Showing 18 results

The material consists of records pertaining to the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society including administrative records, financial records, correspondence, notices and invitations, inventories, events, publicity and publications, newspaper clippings, commemorative medals, and scrapbooks, some of which contain a small number of photographs.

Series consists of 5 scrapbooks of clippings and material including newspaper and magazine articles from the Hamilton Spectator, the Globe and Mail, the Stoney Creek News and the Canadian Homes and Gardens Magazine, as well as invitations, telegrams, correspondence, a postcard, event programs and souvenirs, announcements, and photographs, pertaining to various aspects of the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society and historical events that took place in Hamilton, as well as Toronto, Niagara and Halton. Subjects of the scrapbooks include articles on Society members and the Society’s historical preservation activities, the War of 1812, Battle of Stoney Creek, and soldiers’ monument, the opening of Stoney Creek Battlefield as a public park, the unveiling of various monuments, historical sites and anniversary commemorations, announcements of events and annual meetings, historic buildings, architecture, and landmarks preservation, various historical people such as the pioneers, Loyalists, and Scout Billy Green, as well as the royal visit of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II. One of the scrapbooks contains an Honour Roll of the men who died at the Battle of Stoney Creek during the War of 1812, and another scrapbook contains articles on the death of Sara Calder. Some scrapbooks also contain photographs of members and events including, a photograph featuring Mrs. George Lynch-Staunton, retiring President of the WWHS [1939], a photograph featuring Mrs. Lynch-Staunton, President, Mrs. W.H. Magill, Treasurer, Mrs. Bertie Smith, Secretary, Mrs. W.M. Logan and Mrs. G.W. Brown, 1st Vice-President [1939], a photograph of an unveiling of a historical plaque commemorating the Niagara Escarpment, featuring then mayor Victor K. Copps, Mrs. W.E. Griffin, President of the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society, Mrs. E.B. Thompson, Honourary President of the Society, Mr. L.J. Chapman, Ontario Research Foundation, and Dr. J.M.S. Careless of the Ontario Historic Sites Board, dated October 21, 1964, as well as a photograph of a sword with the following description on the back: “Sword carried by Billy Green the Scout, when he led the troops to Stoney Creek, June 5, 1813. Seen at the house of Philip R. Green, Stoney Creek, Mountain, July 1951.” There are also a few photographs of Battlefield House and grounds, as well as 11 photographs of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Stoney Creek commemoration event that took place at Battlefield House on June 6, 1913. Some of the scrapbooks are in fragile condition with loose pages, crumbling paper, damaged spines and red rot staining.

Series consists of publicity such as flyers, pamphlets, programs, and public service announcements pertaining to events and functions hosted by the Society. There are also publications of the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society such as two copies of “Here Stood the Valiant: The Story of Battlefield House at Stoney Creek,” 2 copies of “Stoney Creek, 1812-1925,” a “Souvenir of Stoney Creek Battlefield Park,” a souvenir program for the “150th anniversary of the Battle of Stoney Creek, 1813-1863,” and 2 copies of “Ye Olden Tyme Entertainment” souvenir program for a fundraiser event held by the Society to help pay off the balance of the mortgage on the house and property. This series also includes publicity from the Niagara Parks Commission including 2 copies of a Battlefield House pamphlet, a 1976 Rates and Data Portfolio brochure highlighting what amenities are available at the various parks and historic sites run by the Commission, which references Stoney Creek Battlefield House, an introduction to the Historic Sites Program of the Niagara Parks Commission, a news release regarding the official re-opening of the restored Battlefield House taking place on May 15, 1976, and one copy of the Niagara Parks Commission’s Ninety-First Annual Report (1977), which mentions Battlefield House and the fire that took place on August 8, 1977, causing approximately $25,000.00 in damage to the roof and the second-floor audio-visual room.

Series consists of a number of notices to Society members of upcoming meetings, as well as invitations to various events hosted by the Society, including a ball, causeries, luncheons, bridge parties, outings, tours of Battlefield House, and lectures, addresses and presentations on various history-related topics. There is also an invitation requesting members attend the unveiling of the tower monument commemorating the Battle of Stoney Creek during the War of 1812, dated June 6, 1913. The invitation announces that Her Majesty Queen Mary, would do the honours remotely by electricity over a telegraph cable.

Series consists of original newspaper clippings along with some photocopies, of articles from the Hamilton Spectator, the Stoney Creek News, the Globe and Mail and the Globe Magazine, pertaining to Society meetings, events, member activities related to the preservation of historical sites and information, the royal visit to Battlefield House by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in July of 1959, the Society’s $5,000.00 contribution to the restoration of the Dundurn Castle library, and it’s advocacy to protect Battery Lodge, the protection and restoration of Battlefield House, the transfer of Battlefield House to the Niagara Parks Commission, a fire at Battlefield House, donations to Battlefield House, items loaned to the museum, and special anniversary sections on the War of 1812. There are also articles on fundraising events held to raise money for restoration projects, guest lecturers and topics presented at Society meetings, the donation of Chief Joseph Brant’s Sword to the Joseph Brant Museum, as well as a discussion of the future of historical societies.

Series consists of inventories that were completed in various years by members of the Society to determine what items existed in the collection at Battlefield House, whether the items were relevant to the time period, and what items were still needed to complete the collection. There is an account book recording the inventory of household furniture and relics donated by members of the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society and members of the public to refurnish Battlefield House, dated 1921, an inventory of collection items and a record of items needed that was recorded circa the 1940s, and a detailed inventory recording contents such as books, brass items, china, embroidery, rugs, pictures, cutlery, weapons, and furniture such as beds, cupboards, desks, dressing tables, settees and sofas, tables, wash stands, chairs and lamps. The inventory dated 1950, records the object, the type of material, the time period, the origin, the donor, the size, and the date of acquisition. Some of the material was on loan from the Royal Ontario Museum, and other material was donated permanently by members of the Society and the public. An inventory of the contents of Battlefield House (completed by member Jean Gage), records the items dated pre-1830, or as having belonged to the Gage family, as well as reference cards with the type of material, a description, a reference number, and the name of the donor, dated 1950. There is also an undated inventory of furnishings for disposal.

Subseries consists of general letter correspondence as well as draft letters, mostly from the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society to its members and external organizations, as well as some addressed to the Society from other historical societies and individuals. The correspondence includes condolences on deaths of members or those connected to the Society, confirmation of attendance at upcoming meetings, appreciation for guest speakers’ appearances, the acceptance of executive officer roles, resignations from the Society, membership inquiries, genealogical research inquiries from the public, interest from the public in Battlefield House, the monument, and the Battle of Stoney Creek, and appreciation for restoration work completed and donations received. The series includes a formal letter sent to the Right Honourable Lord Byng, of Vimy, Governor General and Commander in Chief of the Dominion of Canada, from the Society extending a welcome to him and his wife, Lady Byng, and mentioning the historical significance of the area of Stoney Creek to the formation of Canada. The letter also welcomes Lady Byng as the honourary President of the Society, dated April 10, 1922. There is also some correspondence regarding Chief Joseph Brant’s sword that was donated to the Society, as well as correspondence on the transfer of the sword from Battlefield House on loan to the Joseph Brant Museum, which includes a newspaper article. The series also contains correspondence from the Society to the membership regarding the disbandment of the organization due to dwindling membership, shortages of volunteers, and changing social and economic times. The letter, dated August 23, 1982, outlines the plan for the disbandment and the tasks left to complete to cease operations.

Series consists of declarations for charitable organization status for the purposes of taxation, cash books recording revenues such as membership fees, cash donations to the Society, Battlefield House rental fees, and proceeds from the sale of items, as well as expenditures such as salaries, bills, repairs, stationery and stamps, Battlefield House grounds maintenance work, advertising, printing services, sundries, events catering and affiliation fees for memberships in other historical societies. There are also financial statements and statements of receipts and disbursements, treasurer’s reports, government grant funding documentation from the Ministry of Culture and Recreation and the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, and various receipt books recording membership fees, general receipts, receipts for the Battlefield House Restoration Fund, receipts for donations of cash and furniture to Battlefield House, as well as loose-leaf receipts for executive officer expenses, and various purchases of goods and services related to the operations and administration of the Society.

Series consists of two visitor registration books dated 1908-1929 and 1929-1958. The books record the names of individuals and organizations that visited (or rented), Battlefield House for luncheons, parties, reunions, church picnics, family picnics, meetings, presentations and lectures, and other events. Examples of visiting groups include the IODE, Hamilton Ladies College, various clubs, societies, associations such as the United Empire Loyalists, guilds, schools and choirs. The visitor registers also record when various members of the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society entertained members of the public and other societies for teas, luncheons causeries, bridge parties, tours and for special occasions, such as the anniversary of the Battle of Stoney Creek. The book records the type of event, the names of visitors and where they were visiting from. Many of the guests were locals, but there were also a number from all over Ontario, Canada and even the United States and overseas. The series also contains a copy of the House Regulations and Fees at Battlefield House, which lists the rules and fees for renting Battlefield House for events such as parties, teas and luncheons. One of the rules mentions that all guests must sign the visitors’ book. There is a house tariff document listing the fee rates for the type of event held at Battlefield House during the summer and winter seasons, a list of members involved in a social tea, notes regarding a Dundurn Castle Tour and Luncheon, a program for the first annual banquet and ball at Stoney Creek Battlefield, dated December 18, 1900, a program for the musical “Queen Zephra” produced under the auspices of the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society, a Town of Stoney Creek official schedule of events taking place at Battlefield House on the anniversary of the battle, dated June 8, 1963, notes and information on the architectural features of the houses promoted on a house tour, dated June 8, 1974, a memo and training program schedule to train participants on the various programs and events to be held at Battlefield House, dated April 12, 1976, and an itinerary for autumn day trips through Heritage Trails heritage outings services for the fall of 1978. The series also has documentation for various historic plaque unveilings including a notice regarding the tablet being erected by the Society in memory of Sara Calder, founder and first President (1899-1914), unveiled at Battlefield House, March 18, 1918, as well as an account of the unveiling of the Honour Roll and tablet to the memory of the men from the County of Wentworth and Hamilton who gave their lives in the Great War. The account was documented and a copy was being sent to the Public Archives of Canada (now Library and Archives Canada), containing a Society invitation to the event, a black and white photograph of Battlefield House and monument, a program of the event, copies of prayers and dedications read, quotations and inscriptions on the tablet, as well as a few newspaper clippings of the unveiling dated October 19, 1920. The series also contains a notice regarding the unveiling of a tablet in memory of the men who fell in battle at Stoney Creek, June 6, 1813, presented by the Society October 11, 1940, and two copies of a program for the unveiling of a historical plaque erected by the Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board, for the Hamilton Mountain, sponsored by the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society, dated October 21, 1964. The series also contains speeches by members of the Society on various topics including guest speaker introductions, the Gage family, the Gage homestead and the battlefield grounds and monument, the Loyalists, Christie Manor, the Niagara Escarpment, the formation of the Ladies’ Committee of the Wentworth Historical Society, the formation of the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society, and their work on preserving Battlefield House, as well as the history of Stoney Creek, Ontario

Subseries consists of correspondence regarding the submission of annual tax returns, registration as a Canadian charitable organization for income tax purposes and donation tax deductions, correspondence with various government ministries such as the Ministry of Colleges and Universities and the Ministry of State and Urban Affairs Canada, regarding grant information inquiries, correspondence from an accounting firm regarding some annual statements of receipts and disbursements, as well as correspondence pertaining to the dissolution of the Society and the revocation of its charitable status registration. The series also contains correspondence from the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society to various companies and foundations requesting funding for the restoration of various rooms within Battlefield House. The letters were sent with an information sheet explaining why the funds were needed mentioning that although the Niagara Parks Commission now owned Battlefield House, the Society had agreed to help refurbish four rooms, specifically the parlour, dining room, and two bedrooms at an estimated cost of $25,000.00, and the bank balance of the organization was only $2,700.00 The information sheet mentions that any donations will be tax deductible. The correspondence contains the responses from the companies and foundations as to whether they would provide funding. The local companies contacted included Stelco, T. Eaton Company, Westinghouse, Canron Limited Foundry Division, Canada Steamship Lines, International Harvester Company, Otis Elevator Company, and Dominion Foundries and Steel Company, as well as various banks and a few family foundations.

Subseries consists of correspondence pertaining to the building of a monument to commemorate the Battle of Stoney Creek. The series includes a letter from Sara Calder, President of the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society, to Mr. Benjamin Sulte, of the Department of Militia and Defense, acknowledging that she received the letter from the Deputy Minister of Militia and Defense accepting her offer of the Gage Homestead and property for the site of the monument to commemorate the Battle of Stoney Creek, and that she was preparing to deed that part of the property to the government for the purpose of the monument construction, dated July 18, 1899. Government correspondence requests assurances of the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society’s commitment to the project before the provision of funds is granted and Calder responds with confirmation of the commitment and with examples of how the Society has already proactively worked to preserve the house and grounds, including with the help of neighbouring farmers and residents of Stoney Creek, and with funding from the Township Council of Saltfleet. Calder’s correspondence argues against the site location put forward by the members of the Wentworth Historical Society, as inappropriate, and emphasizes that the Wentworth Historical Society has not financially contributed to any monument to the battle to date, nor has it promised any forthcoming money. The series also includes a letter to Sara Calder from E.L. Rastrick of the Frederick James Rastrick & Sons architectural firm who designed the monument, mentioning the design for the proposed monument along with a total cost estimate of $8,715.00, dated July 1, 1900, as well as correspondence from the Society to the government regarding the design proposals, and legal correspondence regarding the purchase of another 13 acres of land around the property dated February 24, 1910. There is also later correspondence from the 1940s pertaining to bronze tablets that were installed on the monument bearing the names of the men killed in action during the Battle of Stoney Creek, and unveiled in a ceremony in October of 1940. The final document in the series is a letter to Colin Gibson, Minister of National Defense from Mabel Thompson, President of the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society, regarding the history of the construction of the monument, detailing what she knows about the process including grants provided by the government, and repairs made over the years by the government. The purpose of the letter is to request ongoing support for the maintenance of the monument, dated August 13, 1946.

Subseries consists of correspondence between the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society and the Dundurn Castle Restoration Committee, regarding the desire of the Society to assist with the restoration of Dundurn Castle, correspondence from the Centennial Celebration Dundurn Castle Restoration Committee thanking the Society for its donation of $5,500.00 to help furnish the library, as well as an open letter to the mayor and council of the City of Hamilton from the Wentworth Historical Society regarding the concern that Battery Lodge and part of the castle grounds would be destroyed with the widening of York Boulevard, and stressing the importance of protecting this historic site. The correspondence is accompanied by a few newspaper clippings on the issue. There are also 2 different visitor information pamphlets for Dundurn Castle.

Subseries consists of correspondence pertaining to the refurbishing of the antiques, and refurnishing of the rooms of the house, including donations and repairs of antique items. After the transfer of Battlefield House to the Niagara Parks Commission, the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society noticed that although the Commission was doing a satisfactory job of maintaining the park grounds, the house was being neglected. To protect the house from falling into disrepair, and to ensure it was restored to its former glory, the Society persuaded the Commission to restore the house to its original state and refurnish the rooms to the time period when the Gage family occupied the house. The Commission consented and arranged and paid for Jeanne Minhinnick, a consultant with expert knowledge of refurnishing historic sites, to assist Society members with the project. Jeanne had previously worked on the restoration of Dundurn Castle and so was hired to provide her expertise on the Battlefield House restoration. She estimated the cost of the project to be about $25,000.00 and her advice and instructions feature prominently in this correspondence. To raise the money needed, the Society fundraised by asking individuals and companies for donations, but also held an auction to sell furniture in the collection that was not relevant to the time period. Furniture and items from 1830-1900 were sold by Sotheby & Company Canada Limited and the money was used to buy antiques from the 1790-1830 period. There is correspondence from the auctioneer regarding the sale of irrelevant items as well as a company pamphlet and a photocopied list of items available for auction. The donations raised by the Society came in the form of cash as well as actual antique items, and were donated by companies, organizations and individuals. Items included a piano, framed pictures, furniture such as beds, tables, desks, chairs, etc., as well as weapons, candles, a silver tea set, and cutlery. Some of the materials were also loaned to Battlefield House by the Royal Ontario Museum. The series contains some photocopies of sketches, pictures and information on various types of furnishings copied from publications on antique furniture used to guide the members in their project. The correspondence also pertains to repairs to current or donated furniture, the movement of furniture and other articles to other areas of the house, and the placement of furniture in various rooms. There is correspondence with government and tax officials to get a specific tax exemption status for items purchased for the refurbishment of Battlefield House, over and above the charitable tax exemption status the Society currently held. The application was successful, and the Society was granted an Ontario Retail Sales Tax Purchase Exemption Certificate, which could be used when any item was purchased for the house. The subseries correspondence also includes letters from various companies and foundations regarding donating to the refurnishing project, as well as thank you letters from the Society in response to the donations. Donors include, but are not limited to, banks, the Hamilton Spectator, The Hamilton Foundation, Bell Canada, Stoney Creek Dairies Limited, Simpson-Sears, Slater Steel, Molson Brewery, as well as a large donation from Dominion Foundries and Steel Limited of $12,000.00 for the furnishing of the dining room. During the processing of this fonds, the records for this series were found in a separate file from the financial and tax records. Given that they are specific to the refurnishing of Battlefield House and in many cases deal with non-financial donations and transactions, the records have been kept separate to maintain original order.

Subseries consists of general correspondence pertaining to the original structure of the house, suggestions for improvements to the house to make it more appealing to visitors, and proposals and suggestions for programming at the property. There is also a letter sent from Councillor J. Heugh, Chairman of the Town of Stoney Creek to the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society regarding the book “Niagara,” in which the author, Philip D. (Dudley) Mason, mentions the park, museum and monument. The letter expresses the dismay that the author would refer to the park as nothing more than a field and describe the war memorial as ugly. The writer also sent carbon copies to various other relevant organizations and individuals asking how they felt about the author’s disparaging comments.

Subseries consists of correspondence between the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society and the Niagara Parks Commission regarding the maintenance and upkeep of the house and grounds, the restoration of the property, the refurnishing of the rooms in the house, progress updates from the Furnishings Committee, furniture repairs, museum programming and project recommendations, plans for the official opening of the restored site, staff and volunteer training, media for the opening event, appreciation for the work done by members of the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society on the restoration project, requests for lists of items on loan to the site, purchases and acquisitions of articles for the house, comments about the 1977 fire at the house, management of the house and site, staffing levels, and the cataloguing of items in the collection. There are also a few photocopies of architectural diagrams.

Series consists of correspondence records separated into subseries, including general correspondence, correspondence regarding taxation and funding requests, the Stoney Creek Battlefield monument, Battlefield House and Park grounds, Battlefield House furnishings, the Niagara Parks Commission, and the restoration of Dundurn Castle.

Series consists of 3 pure (99.9%), silver commemorative medals of the Battle of Stoney Creek. Two identical medals have an inscription on the front reading, “Battlefield Memorial, Stoney Creek, Canada” and an inscription on the reverse reading, “Dedicated to the brave men who fought and fell in the Battle of Stoney Creek, June 6, 1813,” and manufactured in 1963. The third medal has an inscription on the front reading, “The Battle of Stoney Creek 1813” along the top, and “Mary Gage tended the wounded on both sides” along the bottom. The inscription on the reverse reads, “The Battle of Stoney Creek, a small Canadian unit attacked a much larger American force by night routing them completely and capturing two American generals, June 6, 1813,” dated 1963 and manufactured by the Wellings Manufacturing Company Limited, Toronto. There is also a receipt from the company which includes a serial number, dated June 4, 1963.

Series consists of administrative records such as the Declaration of Incorporation of the Society dated June 5, 1899, the Constitution and Bylaws, lists of executive officers, membership lists, membership cards, and meeting minutes recording the election of officers, as well as discussions pertaining to historic sites and monument preservation, Society finances, donations to the Society, upcoming events, the preservation and maintenance of Battlefield House, the transfer of the property to the Niagara Parks Commission, and the refurnishing project at Dundurn Castle. There are also annual reports, committee reports, a draft proposal pertaining to Stoney Creek Battlefield, appointment calendars, stationery, including letterhead and envelopes, documents listing the contents of a safety deposit box, records pertaining to the dissolution of the organization, as well as 3 Society ink stamps. The series also contains some documentation pertaining to the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society’s membership in or association with, other historical organizations including, the Hamilton and District Local Council of Women, the Canadian Historical Association, the Ontario Historical Society, the Women’s Canadian Historical Society, the Ontario Museum Association, and Heritage Canada.