WHAT WAS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JUBILEE PARK TO THE HISTORY OF BRACEBRIDGE? BEFORE IT WAS SOLD FOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
Now imagine yourself, shaking a little in your boots, having to face a large, uneasy, slightly irritated audience, attending an Ontario Municipal Board hearing, to present poignant, project-halting reasons, why a town park, with a couple of ball diamonds and some grassy open space, is worth sparing, from the earth-gouging redevelopment being proposed; when what you have compiled, on crumpled notepaper, in hard-to-read handwriting, will most likely get more laughs, than inspire any tangible reservation about selling off an heirloom property. These old, musty stories, half falling-out of your tattered file folder, that you plan to highlight to engage the audience, amounts to little more than pure, heart-felt, wipe-the-tears-away nostalgia.
Like reminiscences of the annual Bracebridge Fall Fair "Children's Parade", held every September, that wrapped-up just inside the gates of Jubilee Park, where we would watch the Mayor, George Parlett, open the three days of agriculture-related festivities. We got to decorate our bicycles for the parade, and that was pretty neat. Kids from schools all over South Muskoka, and maybe a little beyond, were invited to participate in the parade, that went merrily along a stretch of Manitoba Street. We felt like kings and queens, for those few hours, thanks to the Agricultural Society, and the welcome we got at Jubilee Park, was a great honor for all us young citizens. But would this recollection of finer years, of the old park, be greeted with fond remembrance, or disdain, especially from residents who arrived in Bracebridge, after the Fairgrounds had been moved across town; and who had never witnessed that special "students' parade through the park neighborhood. It's true to a fault, unfortunately, that traditions had diminished somewhat, from what they had been at around the turn of the 1900's, for example. We, who carried those file folders of historical notes, knew we didn't have a knock-out punch amongst hundreds of neat stories, to bestow upon the OMB panel. They were considered interesting anecdotes, but nothing to lay down in front of an earth mover on a mission.
What about telling them, especially these fidgety folks, squirming in their seats in front, about the thousands of Bracebridge citizens, who learned to drive on the dirt oval around the outside border of Jubilee Park, with their newly purchased automobiles and trucks? I talked to a friend of our family today, who remembers stories about kinfolk of his, learning to drive on that same small acreage of parkland. What about the horse races that used to take place around the same oval? What about the occasion of the gathering in celebration of Roger Crozier Day, in the spring of 1966, after Roger had won the Conn Smythe Trophy, as that year's Stanley Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player; as an allstar member of the Detroit Red Wings? Even his school chum from Bracebridge, nationally read columnist, Paul Rimstead, mentioned the celebration of Roger Crozier Day, and the fairgrounds, in a feature article published in a daily newspaper, later that spring. Believe me, it was all presented to the audience, and to Town Councillors, and in various other submissions and oral presentations, throughout that year of protest, but nothing was big and unique enough, to change the opinion, the urban open space, that had been a park for long and long, was expendable and definitely still for sale. Nostalgia just didn't cut it! History didn't provide any roadblock whatsoever to the pending sale. Only two local historians objected to the property sale, one being myself, the other, former town councillor, and archivist, Heather Copeland, who, I'm sorry to say, has just recently passed-away. I could not gain support of other regional historians to join with Heather and I, so this meagre show, took a lot of oomph out of the historical objection. The nostalgia heart-string arguments fell just as quickly, to the steam roller of progress, presented by futurists; who believed whole-heartedly that a university campus, if granted, would inspire more post secondary education institutions, to locate within the community.
It's likely Muskokans, Bracebridge folks, most definitely, are going to read and hear, a fair amount of interpreted, sculpted-to-suit, but not necessarily accurate history, mostly in the form of hearsay and gossip, (some of it now circulating), about Bracebridge's former Jubilee Park; which, according to the prominence of the story, will likely blossom adversely in many ways, in the coming weeks. As the breaking news of this week, seeps into coffee-time banter, and the local media double-banked front-page headlines, to handle the news, a university satellite, that took over the heritage parkland, may close-up in a year's time. The breaking news was stirring-up quite a bit of interest, late Friday afternoon, as the proponents of the project, that was to be the harbinger of more educational enhancements to come, for the town, dashed the hopes the short-lived campus, (that compromised Jubilee Park), would be able to survive past the coming year.
I was one of hundreds of citizens, earlier this century, who carried placards in protest, at public meetings, attempting to convince the Town, and the Ontario Municipal Board, to halt the sale of the historic park, proposed to be used in the future, as a university campus. It was one of the most divisive issues in town history, and there are still hard feelings, especially in the neighborhood of The Hollow, about the way their park was compromised, with very little compassion to the multi-generational ties to the modest, but well used urban open space. While there were many public statements made, and carried by the local media, once the move to sell the park was approved by the Ontario Municipal Board, indicating with considerable pomposity, the campus development was one of the best, and most progressive improvements in modern regional history; it was news to this historian then, and profoundly so, right now, upon hearing news of its potential demise.
For readers information, here is what the "Save Our Park" group was trying to steward, as a legacy resource to future generations of Bracebridge citizens. The information comes from Bob Boyer's well known history, "A Good Town Grew Here," (circa 1975, The Herald-Gazette Press), and reads as follows:
"On January 19th, 1888, the annual meeting of the Agricultural Society of the Electoral District of Muskoka and Parry Sound was held at the British Lion Hotel, when the name of the organization that ran the Bracebridge Fall Fair, was changed to Muskoka Electoral District Agricultural Society," notes Bob Boyer, on page 44 of his book. "James Boyer was president, James Tookey and R. Goltz, vice president, C.E. Mawdsley, secretary, J.W. Dill, treasurer, and directors, H.A. Muntz, W. Sword, H.S. Bowyer, Moses Dickie, R.T. Corrigan, N.J. Warner, W.J. Hill, and John Leishman."
Mr. Boyer notes that, "On April 27th, 1888, a spring stock show was held. The Society had lost the former building with the railway construction and had relocated on what was later to be called Jubilee Park. Already these grounds were becoming popular; in June cricket matches were being played there, one being on the occasion of the first visit here of the Toronto Cricket Club. A good-sized building was erected by the Society for the annual Fair exhibits. In 1888 the Fair took place September 26th and 27th, but 'more dreary and disagreeable weather can scarcely be imagined,' than on those days, The Muskoka Herald reported. A meeting of the Society was held the first afternoon, and a motion passed authorizing the directors to purchase the fair ground, from Alfred Hunt for $2,400. The terms of payment were made easy. At the Fair the ladies of the Methodist Church cleared $50 by selling meals at their stand, and at a social evening. They were not responsible for another for another circumstance, whereby in Magistrate's Court, the next day, there were many charges brought, 'the result of too much firewater on Fair Day.' Thus did the Agricultural Society become firmly established on the new show grounds."
Another reference to the new fair grounds, comes on page 51, as part of the chronicle of events in the year 1890. "The negotiations in connection with the show grounds were opened by the Agricultural Society, who petitioned the Town Council for the municipality to assume their obligations and take over ownership of the property. The matter was referred to a committee who advised the Council to secure the grounds as a public park. A bylaw was drafted and submitted to the people, who gave their endorsation, and the transfer was made. Bylaw 17 provided for the issuing of debentures and payment made to the mortgagee, Mr. Hunt, of $2,600. The debentures sold at par. The property was of about ten acres, on which stood the Agricultural Hall, erected by the Society."
"On May 23rd, 1892, the Bracebridge Cricket Club celebrated Queen Victoria's birthday by having a game on the new park crease which they had put in order, at some expense. There was Captain Davidson's team of E.Topp, D. Daniels, H. Davidson, and R. Fenn, against Captain Mawdsley's team, of J.B. Browning, R. Washburn, E. Prowse, C.E. Mawdsley, J.W. Dill, Dr. Topp, H. Matthews, S. Hunt, H. Davison, and C. Boyer. This was the first of several cricket matches this season." Mr. Boyer adds that, "Lacrosse and baseball were also played at the new town park. Early in June it was noted how attractive the new park was for pleasures, as could be seen of an evening when the volunteers were drilling, horsemen were trying the track, and at the same time, games of cricket, lacrosse and baseball were going on."
"The Fall Fair of 1892 was most successful, with great weather, larger attendance then ever, and not a single unhappy event. But the directors felt there should be more support from the farming community, since out of 143 members, 77 were from Bracebridge, many of whom exhibited nothing," writes the Bracebridge historian. "In 1895, the South Muskoka Agricultural Society erected a good-sized horse stable building on the north side of Jubilee Park for Fall Fair purposes, this then was made possible by a gift of $300 made by Horace N. Crossley, of Rosseau."
In the year 1897, the following passage reports on the events at Jubilee Park, as part of the Queen's Jubilee celebrations. Mr. Boyer writes, "The principal event of 1897, was the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Through all countries of the British Empire services of thanksgiving and rejoicing for the Queen's wonderful reign of 60 years took place, followed in many localities by programs of athletic events. In Bracebridge the citizens joined in an open-air service at Jubilee Park (as the town park was now to be called), on Sunday afternoon, June 20th. Clergymen of the Town took part. Reverend James Boydell giving the sermon and Revs. Dr. Clarke, H. Moore, and J. Moyle sharing in the service. A union choir sang the Hallelujah Chorus and the hymns sung, were all hearty and familiar, from what we read of this fine occasion. The Council had named a committee with Mayor Brown, as chairman, and granted $100 for expenses. A collection was taken at the service in aid of the Victorian Order of Nurses, lately organized by Lord Aberdeen, The Sons of England, and other lodges attended and invited, Navy and Army veterans to accompany them as they marched to the service. The national holiday for the Queen's Jubilee was Tuesday, June 22nd, and Bracebridge Lacrosse Club put on the celebration program offering trophies for a championship lacrosse team, together with baseball games, bicycle races and a firemen's hose-reel contest. Later the Council reimbursed the Lacrosse Club to the extent of $100 to meet their expenses."
None of the above information, as important as it is, to an historian like me, could have, on historical merit alone, (and uniqueness to the town then, and, when the university proposal was submitted), stopped the sale from going through. Several historians presented this material, thinking it might carry some weight, but were sadly informed, it was of no serious consequence; and certainly nothing that wouldn't be enhanced as history-worth-noting, by such redesignation of the property. It crossed my mind, that if a dinosaur bone just happened to be found in the earth of the park, during a heritage dig, might it have forced Council to seek out a full examination of what was buried beneath the subject parkland? I own a small dinosaur bone and many First Nations' artifacts, but common sense prevailed, and I decided against such a drastic measure to bury the past. I might have been able to buy the "Don't Sell" side of the park controversy, a few extra days, during a dig, but then I'd lose my artifacts to the Town, when they were uncovered.
I felt depleted as an historian by the end of the hearing, and when we heard that "approval", for the sale, had been granted to the municipality, it was as if we had all found out at the same time, the past, history, heritage, meant little, and weighed less, when it came to a majority of the local citizenry, desiring change to status quo. My opinions didn't make even the slightest difference, to an agenda on full throttle. I'll admit, it took years to regain my balance, as far as argument, to regain full interest in heritage stewardship. While it might seem then, that I would cheer the latest news of the campus woes, fact is, the park has been compromised for many decades to come. It does make me a little angry, that what was such a big deal, and an urgent project to get underway, (because this is what proponents kept telling us), has faltered so soon into its own history. Oh well, what's done is done, as they say.
WHAT THE WOODCHESTER EXPERIENCE DID FOR US?
The same young lads who chased each other tirelessly, on the shady hillside lawns of Bracebridge’s Woodchester Villa, and played everso gently with the Victorian era toys, strewn about in the child’s bedroom, now have surrounded themselves with history as a matter of lifestyle and profession.
From their early-age involvement at Woodchester, they’ve seen fit today, to buy, repair and sell vintage musical instruments and nostalgia. They both admit that being surrounded by history for so many years, at the museum and at home, seeped pleasantly into their respective souls. Andrew and Robert are curators of music heritage, and loving every minute of the experience!
Of course it was the privilege of having parents, who were part of the museum intimacy, you might say, and able, without the actual cost of admission, to spend hour upon hour immersed in family and community history. As I helped launch both the Historical Society and the bid to restore the octagonal Bird family house, (Woodchester Villa), I also worked long and hard to convince Suzanne, my bride, to join the museum volunteers. I was devilishly cunning back then. A few years later, and well, the kids had no choice. We spent so much time at Woodchester, in the late 1980's, from tour-guiding to lawn maintenance, program creation and operation, that it was necessary, a lot of the time, to keep the boys with us. So they adapted to Woodchester as if it was a second home. It was immersion, no doubt about it. But it worked to infuse history into our daily lives in a sort of crazy perpetuity...... of chasing and reclaiming all things old. We’ve got a house and shop full of this evidence of historical connectedness.
When I walk into their mainstreet Gravenhurst music shop today, located by the way in the former Muskoka Theatre building, (which is a nostalgic hoot), I can’t help but think those Woodchester days made an early, solid imprint. While it’s also the case that, as antique dealers, we are surrounded by old stuff daily, those years in the museum business, taught them an early respect and reverence for the value of old stuff generally. The only time either one would touch anything in the museum, or house, was when they had our approval. Such was the case in the allegedly haunted child’s room, on the second floor. They had too much else to think about, in that room, beyond what some guests believed was a spiritual occupation.
Years later, working for Roger Crozier, and then the Crozier Foundation, Andrew and Robert were pivotal players in the arrangement of displays and the handling of the valuable memorabilia for the sports hall of fame. Even before I was afforded the showcase, at the Bracebridge arena, paid for by the Foundation, the boys had assisted with the creation of a huge hockey display, during a summer antique show, honoring Crozier’s career in the National Hockey League. We did it strictly as volunteer curators and it was a blast.
When we changed exhibits in the Sports Hall of Fame, I let Andrew and Robert assist with arrangement of the sports relics, trophies, equipment and photographs. When we finished, we’d stand back and admire our handiwork. Every two to three months over twelve years, we’d show up to make the changes, and it was always neat to be able to handle all the history on display. It was a carry-over of Woodchester, where they learned early, about being responsible stewards of history.
Suzanne asked me the other day, after my recent letter to the editor ran in the Bracebridge Examiner (about the future preservation of Woodchester), what those years really meant to me. By this point I’d thought about nothing else for a week. Finding out that it could take, in excess of $500,000 to repair Woodchester Villa, re a front page article in the same paper, had inspired some serious recollection......as you can gather from the blogs written on this site during the past week. The only answer I had for Suzanne, was what I wrote about in the first paragraph of this blog. I felt our boys had benefitted most of all by the exposure to history all those years ago. My parents had taken me to just about every historic site in Southern Ontario, before I hit my twelfth birthday. It kind of rubbed off but I’m pleased they took the time to expose me to our country’s heritage. It’s helped me greatly over a lifetime..... my contenting days as both an historian and antique hunter. I credit them for my long-sustaining passion to preserve our heritage. When I walk into the boys’ music shop now, you can tell in an instant, Andrew and Robert feel the same. Mom and dad don’t lift a finger inside their shop, or make any suggestions about interior decorating or the inventory to stock the shelves. They are young antique hunters, musicians, entrepreneurs and good stewards of our past. I don’t know how many damaged vintage instruments Andrew (the restorer) has saved, but it must now be in the mid-hundreds. Both boys appreciate the old-time, quality sound of a vintage, time-traveled, worn-down instrument, brought back from the brink of the dumpster. And they’ll demonstrate for you, how in many cases, a cheap guitar of fifty years earlier, can sound better and richer than a top of the line, expensive modern-era creation......made from “sort of wood.”
When I think back to our family’s involvement in the operation of Wodchester Villa and Museum, it is a warm and fuzzy reminiscence, especially knowing that the boys don’t hate us today, for what we had to do then, mostly as volunteers, to keep those museum doors open. Their admiration of antiques and collectibles is immeasurable, and ranges from art appreciation, to the three pump organs we’ve saved from demolition. When I first began writing about my early days at the museum, the clearest recollection, was the long, labor-intensive days that beat-up a lot of good hearted volunteers in those lean days of museum life. There were a lot of aggravations and frustrations that I carried about, and it did impact my family. Over the years however, we found a way of incorporating family life and museum operation. It didn’t alleviate or even reduce the daily work load but it was no longer a burdensome responsibility. Those memories of the kids bouncing across the freshly mown lawns, falling and laughing, is still so vivid and contenting, And when we talk about Woodchester today, and weigh over its precarious future, we are sincere about our concern for its welfare. How could we not be? The immersion at Woodchester, for those years, has very much influenced how we live and work today. I can’t find a single negative in what we have long believed was a strikingly positive relationship.
As for the stewards of this property now.....what to do, what to do? I can’t really expect they could possibly possess the same connection to the site, as we enjoyed. So it’s a more “matter of fact” relationship that must prevail. It’s a municipal matter. I don’t expect my opinion will be of any consequence whatsoever, to the future of Woodchester. And that’s all right. I’ve had my say.
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