The Huronia Museum Film Series presents And If We All Lived Together.
January 30, 2013 – 4:30PM and 7:30PM at Galaxy Cinemas, Midland, Ontario.
For more information about our film series, please visit our Film Series Page.
How many people may have been living and working in Bruneauville, or ‘Old Fort’?
Did the lumber town of ‘Old Fort’ Thrive on the Broken Dream of Bruneauville?
From the early days of settlement in this area, there are many examples of town site plans that were created without the town actually developing.
In Sunnyside (north-west side of Midland), a place named Everton had been surveyed on lot No. 111, concession 1, Tay, in the year 1853, but it did not materialize.
As you are about to enter Port NcNicoll, on the left side of the road, the huge field had been surveyed with sidewalks even being made but this development never happened.
At Tanner’s Beach, near Sturgeon Bay, the plan for Port Powell, with street names, was developed but did not develop.
Through the record of the Drummond Island Voyageurs Migration, we know that a number of people settled at the location of present-day Sainte-Marie.
In 1873, Julien Bruneau registered a plan of subdivision (Plan #185) for Bruneauville on the west side of the Wye River in the West ½ of lot 16, Concession 3, ( John Raynor, Huronia Chapter of Ontario Archaeological Society blog February 1, 2012).
“Bruneau soon experienced a series of financial problems which resulted in his indebtedness. In 1874, he sold approximately fifteen acres of the west half of Lot 16 on the east side of the river to Sophia, wife of Alexander McDonald.” (Delaney and Nicholls)
“It would further appear from the historical record that some of the lots were sold to the British Canadian Lumber Company” (Raynor).
“Sophia McDonald sold the parcel (except one acre) to James Stabler Plewes…” (Delaney and Nicholls)
“… the acreage owned by Plewes on the west half of Lot 16, Concession 3 was developed as a mill site. A number of sawmills and houses were eventually located along the Wye river at Old Fort, the name given to the community immediately to the north of Sainte-Marie along both sides of the river.”
Would it follow that Bruneauville was a planned community but never materialized? In its place, perhaps, a substantial mill town, called ‘Old Fort’, developed (based on the fact that the largest schooner was docking for the lumber) and that the mill town settlement design may have roughly followed the proposed registration plan that Bruneau had envisioned.
Winterfest Activities at Huronia Museum
The Huronia Museum partners with the Huronia Foundation for the Arts for Winterfest
This year we will be holding an event on the Friday evening of Winterfest from 5pm to 8pm. You can come out and enjoy homemade shepherd’s pie, bread and a tart while viewing the members of the HFA art show and enjoying the sounds of local musicians from the Good Vibes Coffee House. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Huronia Museum before Wednesday, January 30th for $8.00 or at door on February 1st for $10.00.
We will also be open all day Saturday, February 2nd free of charge, with a number of events running throughout the day.
Saturday morning at 11am bring your tots to meet story teller Mr. B and his TV guest star Fred.
Don’t forget to register your children for the Little People Art Contest from 10 to 11am. This is a children’s art exhibit with a people’s choice prize awarded to the favourite picture as voted by Winterfest visitors throughout the day. Each entry will be matted and exhibited at Huronia Museum on the Saturday of Winterfest. For any young ones wishing to take part in the competition please draw us a picture and submit it at Huronia Museum no later than 11am on Saturday, February 2nd. All pictures will the be mounted in a pre-sized 4” x 6” mat and hung for viewing. All pictures should be submitted with a 1.5 inch clear border on all sides to ensure that it fits in out pre-cut mats. The cost is $2.00 per entry and everyone can take their picture home in the mat at the end of the day. To make it easier you can use this Drawing Template to ensure you get just the right size.
Homemade beans and bread will be available to purchase. Little People people’s choice award is at 3:20pm. Enjoy the local talent singer songwriter Marg Raynor from 2 to 3pm. People’s choice award for guest artist is at 3:30pm. Door prize at 3pm For more information, call Lu at 705-534-3971 or Gillian at 705-526-2844.
Huronia Museum Winterfest Schedule of Events
Friday:
5pm to 8pm Huronia Foundation for the Art members art show, fine music by members of the Good Vibes Coffee House and dinner on the move at the Huronia Museum. Advanced purchase by Wednesday 30th is $8.00 and at door $10.00
Saturday:
10am to 11am Delivery deadline for the Little People Art Contest. $2.00 per entry at the Huronia Museum
11am to 12pm Meet Mr. B and his TV guest Fred at the Huronia Museum
11am to 3pm Lunch with home baked beans and bread at the HuroniaMuseum
2pm to 3pm Singer Songwriters Marg Raynor at the Huronia Museum
3:20pm Little People People’s choice awards presentation at 3:10pm at Huronia Museum
3:30pm Adult Art Exhibiter’s people’s choice awards presentation at Huronia Museum
3:40pm Door Prize at the HuroniaMuseum
Huronia Museum 