Written By Alan Good
TRAVEL - Our wheels took us to St. Marys once again—and into a blizzard. We planned to see two venues however the Station Art Gallery was closed, despite the website stating otherwise. My advice would be to call ahead should you wish to go to these places.
The 19th century heritage home housing the Museum and Archives offered an array of exhibits, mostly depicting past events in the town. The home was constructed from locally quarried limestone when a settler named George Tracy built it for his family in 1854. It was nicknamed the Castle in the Bush as, at that time, it was the largest home in the village.
In 1959, it became a museum and contains a great number of original features including pine flooring, four fireplaces, plaster crown moldings, high ceilings and strange sets of small rooms off larger chambers.
Among the exhibits is a piano said to be the oldest in St. Marys, circa 1800’s, and made by a company in Boston. As well, a reed organ can be seen made by a company in Clinton, also built in the 1800’s. An entire dining room, set up for a meal, includes ornate furnishings and a fireplace. Off that room another smaller room contains a parlour stove which replaced open fireplaces for the rich.
A display of birds can be viewed in another room along with a hair wreath. The shadow box floral design is completely made from human hair and was popular between 1840 and 1870 and even into the 20th century in Canada.
Displays of how settlers coped by stretching and substituting ingredients for meals and rationing food for the war efforts can be read. The story of how Italian immigrants made their way to St. Marys is also included.
A classroom has been set up for both historical viewing and for classes to teach students about the town’s history.
The cost is free; however, a donation bin is available as you enter the building. The home is completely accessible.
