ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED | OCTOBER 1935 | THE FARMER
I wonder how many rural people have thought of the possibilities of a farm museum. During the past few years, while travelling through some of the rural districts of Old Ontario, I have seen some very fine collections of old-fashioned farming tools and pioneer relics. The array of old spinning wheels, ox-yokes, cradles, flails, cowbells, candle lanterns, etc., is always very interesting and in recent years to come the value of these things will be almost beyond price. Of course, only a few people would have enough of these antique to start a collection, but nevertheless that is no reason why those who have only a few, should allow them to become destroyed. If they did not want them, themselves, they could give them to someone else, who is collecting, or donate them to some museum, historical society, or university.
One man, that I met recently, began a collection by looking up all the relics he could find on his own farm and placing them in an empty bedroom, as his house had no attic. Any that were broken he repaired, before putting them on display. Several neighbours and friends gave him articles which they did not wish to keep and he also purchased a number of them at auction sales. He now has a fine collection and one that anybody might be proud of.
Not long ago, I was told about a lady who donated several antiques to the museum in connection with a well-known university. Her gift was gratefully acknowledged and what she gave will be preserved for all time.
At one time many relics were either destroyed through carelessness or allowed to fall into the hands of dealers from the United States and thus lost to this country.
However, rural people now beginning to realize their value and are taking steps to preserve them. Future generations will thus be enabled to see at what a price the wilderness of Old Ontario was converted into a garden spot.
“RECORDER”