Monday 28 April 2014

Meet Lumber Jack - Eh Day at Myrtleville


Meet Lumber Jack, the hard-working lumberjack from Myrtleville House Museum. Jack uses hand tools such as axes, hatchets, and different types of saws to fell trees in the wilderness. Lumberjacking (or "Logging") was a very dangerous job since workers used sharp hand tools, worked in hinterland conditions, and were regularly surrounded by falling trees weighing hundreds of pounds. Like regular humans, lumberjacks are quite crushable.


Here is Jack, having just stomped a 115ft Black Walnut tree to a stump. 



During working days Jack can be found wandering through the wilderness. In addition to his duties as a lumberjack, he takes part in many traditional hinterland activities, such as scavenging for fruits, berries, nuts, and mushrooms, tapping sugar maples, whittling tools and items to use around the house, and hunting for the Southwest Ontario Sasquatch.


Walking through the many lovely forests, trails, and riverbanks in our community affords Jack some wonderful solitude to sit among the rushes and shrubs, surrounded by the many small woodland animals, birds, and insects, and contemplate the important things in life. 


Mostly pancakes and bacon.


Awwww, bacon.


Join us on May 17th to meet Lumber Jack and take part in our Lumberjack Photo Booth! Watch our blog for an introduction to Lumber Jack's nemesis, The Black Smith.


Tuesday 22 April 2014

Eh Day!

So here's the story: We were starting to plan an event. 

We wanted something that fuelled people's imaginations, like zombies or pirates, but something that was closer to our hearts (and our service areas of Brantford, Brant County, Six Nations, and New Credit.) 

One of us thought about Wade Hemsworth, Brantford-born Canadian folk musician and writer of the esteemed and catchy (see: earwormLog Driver's Waltz. One thing led to another, and after some exuberant brainstorming and a round of high-fives, we had a laundry list of requirements for our celebration: Lumberjacks, pancakes, beards, plaid, bacon, folk music & dancing, and community spirit & togetherness.

The Brant Historical Society, in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grand Erie, is proud to present Eh Day: A celebration of Canadiana and pride in our local history and heritage! Stay tuned to the blog, our Facebook, and Twitter for more information including a schedule of events, Canadian Craft ideas, Beard Compatition Registration info, and an introduction to Lumber Jack & Black Smith, our Eh Day mascots.