Silence of the Silos
by Joan Corbett-Fujiki, Director/Secretary Ontario Barn Preservation I am not a writer, but have a deep concern and interest in the preservation of barns and outbuildings. When I travel on the back roads of Grey Bruce, I often see these seemingly abandoned silos. Alone on an empty landscape. My interest was peaked. What are these […]
THE BURLY BARN
by Jenny Phillips, OBP Regional Rep for Middlesex, Elgin, Chatham Kent and Lambton, originally published in her book “Does it Pay?“ On October 6, 1926, John Kenneth Galbraith, a young cub reporter for the St. Thomas Times Journal interviewed W. F. Glover of Fingal Ontario. Glover was one of the 214 farmers in Southwestern Ontario […]
A STONE BARN STORY
This is one of my favourite barns in our area of Grey County. Although it’s just north of the town of Durham on Highway 6, the barn is set well back from the road and not easily seen. The front field of this barn that borders the highway is a nice one, flat and no […]
Memories of the Haymow’s Seasonal Cycles
by Jim Verwer, Member of Ontario Barn Preservation, originally published in the St Marys’ Journal Argus At this time of the year the short days and the slower pace of winter brings the recollection of youthful days growing up on the farm and doing chores in the huge century-old, L-shaped barn there. One place there that […]
A Farmer’s Tasks in Winters Past: Some Reflections and Advice: Part 5 of 5
Conclusion: A Canadian winter was described by and used by authors for various reasons. Joseph Neilson wrote in his 1837 award winning essay, Observations Upon Emigration to Upper Canada, a very positive outlook of winter. He said; “This season of the year affords great facilities to the inhabitants of the country. The sleighing enables the farmer […]
A Farmer’s Tasks in Winters Past: Some Reflections and Advice: Part 4 of 5
Winter Travel: In Emigration, an 1834 volume of letters from emigrants now settled in Upper Canada, one observer recorded that in the 1830s, during good weather, travel was common; “At these time the public roads are crowded with sleighs, and the farmer conveying his produce to markets, the wood-cutter hauling wood, the quack doctor, the merchant […]
A Farmer’s Tasks in Winters Past: Some Reflections and Advice: Part 3 of 5
Winter Works: Did the climate have an effect upon the type of work done, how was it recorded, and did any re-occurring patterns emerge? From his Williamstown farm, former explorer, cartographer, and fur trader, David Thompson, recorded his activities at the close of 1827; “ Nov. 23 Friday – Light snow it is now 3 […]
A Farmer’s Tasks in Winters Past: Some Reflections and Advice: Part 2 of 5
by John C. Carter Daily Pursuits: Todmorden Mills, U.C. brewer and farmer William Helliwell, mixed his tasks with his chosen avocations. Some of his diary entries for December 1830 reflect this; December 8, 1838. “The weather was glomey and thretned snow which began to fall about one o’clock fast and continued till bed time still […]
A Farmer’s Tasks in Winters Past: Some Reflections and Advice: Part 1 of 5
by John C. Carter Introduction: Winter may be considered by many as the least palatable season of the year. With its onset, we often hear “winter whinging,” and experience a period of hibernation, which is not only limited to animals! Winter, however, should be seen as an important and integral part of our lives and […]
12-sided Barn!
One of 2 in Ontario. Dug this out of the archives this week, enjoy!