by Amy Zoethout | Oct 21, 2021 | Blog
Google Maps, 2021
Although some travel is beginning to return, many people are not ready for a full European vacation just yet. But did you know that you can take a European city tour without leaving Huron County? The Huron County Museum’s acting Education & Programming Coordinator Dan Genis has put together a great fall road trip around the County where you can visit our local ‘European’ cities.
Postcard of Main Street, Brussels, ON. Huron County Archives
Brussels, Huron East, Huron County, ON: Founded as Ainleyville in 1855, Brussels was chosen by railway workers as the name for the new train station when the railway came to town. In 1872 the village was officially incorporated as Brussels and it quickly grew into a prosperous community with many industries, churches, and a main street of fine brick blocks. For more on the history of Ainleyville/Brussels, see Maddy Gilbert’s blog. Today Brussels features fantastic accommodations, delicious restaurants, and unique shops and studios. Take a Historic Walking Tour, stroll through the Brussels Conservation Area, or picnic by the dam in this enchanting village.
European version: Brussels, Belgium: The capital city of Belgium, the headquarters for NATO, and the de facto capital of the European Union, Brussels is one of the most important and multicultural cities in the world. The city is also lined with art galleries and cafes, with beautiful art nouveau streetscapes and a charming medieval town centre.
Better version? Brussels, Huron County – Too many politicians in the Belgian version.
Belfast, Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh, Huron County, ON: First called Newcastle, the name was changed to Altonville when the settlement was registered in 1858. Soon after many families from the north of Ireland settled in the area, and by 1879 the village name was recorded as Belfast. At one time Belfast had a post office, general store, blacksmith shop, hotel and tavern, and one of the first Orange Lodges in the county. Although only a few structures remain in this four-corner community, it lies in the centre of an oasis of quiet country and cottage life. Explore the picturesque countryside, check out the fall colours in the Lake Wawanosh Conservation Area (parking at 85442 Creek Line), or if it is the end of the day, enjoy a breathtaking Huron County sunset.
European version: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom: The capital and largest city in Northern Ireland, Belfast has shaken off its industrial and troubled past to become known as a hip and vibrant party town. It also boasts a state-of-the art museum that tells the story of the ill-fated RMS Titanic, which was built in the shipyards there.
Better version? Belfast, Huron County – Huron County’s Belfast was in no way connected to the Titanic sinking.
“Just a Post Card from Varna…Too Busy to Write”, dated Feb 5, 1914. Black and white photo of Beatty’s store and the Sterling Bank of Canada. Huron County Archives, 2008.0032
Varna, Bluewater, Huron County, ON: Varna was named by settler Josiah Secord after the Black Sea city that was home to the French and British fleets during the Crimean War. Although there already existed a log school and tavern when Secord arrived in 1854, he opened the first store and post office in the village. It was not long before a cooper, hotel, blacksmith, saw mill, and Anglican church opened and Varna was a bustling community. Today Varna is home to an outstanding craft brewery, picturesque hiking trails at Bannockburn Conservation Area and the Varna Nature Trails, all within 10 minutes of beautiful Lake Huron.
European version: Varna, Bulgaria: Bulgaria’s third largest city sits on the Black Sea and dates back to Ancient Greek and Roman times. Part port city and part seaside resort, Varna has vast parks, large beaches, and an impressive archeological museum and Roman bath complex.
Better version? Varna, Huron County – The Black Sea is too salty.
Postcard of Goshen Street, Zurich, ON, dated July 4, 1910. Visible businesses P. Benders and Co. headquarters for Boots and Shoes. The steeple in the background is the Lutheran Church. Huron County Archives, A991.0052
Zurich, Bluewater, Huron County, ON: Zurich was founded in 1856 and soon boasted a mill, hotel, schoolhouse, and the Hay Township Hall. Known for its Swiss and German heritage, this influence can be seen in the impressive clock tower at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, which was designed by George Hess and was completed in 1878. Today it is one of only three “Canadiana Tower Clocks” in Canada still operating as it was designed to run. The nearby artisan boutiques, wineries, fruit markets, and craft brewery make Zurich a charming and unique stop.
European version: Zürich, Switzerland: One of Europe’s financial centres and the largest and wealthiest city in Switzerland, although not the capital (that would be Bern). Zürich manages to combine a historic city centre full of winding streets and churches with a modern hip and artsy culture.
Better version? Zurich, Huron County – Switzerland is notoriously hilly – no thanks.
Honourable Mention: Dublin, Perth County, ON: Founded as Carronbrook in 1854, settler Joseph Kidd changed the name to Dublin in 1878 after his hometown. When salt was discovered down the road in Seaforth, Kidd piped the salt brine to an evaporation plant he had built in Dublin. He also constructed a sawmill and a business block on the main street. Today, Dublin is known as “Ontario’s Furniture Village”, and predictably has some great shops selling furniture and housewares. Although technically just over the border in neighbouring Perth County, Dublin has historical ties to Huron County and gets an honourable mention here.
European version: Dublin, Republic of Ireland: From its Gaelic and Viking beginnings to its 18th century heyday, all of the medieval castles and cathedrals make Dublin feel like an open-air museum. It also features over 1000 pubs along with Guinness’ famous St. James’s Gate Brewery, and has a world class live music scene to boot.
Better version? Dublin, ON– Far fewer U2 cover bands here.
by Sinead Cox | Oct 11, 2021 | Blog, Collection highlights, Exhibits, For Teachers and Students
If you are a teacher or student looking for local stories from Huron County for your Remembrance Day lessons or assignments, you can access the Huron County Museum’s collection from home and your classroom through our virtual offerings! These resources speak both to Huron County’s military history and to the home front during the First and Second World Wars.
Videos
Our War: Home Front
Our War: Nursing Sisters
Young Canuckstorians: The Maud Stirling Story
Jack McLaren: A Soldier of Song features a presentation and performance from author and musician Jason Wilson, based on the original works of the Dumbells, a Canadian concert party that entertained the troops on the front lines in World War I and featured Jack McLaren (later a resident of Benmiller).
The History of Drag Makeup Tutorial with Lita explains how drag performers improvised wigs, makeup and clothing at the front lines.
A reading of a WWII letter from R.C.A.F Pilot Officer Alan H. Durnin to Mrs. C. Blake of RR 1 Dungannon
On the Front Lines: Word War One virtual exhibit.
Virtual Exhibits
Part of the museum’s collection of photographs by local photographer J. Gordon Henderson have been digitized. During World War II, he travelled to air training schools in Goderich, Port Albert, and Clinton taking pictures of classes and other base activities. Many airmen came to his studio in Goderich to have their portraits taken to send home to family and friends. The Henderson Collection also includes wedding portraits, candid shots, correspondence and interviews with airmen related to WWII air training in Huron County. Access the virtual Henderson collection by clicking here!
You can also browse more photographs via our Flickr page!
See archival documents from the Huron County Museum’s collection in our Military Gallery virtual exhibits:
On the Front Lines: Word War One
The Home Front: World War One
Prominent artist and Benmiller resident J. W. (Jack) McLaren fought with the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry in WWI, and entertained troops at Ypres Salient, Vimy Ridge and many other locations on the Western Front with the PPCLI Comedy Company and the 3rd Division Dumbells Comedy Troupe. Find out more about Jack and entertaining at the front through the virtual version of our 2020 Reflections exhibit, which was presented in partnership with the Huron Historical Society.
Clipping from Huron County’s digitized newspapers. This ad appeared in the Clinton News-Record in 1942 and 1943.
Articles & Short Posts
A Closer Look: The M4A2E8 Sherman Tank
The Huron Jail & the Second World War Part 2: A STRANGE MUTINY ON THE GREAT LAKES
The Huron Jail & the Second World War Part I: THE ‘DEFENCE OF CANADA’ IN HURON COUNTY
Newspaper Man Enlists: Huron County and the First World War in Black & White
Collection Highlights from Remembrance Day 2014
The Mystery of the 4th Toe on the Left Foot
Local Girl Leaves for the Front
Love is in the Air
Dogs of Air Training (Part 2)
Dogs of Air Training (Part 1)
Education Programs
The Huron County Museum’s ‘Huron County and the World Wars’ program is recommended for grades 5-10, and is offered as both an in-person and virtual field trip. There is also public outreach available by request with our Huron County home front reminiscence kits. Click here to find out more about our Education Programs.
Email museum@huroncounty.ca to inquire about booking an in-person or virtual program.
Research Resources
Click to search more than a century of history via Huron County’s digitized newspapers: free, online and keyword searchable. The newspapers provide a wealth of information on local soldiers and nursing sisters, including casualty reports and letters from the front. You’ll also find detailed information about life and work on the home front, including wartime advertising.
Or Click here to search a selection of the museum’s archives and artifacts via our online collection. Relevant artifacts include uniforms, photographs, medals and memorabilia from British Commonwealth Air Training bases in Huron.
Book List Check out this reading list related to local WW1 and WW2 history, available through the Huron County Library.
Nursing Sister Maud Stirling’s uniform in the Huron County Museum’s searchable online collection.
by Amy Zoethout | Oct 7, 2021 | Blog
If you’re out touring County Roads this fall, you may notice some new brown and white heritage signs marking Huron County’s historic settlements. The project was initiated by the County’s Public Works Department as a way to remember these communities that once existed in Huron. To date, 23 signs have been erected, including three signs marking communities that still exist, but under a different name. Our student Maddy Gilbert explores the history of some of these settlements.
Black and white photograph of a two story general store with wooden siding. Written on the back of the photo is: “Hillsgreen Store North Boundary Pt. Lot 11.”
Lady’s dress worn by Catherine (Clausius) Reichert, Hillsgreen, ON. M981.0027.001
Hillsgreen, which has also been spelled as two words, was located at the crossroads of Parr Line (County Road 31) and Kippen Road. It is on the route from Seaforth to Highway 21 and Lake Huron.
Hillsgreen was settled by the Hills family, and the hamlet kept the family’s name. The settlement had a population of 50 people by 1876, and was the community centre up until the advent of rural mail delivery.
Sir John Wilson was the most famous one-time resident of Hillsgreen, leaving to become the Chief Editor of the Toronto Globe. Sir John was knighted by His Majesty King George V in 1913, and received an honourary degree from Queen’s University.
The reason for the settlement’s decline came as the residents of Stephen and Hay Townships no longer needed to travel all the way to Hillsgreen to pick up their mail. With the ease of automobile travel, residents could pass Hillsgreen on the way to it’s larger neighbours, Dashwood, Zurich, Hensall, and Exeter.
Hillsgreen is just an intersection now, with nothing to show what once was, except for the historic sign to remember its past.
This Hillsgreen Town Plan was made by John W Smith, with help from Annie Consitt in 1973.
Sources:
- Hillsgreen Research from Jack Smith, May 1973. Kept in the Huron County Museum Archival Collection, 110 North St., Goderich, ON.
- Gibb, Alice. “Hillsgreen May Be Tiny, but It Had a Lively Store.” The Huron Expositor , 19 July 1971. From the Digitized Newspaper Collection at the Huron County Museum
