adopt an artefact - museums | ontario an... · during the victorian era, there was a tradition that...

Adopt an Artefact

Aurora Historical Society

AURORA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

A MESSAGE FROM AHS

We are excited to offer you this unique opportunity to support Hillary House National Historic

Site. Your generous support will help fund conservation and exhibition efforts of these important

artefacts and raise the provincial profile of the museum. The Adopt An Artefact program is your

chance to create a personal relationship with the families who lived in the house and become part

of its history. Whether adopting for yourself, your class, club or as a special gift, adopting a Hillary

House artefact will help us tell its story for generations to come.

Thank you for your generous support,

Patricia Wallace

Fundraising Chair

AHS Curatorial Staff and Volunteers are delighted to see this initiative come to fruition! The

artefacts and archival material were carefully selected to represent themes such as medical

practices, leisure pursuits and culinary arts that can be experienced throughout the house. They

represent a snap shot of Hillary House – the history behind the families who lived here, their

professional lives and the stories that the building and grounds tell. By adopting an artefact you

play an integral part in the preservation of the Hillary House Collection and AHS Curatorial Staff and

volunteers look forward to working with the community in this effort!

If there is that special artefact that you have a connection with and it is not contained in this

catalogue, please contact us as we are always welcome to exploring alternative items for adoption.

Sincerely Yours in Stewardship and Preservation,

Catherine Richards

Manager/Curator

ADOPT AN ARTEFACT 2012

MISSION Our mission is to preserve, interpret and promote the social, cultural and material

heritage of the community of Aurora for the education, enrichment and enjoyment

of present and future generations.

VISION Our vision is for the citizens of Aurora to recognize the value the Aurora Collection

and Hillary House National Historic Site as essential components of the Town of

Aurora’s heritage which is accessible today and preserved for future generations.

These AHS efforts and

activities are

conducted in public

trust and completed

for the benefit of

Aurorans and visitors

to the area.

WHAT IS THE ADOPT AN ARTEFACT PROGRAM?

A unique fundraising initiative of the Aurora Historical Society (AHS), the Adopt an Artefact program

allows supporters of Aurora’s historic roots to make a piece of history their own for a one year term.

A wide variety of carefully selected artefacts from the Hillary House collection are now available for

adoption.

Tax-deductable adoption fees begin at $150. Adoptors will receive a package including an Adoption

Certificate and a photo of their artefact to display in their home, classroom, office or business. They

may have their name alongside their displayed artefact in the museum or select one of several

other recognition options.

Adopt an Artefact forms part of a major fundraising campaign currently underway at AHS. All

contributions support the restoration and preservation efforts as well as the ongoing creation of

new exhibits, programming and community outreach.

Aurora Historical Society President Suzanne Reiner with her Adopted soup tureen.


“VEST POCKET” FOLDING CAMERA, C. 1914

ACCESSION NUMBER: HA2011.8.90a

ABOUT THIS ARTEFACT

Folding cameras, which get their name from their ability to fold into a compact and robust package when not

in use, were the most popular type of camera from the beginning of the 20th century to WWII. This type of

folding camera is known as a ‘Vest Pocket’ camera as it can easily fit into a pocket.

During WWI, the army wanted only “official war pictures” to be produced in order to control the information

available to the public and help maintain morale at the home front. Although not permitted, many soldiers

snuck their own cameras into the trenches in France. The ‘Vest Pocket’ camera was the camera of choice for

WWI soldiers due to its size.

The company that produced this camera is unknown which makes the artefact hard to date. However, the

trellis struts attached to the lens on this camera indicates that it is an early model as later versions of folding

cameras are designed with a drop bed. The accordion fabric extending from the body of the camera to the

lens is called the bellows. This assists in focusing the camera as it allows the lens to be moved with respect

to the focal plane. The waist-level viewfinder rotates 90 degrees for either portrait or landscape framing.

Some ‘Vest Pockets’ come with an autographic feature that allows the photographer to enter notes onto the

negative. Comments are scratched into paper on the back of the film with a stylus and then burned into the

negative when exposed to the sun.

With the exception of the introduction of the autographic feature, virtually all ‘Vest Pocket’ cameras adhere

to the same design and construction with the only variation being the type of lens fitted.

ADDITIONAL HISTORY

This particular camera belonged to the Hillary

family and is currently on display as part of the

150 Artefacts for 150 Years: Celebrating Hillary

House National Historic Site exhibit which

opened May 12, 2012 at Hillary House.

The camera was also featured in the June 5,

2012 edition of The Auroran newspaper.

STATUS: AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION


WESTINGHOUSE TURNOVER TOASTER, C. 1914

ACCESSION NUMBER: HA2011.13.39

ABOUT THIS ARTEFACT

George Westinghouse was born in 1846 in New York. In addition to patents relating to the railroad and

alternating current electricity, he was also awarded the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE)

Edison Medal in 1911 for “meritorious achievement in invention and development of alternating current

systems and apparatus.”

In 1897, Westinghouse opened a production branch in Hamilton, Ontario which led to its incorporation as a

Canadian company in 1903. More plants were established across Canada which manufactured air brakes.

Household appliances and steam and gas turbines. Although the parent company changed its name and

focus over the years, in 1998 the plant in Hamilton was sold to Siemens (Germany) and renamed Siemens

Westinghouse, which continues to operate under a division of Siemens Canada Ltd.

This Turnover Toaster, produced by Westinghouse, allowed for bread to be toasted inside the cage-like

containers. Although missing its cord, this Turnover Toaster still has the two prongs attached where the cord

would have been attached. The plaque on the side of the toaster indicates that it was made in the Hamilton,

Ontario production plant.

ADDITIONAL HISTORY

This toaster was used by the Hillary family and is currently on display as part of the 150 Artefacts for

150 Years: Celebrating Hillary House National Historic Site exhibit which opened May 12, 2012 at

Hillary House.

The toaster was featured in the June 19, 2012 edition of The Auroran newspaper.



CHRISTENING GOWN, C. 1874


ABOUT THIS ARTEFACT

This Christening gown was made by nuns in France. It was presented by the congregation of the Church of

England to Rev. and Mrs. Horace Mussen for the christening of their first grandchild, Stuart Hillary in 1896.

Horace Mussen was Rector of Trinity Church, Aurora. The gown has been worn by at least 37 children since

then.

Until the 17th century, young babies would be wrapped in tight swaddling clothes and carried to the font in a

bearing cloth (a large square piece of silk that usually had gold lace and braid trim) for their baptism. The

christening gown, or “slip dress”, emerged in the mid-18th century when babies were freed of swaddling at

an earlier age. By the 19th century, christening outfits consisted of a long gown made of white material that

was decorated by elaborate lace and embroidery, and sometimes had matching bonnet and booties. These

garments mimicked ladies fashion styles of the period.

During the Victorian Era, there was a tradition that the baby would sleep in the christening gown on the night

of their baptism as it was thought that this act would bring luck and good health into the baby’s future.

White is the colour the Church insisted all babies to wear when christened as it is a symbol of purity. During

the Victorian Era cotton became widely used to make the gowns as it was more readily accessible, prior to

this silk and satin were more common. The elegant décor on mid to late 19th century gowns is known as

Ayrshire work, a form of white-on-white embroidery that originated in the Scottish Lowlands.

19th century families were typically large and christening gowns were often worn by all new family members.

This was made possible by its fastening ties that allowed the garment to fit any sized child. We know that this

gown was originally intended for a boy (Stuart Hillary) due to the fact that the robings surrounding the v-panel

on the bodice meet at a pointed tab. If the gown was meant for a girl, the tab would have been folded under.

Christening gowns are often passed down from generation to generation, becoming family heirlooms, just

like this beautiful piece in the collection at Hillary House.

ADDITIONAL HISTORY

This particular christening gown belonged to the Hillary family and is currently

on display as part of the 150 Artefacts for 150 Years: Celebrating Hillary House

National Historic Site exhibit.

This christening gown also served as the inspiration for a large painting by artist

Karin Foulds currently on display at Hillary House as

part of the Art at the Manor exhibit which opened

May 12, 2012 at Hillary House.



HORSE BUGGY WHIP, C. 1870

ACCESSION NUMBER: HA2011.8.91a-b

ABOUT THIS ARTEFACT

The barn on the property of Hillary House enabled the doctor to maintain his practice. Although there is a

consulting room at the front of the house, Dr. Hillary more commonly travelled to his patients’ homes

throughout Aurora, King and the Township of Whitchurch for appointments. The barn was home to his horse,

and housed supplies and equipment. The Hillarys owned a sleigh, a gig (a light two wheeled carriage), and a

phaeton (a large four wheeled carriage).

Horse buggy whips aid carriage drivers in directing a horse harnessed to a buggy or other

small open carriage through touch and sound. Initially, when driving horses first became

common, whips were as simple as a stick. Buggy whips evolved and by the 19th century

they took on the form we are familiar with today, consisting of a long stiff shaft and have

a relatively short lash with popper. The whip makes a cracking noise to signal the horse

forward. With the increase in the production of whips in the 18th century, elements of

quality were taken into consideration when manufacturing whips. The most popular type

of wood used for whip shafts in North America was hickory, and holly in Europe. Some

were manufactured with butts on the end of the handle made of precious metals, in this

case with silver. These features elevated the whip into being a symbol of status and

wealth.

Although limited manufacturing of these whips still occur for sport and

historic driving carriages, the buggy whip industry as a major economic

entity ceased to exist with the introduction of the automobile.

ADDITIONAL HISTORY

This item is currently on display as part of the 150 Arte-

facts for 150 Years: Celebrating Hillary House National

Historic Site exhibit which opened on May 12, 2012.

Several photos can be found in the Hillary Collection

that show the doctor in the

family carriage with whip in hand.



WEDGEWOOD, DARK BLUE JASPER PITCHER, C. 1891 – 1908

ACCESSION NUMBER: HA2011.13.22d

ABOUT THIS ARTEFACT

The Wedgwood company began in 1759 by Josiah Wedgwood, who was born in Burslem, England in 1730.

He experimented with many different materials to create different colours of ceramics, such as barium sul-

phate. Barium sulphate is a white colourless mineral which is used as pigment for most paints.

With most of his pieces he mixed the barium with blue jasper and created ceramics that depict Greek and

Roman scenes.

In 1780, Wedgwood asked his friend Erasmus Darwin to be his business partner after his previous partner

passed away. Eventually Wedgwood’s daughter and Darwin’s son married. Their son was Charles Darwin.

When Wedgwood passed away in 1795, he left a thriving business to his children.

ADDITIONAL HISTORY

This piece is currently on display at Hillary House as part of a matching set, along with other examples

from the Hillary’s fine china collection.

This pitcher was featured in the June 12, 2012 edition of The Auroran newspaper.



TENNIS RACKET, 1905

ACCESSION NUMBER: HA2011.8.79a-b

ABOUT THIS ARTEFACT

The Hillary family was involved in the establishment of a Tennis Club in Aurora. As a result, tennis was a sport

that all the Hillary children played. There used to be a tennis court on the North lawn of the grounds, and the

Hillarys hosted tournaments for the Club on their property.

In 1871 George Wright and Henry A. Ditson founded the Wright & Ditson Company, which focused on manu-

facturing sporting goods and athletic apparel for tennis, baseball and golf. George Wright played for Boston’s

National League baseball team in 1877 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame. The company would be

bought by Spalding in 1891, but the Wright & Ditson name continued to be used on the tennis rackets and

balls into the 1940s. The ‘Champion’ racket model was patented on January 3, 1905.

The Wright and Ditson brand of tennis ball was the first to dominate the US

market. The brand can boast of supplying the official ball for the USLTA Na-

tional Championships (now called the US Open) for approximately 60 years.

The sport of tennis has a very fascinating history, including the development

of tennis equipment. In terms of rackets, lopsided or ‘tilt top’ rackets were

mainly produced until 1882 when the triangular flat top rackets became more

popular. By 1883, the tilt was totally given up and the head of rackets took on

the symmetrical structure that we see today. In 1885, oval shaped rackets

were introduced.

ADDITIONAL HISTORY

This item is currently on display as part

of the 150 Artefacts for 150 Years: Cele-

brating Hillary House National Historic

Site exhibit which opened May 12, 2012.

The tennis racket was featured in the

July 24, 2012 edition of The Auroran

newspaper.



SOUP TUREEN SET, 1849

ACCESSION NUMBER: HA2011.13.1a-d

ABOUT THIS ARTEFACT

This tureen was made by James Edwards in 1849. On the base of the tureen is written: “To prevent this

shape from being copied it was entered at the registry office of Designs May 30th 1849 by James Edwards.”

This piece is important because it was made before James created his company, James Edwards & Sons, in

Burslem, England in 1852. The company remained in business until 1882.

Items that were made of Ironstone were thick and heavy, therefore, the shape of the ceramic items became

important. In the 1840’s, James Edwards used all white glazed ware with angular shapes that deviated from

the gentle curves typically used.

ADDITIONAL HISTORY

This artefact is currently on display at Hillary House along with many other examples from the Hillary’s

fine china collection.

STATUS: ADOPTED


EVERYMAN ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF GARDENING, C. 1906-1928


ABOUT THIS ARTEFACT

An illustrated Encyclopaedia of Gardening by Walter P. Wright. The encyclopaedia

was published in London by J. M. Dent & Sons Limited and in New York by E. P.

Dutton & Co. The leatherette cover of the book is maroon in colour with gold type

and flower embellishment. Title, author and publishers are printed on the spine.

“Everyman, I will go with thee and be thy guide, In thy most need to go by thy

side”, the tagline for Everyman’s Library books, is on the front cover. The corners

of the binding are rounded, and the edges of the pages are gilt. A thin light blue

ribbon bound into the book acts as a page maker.

This is a first edition of An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Gardening by Walter P.

Wright (1864-1940) printed as part of the Everyman’s Library collection. The

Everyman’s Library was conceived by J. M Dent (1849-1926), a bookbinder and

publisher, and Ernest Rhys (1859-1946), a poet and editor, in 1905. Their vision

was to produce a collection of 1,000 of the greatest books available throughout

the world that would be presented in an attractive but affordable edition for the

common man.

The books in the Everyman’s Library collection were divided into 13 categories,

each of which had an assigned colour for the binding. A resource book, such as

the Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Gardening, was denoted by maroon. Books with

the special leatherette binding were originally sold for two shillings—twice the

price of books with the standard binding.


The leatherette binding is an indicator that this encyclopaedia was published between 1906 and 1928. The

fact that there is no copyright date printed inside the book, means that this encyclopaedia was printed as

part of a first edition.

Reginald L. Knowles designed the endpapers used on Everyman's Library books until 1935. The endpapers

illustrate the figure of Good Deeds from the medieval play Everyman, facing her sister Knowledge's pledge,

which is the series tagline: "Everyman, I will go with thee and be thy guide, in thy most need to go by thy

side.”

An ornate frontispiece and title page is one of the most distinctive elements of early Everyman's Library

books. Thirteen different designs with famous quotes were created for their corresponding categories. A quo-

tation from The Merry Wives of Windsor, written by William Shakespeare, is in all ‘Resource’ books. “I will

make a prief of it in my notebook” is said by the Welshman Sir Hugh Evans in Act I, Scene 1 of the play.

Shakespeare's spelling of the word ‘brief’ with a ‘p’ is a caricature of a Welsh accent.

ADDITIONAL HISTORY

This book is currently on display as part of the 150 Artefacts for 150 Years: Celebrating Hillary House

National Historic Site exhibit which opened May 12, 2012 at Hillary House.

The encyclopaedia was featured in the July 10, 2012 edition of The Auroran newspaper.



G. PHILLIPS DINNER PLATE, C. 1831 - 1847


ABOUT THIS ARTEFACT

This plate was manufactured by the Edward and George Phillips pottery which was founded in 1822 in Long-

port, England.

After the death of his brother Edward in 1831, George continued with the company but changed the maker’s

mark to G. Phillips.

In 1847, George passed away and the production of pottery stopped.

The father of Edward and George was a merchant in Newcastle under Lyme, and no one in the family had a

pottery background. Edward married Benedicta Wedgwood, who had become a ward of Josiah Wedgwood

after her father died.

At this point Wedgwood was in the pottery making business and the brothers leased the New Bridge pottery

in Longport to start their business.

ADDITIONAL HISTORY

This artefact is currently on display at Hillary House along with many other

examples from the Hillary’s fine china collection.

This dinner plate was featured in the July 17, 2012 edition of The Auroran

newspaper.



ROYAL DOULTON WATER PITCHER C. 1891 – 1902


ABOUT THIS ARTEFACT

The Royal Doulton company originally began fabricating stoneware in a factory at Vauxhall Walk, Lambeth, in

London under the partnership of John Doulton, Martha Jones, and John Watts. It was not until 1853, that the

company was named Doulton where John and his son, Henry, created fine stoneware. In 1877, the company

purchased a small factory on Nile Street in Burslem, England.

In 1901, the products of Doulton had become popular that the Royal Family took notice and granted them

the name Royal Doulton. Today Royal Doulton is no longer a family business, but is still being manufactured

under the same name. The base of this water pitcher has the maker’s mark which reads: “DOULTON BURL-

SEM”// “DOULTON + SLATERS PATENT” // “ENGLAND” // “2055 a” // “AWP”// “DOULTON’S.” The maker’s

mark suggests a date of 1891-1902.

ADDITIONAL HISTORY

This artefact is currently on display at Hillary House along with many other examples from the Hillary’s

fine china collection.

This pitcher was featured in the July 3, 2012 edition of The Auroran newspaper.



AMPUTATION KIT, C. PRE—1860

ACCESSION NUMBER: 994.38

ABOUT THIS ARTEFACT

Amputation Kits like this one were used by medical surgeons on the battlefield. This amputation kit is be-

lieved to have been used by Dr. Michael Hillary, Robert William’s brother, who served as a surgeon on the

Southern side during the American Civil War (1861-65).

With many soldiers wounded and requiring immediate medical attention, amputation was often the outcome

of an injury. This amputation kit contains eleven medical instruments – two saws, three knives, a needle with

handle, forceps, tenaculum, tourniquet and two curved needles.

The saws are called a tenon saw and bow, or metacarpal, saw. The tenon blade is long and reinforced by a

strong handle whereas the bow, or metacarpal, saw had the advantage of an adjustable blade which could

be replaced by spare blades. The tenaculum was a device used to pull arteries so that they could be tied

during surgery. The Petit’s tourniquet was used to apply pressure to a limb resulting in controlled circulation

and blood flow of the injured limb. By applying this pressure, blood loss was limited and the surgeon could

work in a relatively blood-free environment which enabled cleaner and quicker surgeries.

ADDITIONAL HISTORY

On permanent display in the Consulting Room at Hillary House National Historic Site

The amputation kit was featured in the Toronto Star on January 5, 2011.

This amputation kit was also fea-

tured in the May 29, 2012 edition

of The Auroran newspaper.



SQUARE PIANO, C. 1850


ABOUT THIS ARTEFACT

This “square” piano was manufactured by John Morgan Thomas and is the earliest known piano of its type

produced by a Toronto maker. Thomas worked in Toronto between 1843 and 1875; these dates combined

with the style of this piano suggests a date of c. 1850. The square piano is different from other pianos be-

cause the strings run from left to right rather then back to front. Square pianos were popular in the mid to

late 1800s because they were small and could suit any size domestic household. The square piano did

evolve into grander and more ornate versions which then became obsolete with the popularity of the modern

upright piano.

This piano is believed to have been used by the Hillary family until the early 1900s. It was at this time that

they purchased a modern upright piano – which remained at Hillary House until 1950 and is now owned by

the private collection of Hillary family members. The Hillary family did not dispose of the square piano; it

was removed from the house and into the barn until the Aurora Historical Society returned it to its current

place in the drawing room.

ADDITIONAL HISTORY

This piano is on permanent display in the Drawing Room at Hillary House National Historic Site.

In 1996, the piano case was restored by the Canadian Conservation Institute.

It was also featured in the June 26, 2012 issue of The Auroran newspaper.



AURORA HISTORICAL SOCIETY—ADOPT AN ARTEFACT PROGRAM

TERMS OF AGREEMENT

1. OWNERSHIP

The Aurora Historical Society (AHS) retains ownership of, and all rights to, the adopted artefact.

2. METHODS OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Adoptor will identify the method of acknowledgement at the onset of adoption.

Methods of acknowledgement will not be altered after the Adoptor has signed the Adoption Contract.

3. CARE AND PRESERVATION

The Adoptor is not permitted to remove the artefact from its place of display or while in storage. (NB: See

Pt.5). In compliance with accepted museum standards, the Adoptor will abide by all methods of care and

preservation that AHS upholds while in the presence of the artefact (e.g. handling).

4. COPYRIGHT

The AHS retains copyright of the artefact. If the Adoptor wishes to acquire a reproduction photograph of

the adopted artefact they must request it from AHS and receive permission for its use (NB: See pt.5).

Any reproduction of the artefact must bear the credit line at all times attributing AHS with full ownership.

The Adoptor must acquire permission to use the image for public purposes/non-personal uses (e.g. in pub-

lications, for public display).

5. INTERPRETATION

As per the adoption levels of acknowledgement, the Adoptor may choose to write the accompanying object

exhibition label. Subsequently, the exhibition label will be edited and approved at the discretion of AHS

Curatorial staff. If approved, the placement of the written label in period rooms or exhibition spaces at

Hillary House will be at the discretion of AHS Curatorial staff.

6. USAGE

If the Adoptor identifies outreach as the method of acknowledgement, AHS will have complete design of

the programming and final approval of the outreach program to be delivered. AHS will have authority, and

final approval, over determining the location and duration of the outreach program.

7. RENEWALS

Adoptors who adopt at the $200 level will be given first right of adoption for a second year.

8. TERMINATION

AHS reserves the right to terminate the adoption agreement if the Adoptor is not held in compliance with

any of the above points.


ADOPTION CONTRACT

ADOPTOR INFORMATION

Adoption Level: $150 $200 Expiry Date of Adoption:

Contact Name:

Address:

Phone: Email:

Individual Organization Business Other:

ARTEFACT INFORMATION

Object Name:

Accession Number:

Description:

Notes:

METHOD OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT PLEASE CHOOSE YOUR PREFERENCE(S)

Anonymous/Private Acknowledgement in Annual Report

Acknowledgement in newsletter Donor name displayed with artefact

Donor name and label displayed with artefact

Acknowledgement on AHS website

Outreach programming (to be approved upon discussion with Curatorial Staff)

My signature below signifies that I am Adopting an artefact from the Hillary House collection belonging to

the Aurora Historical Society. I have read and understand the agreement terms.

______________________________________ Date

The signatory below represents the Aurora Historical Society and is authorized to enter this Adoption

contract. They will ensure all parties have a copy of the agreement terms and contract.

_______________________________________ Date

15372 Yonge Street, Aurora ON L4G 1N8

905-727-8991

[email protected]

www.aurorahistoricalsociety.ca

2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mayor Geoffrey Dawe

Honorary President

Andrew Kipfer

Past President

EXECUTIVE Suzanne Reiner

President

Patricia Wallace

1st Vice-President

Wayne Keilty

2nd Vice-President

John Smale

Treasurer

Bob McRoberts

Secretary

DIRECTORS Bill Albino

Theresa Buck

John McIntyre

STAFF Catherine Richards

Manager / Curator

Nicola Jago

Curatorial Assistant

Lindsay Bontoft

Administrative Assistant

Alexandra Riccio

Community Development Assistant

adopt an artefact - museums | ontario an... · during the victorian era, there was a tradition that...

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