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Letter from the President
1998 - 1999 Executive
Article II - Aims of the Society

Promote Awareness of Local History:
Education
Public Meetings
Bus Tours
Demonstrations
Encouraging Young People

Historical Research and Preservation:
Guy Lombardo Music Centre
City of London: Forest City
Community Heritage Ontario Meeting
Western Fair Board Annual Meeting
Westminster Historical Society
Research Material
St. Julien Park Family Day
Heritage Collective Meeting
Engine 86

Identification and Preservation:
Westminster Ponds

Reproduce in Printed Form:
Newsletter
Westminster Ponds
1998 Calendar
Web Pages

Financial Report

 

Dear O. H. S. Members:   Return to Table of Contents

The London and Middlesex Historical Society has actively contributed to the City of London and Middlesex County throughout 1998 by participating in a wide range of activities. Efforts from Society members included: leading the way with historical information to help preserve the Westminster Ponds area, varied contributions to the Guy Lombardo Music Centre, the ongoing restoration of Engine 86, the 1898 calendar and the Society’s first steps back into the elementary classrooms of London. However, the Society has a few areas still in need of attention.

Over the year the executive has found that it still needs to devise methods to overcome the fact that many of Society senior members are unable to attend meetings. Lack of suitable transportation is the main factor which directly affects the attendance of seniors. However, there is also arising discomfort caused by the Society meetings occurring during the dark, evening hours, especially over the winter months. The Society also has a deep concern that many citizens in our catchment area are not being exposed to local history in a way that will lead them to wonder about, explore and discover new and fascinating stories of our past. Both concerns are being addressed by the Society executive.

The Society’s executive is a remarkable group of people. Each Chair and subsequent Committee Member has contributed significantly to the success of Society activities this year. Many behind the scene activities occurred which added greatly to each general meeting and bus trip. I am thankful for the endeavors of each executive member.

I am also thankful for the many conversations I have had with general members and guests. Each meeting has been a joy to attend not only because of the incredible guest speakers, but also because of the warm and friendly atmosphere created by the members.

Not only would I like to thank all executive members, committee members and speakers for their contributions, I would also like to thank all the general members for attending activities, supporting the executive members and for talking with me on a daily basis with concerns and suggestions. My first year as President has been an extremely busy one. At the same time I have found it to be very educational and rewarding.

The enclosed report is a compilation of written contributions made by executive members. The report is designed to reflect the 1998 activities of the Society as they occurred within the areas outlined in Article II: Aims of the Society, as listed in the London and Middlesex Historical Society Constitution.

Sincerely,

Debra Rogers,
President

1998 - 1999 Executive
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The aims of the Society shall be to:
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- promote an awareness of local history through education, public meetings, tours, and demonstrations, and by encouraging young people to learn about and appreciate the past; and

- encourage historical research and the preservation of materials and memorabilia, relating to the heritage of the region; and

- encourage the identification and preservation of historically, architecturally and archaeologically valuable buildings, sites and areas; and

- reproduce in printed form some of the talks presented to the Society, as well as other research and materials relating to the region, and to promote the sale of such published works.

The aims of the Society shall be to:
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promote an awareness of local history through education, public meetings, tours, and demonstrations, and by encouraging young people to learn about and appreciate the past through:

Education
Educational information was presented in the Society Newsletter:

March: Westminster Ponds
March: William E Saunders
May: Guy Lombardo
August: Toohey Rider expedition

Public Meetings
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The 1998 programme consisted of eight talks and two bus tours.

Bus Tours
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A) June 13: The traditional spring bus tour took place, which included visiting various locations throughout Middlesex County. The tour stopped at Rick Wolf’s Bicycle Museum and the Ailsa Craig Museum.

Sept 26: The tour group visited sites throughout Perth County and finished at Castle Kilbride in Baden.

Demonstrations
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A) Genealogy Fair: University of Western Ontario: May 29, 30 & 31. The Society displayed photographs of

activities, early maps of the are, distributed over 700 Newsletters and sold Historians at this weekend event.

Encouraging young people to learn and appreciate
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A) Summer Student: Becky Blue: Becky drafted several brochures, typed over 18,000 words for posting on the Society web site and entered over 600 records into a database, all while being physically located at the Guy Lombardo Music Centre. While at the Music Centre, she also participated in a number of tours, met with individuals entering the Centre, kept the building tidy and helped with the annual Big Band Festival. The articles she has converted to electronic format include: Reminiscences of Mrs. Gilbert Porte, The London Grammar School and Collegiate Institute, The McKenzies of Hyde Park, London Public Schools, 1848 - 1871, and Robert Wilson, The Pioneer Teacher.

 

The President and Education Chair answered numerous email questions asked by students and researchers from around the world. Today’s students thrive on the Internet and many queries have arrived electronically, requesting information for school projects. For example, students and teachers have requested information on Sir Adam Beck, Harriet Boomer, John Graves Simcoe, The Victoria Day Boat Disaster and many others.

The President spoke and presented a magic show and demonstration about London history and architecture at St. Paul’s Elementary School.

The Administration Chair, Treasurer and President participated in the evaluation of History Projects at St. Paul’s Elementary School. The projects were showcased at a Society meeting, at which parents and students attended.

The focus of the education program was to begin to re-establish connections with the schools. With the advent of a new Social Studies and History curriculum for the elementary schools in Ontario, it became essential to determine where our local history fits into the new courses of study. The revised secondary history curriculum debuts in the fall of 1999, so this will be a long term project.

The aims of the Society shall be to:
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Guy Lombardo Music Centre: In late March of 1998, the Society became linked with the Guy Lombardo Music Centre, which is a museum dedicated to the memory of London’s most famous musical family. Administrative Chair, Stephen Harding and Society President, Debra Rogers, serve on the Guy Lombardo Music Centre Board of Directors. Stephen Harding assumed the responsibility of Curator for the Museum. Stephen’s duties have included: answering research questions, co-ordinating bus tours, providing access to historical and genealogical resources in the community, ensuring that artifacts were inventoried and properly stored, creating new exhibits, and involvement with summer students.

The Society’s affiliation with this museum allowed for contributions and participation in the Royal Canadian Big Band Festival, a dinner and evening to honor Don Wright who is an extraordinary teacher and musician. The Society also made a substantial contribution to an hour long CBC documentary in the Life and Times Series. This documentary on Guy Lombardo, was aired on CBC television on New Year’s Eve 1998.

The President prepared and developed paper and electronic presentations regarding some long term goals, budget and curatorial plans. This information was formally presented to the City of London, Museum Roundtable, which is an ad hoc committee of the London Advisory Committee on Heritage.

The museum attracts a large number of American visitors and close ties have been developed with the Guy Lombardo Music Society in Richmond Virginia. The appearance of the GLMC is being upgraded and goals have been established to have the museum reflect more local history and the legacy of the musical Italian community in London.

The Society participation in the Centre has improved the Centre and provided the Society with a higher public profile and practical museum experience.

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City of London: Forest City: June 17: City Hall, Board of Control Meeting. The President spoke in opposition to the City of London’s proposal to change the City’s long time slogan from the Forest City to the City with Spirit. Other community members also spoke against the proposal. The proposal was not accepted by Board of Control.

Community Heritage Ontario Meeting: May 29, 30 & 31: The Society President became the City of London Representative for Community Heritage Ontario. The President attended the May meeting and found it to be very informative and an important event in which to participate. It helped the Society to become aware of other organisations and people involved.

Western Fair Board Annual Meeting: August 25: The President is the LMHS representative on the Western Fair Board. The President attended the annual meeting and dinner and is constantly receiving correspondence from the Board.

Westminster Historical Society: The President has become a member of the Westminster Historical Society with the hopes of improving communication between the Westminster and London and Middlesex Societies. She attended the Westminster Historical Society Bus Tour and the September 16 General Meeting held at Littlewood United Church.

Research Material: The Administration Chair has provided research material to:

Rick Wolfe, who is writing a book on the History of Bicycles in London

Sheila Johnson, who is writing the History of the Grand Theatre.

Dana. R. Poulton and Associates; who prepared a background study and preliminary archaeological study of Victoria Park, in London.

Professor Chris Ellis, who is preparing a presentation for the Glencoe Historical Society on the early Postal History of London.

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St. Julien Park Family Day: The Administration Chair co-ordinated a display of Historical Bicycles. The display involved members from the London and Middlesex Historical Society, Fanshawe Pioneer Village and the Glencoe District Historical Society.

Heritage Collective Meeting: Ken Veldauis, President of the Lobo Township Historical Society, and Debra Rogers, President of LMHS co-ordinated a meeting which gathered together various non-profit Historical Societies and Organisations in this area. The purpose of the meeting was to establish current groups, become aware of each group’s mandate, explore ways in which each group may assist others, reduce duplication of efforts and open the doors of communication. Other meetings will occur in 1999.

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Engine 86

Chronological Report of Status of Engine 86
Submitted to the London Advisory Committee on Heritage

August 11, 1998
by Debra Rogers

Purpose: To update LACH members regarding CNR locomotive 86 and to provide supporting documentation for the recommendations listed at the end of this report.

Chronology:

Oct 94:

1. Letter sent to John Lohuis by Deb Rogers regarding 86.

2. Letter received from Mr. Lohuis stating that the city is interested in harnessing local resources             to update the condition of the engine and to explore all possibilities for development of              tourism, recognition of heritage and valuing such assets.

Mar 95:

1. Community and protective Services requests that LACH undertake a community process to             consider the heritage value of 86.

June 95:

1. Letter sent to LACH by LMHS regarding retention of 86 at its Queens Park location.

2. Over 500 signatures gathered on Petition by LMHS

Aug 95:

1. LMHS invited to present information at LACH Sept. 13

Oct 95:

1. Public participation meeting October 11

Nov 95:

1. 4 out of 6 members of LACH subcommittee members recommended that ownership of 86 be             transferred to Komoka Railway Museum

2. LMHS & LRAHM asked by subcommittee to present a formal Action Plan to LACH by
            Nov 28.

3. Presentation made by Society President: committee changed recommendation and the                 locomotive will remain in London.

Dec 95:

1. City Council decided that the City of London would retain ownership

2. LMHS and LRAHM to be responsible for fund raising for the restoration of 86 and upkeep, as             well as be responsible for its proper interpretation.

Feb 96:

1. LMHS spoke with LRAHM regarding plaquing of 86. Was told to speak with provincial            departments and the Historic Sites Committee of the London Public Library.

Jul 96:

1. GM Diesel of Canada was approached by Councilor, Bernie MacDonald for its participation             to retore Engine 86.

2. Doug Glass, Manufacturing Advisor, came forward with offer to refurbish and repaint 86 at no             cost to the citizens of London.

3. GM council arranged with various businesses throughout North America for parts, labour and              services to be completely donated to the project.

4. July 30, 1996: restoration began

5. Participating companies include:

General Motors of Canada, Western Fair Association,Laidlaw,Peron Sandblasting and Painting, Walter Industrial Tools, Reitsel Rental, PraxAir, AIM Company, McKay Cocker Construction, London Cartage, Japan Camera (Masonville) and others whose names are unavailable at time of this report

6. Aside from individuals listed in the above companies, over 30 people of all ages, from all walks             of life volunteered their skills and time to this project

7. Over $30,000 worth of material has been donated to the project

8. Over 300 photographs have been taken of the process and progress.

Sept 96:

1. Western Fair Association provided free space to LMHS to promote 86

2. LMHS provided a tent and display at Western Fair to increase public awareness

3. 7 volunteers from LMHS spent a rainy week in the tent promoting Engine 86

4. LMHS gave tours of locomotive to 1,781 people during the week.

Jan 97:

1. LMHS followed up with both of LRAHM’s suggestions regarding plaquing and presented              information to the Historic Sites Committee of the London Public Library Board                      (documented in LMHS and LPL minutes)

2. Old 86 was accepted for plaquing by the Library Board.

Aug 97:

1. Refurbishing work almost completed

2. Wording for plaque was completed by John Lutman, Johnathan Vance of Historic Sites              committee, L.P.L. and historic train experts.

3. Arrangements are in place for a local company to make plaque

4. Organisations donating funds to plaque are:

- Library Board: $200.00
-  LMHS: $200.00
-  Western Fair Board: $100.00

5. Approximately $1000 is still required for free-standing plaque

6. LMHS and Library Board presently arranging with London East Committee for plaque to be unveiled during the 1999 Western Fair, during celebrations of the 125^th anniversary of the annexation of London East.

Summary:
I have been involved with the Old 86 project on a daily basis, for the last four years and have witnessed and appreciated tremendous community support for the project. I believe it is important to publically recognise the individuals involved and to encourage public participation in similar projects in the future.

Since this project falls under the mandate of LACH and other organisation within the city, I suggest that the following recommendations be immediately discussed and if so decided, moved forward.

Recommendations:
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I recommend that:

1. LACH send a member to the September 11^th Historic Sites Committee Meeting of the London Public        Library Board meeting to discuss partnership in the Old 86 plaque and events surrounding it.Both groups need to determine the exact terms, logic, types of items that each wishes to plaque, and perhaps develop a relationship to work in partnership together.

2. The Mayor’s New Year’s Honour list be used as a means to recognise those that contributed to the Old 86 restoration project. (Could consist of certificate of appreciation, lapel pin of 86 and photograph of all participants standing in front of 86.)

3. LACH become publically involved in the celebration events of the London East annexation and Old 86, and actively educate the public about the City’s concern for the protection of heritage and the appreciation for its contribution to our city.

4. LACH ask the City to develop and post a web page on the City’s World Wide Web Site, so the general public is aware of responsibilities and mandate of LACH. (A brochure could be developed from the same information and be available in Tourism London offices as well as throughout heritage groups.)

5. A LACH member be assigned to closely monitor projects assigned to organisations, Monitoring should include: accepting reports from the organisation, providing leadership, maintaining ownership, ensuring city involvement and reporting on a regular basis to LACH.

6. LACH determine its plaques to be installed in 1999 and start proceedings to make the public aware, so that plaquing may be incorporated into other city events to continue to build public awareness and participation. My suggestions for 1999 are: Old 86, Westminster Ponds/Pond Mills Conservation Area, and the London Psychiatric Hospital Grounds.

7. That the Finance Subcommittee of LACH review the budget so funds are made available to cover such expenses as: advertising the mandate of LACH, photography of projects, public awareness activities and to encourage public participation in projects and encourage corporate donations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The aims of the Society shall be to:
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Encourage the identification and preservation of historically, architecturally and archaeologically valuable buildings, sites and areas:

Westminster Ponds: In late December 1997, the London Health Sciences Centre proposed a development including a four lane road through the former Westminster Hospital grounds, a geographic area known as Westminster Ponds / Pond Mills Conservation Area. The area is distinguished by the Westminster Ponds, a Provincially Significant natural area, a variety of sites of historical interest, native Indian sites, early European settlement and the site of William Saunder’s nature preserve. Much of this natural and historical asset was and continues to be threatened by the proposed development.

The LMHS decided that the best approach to raising the awareness of the area to the community was to seek designation of the present conservation area and hospital land as a Heritage Conservation District.

June 10: LMHS Background Study for the Designation of Westminster Ponds / Pond Mills Conservation District was presented to the London Advisory Committee on Heritage

The report lists the provincial and municipal documents which support designation, the history of the area and correlates the two to show the ways in which the history of the area meets the criteria required for designation under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act.

The report has become known as The Document and is being referred to by all parties involved.

Aug 12: LACH was advised by city planners and the Heritage Planner, for the City of London, that Part V of Ontario Heritage Act is not applicable to the area since Part V covers districts which have buildings. They suggested that the area would be better protected through the use of the City of London’s Official Plan; Section 15.3.3.

LACH put forward a series of recommendations that the City’s Official Plan should be modified to protect the area.

The LACH report that was written by staff and submitted to Planning Committee did not correctly reflect the recommendations put forward by LACH.

The Historical Society President made a series of calls to the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation and other Provincial offices and found that it is possible that the area could qualify for designation under Part V of the Act and that Part IV of the Act allows you to protect the property associated with buildings. The area can also be protected as a Cultural Heritage Landscape under Section 2.5.1 of the new Planning Act.

August 31: Planning Committee: LACH asked for the entire LACH report concerning the Ponds to be withdrawn from Planning Committee and sent back to LACH because of new information which would alter the previous recommendations.

September 9: the LMHS President, presented a report to LACH regarding the new information. A working committee was struck and reworded the recommendations to be forwarded to Planning Comittee. The recommendations were passed by LACH, forwarded to Planning Committee and included:

That the following actions be taken with respect to the background Study for the Designation of the Westminster Ponds/Pond Mills Conservation Area as a Heritage Conservation District as prepared by the London and Middlesex Historical Society:

the proposal from the London and Middlesex Historical Society be endorsed under the Ontario Heritage Act and Section 13 of the City of London’s Official Plan; and

the Westminster Ponds / Pond Mills Conservation Area is added to the City’s Official Inventory of Heritage Resources document and to the document Heritage Places; and

the Westminster Ponds /Pond Mills Conservation Boundaries depicted in the LMHS background Study be extended to include hospital buildings and the block of property from Parkwood Hospital to Wellington and Commissioners; and

the Westminster Ponds Conservation Master Plan be updated to address the cultural heritage values of the area in addition to fulfilling all of the functions intended for an Environmentally Significant Area Master Plan as described in the Official Plan in Section 15.3.3 and that the LMHS Background report be used as a research/reference document for the purpose of the update; and

the Civic Administration be asked to prepare an amendment to section 15.3.3 of the Official Plan (Conservation Master Plan) to include cultural heritage landscapes as matters to be addressed through Conservation master Plans; and

that in keeping with the City’s mandate under the new Provincial Policy Statement, that the Civic Administration be asked to have serious regard to the cultural heritage values of Westminster Ponds / Pond Mills Conservation Area when reviewing and making recommendations relating to the development applications in and adjacent to the conservation area and that the LMHS Background Report be used as a guide for the purposes of such reviews.

September 26: The headline in the London Free Press article read: "Hospital Backs off Ponds Development". It stated that LHSC officials have "put on ice a plan to subdivide."

In late 1998 City and Hospital officials formulated an Advisory Stewardship Committee whose purpose was to evaluate the LHSC Planning Applications. The Application to Subdivide has never formally been withdrawn by London Health Sciences, although this is not known by the general public.

The issue is not resolved and continues into 1999.

The aims of the Society shall be to:
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Reproduce in printed form some of the talks presented to the Society, as well as other research and materials relating to the region, and to promote the sale of such published works.

Newsletter: Three hundred copies of the Newsletter were printed and distributed

bi-monthly. The Newsletter covers various topics, is well received by members and has a professional appearance. Copies are included in this report.

Westminster Ponds: Many hours of time of Stephen Harding, Valerie Morrison, Society Councillor Janet Hunten, and Debra Rogers were spent researching the history and preparing a document regarding the Westminster Ponds / Pond Mills Conservation area. The document entitled Background Study for the Designation of Westminster Ponds/ Pond Mills Conservation Area was well distributed to members of the London Advisory Committee on Heritage, Mayor Dianne Haskett, individual City Councillors, the Urban League, MacIlwraith, Provincial Members of Parliament, Federal Members of Parliament, and the Heritage Canada Foundation. A copy of this document is included with this report.

The Society has been officially thanked by the City of London for its excellent work on researching the heritage significance of the area and has been asked to grant the City permission to utilize the Background Study during its review of the application of London Health Sciences for amendments to both the Official Plan and Zoning By-law No. Z-1 as they relate to lands within this area.

1998 Calendar: Five hundred calendars entitled London 1898 in a 1998 Calendar, were printed and numbered. They immediately sold and requests were made for calendars beyond the number printed. The calendar featured a main story each month and local activities and events which happened each day, 100 years ago. One hundred fifty calendars were distributed through the School Boards, which went directly into the schools. The calendars were researched by Valerie Morrison, Education Chair and Debra Rogers, President. The calendars were designed in-house on Macintosh Computers. Camera ready artwork was taken to local printer. A copy is included with this report.

Web Pages: The web pages are being accessed on a regular basis by people from around the world. The counter shows that over 10,000 visitors have been at the site since the counter went up in March of 1996. The address is: http://www.fanshawec.on.ca/~Debra/intro1.htm

A key resource for teachers and students continues to be the Jack Sharp Archives web pages which are part of the LMHS Internet site. The entire website is being recreated and moved to a new Internet address which will allow greater access to students everywhere. This site will be ready by March of 1999. The new address will be:

http://www.londonhistory.org.

Plans to revive the History Fair are also being adapted to the electronic age. The year 1999 will see the inauguration of the first LMHS Internet History Fair. Classes will be able to participate in the study, preservation and display of history by submitting essays and projects via electronic mail or HTML documents. For this reason, the Biocard section of the website will be expanded greatly. Biocards are webpages which feature a picture and biographical information about people from our past. The other popular item is the Time Line, which is a chronological list of significant events from the 1600s to today. We have received many good comments about the pages from around the world.

Financial Report
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January 1, 1998 - December 31, 1998

Income	Expenses
Account Transfer 200.00	Bus Trips 607.40
Bus Trips 735.00	Preservation Activities 543.95
Donations 45.00	Publications 270.25
Grant 500.00	Summer Student 3334.16
Inventory 161.40	Income tax 612.38
Membership: Family 150.00	Total 5368.14
Membership: Individual 501.27
Membership: Sr & Student 445.00
Sales: Historian 117.00
Summer Student 3082.00
Total 5936.67	Balance 568.53

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