a glimpse of the 19th century. The house is located in the Van Egmond preserve, south of Seaforth, overlooking the Bayfield River. The Van Egmond House hosts the annual ciderfest and Van Egmond Day Festivities. Wingham Museum Located in the former post office, the museum tells the history of Wingham and its surrounding area. In the "Doc Cruickshank Room", the history of early Canadian broadcasting is featured in displays dedicated to the local television and radio stations, CKNX-TV, CKNX-AM and FM- 102. School on Wheels This original CNR car is the only remaining one of seven such railway schools, used to. bring education to isolated children and adults in the Northern Ontario Continued on page 25 An early pioneer shanty has been recreated and the darkness and claustrophobic dimensions of the building give a small sense of the depressing conditions these people suffered through. The visitor gets a shocking contrast again when he emerges from the gloom of the pioneer dwelling* to the brightness of the gallery dedicated to the Canada Company, the land company that opened up the Huron Tract West from Guelph to Goderich and run by people who suffered few of the hardships Old and new The Huron County Museum is an impressive blending of old and new with the addition built a few years ago. To the right is the log cabin home of museum founder Herbie Neill. Flea Market on the grounds of the Spend an Huron County Historic Gaol afternoon bargain hunting ... ... You will find everything from fresh vegetables to rusty bolts. Every Sunday until September 6 WELCOME TO l.OPLRUH OVIAR10 (,\\\1>A Lake Huron Resort 5 mi./8km. north of Goderich. Hwy. 21 P.O. Box 72 N7A 3Y5 (519) 524-5343 There are striking contrasts like that throughout the building, always keeping the visitors slightly off balance, always using an element of surprise to keep them thinking, not just walking and daydreaming. And while many of the galleries try to create an atmosphere, the two large galleries on the second floor of the old school revert to a more traditional form of display with display cases and high ceilings. The museum is a tribute to Herbie Neill and to the other pioneers who helped build THE HURON HISTORIC GAOL Experience Family Camping Pleasure SCENIC ACRES OVERLOOKING LAKE HURON INCLUDING 1,600 FEET OF BEAUTIFUL SANDY BEACH. DAILY & SEASONAL CAMPING FACILITIES ★ Recreation Hall ★ Bingo, Horseshoes, Dancing, Wagon Rides, Etc. ★ Laundromat ★ Swimming Pool - enclosed, heated ★ Free hot showers & clean rest rooms ★ Planned Recreation Activities ★ Picnic Tables ★ Children's Playground ★ Camp Fires and Firewood ★ Fully Serviced Lots Including Sewers, Hydro and Water ★ Store for Groceries and Ice ★ Propane Station ★ Trailer rentals available ★ Dumping Station