KINMOUNT PIONEER SOCIETY

IS HISTORY IN THE MAKING!

Compiled by Lynne Kilby from the notes of Kinmount Pioneer Society

Back in 1984 Ontario was celebrating its bi-centennial anniversary. MP Bill Scott approached local Kinmount resident Mark Brelsford about creating a pioneer display as Kinmount’s contribution to bi-centennial celebrations. A display in the arena featured demonstrations by local craftspeople and a pioneer cabin and drive shed was created by a group of friends. The display was a huge success! In fact, it was so impressive, Bill Scott and fellow fair board members asked the display be expanded and presented at the approaching Kinmount Fair and as the saying goes, the rest is history!

The theme of the first display was “The Early Settlers of Kinmount”. Put together by Eva Stender, Bruce & Patti Fleury and Mark & Roni Brelsford, these folks really were true “pioneers”. Everything on display came from their homes. Most of the handcrafts demonstrated were their hobbies. Lorraine Swinson helped erect a tent Bruce borrowed from the Scarborough Boy Scouts. About 2000 people viewed the display.

The event grew each year. More people got involved. The Fair Board rented a bigger tent and more people came to visit. And so it continued…..

Though a sub-committee of the Kinmount Agricultural Society, the group came up with their own logo and called themselves a “Pioneer Society” in order to promote the Pioneer Display. It was never registered as an historical society. It was a very causal, ad hoc group, putting on one exhibit annually at the Kinmount Fair.

In 1986, the first tearoom was established. Here, visitors found a comfortable place to linger with a cup of tea and cookie while savouring the flavour of the exhibit. As well, funds generated helped defray incurred costs. Each year the tea garden expanded with help from the Kinmount Civic Action Group (later to become the Kinmount Committee for Planning & Economic Development). The Senior’s Group helped with baking and the general store continued to grow. Craftspeople, who demonstrated within the display, were provided a venue to sell their wares, with a portion of their profits being donated back to the group.

By 1991, the rental tent had grown to a whopping 140’x 80’ in size! Now an integral part of Kinmount Fair, the display had become far too much work to set up in just a few days. In 1992, after being approached by Mark Brelsford, the fair board had a retaining wall and pad installed for a future permanent building. The building would house artefacts and staging props needed for the display. For the last time, the large rented tent was used.

The following year Kinmount Fair saw the official opening of two newly constructed buildings that included plans for an adjoining roof to be added in the future. This major project was made possible through the support of the community and the generosity and hard work of a smaller group of individuals. By 1996, during Kinmount Fair’s 125^th year, about 20,000 people visited the Pioneer Display.

Each year’s Pioneer Display involves planning from members of Kinmount Pioneer Society, Kinmount Fair Board, and of course the many artisans and exhibitors. Planning takes place throughout the entire year. Meetings are work sessions as well as social gatherings. Volunteers Welcome. Call Louise at 488-2159.

Kinmount Pioneer Society is now 25 years old! Today, visitors to Kinmount Pioneer Society Heritage Complex enjoy a magnificent collection of artefacts conserving heritage that speaks from our roots. Guests meet and chat with a wide variety of local artisans who demonstrate their craft. They may print their name with a rare old press, send it along wires by antique Morse telegraph equipment, or seek out previous holders of their name on an 1870 map of Victoria County landowners. Guests often set a spell to talk with old friends, meet new friends, enquire about things they wish to know or share invaluable information about things they do know! Kinmount Pioneer Society is history in the making!