02 03 2000 History Minutes
.
Minutes of Meeting The Oro-Medonte History Committee
February 03, 2000 held at the old Oro Town Hall
Next Meeting will be held on March 02,2000 at the township office, time 7:30 pm.
.
.
In attendance: Tim Crawford (chair), Jadeen Henderson, Allan Howard, Eunice Johnston, George
Monkman, Bruce Wiggins.
Minutes ofthe last meeting were approved by Bruce Wiggins, 2nd by Allan Howard. Carried.
Arising:
.. Next Plaque site: Allan Howard reported that the subcommittee has chosen the Glouster Trail to
be recognized in 2001 with a small plaque at each end. The committee would like to have the
Trail traced from the air, Tim will be able to do this when he flies with a friend this spring. It
would be nice to hike the Trail if we can obtain permission from the private land owners.
Advertising for the Medonte book has appeared in the Orillia papers and Bruce reported 2
calls. He will place ads in the Barrie Advance and Midland paper as well, and take papers to the
Nursing and Retirement Homes in north Simcoe county. If the Activities Director of Homes is
aware of our se&rch they can inform any residences from Medonte..
July Celebrations: Tim Crawford has (or will) submit the Sir Sam Steele monument site and
Steele homestead for historic site status. The current owner ofthe farm is Bruce Gosse of
Toronto. He will be contacted and his penpissiol1 obtained. Parks and Heritage Canada requested
an aerial view of the homestead, church and Rever~nd George Hallen's house. George Hallen
was the fIrst minister of the Fairvalley Anglican C)l}lrch. The charge-de-faire of South Aftica has
be invited and will be in attendance. Sir Sam's sword will be used during the ceremony. It is
currently at the Simcoe County Museum. David Morris does not do a reenactment of Sir Sam
Steele because he is not large enough in stature.
..
..
Information Items:
.. Jaydeen Henderson was asked by the Presbyterian chu(.ch to appraise the furniture from the 3
building they have sold. This committee was given a pew which has been placed in the Oro
African church, a pulpit bible, a commemorative plate, and a wooden sign that advertises Dinner
for 5~. A reminder of bygone church dinners, from Central Presbyterian.
Flood cò~trol: A water pipe located above the vault froze and burst causing a flood in the vault.
The watefwas 18 inches deep when discovered. All the papers on the bottom shelf where taken
upstairs and"spread on tables and the floor to dry. They were then sorted and rebund1ed but will
no longer btstored on the bottom shelf. The books were a.\sp removed and allowed to dry. A fan
was borrowedftomth,e fire department to recycle the air inside ~he vault and help with drying out
the plaster boaM'3nd th'è wooden shelves. Items will be stored temporarily intbe locked room
upstairs. Jaydeenflellilersqn worked for over a week spe~rheadjqg t~w task an,d calling in
committee membeÌ's, fnèMsaoo family to help with the to 'rescue thçs~ important historic
documents. CouncilorRd~~nd h'fs'wife came to help. M~wbers oftllfOro Liçmess Club also
came to help out with clean ùp ~nd\tescue. . .
..
Action Items:
.. Sheila Robertson will be asked for her permission before thes;t¥l;;:le letters are photocopied and
framed for hanging in Fairvalley Anglican church. .
Tim Crawford will write to Simcoe County Historical Association r~questing $1500.00 for the
Hawkstone plaque. They have budgeted to help with this project and want to know a specific
..
.
amount.
Tim Crawford made a presentation the blacks ofOro to the students of Hillcrest School in Barrie.
A bus load of students toured the Oro African church during black History month and the school
received a complimentary copy ofthe book.
Thank you notes will be sent to all those who helped with the work of rescuing historic township
papers after the flood.
..
Meeting adjourned at 9:00.
Feb 07 A short meeting was held at old township hall to discus the letter received from council
granting this committee permission to accept antiques from the public. A receipt form will be drawn up
that can be given to the donor indicating a gift or a loan that will release the Township from liability in the
case of damage or loss due to fIre or theft. Further information will be sent to councillor Ron in our quest
to obtain storage space and possibly a display area for items already donated or acquÌred.
.
.
.