Sunday, February 27, 2011

Victorian Pharmacy - Mondays on TVO

Victorian Pharmacy - Four Part Television series:

Mondays at 10pm on TVO - Beginning February 28th.

Victorian Pharmacy is a historical documentary TV series in four parts, first shown on BBC Two in July 2010. It was filmed at Blists Hill Victorian Town in Shropshire. It is a historical documentary that looks at life in the 19th Century and how people attempted to cure common ailments.

Since some of the ingredients of Victorian remedies are now either illegal or known to be dangerous, Nick Barber often uses his modern pharmaceutical knowledge to produce similar products without those ingredients.

The other main presenters are Tom Quick, a PhD student, and Ruth Goodman, a domestic historian who also appeared in Tales from the Green Valley, Victorian Farm and Edwardian Farm.

Episode 1

The first episode is set in 1837. It was mentioned that the series would not be using opium that was commonly used by pharmacists during the Victorian era. A world where traditional remedies, such as leeches, oil of earthworm and potions laced with cannabis and opium, held sway.

After sampling some of the old ways, the team ventured into new discoveries, such as the Malvern water cure, the bronchial kettle for curing coughs, and the invention of Indian tonic water.

Episode 2

The team took on the challenges of the 1850s and 60s, a time when overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions had reached their peak, leading to unprecedented outbreaks of disease. 'Cure all' medicines that had promised to cure virtually everything, were all the rage and the team make their own out of rhubarb, liquorice, soap and syrup.

They also ventured into the uncertain world of electrotherapy and found out how the discovery of germs made disinfectants a bestseller.

Episode 3

The pharmacy entered a period of new inventions and new laws. In 1868 pharmacies were regulated by law for the very first time - and Ruth, Tom and Nick faced a taste of the tough examinations pharmacists went through to become qualified.

They also explored the world of poisons and hazards that were completely unregulated until this time - from arsenic and opium to explosives. But the lack of restrictions they had enjoyed enabled 'experimental chemists' to invent products ranging from matches to fireworks, to custard and jelly.

The team learned the processes involved in each, and laid on a Victorian style firework display for their customers.

Episode 4

The last programme in the series saw Ruth, Tom and Nick continue with Barber and Goodman's Pharmacy through to the end of the Victorian era.
Tom branched out into photography and dentistry using the latest technology, such as the foot-pedal dental drill. Ruth made condoms out of sheep intestines.

Nick learned how to make the Victorian version of aspirin producing a cure for warts and corns along the way. And for those customers who like a little pampering, the team turn their hands to making their very own brand of perfume.

As they shut up shop for the last time, the team reflected on a revolution in public healthcare that put a chemist's shop in every town in the country.

Friday, February 18, 2011

JOSEPH BRANT MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE FEB 23rd

Joseph Brant Museum is hosting its annual Open House on Wednesday (Feb. 23) from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.. The Museum is located on North Shore Boulevard, just east of Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital, in Burlington, Ontario.

You can learn about one of Burlington’s earliest settlers — Mohawk Indian Chief and Captain Joseph Brant, Thayendanegea.

You can also explore the latest exhibit, The Crazy Years: The Fashion Renaissance of the Roaring 1920s. The exhibition features several dresses, coats and furs from the Eileen Collard Costume Collection, and hats, shoes, purses and other popular accessories from the era.

A media component showcases images and music of the period visually highlighting a decade recovering from the First World War and embracing a new-found freedom and attitude that included the women’s rights movement, the jazz era and the influence of black culture.

An added feature for Joseph Brant Museum guests will be an antique clinic (Noon - 4 p.m.). Guests are invited to bring items that will be professionally appraised. Appraisal costs are $5 for one item and $10 for up to three items.

Also presented will be crafts, historic re-enactors, hands-on activities, and light refreshments.

Admission is free to the Joseph Brant museum for the open house.

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Joseph Brant Museum
1240 North Shore Blvd. E.
Burlington, ON L7S 1C5

The museum will be closed Monday February 21st for Family Day.

Regular Museum Hours:

Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Friday: 10:00am-4:30pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 1:00pm-4:30pm


General Admission (includes HST)
Adult: $ 4.50
Senior / Student: $ 4.00
Child (5-12 years): $ 2.25
Child (Under 5 years): Free


Accessibility
There is wheelchair accessibility for the main floor only. There is no wheelchair washroom access.


Contact Us:
Tel: 905-634-3556
Fax: 905-634-4498
Toll-Free: 1-888-748-5386

Directions:

From Brantford - Brant County area
1. Take Hwy #403 east toward Hamilton.
2. Merge right onto QEW toward Niagara.
3. Take the North Shore Blvd. /Eastport Drive exit.
4. Take the North Shore Blvd. exit (exit 97).
5. At the lights, turn left onto North Shore Blvd. E. /Provincial Route 2.
6. At the 3rd set of lights, turn right onto Lakeshore Road at the intersection of Lakeshore Road (right and straight ahead) and Maple Avenue (left). The museum is on the right-hand side. Continue past the building to enter the parking lot.

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Sunday, February 13, 2011

Black History Month Hike to Griffin House, Feb 21st

Families are invited to participate on a “black history hike” to Griffin House on Monday, February 21st.

Wear boots and mittens as you follow the trail from the Hermitage parking lot to Griffin House, where hot cider and history will be served from 1-4 p.m. For more information, call Fieldcote Museum, Ancaster, at 905-648-8144.

Griffin House stands as a testament to the bravery and determination of black men and women who journeyed to freedom in Southern Ontario by the Underground Railroad. Griffin House offers tours and black-history-related programs as part of the Black Heritage Network.

This unique historic site is situated atop a hill overlooking the Dundas Valley and is managed as a joint project. The house and property are owned and operated by the Hamilton Region Conservation Authority. Public visitation and interpretation is offered by Fieldcote Memorial Park and Museum.

Public visitation is available holiday Mondays from May to October.

733 Mineral Springs Rd.
Ancaster, Ontario L9H 1A1

Phone: 905-546-2424 ext. 7220
Email: griffinhouse@hamilton.ca

Hours of Operation:
1 - 4 pm for the Family Day Hike

Also open:
Sunday, May 8, 2011 (Doors Open Hamilton)
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Admission Rates:

Adult (18-59) $2.00
Senior (60+) $2.00
Student (13-17) $2.00
Child (6-12) $2.00
Infant (5 and under) Free

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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

BHS Speaker series: Zig Misiak - Western Hooves of Thunder!

BRANT HISTORICAL SOCIETY:
Speaker Series Presentation and Book Signing:

ZIG MISIAK, Author & Historian
(Western Hooves of Thunder)

Wednesday, February 16th, 2011

Time: 7:30pm, with book signing to follow presentation

Location: Brant Museum and Archives
57 Charlotte Street
Brantford, Ontario

Admission: Free

"We had a clear and unmistakable relevance that our counties (back then) and Six Nations had in the War of 1812. We were a part of the 1st major military action, the attack on Fort Detroit, and the last military action north of the Great Lakes, being American General McArthur’s raid on the county and Six Nations."
- Zig Misiak

Join us as Zig Misiak describes, through the use of the book's illustrations, the War of 1812, and how Six Nations got involved and what role they played throughout the war period.

Zig Misiak will be available to sign books following the presentation.

For more informaion on Zig and his projects, visit:
http://www.realpeopleshistory.com/

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Monday, February 7, 2011

Addie's Birthday - February 27th - always a great party!

This year the birthday of Adelaide Hunter Hoodless will be celebrated on Friday, Sunday, February 27th, 2011!

Please join the good people of the Hoodless Homestead for an afternoon historic house tours, fellowship and birthday cake!

The Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead, is a National Historic Site recognizing the birthplace and childhood home of one of Canada's most eminent citizens!

Adelaide was born on February 27, 1857 and died on the eve of her birthday in 1910.

The Homestead is owned and operated by the Federated Women's Institutes of Canada.

The Homestead is located in Brant County, Ontario on the outskirts of the village of St. George: if you are coming from the East, take Highway 5 /Beverly Street and continue through St. George and across Highway 24 - the name of the road become Blue Lake Road on the other side of Hwy. 24 - the Homestead is a short distance along on the right hand side.

For more details, visit the Homestead website at: www.hoodlesshomestead.ca

CONTACT INFORMATION
Phone: 519-448-1130
Fax: 519-448-1150
Email: adelaidehoodless@gmail.com


Street Address:
359 Blue Lake Road, St. George, Ontario, N0E 1N0
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 209, St. George, Ontario, N0E 1N0

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Happy 215th Birthday, Hiram Capron!

The Paris Historical Society Museum will host a birthday celebration for the founder of Paris, Ontario, this coming Saturday from 1 pm to 4 pm.

Hiram Capron (February 12, 1796 – September 10, 1872) was the founder of the town of Paris in Ontario, Canada, which was incorporated in 1849. An immigrant from the United States, he purchased large plots of land by the Grand River and Nith River which he settled and developed.

The Paris Museum & Archives is located at 15 Curtis Avenue North (at Hwy. 99)
Paris, Ontario N3L 3W1

Phone: 519-442-9295

E-Mail: parishs@execulink.com

Website: www.parishistoricalsociety.com

Sunday, February 6, 2011

1812 Lecture Series in Niagara-on-the-Lake

February 3: David Webb - The Battle of Fort George

February 17: Cecilia Morgan - The War of 1812 and its Aftermath: Gender, Race, and the Colonial Context

March 3: David Hemmings - The Life & Family of Laura Secord

March 17: Ron Dale - TBA

March 31: Keith Jamieson - Contemporary Concepts of Commemoration at Six Nations

April 14: Doug Decroix - Time Lag, A Flag and the Right to Brag: Some American Perspectives on the War of 1812

April 28: Wes Turner - The Life & Death of Isaac Brock

May 12: Julia Roberts - TBA

Lectures start at 10:00am;

$5.00 per Lecture or Free for Historical Society Members & Volunteers.

Niagara Historical Society & Museum
43 Castlereagh Street
Niagara-on-the-Lake Ontario, Canada

905-468-3912

http://niagarahistorical.museum/events/index.html

Friday, February 4, 2011

DOWN BY THE OLD MILL STREAM

A PRESENTATION OF THE ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVANCY OF ONTARIO (ACO), NORTH WATERLOO BRANCH

This presentation will take a look at the Heritage Mills in the Grand River Watershed - with Warren Stauch giving everyone an illustrated tour.

Date: Wednesday evening, March 23, 2011

Time: Doors opening 7 pm; Presentation at 7:30 pm.

Location: The St. Jacob's Visitor's Centre
1406 King Street North, St. Jacobs, Ontario.

Warren Stauch loves local history and heritage, which is evident by his many speaking engagements and his popular shunpiking tours. Also, he has a great fondness for Mills, and was commissioned by the Grand River Conservation Authority to undertake an inventory of Mills in the Grand River Watershed. He claims (and rightly so) that mills were the first major industrial component of a community and discovered that 10 mills are currently open to the public; 23 are privately owned, and 9 are preserved as ruins.

Every member is invited to hear Warren speak about these important heritage sites.

And you are welcome to bring a friend...


More information at the ACO website:
http://www.arconserv.ca/branches/show.cfm?id=8