The Huron Count Museum is growing its selection of products made by area artists and makers and we are pleased to feature the work of Huron County artist Taylor Jones! Taylor was commissioned to design and create a custom LEGO® kit of Joseph H. Neill and his historic log cabin. If you would like to pick up this limited-edition unique kit, the Gift Shop is open during regular Museum hours and does not require admission to come in to shop and to support local! Learn more about Taylor’s work below!

Who are you and what do you make?

Hey there! My name is Taylor and I am a person with too many hobbies for their own good. I am a stained glass artist, but I dabble in graphic design, advertising, photography, theatre and too many more. I was raised poultry farming in Huron County, and a lot of what I do is inspired by our community’s history and its landscape.

How did you start making art?

It all ties back to my journey with mental health. I was an extremely anxious child and had an immense fear of being perceived, judged, graded, and so on. Getting over this fear has been a lifelong journey and it has led me to try artistic mediums that I never thought I would have the opportunity to explore. Working with glass is one of these.  

My love for stained glass started during the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown. I wanted to try something completely new. I ordered my first set of tools online, learned most of what I know through scrolling TikTok, and let my inspiration guide me. I believe that the approach I took, taking zero formal training, allowed me to better explore the boundaries of what I could do with glass. It was a LOT of trial and error… and a lot of bandaids.

How would you describe your work?

Colourful, fun, and unserious! Stained glass is an incredibly tedious hobby, but I am not somebody who takes anything too seriously. When I create, my goal is never perfection or anything near it. I want my art to be approachable, and bridge the gap between a complex artistic medium and popular culture.

 Almost all of my work involves transparency. I love playing with light and colour. There is so much fun in taking an image or a concept, in finding ways to create it in glass.

What inspires you?

Sunlight, pop culture, nostalgia, and Huron County of course. But really, my inspiration comes from everywhere and is constantly evolving over time. I love the works of Norman Rockwell & Alexander Calder. 

 Local history and community is incredibly important to me. It means the world to have the opportunity to find an intersection between our local history and my art.

What do you like most about being an artist?

Having the ability to create meaning, a specific feeling, or tell a story through making, no matter the medium. I also love connecting with people through my work and hearing the stories behind custom commissions, or learning what a particular piece means to someone.

If someone likes your work and wants to see more, where can they go (besides the Museum GIft Shop, of course!)?

You can find more of my work through @TJ.Glassworks on Instagram, where I share new pieces and works in progress. I also participate in local markets, exhibitions, and community events throughout Huron County.

Sample of work

The following blog post was written by former Museum Assistant Claire Howard.

If you speak to someone who grew up in the region of southwestern Ontario from the 1920s up until a few years ago, they could probably tell you a thing or two about CKNX-TV. Many can likely remember Saturday nights listening to Barn Dance on AM 920. Or later, tuning into NHL hockey on Channel 8. Whether you’ve never heard of CKNX, or you’ve been inside the studio itself, let’s take a trip down memory lane to revisit the history of television in Huron County.

For those that are unfamiliar, CKNX is a radio company located in Wingham, ON. In 1926, the station opened under the name 10BP by W.T. “Doc” Cruickshank. They began operating under their current name in 1935, with the “CK” call numbers assigned and “NX” chosen for clarity. Twenty years later, in 1955, the station would undergo a large change when Doc Cruickshank applied for a TV license. This allowed the station to broadcast television to Huron County and the surrounding area, and soon enough, their application was approved. The company moved from their small building on Josephine Street to the recently closed Wingham High School. The former principal of the building would sell it to Doc for just $1.

On Nov. 18, 1955, the station would begin its first test programming. Thanks to an affiliation with the CBC, the station could run both its own programs and that of the CBC. This meant that among originals like M’Lady and Circle 8 Ranch, viewers could also tune into CBC News, CFL football, and other major programs. Whether you were looking for Focus on the Farm or The Jackie Rae Show, CKNX had it all. They even gained a partnership with America’s CBS, which would allow the station to broadcast shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and Howdy Doody. Originally, the station would broadcast from Wednesday to Sunday only. The programming would start at 3:55 p.m. from Wednesday to Saturday, and at 1:55 p.m. on Sunday. It would then play late into the evening, finishing at 11:55 p.m. each night. Viewers could find this information in the newspaper, or in various CKNX newsletters and programs .

2023.0076.712 – A snapshot of the “M’Lady” “The Anna Meyer Show” Television Broadcast

As technology advanced and CKNX grew more profitable, the station would run television programs every day. However, unfortunately for the station, things would take a turn for the worse. March, 1962, saw a major fire in the old high school building where the television and radio station broadcasted from. This would prove to be detrimental to the company as they not only lost almost the entire building, but also the original transmitter that Doc Cruickshank used back in the station’s early days. However, even a devastating fire would not keep CKNX down. Thanks to other stations in the area, CKNX was able to broadcast the same day that the fire happened. Construction then started in August for a new building. It would incorporate the remaining wing that had survived the fire with the addition of a lengthy extension. The building was finally completed in September of the next year. Between the time of the fire and the new building’s opening, the station operated out of various temporary locations until they could access the new studios.

2013.0010.001 – Television Schedule

Four years after the fire, CKNX announced that they would be bringing colour television to Huron County. This would push residents to purchase colour televisions as less than 1 per cent of Canadians owned a set before colour programs began to air on CBC. Airing colour television programs was important for CKNX as many private corporations and stations in other rural areas would not have access to this technology until years later. The station not only played the CBC programming in colour but would have colour technology installed in the studio to produce colour programs of their own. As colour became available, everything transitioned. From TV dramas, to live sports, almost everything was filmed in colour. Even though colour was not accessible to every family with a television at the time, by the mid-1970s, colour televisions became more affordable for more families. In 1976, a new colour television would start at $525, roughly $2,700 today – so it was still quite the investment, but attainable. 

2025.0002.115a – Tricolour Television Camera used by CKNX

CKNX would continue to thrive through the mid-1980s for television and radio. Unfortunately, after this, live television would begin to die out. Due to new developments like cable, satellite and internet television, CKNX would no longer have the user base to justify the company. The Blackburn family decided to sell the station to Baton Broadcasting in 1993. Baton would hold onto it for a few years before selling it to CHUM. CHUM was a company comprised of different news stations. They rebranded the station to NewNX, with most programming coming from CFPL in London. CHUM was then bought by CTV in 2006, meaning that all their stations would now provide CTV programming. Finally, in 2009, CTV announced that they would not renew the license for the CKNX television station, and it was closed shortly after.

CKNX still operates as a radio station out of Wingham, in the same location since its move in 1955. Owned by Blackburn Media, there are three stations that operate out of the building: AM920, 94.5 FM, and 101.7 FM. These stations continue the legacy of Doc Cruickshank and the many other employees who contributed to the success of CKNX-TV.

CKNX-TV was not only a source of entertainment – it was also one of the most profitable and well-known businesses in the entire county. The station created a culture, and it helped define the lives of its consumers.

Learn more:

• Visit the CKNX exhibit on permanent display at the Huron County Museum. Included with regular admission and open during regular business hours.
• Watch a series of digitized video clips that aired on CKNX

Advertisement promoting Charlie Chaplin in “Sunnyside”. Published in the Wingham Advance, Jan. 22, 1920.

The early 20th century saw considerable backlash around the introduction of movie theatres, with both moral and health concerns. Indeed, as David Yates reports, not all residents approved of having a picture house in town, with some seeing it as a symbol of modern decadence. In 1924, Dr. J. Middleton of the Provincial Board of Health stated that moving pictures were bad for the eyesight of the young, and time spent sedentary in a stuffy theatre would be put to better use outside. (i)

“Fearing Hollywood Babylon in Wingham” (ii), in 1915 town council proposed a hundred-dollar fee for a license for the theatre. Today, this would amount to about $2,700—a fine surely meant to be prohibitively expensive for a small business. Rallying against this, Kennedy argued the theatre paid no small sum to the town in electricity and business taxes, as well as employing four. Council eventually relented somewhat, with Reeve Mitchell admitting the movie house was a good place for youths—or at least better than pool halls and hotels. For the lesser evil of entertainment, a revised, lesser fee of $60 was levied.

The Wingham Advance reports that in October 1921, Robert VanNorman purchased the Lyceum from Kennedy and Maxwell, describing plans to overhaul the building and to put on a new front. In an opinion column published two months later, said front would be described as “… a decided improvement [that] adds greatly to the appearance of the main street.”(iii) The theatre would go on to re-open on Nov. 10, 1921, with new and reduced admission prices. Twenty cents for adults, including war tax, and 10 for children, who must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

June 1923 would see the Lyceum sell again, this time to Hyde Parker of Stratford. Curiously, the Advance reported that the theatre was sold to Parker by Mr. Kennedy, and not VanNorman. (iv) A short two years later came another change of hands. In December 1925, Parker sold the theatre to Captain William James Adams of Orangeville, who would come to be known simply as “Capt. Adams”. Adams was a sailor by trade, formerly in charge of the Greyhound, a famed Great Lakes passenger ship that regularly sailed out of Goderich. The ship’s three hour “Moonlight Cruises” and Detroit excursions were popular amongst local holidaymakers for many years, with the Goderich to Detroit trips operating from 1902 to 1927. (v)

Captain Adams and his son, Alton, would run the theatre for several decades, overseeing many major renovations. It can be assumed that changes to the theatre were made between 1925 and 1929. A retrospective issue published by the Advance-Times in 1929 states that he “… ha[d] completely renovated it, and made it an attractive place.”(vi) In June of 1930, however, the Lyceum would really be changed, inside and out—in the ballpark of a practically new building, and the installation of equipment for “talkies”, or movies with sound. Closure began on June 16, and it would re-open on Aug. 18. After congratulatory remarks that evening by Mayor Fells, the first show was Sally, a musical in Technicolor, which was standing room only, with a packed house. The building was described as being made of steel, brick, and concrete, and absolutely fireproof. New and improved capacity for “talkies” was complemented by a new seating capacity of 300, a new screen, hot water heating, improved ventilation, and a new lobby.

Upgrades, renovations, and general improvements were constantly being made under the ownership of the Adamses. In February 1937, new soundproofing; in April 1941, new seats; redecorating in 1944; in November 1946, new amplifiers of “greatly improved quality” (vii); and in 1948, a completely new sound system from Northern Electric, “making [the] local theatre one of the best in Western Ontario”, according to one Advance-Times contributor (viii).

A Lyceum program from Winter 1946. From the collection of the Huron County Museum, 2025.0002.218.

One of the new Lyceum programs. From the collection of the Huron County Museum, 2025.0002.219.

With the advent of television in the home, small-town movie houses across the province would feel a loss, with many being forced to shut down. The Lyceum was certainly not unique in this regard: beginning in the mid-’50s, and over the course of the next two decades, would come repeated shutdowns and re-openings of the theatre.

In October 1954, the first Cinemascope picture to be shown in Wingham was The Robe. This came with another huge leap in theatre technology— “the new wide screen necessary for Cinemascope pictures, which give the effect of breadth and three dimensions without the use of glasses on the part of the spectators”.(ix) Always at the vanguard of these new innovations, the Lyceum was first in the area with Cinemascope.

Here comes what seemed the beginning of the end. Matinees at the Lyceum were discontinued in July 1955, for lack of interest. As early as February 1956, the first of several pieces forewarning the closure of the Lyceum were published in the Advance-Times. In the “Worth Thinking About” column, the author observed that the popularity of TV had begun to wreak havoc on community entertainment. It discussed hockey games, but more presciently, the small-town movie house and how many had been forced to close due to wanting patronage. The piece sagely remarked that the Lyceum was a top-of-the-line picture house, and it “would be a sad day for Wingham” should it be forced to close. (x)

In October of 1960, another piece would be published in the local news, urging community members to attend matinees, which were being given another try. At this point, the theatre had been operating only part-time, and the article once again ending on a warning note: “If the Lyceum were to close completely it would be a distinct loss to the community and it would be altogether likely that no other theatre would ever open its doors in Wingham”.(xi) Just under a year later, in September 1961, a similar announcement would be made—a trial period of matinees, despite their having been unprofitable in the past. By January of 1963, the Lucknow Sentinel was reporting that lack of patronage had forced opening hours down to Saturday and Sunday evenings. (xii)

Theatre attendance continued to dwindle, the warnings of local columnists apparently gone unheard. In April of 1963, it seemed it was finally going to happen. Unable to turn enough profit (after all, the Adams ran a business, not a public service), the Lyceum was to close its doors for good.

A heartfelt editorial, “Sorry To See It Go”, mourned the loss of a town institution and what was once a community hub.(xiii) It had, under two names, numerous owners, and with various fronts, served the community for five and a half decades. The editor expressed sincere regret, sympathy for Adams (who had hung on for as long as possible), and the opinion that Wingham would be the poorer for its loss.

Half a year later, in September 1963, the Advance-Times was reporting on a rumor about town—that the Lyceum, not in operation since March, had sold, and the purchaser intended to put it back in business. Only one week later, the buyer would be revealed: W.T. “Doc” Cruickshank, well-known resident and president of CKNX.

The theatre would re-open on Oct. 3, featuring the film The Longest Day, the story of the Allied landing on D-Day. Under new ownership, the Lyceum was to be back in operation six days a week, and the building was already in the process of being redecorated.

Another editorial, this one published on the theatre’s opening day, was pleased to see the lights back on at the Lyceum. However, the editor’s fears were not completely allayed. In a cautioning tone, it recalled that the Lyceum, for a decade, had experienced challenges faced by many small-town theatres. The town, according to the editor, was lucky that Adams had kept the business open as long as he did, and that even though it had been reopened, no one could expect the theatre to remain open without the support of the public.

Three years later, in May of 1966, yet another editorial—the topic and title, “Unwanted Amusements”. The editor was not amused by local youths complaining of having nothing to do, especially since their own disengagement had caused the decline of said amusements. Weekly dances at the Kin Pavilion had been cancelled, and it seems implied that the Lyceum was once again set to close. The editor writes, “[t]here will be a second gap when the Lyceum Theatre closes—also for lack of public support. The management of the theatre has brought first-class films to town and has made every effort to maintain the theatre, but now they have decided its operation cannot be continued on the present scanty attendance … There is no law which forces people of any age to attend dances or shows. This is a free country. But let’s not hear that plaintive cry that there is nothing to do in Wingham. It’s too late for that theme now.” (xiv)

Once again, however, the Lyceum appears to have been saved from closing its doors— in July 1966, an ad in the Advance-Times stated that the theatre would re-open on Aug. 3.

In March of 1967, the Lyceum would begin a six-week closure, re-opening mid-June. Operations seem to have continued to struggle into the 1970s, with the theatre lacking a snack bar and open only a few nights a week.

1973 would see the theatre purchased by John Schedler, a man with theatre experience from all over, but most recently employed at the Capitol in Listowel. In a long-form article published in the Advance-Times in January 1975, we hear of a new era for the local landmark. From when Schedler assumed management in August 1973, to the date the article was published, over $20,000 had been poured into improving the theatre. The lobby was entirely remodeled, the box office replaced, and the concession booth expanded. Almost half of the seats in the theatre were ripped out, providing patrons a better view of the screen, and many of the chairs were brand new. Perhaps the most important improvement to the moviegoing experience was a new automatic projection system. With the new projector, the number of times film reels had to be changed per showing went from five to one, and it took care of “virtually all visible errors”. (xv) With new management also came a new philosophy. Small-town theatregoers in general, and patrons of the Lyceum in particular, should be able to see the best pictures in a timely manner, right down the street.

Schedler had an original partner in business who left, and in 1976, he was joined in operating the theatre by Nelson Frank. In addition to the aforementioned renovations, the theatre had obtained a shiny new pair of Cinemascope lenses. It was back to operating seven days a week, up from three at the time of Schedler’s takeover. Ownership expressed confidence about the staying power of the movie theatre. Schedler, when interviewed, thought that people had grown tired of low-quality TV movies and that theatres offered something unique. After all, “[w]here would you go on a date?” (xvi) As a pair, Schedler and Frank also founded the Wingham Film and Nostalgia Festival, the first of which was held in 1977. In 1979, the theatre employed five additional staff members: projectionist Ward Robertson, his wife Patti, Rhonda Frank, and Lisa and Jane Vath.

In August 1981, the Lyceum was purchased by the Robertsons. At the time, Ward Robertson had already been employed seven years at the theatre as the projectionist, assistant manager, and maintenance man. When the couple was interviewed, they hoped to enforce smoking rules, install a new heating system, give the lobby a facelift, and were contemplating a new outdoor window for the ticket booth.

The eighties and nineties came with their own sets of challenges to keeping the theatre open. While in the fifties the worry was TV, there was now VHS and home movies to compete with—would patrons want to see films in theatres when they could view the exact same ones at home? An additional factor was increased mobility of local youths, who could now see pictures elsewhere before the Lyceum got hold of them.

Dale Edgar purchased the Lyceum in 1993 and would prove to be its final owner. He would operate it for 12 years until its closure in 2005. At the time, it was Huron County’s longest-running movie house. (xvii)

Sources

i “Lyceum Theatre was Huron’s longest continuous running movie house”, Clinton News Record, David Yates, Jan. 6, 2021
ii “Lyceum Theatre was Huron’s longest continuous running movie house”, Clinton News Record, David Yates, Jan. 6, 2021
iii The Wingham Advance, Dec. 1, 1921, Pg. 1
iv The Wingham Advance, June 14, 1923, Pg. 1
v “The Big Steel Steamer Greyhound”, Goderich Signal-Star, David Yates, April 25, 2024.
vi The Wingham Advance-Times, Oct. 3, 1929, Pg. 7
vii The Wingham Advance-Times, Nov. 28, 1946, Pg. 1
viii The Wingham Advance-Times, Dec. 22, 1948, Pg. 9
ix The Wingham Advance-Times, Oct. 20, 1954, Pg. 1
x The Wingham Advance-Times, Feb. 29, 1956, Pg. 2
xi The Wingham Advance-Times, Oct. 5, 1960, Pg. 2
xii “Lyceum Theatre was Huron’s longest continuous running movie house”, Clinton News Record, David Yates, Jan. 6, 2021
xiii The Wingham Advance-Times, April 4, 1963, Pg. 11
xiv The Wingham Advance-Times, May 5, 1966, Pg. 9
xv  The Wingham Advance-Times, Jan. 5, 1975, Pg. 24
xvi  The Wingham Advance-Times, Jan. 1, 1979, Pg. 7
xvii  “Lyceum Theatre was Huron’s longest continuous running movie house”, Clinton News Record, David Yates, Jan. 6, 2021

It’s only 10 days before Christmas and my Museum membership gave to me…

1 chance to win: If you purchase a membership by Dec. 22, you will be entered into a draw for a private film screening for friends & family with popcorn bar in the Museum Theatre. Renewing members will receive two entries!

2 guest passes: Each membership purchase receives two guest passes so you can share you love of the Museum with friends or family.

3 weeks of day camp: Membership includes discounts off of program registration fees, including the Museum summer day camps. This is perfect for families looking to save money while accessing engaging programming for kids.

4 partner museum sites: A Huron County Museum membership not only gives you unlimited free regular admission to the Museum and Gaol, you also receive unlimited regular admission with our reciprocal partners at Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre, Grey Roots Museum and Archives, Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum and Simcoe County Museum.

5 weeks of Ghost Tours: The Huron Historic Gaol’s popular Ghost Tours run every Friday through October and tickets are discounted for museum members!

6 months of Gaol access: The Huron Historic Gaol opens seasonally from May to November and members can visit as often as they like during the six months the site is open.

7 laps walking around the Museum: Enjoy safe and comfortable indoor walking at the Museum at no charge! Pick up a map at the front desk that lays out appropriate routes for walkers of all abilities. This winter, you can also participate in walking Scrabble and complimentary coffee socials for walkers! Watch for details coming soon.

8 gallery spaces: During regular hours, museum members have free unlimited access to the museum’s open gallery spaces, including permanent and temporary exhibits. Enjoy visiting your favourite artifacts on display, move the interactive models in the Neill Gallery or take part in drop-in activities like Make a Mess! 

9 weeks of Behind the Bars: Behind the Bars is an immersive evening tour experience held each July and August at the Huron Historic Gaol. The program gives visitors the opportunity to learn more about life at the Gaol and entry is FREE for members to enjoy!

10% off Gift Shop purchases: All members receive 10% discount off of all purchases in the Museum Gift Shop.

11 storefronts on Main Street Huron County: Go back in time by taking a stroll down Main Street Huron that features late 19th and early 20th century businesses and services that would have been found in local communities. And don’t forget to ring the bell in the 1913 steam locomotive!

12 months of Museum access: The Huron County Museum is open year round and your membership gives you unlimited regular admission 12 months of the year!