Volunteer Association s 60 th Anniversary

Transcription

1 Lincoln s Jordan Historical Museum of the Twenty Volunteer Association s 60 th Anniversary Spring 2013 Newsletter #15 JHMTVA & PGFSO VOLUNTEERS CELEBRATE 60 YEARS Our cultural resources identify a distinctive window engaging communities in celebrating their diverse heritage. Dr. G. Elmore Reaman founded the Pennsylvania German Folklore Society of Ontario, October 26, 1951 to recognize the contributions made by their ancestors. Many of these families were of the Mennonite faith, settling in three distinct areas, The Twenty in Lincoln County (Vineland and Jordan) and Waterloo and York Counties. Author of The Trail of the Black Walnut (1957), Dr. Reaman articulated, This work does not pretend to be a cultural study of these different folk. Rather it is an effort to understand them as an ethnic group, which despite linguistic and national distinctions, was bound together by the bond of a common, basic religious tradition. On January 16, 1953 twelve dedicated individuals completed the Incorporation of Letters Patent for the Jordan Historical Museum of the Twenty. In March of the same year the Pennsylvania German Folklore Society of Ontario, Chapter of the Twenty, was founded at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac High in Vineland Station, Ontario. PROVINCIAL PLAQUE COMMEMORATES ONTARIO S FIRST MENNONITE SETTLEMENT On Saturday, October 7, 1961, a provincial historical plaque commemorating the first Mennonite settlement in the province was unveiled at the Jacob Fry House at the Museum of the Twenty, Main Street, Jordan. This was one in a series of plaques erected throughout the province by the former Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario. The unveiling ceremony was arranged and sponsored jointly by the Museum of the Twenty and the German Folklore Society. The Reverend Wayne North of Vineland acted as program host. Participants in the event included the Honourable Charles Daley, provincial Minister of Labour; Professor G.F.G. Stanley of the Archaeological and Historic Sites Board; Dr. H.S. Bender, Dean of Goshen College Biblical Seminary; Mr. Fred McKenzie, Reeve of Louth Township; and Mr. J.E. Culp of Vineland, a descendant of one of the early Mennonite families. To honour Canada s 1967 Centennial Year, The Pennsylvania German Folklore Society and the Jordan Museum Board initiated Pioneer Day which continues as a highly successful annual early autumn event. Although Jordan/Vineland are identified as the first district to lose the mother tongue, the German language has left its mark with many quaint expressions and sayings creeping into conversations. James Realizing E. Painter, centre that a wealth of proverbial expressions and childhood jingle were stored in the memory of a few of the older people, one of the first projects of the Folklore Society was to collect as many of these as possible. The late A.L. Fry and S.F. Coffman were largely responsible for this. Mr. Fry added humour and interest to many programs from his stock of local anecdotes. (Mary Tivy, Museums, Visitors & the Reconstruction of the Past in Ontario) Historic preservation is a powerful tool - a legacy documenting the dynamic role of our forefathers. Celebrate with us Saturday, May 4, 2013 For Reservations - Page 3

2 P A G E 2 Museum News H E L E N B O O T H M U S E U M D I R E C T O R Museum, you don t have to donate it unless you want to! Fall and Winter have come and gone and we are more than ready to start a new season. With the 60 th Anniversary of the Jordan Historical Museum of the Twenty Volunteer Association and the Pennsylvania German Folklore Society of Ontario, Chapter of the Twenty in mind, we have some new events and activities planned and we are looking forward to sharing them with you! First, I would like to announce that after eight years portraying Miss Welstead to thousands of visiting schoolchildren, Elinore Thorburn has decided to leave her position as School House Interpreter. We are sad to see her go but wish her all the very best in her new endeavours. Beth Labrie remains as one of our two School House Interpreters and we are looking forward to hiring another Miss Welstead. Want to learn more about the Museum s Fry House and the School House? Thanks to the Volunteer Association s financial assistance, the Museum is publishing a book that tells the stories of both buildings, titled: Stories of Wood and Stone: The Houses of the Jordan Historical Museum The publication will be available after the May 4 th 60th Anniversary Celebration Banquet. SUMMER HOURS! From the weekend of May 11 th the Museum will be open for tours Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am - 5 pm What would you like to show off about your family? Part of the anniversary celebrations will be to put together an exhibit to showcase family treasures from the community. The Museum is inviting people in Lincoln to loan the Museum something special that exemplifies their family history. You don t have to donate it! We ll put together an exhibit from June to Pioneer Day that will showcase those items and tell their story. This isn t just for families of our original settlers! Anyone who lives in Lincoln and who has something they d like to share with the community is invited to participate. So far, we have received some pottery found in the home of a local artist and a Bible. We welcome anything that tells a story about your family in Lincoln! If you have treasures for our 60 th Anniversary Celebration exhibit, please contact Helen at ext. 290 or at museum@lincoln.ca to make an appointment. Space is limited for some larger items. The deadline for bringing in your family treasure will be April 26 th. Remember, we are asking you to loan your treasure to the The Heritage Gift Shop In Jordan Village The Gift Shop is now in full bloom as Spring arrives in Jordan. Our buyers have returned with wonderful values on jackets, blouses and colourful scarves as well as beautiful accessories and jewellery for the discerning shopper. Our Fudge and Preserves are ready for tasting. We look forward to everyone coming in to see the lovely items we have for you this Spring. Look for us under the green awning on Main Street, Jordan. The Heritage Gift Shop is a Volunteer Committee of the Jordan Historical Museum of the Twenty Volunteer Association

3 Donald Wesley Jory J E N N I F E R H A I N E S P A G E 3 Donald Wesley Jory (September 26, ) was a dedicated community builder. His simple acts of kindness were endless. Donald lived and worked by the belief, Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. 1 Donald Wesley Jory was born in Lincoln County, Ontario to fruit grower Francis Hector Jory (June 14,1874- September 17,1939) and Emma Margaret Botterill (December 25,1870-January 6,1967). Donald s parents married August 21,1906 in Smithville, Ontario. Donald was the younger brother of James Henry Harry Jory (December 2,1907- October 26,1921) who passed away at a young age from complications of diphtheria. On July 31,1935 Donald Jory married Winnifred Stricker (August 15,1900-August 21,1974), the daughter of Levi Stricker (July 9,1864-March 21,1963) and Margaret Ellen Burnett (December 18,1866-November 11,1942). The Stricker family were former residents of Wellesley Township, Waterloo County, Ontario before moving to Beamsville, Ontario. Donald Jory s fruit farm, located at the foot of Bartlett Road overlooking Lake Ontario, produced topnotch peaches - a family affair which included Donald and Winnifred s children, Douglas and Donna. Townsfolk remember Donald s generosity extending a helping hand as electrician, painter, carpenter and performing the duties of school trustee. Upon retirement from their farm, Donald and Winnifred resided in Beamsville. A life long member of Trinity United Church in Beamsville, Donald served as a member of the Board of Trustees and Clerk of Session for many years. Local resident, John Burton, reminisces, Don was not a man to stand around and think about doing something. Discussions at a committee meeting began to allow better use of the old church hall. A crew was assembled complete with wrecking bars and chainsaw. As the hall was being finished with trim and paint Don saw a discrepancy in the colours, retrieved a paint brush and roller and was up on a ladder. Don had a sense of humour, a sense of duty and hard work. He passed away before completions of the church hall. A member of the congregation thought it would be a fitting remembrance to name the hall in Don's name. The plaque on the north wall was hand carved by Rudy Schindel, church member and long time assistant of Don Jory. 2 Rev. Judy Bowman, Trinity United Church, recognized Donald Jory, Renovation of the lower level of the church in 1991 included digging out the basement every night for 2-3 weeks by hand, moving the kitchen to the other side of the hall, new floor and painting. At the time, Don was 80 years of age but it didn t stop him from running a jack hammer for hours. Before the hall was dedicated Don Jory suddenly died and they named it after him. 3 1 Helen Keller (June 27, 1880-June 1, 1968), American author 2 John Burton, Beamsville, Ontario, Rev. Judy Bowman, Many Hearts, Many Hands An Informal History of Trinity United Church : Beamsville Plan to Attend our 60th Anniversary Celebration Banquet Jordan Historical Museum of the Twenty Volunteer Association Pennsylvania German Folklore Society Chapter of the Twenty Friends of Lincoln s History Archives Saturday, May 4, 2013, 6 p.m. Jory Hall, Trinity United Church, William Street, Beamsville Seating is limited. Cost $35/person Reserve tickets with Pat High, before April 24 th

4 P A G E 4 J O R D A N H I S T O R I C A L M U S E U M O F T H E T W E N T Y V O L U N T E E R A S S O C I A T I O N 2013 Annual General Meeting Monday, April 22, :00 p.m. Moses Rittenhouse Library, Vineland Notice & Agenda 1. Welcome - Bev Davies, Chair, JHMTVA 2. Remembrances - Veronika Reiser 3. Approval of Minutes from April 26, Business arising from the minutes 5. Election of Directors Don Adkinson, Bill Tanner, Ray Konkle, Veronika Reiser John delaat, Jennifer Haines, Lloyd Haines, Christine Myles-Tait, Robert Wismer Standing for election Tom Platts, Mary-Jane Tanner, Bev Davies (Nominations Welcome) 6. Treasurers Year End Reports Christine Myles-Tait, JHMTVA Heritage Gift Shop Committee Treasurer John delaat, JHMTVA Treasurer 7. Heritage Gift Shop Committee Report Ray Konkle, JHMTVA Heritage Gift Shop Committee Chair 8. Museum Director s Remarks - Helen Booth 9. New Business 10. Adjournment BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Bev Davies Vice Chair Ken Lounsbury Secretary Lloyd Haines Treasurer John delaat Membership Veronika Reiser Newsletter Jennifer Haines Lloyd Haines Directors Don Adkinson Ray Konkle Christine Myles-Tait Tom Platts Bill Tanner Mary-Jane Tanner Robert Wismer To participate in voting, renew your membership with Veronika Reiser before the Annual General Meeting. Message from Bev Davies, Chair, JHMTVA As we celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Jordan Historical Museum of the Twenty, the Jordan Historical Museum of the Twenty Volunteer Association and the Pennsylvania German Folklore Society - Chapter of the Twenty, whose history forms much of the backbone of our Museum, we take time to reflect on the many many people whose involvement has brought us to this point. From those who chose this area in which to settle, to those community members who had the foresight to begin documenting those early days, to the hundreds of Volunteers who, over the years, have supported the Museum in countless ways, to the Town of Lincoln who realized the importance of local history and took over the Museum in 1995 when it became too large and too complicated an enterprise for volunteers alone, to the Museum staff who care for the Museum and who promote it to the public in so many ways, a thousand, thousand thanks! A Lincoln Community Anniversary Celebration is planned for early August on the Museum grounds. We hope you will join us then! T O W N O F 3800 Main Street Jordan, Ontario L0R 1S Director: Helen Booth Assistant Director: Sylvia Beben Find the JHMTVA Newsletter at the Town of Lincoln Museum: Contact Editors: colonist@cogeco.ca

5 Jordan Historical Museum of the Twenty Volunteer Association Your 2013 Membership is Appreciated Name Address Phone Please make cheques payable to the JHMT Volunteer Association MEMBERSHIP please circle one: Single $14 Family $25 Corporate $30 MAIL TO: Veronika Reiser JHMTVA Membership Secretary 3855 Aberdeen Rd. BEAMSVILLE, ON. L0R 1B6 Or bring your Membership Renewal to the AGM on Monday, April 22, 2013.