Ross Museum
2022 Foresters Falls Rd K0J 1V0 Foresters Falls, Ontario

A view of Westmeath from postcard in 1913

NRTCO Directors present service award, 1976

Can you help us identify these children? This photo belonged to Veldon Bennett and he is in the front row holding the cup. He was born in 1928. Likely a school event would be happy to hear your thoughts and identifications!

How times have changed. Renfrew County Ladies attending Household Science Judging Competition

Beachburg Post Office opens 1964

Foster's Hardware Store, Beachburg closes 1981

Olmstead, Graham receives Order of Military Merit from Governor General

S.S.#5 Ross Township c1918-1920

Memories from Ross Township's 125th Canada celebration.

Beachburg Public School Senior Students, 1931

Beachburg Continuation School, 1944 or 1945

The Grade 6 to Grade 7 Literature Test.

I'm wondering how many of you would be promoted?

Happy 51st Anniversary to Kenny's Store!! So proud of the family business!!

Let us Remember

Cobden of the Past Do you have a British Home Child in your family tree? Between 1869 and the late 1930s, juvenile orphaned, abandoned and pauper British child...ren were sent to Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. According to Library and Archives Canada, over 100,000 children came to Canada. It was believed that these children would have a better chance in rural Canada as farm labourers (indentured servants), than in poor houses, orphanages or street life in Britain. The children arrived by ship and were sent to distribution houses and then on to their receiving family. Their experience in Canada was as varied as the homes they were sent to, but unfortunately many were treated poorly. The success stories are ones to be celebrated however the failures must not be forgotten. My husband’s maternal Gt Grandmother was a Home Child. She was sent to Canada when she was about 6-9 years old (varies with the records). The story goes that her mother died when she was born. She had 4 older siblings. Her father was not able to continue to feed all the family and Nellie Grace Wicks was sent to Canada. It is documented that one of her memories in England was going to the factory with her sister and sleeping in the corner on a pile of rags while her sister (a child herself) laboured in the factory. She was placed in the Douglas area and given the birthdate of July 12th as it was easy for the family to remember. In adult life, she married Samuel Johnston and raised a family of seven including John Johnston of Douglas. Photo of Grace Nellie Wicks attached. There are a number of websites focused on Home Children. We were fortunate to have one the leading researchers of Home Children, Dave Lorente living in Renfrew. He founded Home Children Canada and spent many years raising awareness of the plight of these children. The following story was provided by Ruby & Keith Bennett regarding a home child who lived on the Queen’s Line. I wonder how many of these 100,000 children were buried in unmarked graves and then forgotten forever one is too many. Thanks Ruby for keeping Helen Bell’s memory alive. If you have a story to share about a Home Child, please do so!

...Cobden of the Past An interesting article about mining magnesium in Ross Twp.

Let's Remember those who have served.

This is Sergeant Harold Edward Eadie. He was born on August 14, 1918 on a farm in Renfrew, Ontario to a family of 9 children. Feeling it was his duty, he enli...sted in Petawawa on March 14, 1940 but promised his father he'd take over the farm when he was discharged. Although he listed his desired trade to be a mechanic or paratrooper, he ultimately ended up serving as a sniper. He held different jobs before enlisting including a brick layer, mine worker, and also worked on motorcycles which he enjoyed riding. He married my great aunt Margaret Briscoe 5 days before, at his request, he was taken on strength into the Irish Regiment of Canada and sent to B.C. He had tried to get into the Royal Canadian Ordinance Corps where two of his brothers were serving but was unsuccessful. In March 1940 his unit was sent to action in the UK. His unit remained stationed there until he was sent to Italy in 1943. His ship was sunk before it could land but Harold was able to make it to shore. He planned to visit home on a planned leave at Christmas in 1944. But on December 12, he was with a group of people sniping the enemy from a dyke near Fossa Vecchio (action: Lamone River) He was hit multiple times by enemy fire and was wounded fatally by a sniper according to a Private in his unit. During his service, he was well liked by his superiors and brothers-in-arms and for three years he held the light weight boxing title of his regiment. Sadly, his wife (my great-aunt) Margaret was drowned off the coast of Maine in 1947 when the freighter she was working on, the Novadoc owned by Patterson Steamship Lines, went down in a storm. They had no children. https://legionmagazine.com/en/2010/06/bedlam-at-the-lamone/

Church of the Past Notice the out buildings.

Senior Class Forester's Falls Public School, c1952

Private George Robert McLaughlin Born May 19, 1917 to William Laughlin McLaughlin and Charlotte Mathieson in Manitoba. He is my father's second cousin. I could...n't find much info on his service record, but his death is nothing short of a tragedy. George enlisted in the Winnipeg Grenadiers and was sent to Hong Kong in the earliest part of the second world war. In December of 1941, Japan invaded Hong Kong, an area that was left out to dry by Churchill who had promised to reinforce the defences there. The Grenadiers engaged the enemy on December 11, 1941 firing the first rounds of the war by any Canadian unit. Weeks of bloody battles lasted into Christmas on the island and mainland, the British, Canadian, Indian and American troops were over run. The Japanese were brutal, going so far as to enter military hospitals and bayonet wounded soldiers and nurses alike without hesitation. Many were killed and thousands, including George, were taken prisoner. George was moved to different camps and nearly two years later, on September 2,1943 he arrived at Niigata POW Camp 5 near Kobe, Japan aboard the "hellship" Manryo Maru. The prisoners there were used as stevedores loading coal into ships. They endured horrendous hardship. While there, George would have been under the regime of Lt. Mosato Yoshida. Yoshida was charged with many war crimes for abuse and murder of soldiers, including one Canadian who he tied up by a chain in winter outside without clothes. He was also known to steal red cross supplies meant for prisoners and give them to his friends. After the war, Yoshida would be declared insane and was removed from trial and hospitalized where he commited suicide. George succumbed to illness on December 20, 1943 dying from chronic diarrhea, pneumonia and beriberi. McLaughlin Lake near Oxford Lake in Manitoba was posthumously named in his honour. He is buried in Yokohama War Cemetery, Canadian section A.D.7, Hodogayaku, Yokohama, Kanagawa-ken, Japan

Let’s Remember the Men and Women who served.

Senior Class Foresters Falls Public School, c1952

A large group of men and women from our area attended agricultural and home economic classes in Beachburg in 1928.

Let's Remember Local Men & Women who served

...Cobden of the Past A 4-H group from 1987. Looks like they are having fun.

Have you seen this item before? Check out the pictures below to see what it was used for.

As Told by Noreen (Conroy) Desjardins WESTMEATH Veterans returning home from overseas after WWII were first sent to an auditorium in Ottawa. They were assembl...ed in order of the alphabet. Their contact was informed, and the soldiers stayed until picked up or sent home by train. Phyllis and June Conroy sisters, and Ruth Robinson, were young girls working in Ottawa. It was an exciting time for them when asked to greet the hometown boys from Westmeath. Many of the parents didn’t own a car and couldn’t pick their relatives up. Instead, after they were warmly greeted, the soldiers boarded a train to Pembroke, where they were met then by family. After a vet reached Westmeath, the Women’s Institute honoured each one or two with a square-dancing party in the original Town Hall. He had to have been enrolled in the public school to be eligible. At the dance, each was brought onto the stage, introduced, and presented with a wallet with $25 in it. Noreen was 12 at the time and still vividly remembers some of those guys. Many things were rationed back then even gasoline. The town was a dry one but that didn’t prevent people from slipping out between squares to have a drink in their cars. There happened to be three veterans whose families moved into the area during the war so weren’t registered at school but they were honoured as well. No one can recall how many dances were held for those who returned from the war, but they all were a cause for celebration. Hard to imagine unless you were there. Noreen said It was exhilarating for residents and schoolkids when convoys from Camp Petawawa drove through Westmeath on training sessions. A regular occurrence, every convoy was met by cheering residents. Two teachers taught school while their husbands served, Namely Mrs. Greg Gervais (Inez) and Mrs. Clinton Hennessy (Alice). (Note: See a photo of Clinton in the previous Hennessy Family post.) Ditty Bags were placed in the stores so customers could donate treats such as chocolate bars and candy. Despite food being rationed, many forfeited part of their share when they could. Officials would collect the ditty bags which were sent overseas for distribution to the soldiers. Many quilts were finished up by the women in the village, all for the war effort. Quilting frames were setup in Conroy’s house, Ethier’s Hotel and Schultz’s Store. The women from outside the village would quilt at any time when available. Friday afternoons promptly at 3 PM, it was Red Cross time at the school. The students were taught to sing Rule Britannia and so on. It was the worst of times and the best of times. (Thanks to Bob Grylls and Whitewater News)

Some local ladies

...Cobden of the Past A short but memorable article about the men's softball league - 9 teams. Interestingly 6 of the all-stars were from Cobden Teams and in l...ater years some of the other players also played for Cobden. The year was likely 1967 and not 61 but I may be wrong. I remember this group well even though I was a youngster, as if the Playboys weren't playing, we were off to another game most evenings. Brian Miller and Wilbert Miller were father & son and played for Golden Lake for many years. The rest of the all-stars appear to be from Beachburg, Forester's Falls and Queen's Line. Good competitive softball. See more

Forester's Falls Continuation School, 1941

Some familiar faces from Trinity United Church, Forester's Falls, 1993

...Cobden of the Past S.S.# 9 Ross Township was the brick schoolhouse located on Cty Rd 29 before the Queens Line. It closed in 1967. Here is a school photogr...aph from 1945 kindly provided by Eleanor Tabbert Bk Row: Helen Vanderhorn nee Bennett, Eleanor Tabbert nee Broome, Veronica Petznick nee Kurth, Reta Hawthorne nee Bennett, Eileen Hugli nee Ross, Myrtle Kidd, Grace Patterson nee Bennett, Drusilla Kennedy nee Broome, Doreen Armstrong nee Johnston, Doris Bochert nee Johnston, Janice McLaren nee Orr, Mary Comrie (teacher) Middle Row: Hugh Orr, John McMillan, Claude Hartwick, Earl Johnston, Donald Ross, Allan Hartwick Ft Row: Melbourne Hartwick, Ebner Kidd, Willis Hartwick, Gerald Johnson, Ellard Ross, Darwin Bennett, Ray Bennett

This type of musical instrument had a significant role in local history. Do you know what it was used for?

Foresters Falls Continuation School, 1941

Ladies of the Forester's Falls LOBA celebrated 25th Anniversary, 1980

Some familiar faces from Trinity United Church, Foresters Falls, 1993

Ladies of the Foresters Falls LOBA celebrated 25th Anniversary, 1980

This photo was posted some time ago to determine the names of the ladies in the photo. After much consultation, this is who we think is present. Please let us know of any changes or better identification of the individual. Would anyone know the event? Thanks Front Row: Dell Eckford, Fannie Orr (nee Robinson), Cassie Stephens (nee Robinson), Aunt Elsie, Annie Ross (nee Robinson), Tillie Pettigrew (nee Moxam), Mrs. Wallace, Lila Ross (nee Cumming) Second Row: Marian, Lynne..., Carol Orr (sisters), Mary Waite (nee Severin), Muriel Wilson (nee Waite). Third Row: Eleanor Ross, Martha Wilson, Ruby Bulmer (nee Williams), Fannie Bell (nee Bennett), Beatrice Bennett (nee Cowie), Mrs. Patterson, Mary Byce (nee Mick), Mrs. Armstrong, Meryl Robinson (nee Orr), son Keith. Forth Row: Grace Orr, Iva Mathieson (nee Orr), Mary Ross (nee Byce).

More from the 125th Anniversary at Trinity United Church in Foresters Falls. https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=Jbo2vsd5kV4

Trinity United Church in Foresters Falls celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1995. So many memories, so much history and wonderful glimpses of folks who have passed on https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_XRnsiLCVBc&feature=youtu.be

Interesting memos to the Beachburg branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia that contrast working conditions from the 1920s and 1930s to now.

Several binders of articles and photos gathered by previous and current staff of the Bank of Nova Scotia in Beachburg have been donated to Ross Museum. The following posts regarding the history of The Ottawa Bank - Bank of Nova Scotia - Scotiabank have primarily come from those binders. The following pictures are of the first bank in Beachburg. The Ottawa Bank building is labeled c1906, and 1906-1919 is the label on the photo of the teller cages. A similar photo of the building was published in later years in the Cobden Sun. It was taken c1910.

the choir members are, l to r, Bea Richardson, Susan Forrest Gilchrist And Shirley Ullrich

Cobden of The Past and Today Hazel Hawthorn has been a volunteer of many Whitewater Region organizations over the years. She was a founding member of Ross Twp.... Historical Society which became Whitewater Historical Society. She is still a very active member today and it is a joy to soak up all the history she shares. Today she lives in Cobden, having retired from her Queens Line farm. You may have heard cars honking and people yelling "Happy Birthday Hazel" as they drove past Hazels home in a car parade to honor her on a very special birthday. Happy Birthday Hazel and thanks for all the work you have done in our community. See more

May 26 Emily Parker and Samuel Rawlings went live with the Town of Smiths Falls! In this Instagram TV video, they gave a short tour of the outside and spoke with Telegraph Operator Graeme Roy, and 5802 Modeler Gilbert Lacroix. Watch below!

Teresa deBoer celebrated her 90th birthday in 1993 at which time this article was published in the Cobden Sun.

Beachburg Lions Club founding members, 1953

...Cobden of the Past Local industry is part of an urgent war effort. The Dominion Magnesium Plant in Ross Twp. established to secure metal. (Jan 1942 Cobden Sun)

A glimpse of activities in Foresters Falls and Beachburg in Jan 1942.

Can you help us

Still looking to identify these folks as per original post message

Still looking to identify these ladies. The article gives the name of a mother-daughter but doesnt state which one she is in the back row. We learned that Minnie Weedmark and her daughter Lola (Byce) are in bottom left. Looking for more identifications.

...Cobden of the Past A brag load of logs. There was no heavy equipment to load those trees. Photograph from 1953. Note the "Price is right" :)

WOW Happy Anniversary Mac and Marion

Do you recognize any of these folks?

Foresters Falls Winter Carnival, 1959

Beachburgs 1st Council election, 1959 (The Cobden Sun, Jan 8, 15, 22, 1959)

Hi Folks A researcher of the Mitchell / Morrison connection is looking for help in confirming the identity of the individuals in the following photos. Pic # 1 The information he has is he thinks it is Alice May Mitchell on the left, Elswood Morison, & Claretta (Mitchell) Morrison on the right - the women could be switched. The young guy up on the steps in trunks would be Alexander George Mitchell --but the lady sitting on the step must be an aunt Pic # 2 the same lady is s...itting in the chair with 2 young women -- one of them could be Annie Mitchell(a guess). The older lady cant be Lucy Ann Curry (Mitchell) (1892 - 1931) --reason there is an 1940s car in the second photo. The lady looks like a Curry --but which one???? The family is as follows George Rex Mitchell, son of Henry A Mitchell and Ruth Tucker, was born on 16 Jul 1856 in Allumette Island, died on 7 Dec 1938 in Pembroke, aged 82. George married Lucy Ann Curry, daughter of John Curry4 and Lucy Jones, on 13 Feb 1895 in Westmeath Twp., Lucy was born on 17 Mar 1861 in Westmeath Twp., died on 16 May 1931 in Pembroke aged 70 Children: 2-Claretta E. Wilemina Mitchell was born on 4 Dec 1895 in Pembroke Twp., died in 1975. Claretta married Ellswood Wesley Morrison on 27 Apr 1921 in Pembroke, Ellswood was born in 1894 in Vars, died in 1978 2-Annie Ruth Mitchell was born on 15 Sep 1898 in Pembroke. Annie married Arthur Lewis Grant on 11 Feb 1920 in Pembroke. Arthur was born about 1895 in Toronto 2-Alexander George Mitchell. Alexander married Betty Goldstein. 2-Alice May Mitchell was born on 24 Jun 1900 in Ontario died in 1980 aged 80, and was buried in Pembroke.

Some Beachburg history

Another local railway station - Beachburg. Does anyone have photos of local stations they would be willing to share?

Are you missing the old railway stations? Haleys CPR Station

Farming equipment has evolved over the years!

Womens Missionary Society in Foresters Falls, 1923

Several past posts have featured local Womens Institutes - important groups in the lives of women. The ladies in this newspaper clipping were charter members of local institutes, attending a district convention. They attended such events in their Sunday best.

A hotel in Beachburg Union Hotel formerly known as the Sullivan Hotel burns to the ground.