“Historically Speaking” – Spring 2015
April Meeting and AGM – April 13, 2015
The Great War, the Great Lakes, and the Collingwood Shipbuilding
Company
On Monday, April 13th, 2015 The Collingwood and District Historical Society will hold its General Meeting for April. A presentation entitled “The
Great War, The Great Lakes and Collingwood Shipbuilding” will be presented by Michael Moir, Head of the Clara Thomas Archives and Special
Collections of York University Libraries. Michael is currently working on a
history of Canadian shipbuilding during the Great War, which led him to
explore the rich local heritage preserved and shared by the Collingwood
Museum.
Germany’s aggressive campaign against Allied shipping at the outset of
World War I resulted in unsustainable losses of merchant freighters, and
by early 1917, Britain faced the stark prospect of not being able to continue the conflict. The Imperial government’s response to this crisis included
an ambitious campaign to build new ships that would carry cargo and defend coastal waters. Canadian shipyards greatly benefited from this program, building steel trawlers, wooden drifters, and freighters made out of
steel and wood, as well as steamships for France, Norway, Belgium, Brazil,
and Greece. The demand for labour and steel became even more heated
when the Canadian Government Merchant Marine was launched in 1918
with orders for 45 steamships. Much of this activity took place on the
Great Lakes, with the Collingwood Shipbuilding Company playing a prominent part. This presentation will look at Collingwood's role in meeting the
shipping crisis of 1917, and in preparing Canada to pursue the alluring prospects of post-war trade and commerce.
This meeting will also serve as the Annual General meeting for 2014-2015.
The AGM provides the opportunity for the Board of Directors and its Officers to report to the membership on the events and activities of the past
year and the Society’s financial position. We hope to see you at the
meeting in April.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Patrons of Collingwood’s
Heritage: Khaleel Gandhi .........2
Get More Engaged ....................2
Fire Hall Memories ..................3
Remembering Beverly
Westcott ...................................3
Coming up in May ....................4
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PATRONS OF COLLINGWOOD’S HERITAGE
Patrons of Collingwood's Heritage is a
student-focussed initiative of the CDHS in
partnership with the
Collingwood Museum
and Public Library.
With encouragement
from Patrons, and eligibility for academic
credits, students are
producing short videos
on aspects of Colling-
wood's history. The
Patrons program is designed to foster awareness of, and appreciation for, Collingwood's
rich history.
The program is supported with a grant
from the Town of Collingwood and corporate sponsor Cranberry
Resort.
Grade 11 CCI student Khaleel Gandhi makes film and video productions an active and important pastime. His work with the Collingwood and District Society Historical Society and the Patrons of Collingwood's Heritage program has "opened new historical doors" for him. Pictured with him is CCI
history department head, Taresa Matchett
Now in its second year, CCI students this year are completing work on five more videos
that will bring to 10 the number that have been produced under the program so far.
Participating in last year's productions was Khaleel Gandhi, a 16-year-old student, now
in grade 11.
Khaleel's involvement in a wide variety of film production activities throughout the area,
including the recent Wasaga Beach film festival, has proved to be very helpful in ensuring the CCI videos not only support school academic requirements but are also screenable in the Museum and Cranberry Resort.
"The Patrons project has opened new historical doors for me," says the articulate student. "I had essentially little knowledge of the Town before getting involved with this
program. I'm glad to see that it is continuing."
Get more engaged in The CDHS
At the March meeting we asked the attendees to fill in a survey regarding suggested topics and ideas. These could be
guided tours, guest speakers, workshops, projects or any type of format that you could imagine.
We asked for specific comments on activities such as guided tours of Collingwood’s historic 100 year old Federal Building, some local Petun Aboriginal sites (this could be problematic due to the security issue surrounding the exact locations, but perhaps something can be worked out), and some local cemeteries in Collingwood, Batteau Hill, Duntroon.
All suggestions, no matter how big or small, are appreciated and we will discuss them at future meetings.
What hasn’t been thought of? Send us an email or bring your ideas to the next meeting.
Email [email protected]
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REMEMBERING BEVERLY WESTCOTT
Fire Hall Memories by Jack McAllister
This picture was taken in 1923 and is the old Fire Hall which was beside the arena at 130 Ste. Marie Street. It was built in 1911 and is now
a parking lot. The short man on the far right of the picture is my father. He was Fire Chief from 1923 until 1963 with time off during WW2
to serve in the Fire Service at RCAF Trenton. When I zoom in on my
original picture you can read 1923 on the license plate on the fire truck
and see the brass steam engine in the background. In Doug Skelding’s
book “Ordeal by Fire” on the history of the Collingwood Fire Department, he mentions a problem that came up when the building was
built. It was brought to council’s attention that the building did not
meet the Town’s Fire Bylaw because the tower was built of wood and
the Bylaw required all buildings to be constructed of bricks or noncombustible materials. Council asked the Town solicitor for a ruling
and he said that the building would have to comply with the Bylaw or
the Bylaw would have to be changed. Politicians being politicians
changed the Bylaw and the tower was allowed to stand. Doug also
mentions that the location and the building itself was a topic of never
ending bickering within council. The building was opened on Thanksgiving weekend 1911 and there was a poor turnout because everyone
stayed home to celebrate the holiday with their families. A platform
had been built for the speakers to stand on, but it was so flimsy that it
would only hold one speaker at a time. Apparently all council members spoke and praised each other for the foresight that they had in
seeing the need for a new Fire Hall. Such was politics in 1911.
The Board of Directors and the members of Collingwood and District Historical Society offer
their sincerest condolences to the family of Beverly Westcott, who passed away on February 24,
2015. Bev was a valued and active member, an
energetic supporter and benefactor of the Society
and the Patrons of Collingwood’s Heritage program, which benefitted from her generosity.
In March 2013, Beverly made a presentation to
the CDHS on the life of her grandfather entitled
“The World of David Williams 1869-1944”, which
gave a wonderful insight on Collingwood’s own
outstanding Author, Historian, Editor, Curator
and Publisher.
Memorial donations in Beverly’s name can be
made to the Oncology units of Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto or The Royal Victoria Regional
Health Centre in Barrie.
Conference Information
Website: ogs.on.ca/conference
Email: [email protected]
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Executive of the
Collingwood and
District Historical
Society
Social Time
Coffee and cookies are provided at our meetings. We invite members and guests to stay at the completion of our meetings and enjoy
a social time.
Meeting Cancellation Policy If one of our meetings has to be can-

Past President –
Bruce Mackison
705-446-1820

Vice President –
Glenn Copeland
705-445-4317

Secretary/
Membership –
Joan Miller 705445-1119

Treasurer – Selby
Boyd – 705-4460273
Members at Large

Peter Case – 705444-9215

Chris Gough – 705
-446-8613

David Ladell – 705
-446-1009

James Mirrlees –
705-445-1996

Irene Pradyszczuk
– 705-444-1942

Kathy Scott – 705445-2548

Susan Warner 705-293-1577
celled due to inclement weather or conditions beyond our control,
notice of cancellation will be by telephone and/or email and the general public by radio announcement. In addition, a notice will be
placed on the main door of the Leisure Time Club. A notice will also
be posted on our Facebook Page(s). If there is a last minute cancellation by a speaker, everything possible will be done to have the
meeting take place as scheduled.
Meetings begin at 7 pm. At the Leisure Time Club,
Minnesota St., Collingwood.
All upcoming meetings are listed on our website:
Historicallyspeakingcdhs.ca
Transportation If you are in need of transportation to attend a
CDHS meeting, please phone 705-446-1820 or 705-445-1119 and a
ride will be arranged for you.
Newsletters – Anyone with an article for a future CDHS newsletter, please
forward the item to Newsletter Editor, Irene Pradyszczuk at email:
[email protected]
Coming up in May:
Memberships are due in January each
year – If you have not already sent in
your renewal for 2015, won’t you
please do so now. Thank you.
To become a member of the Collingwood and District Historical Society, or renew
your membership, please complete this application.
Name: …………………………………………………………………………………………………
Address:…………………………………………………………………………………………………
Tel #:……………………………….. Email: ……………………………………………….
Membership: Single ($20.00)………………………………………………………………...
Couples & Corporate ($30.00)……………………………………………………………….
I would be interested in working with the Society in areas pertaining to:
[_] Programs [_] Special Events [_] Publicity [_] Membership
[_] Other
Please mail with cheque or money order to: Collingwood & District Historical
Society, Box 181 Collingwood, ON. L9Y 3Z5
Payments can also be made on PAYPAL through the website:
www.collingwoodhistoricalsociety.ca
“Supported by a grant from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and
Sport”
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