LIMELIGHT NEWSLETTER of the KINGSTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY vol 6 no 6    September 2004    ISSN 1488-5565

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT W ELCOME to another fall/winter season of KHS intellectual pot-pourri! Looking back on the summer, the highlight was yet again our commemoration of Sir John A. Macdonald on 6 June at Cataraqui Cemetery. We should take considerable pride in what has become a well-honed event. But this is because of the superb leadership and organizational skills of Peter Radley and his committee (Barbara Bonner, John Coleman, Jack Grenville, Jennifer McKendry, Emma Molsen, Stewart Renfrew). Thank you all. And there’s more to come. Alan MacLachlan has organized yet another excellent programme of speakers and events for the fall and winter. On Saturday, 2 October, a coach-tour to the “NEW Prince Edward County” (see back cover) will explore the beautiful landscape and rich cultural history of this unique place, as well as the new “artisanal gastro-centric community” developing there. These are Jamie Kennedy’s words in his introduction to Geoff Heinricks’ A Fool and Forty Acres: Conjuring a Vineyard Three Thousand Miles from Burgundy (2004). He goes on to say more about Heinricks’ dream: “There would be winemakers, cheesemakers, bakers, growers of organic fruits and vegetables. Perhaps a restaurant with a tavern attached. He wants to take the ideology of old and contribute something new, on a human scale, that is absolutely local and of the highest possible quality.” And he is not alone. Others are also joining in this new trend of cultural-tourism and alternative life styles. On another note, I am pleased that Bill Fitsell has agreed to become a regular contributor to Limelight by sharing with us heritage tidbits from his memory and copious file collection. I extend a warm welcome to “The Scribbler.” So, again, welcome back: I look forward to seeing you all at our next meeting; do sign up for “The County” field-trip; ...and remember, folks, only 75 days to the KHS Christmas party! Brian S. Osborne     THIS MONTH’S MEETING: WEDNESDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER at 7:30PM DOUG PIPPEN “The British Soldier on Carleton Island during the American Revolution: An Archaeological Perspective” in the Wilson Room, Kingston Public Library, Johnson at Bagot

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Murney Tower by James Warren THE KINGSTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY ESTABLISHED 1893 Limelight is published nine times a year - September to May. Submissions should be addressed to the Editor, Brian Osborne, 613-533-6042, email osborneb@qsilver.queensu.ca. Limelight designer, Jennifer McKendry, 613-544-9535, email mckendry@kos.net. The Kingston Historical Society (KHS) gratefully acknowledges the support of Limelight’s sponsors. KHS holds monthly talks or events, usually at 7:30 PM on the third Wednesday of the month, September to May, usually in the Wilson Room of the Kingston Public Library on Johnson St at Bagot St. Click on Coming Events to verify when and where. Special annual events include a dinner and talk honouring the birthday of Sir John A. Macdonald in January and a ceremony marking his death in June. New members are welcome! - individual $35, family $40, institutional $40, student $25; memberships include Historic Kingston, published annually by KHS.             Officers Councillors Brian Osborne, President Warren Everett, Past President Maurice Smith, Vice President Douglas Petty, Secretary Ted Huber, Treasurer John Abbott Robert Andrews Jane Errington John Fielding Ed Grenda Alan MacLachlan Desmond O’Meara Jack Pike Gordon Sinclair Edward Snider OPEN DOORS KINGSTON:     Part of a larger movement across the province, DOORS OPEN, KINGSTON will take place on Saturday, 18 September. The third year for this heritage event, this year promises to be just as exciting as the past two years. More than 20 sites - most* are open from 10AM until 4PM - will participate, ranging from our own historic Murney Tower to Queen’s new Integrated Learning Centre with its “living wall.” This is a great opportunity to see behind some of Kingston’s doors and - best of all - it’s FREE! Door Open Kingston sites: Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Canada’s Penitentiary Museum (555 King St W.), City Hall, Currie Hall & MacKenzie Building at RMC, Grand Theatre, Integrated Learning Centre (Beamish-Munro Hall, Queen's U.), Kingston Fire & Rescue Services Headquarters (500 O'Connor Dr.), Kingston Police Headquarters (11 Queen St), Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston, MacLachlan Woodworking Museum (16 km east of Kingston), The Military Communications Museum (along Hwy. 2), Murney Tower, Museum of Health Care at Kingston (George St), Princess of Wales' Own Regiment Military Museum in the Armouries (100 Montreal St), Pump House Museum, Queen's University Archives,, St George’s Cathedral (*only until 2PM), St Mark’s Church (Main St, Barriefield), St. Mary's Cathedral (right, *9AM to 12PM), Sydenham Street United Church, Tourist Bureau. (originally a railway passenger station, Ontario St), and the Water Treatment Plant (302 King St W). For a map and further information: http://www.cityofkingston.ca/visitors/museums/doorsopen.asp Submitted by Warren Everett

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SPEAKERS’ CORNER with Alan MacLachlan Our 2003-04 season of talks ended on May 19th on a high note before the summer hiatus. Our own Maurice Smith’s (below) Photo by Jennifer McKendry presented an illuminating account of the rise and fall of the timber and shipping empire, which operated on Garden Island under the direction of Delano Dexter Calvin and his son, Hiram, from the mid 1830s to 1914. Aided by historic photographs of the business, our speaker discussed the rafting aspects of this company from the harvesting of the old growth forests to the building of huge rafts at Garden Island. These were then floated down the St. Lawrence River to Quebec City and from there to the United Kingdom - all part of the forwarding trade. Buoyed by our presenter’s élan and enthusiasm during his talk and the informative question period, over 80 friends and members of the Society were treated afterwards to conviviality and refreshments - consisting of a large cake especially decorated with an image of the Murney Tower in recognition of the KHS’s 110th birthday. On Wednesday, 15 September at 7:30PM in the public library, the first of our 2004-05 presentations should be informative and intriguing. We will open the evening with two short presentations by the KHS prize winners from Kingston’s Historica (History Fair): Arlene Parr from Newburgh P.S. with “Boomtowns to Ghosttowns” and Mallory Alcock of Welborne P.S. Helen Coffey and Shirley Gibson-Langille serving the birthday cake. Photo by Jennifer McKendry with “Kingston General Hospital.” This will be followed by our major presenter, Doug Pippin of Syracuse, NY, who will be speaking on “The British Soldier on Carleton Island during the American Revolution: An Archaeological Perspective.” The results of the 1998 archaeological findings at Fort Haldimand on Carleton Island will be the main focus of the discussion. We look forward greeting to friends returning after our summer break. Please take special note of the splendid itinerary laid out for the Saturday, 2 October, day tour of Prince Edward County (see back cover).

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RECIPIENTS OF KINGSTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY AWARDS 1993 Shirley Gibson-Langille, artist, active member Dr George F.G. Stanley, historian, executive member 1994 Dr William Angus, historian, active member Frederick A. McConnell, curator, historical animator, vice-president Dr Richard A. Preston, historian, museologist, executive member 1995 Dr Margaret S. Angus, historian, author, government advisor 1996 Canadian Forces Communications & Electronics Museum Margaret (Peggy) Cohoe, historian, teacher, active member Gary Schultz, teacher, heritage fair organizer 1997 A.G. (Joe) Boucher, past-president (posthumous) Isobel and Bogart Trumpour, past-presidents 1998 BGen William J. Patterson, author, historic site historian Donald Redmond, editor Historic Kingston, librarian, executive member Carol White, teacher, consultant history curricula 1999 J. William Fitsell, journalist, sports historian, past-president Gordon D. Smithson, founding president Pittsburgh Historical Society, historian 2000 Cataraqui Cemetery Company, 150th anniversary Marjorie Simmons, historian, genealogist, executive member 2001 George F. Henderson, archivist, past chair of 6 June ceremony Maurice D. Smith, historian , museologist 2002 Cataraqui Archaeological Research Foundation, 25th anniversary Dr Jennifer McKendry, architectural historian, author, active member 2003 Downtown Kingston! Business Improvement Area, advocate of building preservation Ingbert J. Huber, retired master stone-cutter Helmut L. Graf, retired master mason

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The Scribbler J.W. (Bill) Fitsell “There is no doubt that this entire area of the fairgrounds, cattle barns, hockey museum and, of course, the (Kingston) Memorial Centre constitute a fascinating history and yet there are elements that are bent on its destruction,” writes Hugh Stafford. The retired Kingston businessman is one of several Kingstonians urging City Hall to take a second look at the property bounded by York, Alfred, Concession and Nelson streets. Centred by the city’s major hockey arena and containing race track, swimming pool, playground, ball diamonds and ample parking spaces, the 28-acre site has been tabbed for a $5-million resale to support the cost of building a Large Venue Entertainment Centre on Kingston’s inner harbour. To support his heritage theory, Mr. Stafford submits the cover of the Kingston Fall Fair’s 2004 Prize Book. It displays a photograph of a 1912 biplane flying over the Crystal Palace and the fairgrounds’ grandstand. This early “high rise” building, constructed in 1856, was the site of a hot-air balloon ascent attempt in 1881. In 1888, it was moved from the original fairgrounds at Bath and Palace roads, (having given the latter street its name) and re-erected at York and Alfred. Demolished c1948, the International Hockey Hall of Fame was erected there in 1961. The remarkable fairgrounds’ picture with the early flying machine provides an opportunity for historical papers on both subjects—the Kingston exhibition, which will mark its 175th anniversary in 2005, and the early history of flight in this area. Kingston’s municipal airport opened just north of the fairgrounds in 1929. SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD CEREMONY 2004 For more than a century, Kingston has commemorated the memory of Sir John A. Macdonald, and this was the fascinating subject of Christina Cameron’s address on June 6th. Parks Canada’s director general for national historic sites, she spoke on “Cast in Bronze: Commemorating Canada’s First Prime Minister.” But the range of her talk extended more broadly than that, including a recognition of the role of our own annual June 6th memorial service in keeping alive the memory of our first prime minister. In In her closing remarks, Photo as published in the June 11, 2004 Kingston Heritage Newspaper, taken by Cy Chapman Dr. Cameron noted how the process of commemoration was echoed in a new musical drama, recently performed in Ottawa, called Pélagie, based on a book by Antonine Maillet about the Acadian struggles after their deportation. The old man in the play says that the place of the dead is with the dead. Pélagie, the intrepid leader of the group, snaps back, “No. The place of the dead is in the memory of the living.” That was the moving message of this year’s Sir John A. Macdonald’s service. by John Coleman For more information & photos, click here

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LANDSCAPES/INSCAPES “The Happening” Part 3*: Sir John A. Macdonald’s Path by Shirley Gibson-Langille Ihave more developments to add to the “Happening” that started at Sir John A.’s grave. After 14 years, I located Elizabeth Luther in Toronto. When she heard the story of how her Toronto Star article on “Sir John A. Macdonald and the Witch of Plum Hollow” had inspired me to bring back their Ghosts at my Leeds and Thousand Island’s Art Show, she agreed to come to be part of the Opening Ceremonies to read her write-up as the ghost of Sir John A. and the Witch of Plum Hollow appeared. She also brought 15 copies of her book, Pioneer Spirit, Ontario Places of Worship Then and Now. They all sold and she generously gave all her royalties to the Art Scholarship fund. Later, when I opened my copy, I immediately spotted her photos of Sir John A’s grave and Christ Church. It was a lovely ending to the story. However, there is more to add about Sir John A. In my art show, there was a painting, “Vacant House along the Thousand Island Parkway.” I was very intrigued by this old house but, unfortunately, was unsuccessful at finding out its history. That quickly changed at my show when Albert Cliff came to me and told me it had belonged to Russell Grey. In 1932, he and his father Charlie Cliff used to go fishing there off the Grey’s dock on Halstead Bay. He remembered staying overnight at the Grey’s. Russell’s wife Keitha would entertain them playing the violin. They had one son, Douglas. The exciting history came from historian Bill Boulton. He told me it was too bad that he hadn’t noticed the painting earlier. He said he would have incorporated it at the opening with Sir John A.’s ghost. Charlie Grey (1812-1908) and his wife Margaret Macdonald (1820-1904) came to Canada with their young family in the 1840's. Margaret was a relative of Sir John A.’s. He is said to have visited them at the house. They had seven children including Hugh, (1849-1925) who married Ella Walker (1854-1944). They had seven children including Russell (1899-1969) who married Keitha Hayes (1903-1969). Their only son Douglas lived in the house till he died some years ago. More about Sir John A. came from William K. Webster, RR 4, Lansdowne. He told me Sir John was known to have had relatives with the Macdonald name on the Shaytown Blue Mountain Road. Sir John used to visit there and he called it the “Indian Trail.” He used to write about it stating the scenic quality of the land was the most beautiful in the world. It was also said that he owned two lots in the village of Charleston. A few years ago, they tore down a house in Athens. A paper was found at the base of the ruins. It was a certificate made out to Sir John A. Macdonald, age 21, the day he joined the Orange Lodge. This paper was sent to the National Archives in Ottawa. The story was written up in the Gananoque Recorder. The Ghost of Sir John A. Macdonald hasn’t been seen in the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands since 12 June 2004. However, I know his spirit will always be there, kept alive by the stories and tales passed down from generation to generation.

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Discover the New Prince Edward County on the KHS Coach Tour of “The County” SATURDAY, 2 OCTOBER 8.30AM Depart Queen’s University Union Street Parking Lot, by comfortable coach, for Adolphustown, via Hwy #33; Topics: Settlement along the shore; Bath; evolution of agriculture; Bay of Quinte Industry; Amherst Island; Glenora Board the ferry at Adolphustown; Topic: history of Glenora crossing Arrive at Lake-on-the Mountain; Topics: Geology of the escarpment & lake; the lake as a tourist attraction From Lake-on-the-Mountain to Carmela Winery; Topics: Picton, a brief historical sketch; a “tall” tale: Picton and the performance of the “Human Fly” 1933; history of hop and vine in PEC; pass by Black Prince, Huff Estates, Sugar Bush Vineyards, The Grange & Little Creek Vineyards Crystal Palace, Picton, Photo by Jennifer McKendry Arrive at The Grange Winery: presentation by Caroline Granger on changing agriculture of family farm followed by a tasting Carmela Winery: Vineyard Tour, Wine Tasting and Lunch; Activities: vineyard tour; tutored wine tasting and lunch in the processor or barrel room; conducted by Norman Hardy, winemaker and vineyard manager Depart Carmela, for Bloomfield; Topics: brief history of Wellington; past Sandbanks Estate Winery, Chadsey’s Cairns, Winery and Vineyard; introduce Bloomfield; Topics: A village transformed; Bloomfield through a child’s eyes in the 1940s; Bloomfield today; walking tour with guide, Bob Hintz (retired specialist in art and architecture); time for shopping Depart Bloomfield for South Bay via the Sandbanks, Cherry Valley and Milford; Topics: canning industry & PEC agriculture; the Sandbanks; Milford & its port Arrive Mariners’ Museum, South Bay; Topic: Eastern Lake Ontario fishery Leave Mariners’ Museum for Black River via County Road 13; Topic: former industry Arrive Black River Cheese Factory; Activity: an opportunity to taste and buy Depart Black River for Waupoos; Topic: the decline & present state of the apple industry in PEC Arrive County Cider Company, Waupoos, for cider tasting and talk; Activities: Grant Howes, proprietor & cider maker; history of his home and business; tasting and opportunity to purchase Depart County Cider for Waring’s Corner; Activity: an opportunity to buy apples at Hughes Orchards Arrive Waring House for dinner; Topics: Presentations by Nora & Christopher Rogers on restoration & transformation of historic County buildings as hubs for the hospitality industry: inns, spas, fine-dining restaurants, cooking schools, wine tastings, and winery tours 8.30PM Depart Waring House for Kingston & arrive at 9.30PM, Union Street Parking Lot, Queen’s University. $75 inclusive for Members; $100 inclusive for Non-Members. Please send cheques, payable to The Kingston Historical Society, by 24 September, to: ALAN MACLACHLAN, KHS PROGRAM COORDINATOR P.O. BOX 230 KINGSTON, ON K7L 4V8 phone 549-8841

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Nan Yeomans A gentle soul, a quiet smile, a kind heart, and talented hands. The Kingston Historical Society is missing one of its own—Nan Yeomans, age 81, died 21 August 2004. Professor Brian Osborne, KHS President, paid tribute to Nan: “Apart from being a long-standing and most-loyal member of our Society, she has contributed much to the local community. Increasingly, we are coming to understand that history may be represented in many forms other than the written word. Princess Street, 1950 water colour by Nan Yeomans In particular, Nan has recorded and interpreted both the material form and social life of Kingston and area in such a way that she is considered by many of us to be an important chronicler of our community” Her beloved art work has been characterized by well-known artist and teacher Dave Gordon as having “a sense of calm and beauty.” One of her versions of the city’s skyline is a key component of the KHS new website design. “Under My Shell,” Valerie Westgate’s documentary on the life and art of Nan Yeomans, was premiered on 3 June 2004 in the Kingston Public Library to a loyal crowd of supporters. Her oeuvre records Kingston as it existed more than fifty years ago (right: At the Foot of Princess Street, 1950) through to the city scene of today (top: Kingston Skyline from RMC Gazebo, 1995). It is somehow fitting that she treasured her pet turtle Tommy, a constant companion for 30 years, finding value in a life-form so many of us would insensitively underestimate.