IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // V / 1.0 I.I big 12.8 jS6 ■ 32 Vli 1^ IM [||Z2 IM 1.8 1-25 1.4 1.6 ^ 6" ► S&.. V] <^ /a /. '^^ % o 7 Photographic Sciences Corporation V ^^ <^ O "^ V ^ ^1 6^ -^^J^ '. U- 25 li /''%-«■. SECRETARY'S REPORT. .j( Origin of the Undertaking. At the meeting of the Ontario Historical Society held at the Exhibition Grounds, Toronto, on September 2nd, 1898, the following resolution was passed : Moved by Rev. Canon Bull (President Lundy's Lane Historical Society), seconded by Miss Carnochan (Niagara Historical Society) " That the Ontario Historical Society having among its objects that of forming a historical museum, and as there is now available for such purpose a considerable quantity of rare and valuable material It IS desirable that steps should at once be taken to place the various articles on exhibition ; and that a committee, consisting of Lady Edgar, Miss Mickle, Miss FitzGibbon, Rev. Dr. Blackstock Mr C C James, and Mr. J. O. Brant-Sero, be appointed to take such steps as may be necessary to accomplish that object." In pursuance of this resolution the committee duly met. Mr C. C. James was elected Chairman, and Miss FitzGibbon Secretary It was decided that a circular should be distributed, in order to ascer- tain what material was available for exhibition, further steps to be dependent upon the co-operation of other historical societies or individuals who might be interested. The circular was printed and sent to upwards of 450 addresses. Packages of ten to one hundred were also sent, accompanied by forms of entry for loan of exhibits, to all historical and U. E. Loyalist societies, to the press, public institutions, and prominent men. The response to this circular being satisfactory, a report was submitted to the Ontario Historical Society at their winter session February 15th and i6th, 1899. Owing, however, to lack of funds and the Society's inability to incur liability, or to furnish a guarantee against loss, nothing was done beyond a resolution being carried, that "an exhibition should be held under the auspices of the Ontario Historical Society." This temporarily delayed progress. The original sub-committee decided to make an effort to procure the funds sufficient to warrant the undertaking. A meeting was called for March 8th, of the committee named by the Women's Canadian Historical Society to co-operate with the Ontario Society, and such others as might be interested, and who would lend their aid in carrying out the proposed Exhibition. This meeting was attended by twenty-eight ladies and gentlemen, the former in the majority, and members of the Women's Canadian Historical Society of Toronto. A report of what had already been done was read, and also a letter from Rev. John Potts, D.D., of Victoria University, in which the free use of Victoria College building was granted for an exhibition to be held in June. Resolutions were passed nominating conveners of committees in accordance with the departments outlined in the circular. Lady Edgar was appointed President and Miss F'itzGibbon Hon. Secretary of the combined committees. Owing to the short time before the date fixed for the Exhibition, the work thus outlined had later to be much modified, and several sections omitted. Mr. J. L. Hughes was elected Hon. Treasurer, with Miss E. Yates Farmer as Hon. Asst. Treasurer, and Miss Sara Mickle as Hon. Asst. Secretary. It was decided that with the building so generously placed at their service by the Board of Victoria College, the balance from the Provincial grant to the Cabot Celebration, the balance unexpended of the $50 voted by the Ontario Historical Society, and a further security of a guarantee fund, the Exhibition might be carried through successfully. The meeting adjourned to meet again at the call of the President. Through the kindly exerted influence of the Hon. G. W. Ross, the Hon. G. W. Allan, Mr. O. A. Howland, Rev. Provost Welch, Rev. Chancellor Burwash, and Mr. D. Boyle, a meeting of the Cabot Celebration Committee was called, and the sum of $265 placed in the hands of Mr. J. L. Hughes, Hon. Treasurer of the Exhibition Com- mittee. To this was added $35, balance of grant made of $50 by Ontario Historical Society. (For donations made later see Treasurer's Report.) Mr. Hughes also undertook to obtain the required guarantee of $1000 if he were allowed to treat as private the names of the guarantors. Meetings were held on April i6th and 24th to organize the work of the various departments. The conveners were given limited power to add to their numbers, the dates for the various sub- and other committee meetings arranged, and the work put en train. The meeting of May i st was held in Victoria College, and from that date until June 14th meetings were held twice a week. The design for the advertising poster was executed by J. D. Kelly, of the Toronto Lithographing Co. Two thousand were printed and distributed to all parts of the Dominion. Two hundred odd remain on hand, though still in demand by poster collectors. There are also about the same number of the catalogues. Both these are to be had at the Methodist Book Room. Miss Constance Boulton, Miss Hart, and the Secretary of the press committee did good work in supplying the press with paragraphs, reports of meetings, articles and items calcu- lated to arouse interest in and secure the loan of valuable material. Articles were printed in the editorial columns of the Globe, (Toronto), Advertiser, (London), Gazette, (Montreal), Daily Chronicle, (Quebec), Expositor, (Brantford), Whig, (Kingston), Free Press, (Winnipeg) Mail and Empire, The World ^\^Toronto), Express, (Buffalo), and others, in which attention was drawn to the importance of the Exhi- bition as an incentive to a due appreciation of the value of Canadian history and as an object lesson. Our thanks are due to the editors, particularly to tho.se of the Toronto dailies, for much valuable aid both before and after the Exhibition opened. Arrangements were made with Rev. Father Jones, S.J., of St. Mary's College, Montreal, to bring a very valuable collection of MSS., missals, maps, journals, etc., belonging to the early Jes'iit missionaries and explorers. These were displayed in the library c the College, and formed one of the most attractive features of the Exhibition. In the library were also displayed a small but interesting exhibit of early Canadian publications, and old books and MSS of the first British explorers and travels. These were under the care of Mr. C. C. James and Mr. A. E. Lang. On the walls was a finr set of water color sketches and paintings of Toronto, thirty-four in number, loaned by Mr. John Ross Robertson. The Exhibition was also very much indebted to Mr. James Bain, Public Librarian, Toronto, and the late Mr. Robert Jenkins, who provided the entire exhibits of one room. The list of the.se fills twenty-two pages of the catalogue, and is very complete and correct. Owing to the difficulty of getting the entry forms in, and to exhi- bitors sending objects other than those entered, as well as the number sent in at the last moment before the opening of the Exhibition, the remainder of the catalogue is not as complete as could be desired- So much valuable material came in too late for entry, that the Ontario Historical Society, at the close of the Exhibition, decided that a complete catalogue should be made, type-written, and filed in their archives until funds were provided for its publication.* Too much praise cannot be given to the Advertising Committee, under the convenership of Mrs. R. E. A. Land. The advertisements secured for the catalogue by her and her committee covered the cost of all the printing required, including the catalogues, programmes, etc. Another source of revenue was the souvenir pins.f These were designed and ordered at their own risk by Mrs. C. H. Ritchie and Mrs. R. G. Wilkie. All were sold before the close of the Exhibition. The Conveners of the- Committees who had charge of the different departments, short handed as they often were, worked with such zeal and enterprise that a great deal was accomplished in a few days. Among those who deserve especial mention are, Mrs. ylimilius Jarvis, Convener of the Furniture Committee — the two rooms under her charge, representing the living rooms of the early settlers, and the articles therein, recalling through their former owners many a name and date of Canadian history, were of particular interest to the public; Mrs. Edward Leigh, Convener of the Dress Committee, who not only had a most interesting collection on view, but was so ably assisted by her Committee that the history connected with the objects shown was told to visitors; Mrs. Forsyth Grant, whobeside her many duties as Lady Edgar's representative, had, at the last moment, through the inability of the original Committee to act, to take charge of the Silver department, the value of which exhibit necessitated great care and responsibility. Mrs. Grant was ably assisted by her small Committee, composed of Mrs. S. B. Gundy, Miss Evelyn Cox, and Miss Fleming, one or other of whom was in the room during the Exhibition ; Mrs. Arthur Spragge, who had entire charge of the collection and arrange- ment of the china exhibited in the same room ; Mrs. J. A. Paterson, who undertook the entire charge of the Portrait Committee, and did her work well. The Military room owed much of its attractivene'ss to the exhibits loaned from the Military Museum, Ottawa ; to the valuable aid of the Canadian Military Institute, Toronto, and to Capt. Mowat and his Committee ; also to Mr. J. A. Macdonell, of Alex- andria, whose large contribution was most interesting. Collections of medals were loaned by Capt. Wyatt and Rev. Canon Sweeney ; of * Any exhibitor detecting errors or omissions in the entry of loans, will kindly notify the Secretary, 94 Wilicocks St., Toronto. t The design is a shield, bearing the Dominion arms in enamel, surmounted by the imperial crown, and encircled by a 'vreath of maple and laurel. The letters C. H. S., and the date, 1899, ar«» in silver gilt. ',1 ll '' 1 armor and other military relics by Surgeon- Major Ryerson, Surgeon- General Neilson, and Major Keefer of Gait ; these and the priceless presentation swords, and miniatures, etc., were so valuable, that though enclosed in glass cases, the Committee engaged a paid guard to watch them. The large collection of Indian work and relics, loaned by Mrs. Brant-Sero, Hamilton, Mr. P. Leighton, Amherstburg, Dr. Jones, Hagarsville, and others, formed a large part of the exhibits in the Indian room. Interesting contributions were also loaned by Mr. E. M. Chadwick, Miss Curzon, I'oronto, Mrs. Moodie, Maple Creek, Assa., and others. To Mrs. Burwash and her Committee is due the practical interest taken in the rooms where the exhibits illustrating the history of the Universities, Colleges, Grammar Schools, etc., were arranged. Dr. S. P. May, of the Education Department, undertook, without cost to the Exhibition Committee, the room illustrating the Educational System of Ontario. Acknowledgments are also due to the local St. George's Society, Mr. Willson, of the Canada Company, the York Pioneers, the Niagara, Lundy's Lane, Belleville and Bay of Quinte, and Elgin Historical Societies, and the Women's Canadian Historical Society, of Ottawa, for their collections of exhibits ; to Miss Barr. Windsor ; Mrs. Holm.stead, Dundas ; Miss Thurtele, Orillia ; H. A, Dean, Picton ; Lawrence Heyden, Toronto; John Ross Robertson, M.P., as well as to the many who entrusted the committee with family portraits, silver, jewellry, dress, furniture, rare editions of books, MSS., archives, etc. ; also to the U. E. Loyalist Association of Ontario, for procuring the loan of the celebrated Communion Service of plate, presented to her " Indian allies of the Mohawk Valley," by Queen Anne, in 1710. This had been divided by its owners, when as U.E. Loyalists they left the Mohawk Valley and came to Canada, part settling on the grant of land made .o them on the Bay of Quinte, and part on the Grand River, near Brantford, in 1784. The fact of its being brought together for the first time since that dat^e, formed a unique incident in the Exhibition. The plate was photo- graphed before it was again separated, and copies were sold during the Exhibition. Thanks are further due to the Canadian Club of Toronto for the patriotic and capable way in which they lent tneir aid and increased the receipts of the Exhibition. The Committee in charge of musicales is also indebted to Dr. Edward Fisher, Director of the Toronto Conservatory of Music, to Edward Schuch, and the other artists who so kindly contributed to the musical pro- 8 grammes for the evenings. Mr. Frank Yeigh, Mr. C. C. James, Deputy-Minister of Agriculture, Rev. Canon Macnab, Mr. H. J. Wickham, and Mr. Gay Andras, are entitled to grateful acknowledg- ment for their able and interesting lectures. The Exhibition Committee had the distinguished honor of receiving His Excellency the Governor-General during the first day of the Exhibition. He was pleased to express very great interest in what he san', giving kindly praise to the committees for their efforts, and complimenting them upon their success. By the kind permission of the College Board, the Exhibition was kept open three days longer than at first arranged. The attendance increased with each day, and there is no doubt that if the building could have been secured for a month longer, the result both in amassing a larger collection of exhibits and in increasing the receipts would have been considerable. After the close on July ist, the packing and redistribution of the exhibits was done as expeditiously as possible, considering the small number of the committee at liberty to undertake it, many having been obliged to leave town before that date. With the exception of a parcel of shields, bearing the arms of the different provinces, loaned by the Canadian Club of Hamilton, all loaned articles have been safely returned. The following have been placed in the care of the Women's Canadian Historical Society of Toronto, until arrangements have been made for a suitable museum building. The first safe used, in Gait, (from Miss Dickson.) Framed copy of fac-simile of the Neiu England Courant, Febru- ary 4th, 1723. First paper printed by Benjamin Franklin. (From Mrs. Jane Sully James, Toronto.) Old blue delft plate, part of dinner set formerly belonging to Governor Gore. (From Miss Logan, Whitby.) German Caricature of Napoleon, with burlesque of his titles. Date about 1813-14. Context suggests that the drawing was made when the threatened peace negotiations imperilled German union and liberty. Stone axe, picked up at the Humber, near Toronto. French axe, found imbedded in the fork of a tree at Niagara. (From William Armstrong, C.E., The Priory, Toronto.) Autograph Sonnet, by the late Archibald Lampman. Autograph Poem, by Duncan Campbell Scott. (From Mr. Scott, Ottawa.) Autograph page of MSS., by the late Alpheus Todd, author and Parliamentary Librarian at Ottawa. (From Alfred Todd, Ottawa.) Some old Coins. (From Mrs. J. J. Currie, St. Catharines.) Hand-made brass buckles, worn by soldiers in Canada in 1759. (From Mr. Tinning, Toronto.) Fac-simile of a letter, written by Major-General Wolfe at Quebec. (From Lawrence Heyden, Toronto.) I have also in my possession a number of autograph letters, extracts, and other documents formerly belonging to the late Ferdin- and Tupper, Guernsey, nephew and biographer of Major-General Sir Isaac Brock. These were given to me for my information, and per- mission given to ultimately present them to a Historical Museum if one wp.3 established in Toronto, and I should deem it advisable. Photograph of the old Grammar School and Church at Cornwall. The Year Book. A pamphlet of St. Paul's Church, Halifax, N. S. — the oldest Protestant church in Canada. Before closing this report, hearty thanks are tendered the mem- bers of the Women's Canadian Historical Society of Toronto, who worked so hard and devoted .so much of their time to make the Exhibition not only a success, but enabled it to be held at all, and the gentlemen who supported their efforts and gave such valuable aid. The members of the Ontario Historical Society, under whose auspices the exhibition was held, being scattered throughout the Province, were able to do little more than arouse interest in it in their several localities, secure exhibits, and be in attendance while the exhibition was being held. While the use of their official stamp in conjunction with the names of the Committee no doubt helped, the actual labor and responsibility for the success of the undertaking was borne by the committee resident in Toronto. Although the balance of funds left in the hands of the committee after the expenses are defrayed is comparatively small, yet the primary object of holding the exhibition has been attained, viz., that of pre- serving from loss valuable historic relics and records, and of arousing an appreciative interest in the value, romance, and picturesqueness of our historw Work such as this may be regarded as of greater value and importance for the future than the mere acquisition of dollars — work that will, it is confidently expected, bear rich fruit in the days to come. Having accomplished what was undertaken, that is, to prove by practical demonstration that there exists in Canada a large amount of historic material suitable for such an exhibition, and much that is lO available for the purpose of establishing a historical museum for the Province if a suitable building were erected, it will not be amiss to state here the requirements for such a building. A central site would be necessary, with a plan which will admit of one wing being now erected, of a fire-proof building, the remainder to be built as required or funds will permit. If such a building were put up, the nucleus of relics already possessed would soon gather a considerable increase. The Ic'ture rooms could be rented to the literary and historical societies who now require a settled place of meeting, and the building might thus be made to some extent self-supporting. A city of the size and population of Toronto without a museum is an anomaly in the eyes of the thousands of visitors who yearly enjoy its hospitality, and even more important is the fact that if such a building is not speedily provided, valuable historical treasures a :d property will be destroyed or lost beyond recall. It rests with the citizens of Toronto as well as of Ontario at large, the Provincial Government, and the members of the Historical Societies, to see that this reproach is soon removed. The scheme for the establishment of a Provincial Art Gallery and Reference Library is one that has appealed to many, and the Historical Societies could not do better than add their influence to bringing it to a successful accomplishment, provided that a Historical Museum be made a portion of the plan. Appended is a financial statement of the Historical Exhibition. All of which is respectfully submitted. Mary Agnes FitzGibbon, Honorary Secretary. \ Financial Statement, Canadian Historical Exhibition, June 1899. Receipts. Balance of Cabot Celebration Fund $ 265 00 Grant from Ontario Government icx) 00 Grant from Ontario Historical Society 50 00 Other grants : St. Thomas Historical Society, $2.00 ; Miss FitzGibbon, $10.00 ; Rev. VVm. Briggs, $5.00 ; Mrs. McLaren, Perth, $5.00 ; Wm. Goulding, $5.00; W. A. Murray, $2.50. 29 50 Advertisements in Catalogue 473 65 Sale of tickets and door admissions i>7i9 5° Profits from refreshment room 27 35 Profits from sale of souvenir pins 33 50 Total $2,698 50 f i- Expenditures. Printing — Catalogue Miscellaneous . ; " * • *35o oo Final leport '. "? ^4 •^ 25 00 Advertising— ^'5' 24 Newspapers ^^^ Art Posters . *73 00 Wall Posters, and' Posiin;: '.W:. '^ ^ Distributing Circular-Programmes"; ::.■■ 2?^ Advertisements on Street Cars 40 00 Entertainments- ^^^9 00 Orchestra (five times) j^, _^ Lantern Slides .... *02 00 Illustrating Three Lectures '. '. \ '. '. [ '. [ [ '. [ [ 1° S Insurance ^93 00 Gas 30 45 Rent of Showcases 44 64 Cartage _' 329 00 Canadian Express ... y" ' '5425 Dominion Express •^'* '5 ^ 52 20 Mullin S Muir, Mouldings' 'M '4 Disbursements for Postage, ' Customs; Typewrki'nV "° " Tentf Stal;„""'°""''' ''''*"^' ««^ ' ■ ■ • -46 ., SviSf Ziteto"'"^'"''™'^'^"^---- ■■■■■ STy H.J.Mathews '200 Carpenter work '^ 95 Profits from Exhibition ^6 81 330 24 Total —-- $2,698 50 Frank Yeigh, " J. J. Murphy, Auditors. JAMES L. Hughes, Treasurer. „f I^^r^^"^ ?''P'"' °''*330.24 has been transferred to the Treasurer of the Ontano Historical Society, and by him deposited as as ™ a account ,„ a sav.ngs bank for a Provincial HistorLl MuseumTund