IVERSONG
R
NEWSLETTER OF THE LOWER GRAND RIVER LAND TRUST INC.
Volume 20 Number 1
Volume 14 Number 2
Commemorating the First World War
Spring 2014
Summer – 2008
By Marilynn Havelka, CAO
Sargeant in the Queen’s Own
Rifles. This group ranked second
in seniority in the Canadian Volunteer Militia. When war broke
out, Canada responded by sending the Canadian Expeditionary
Force (C.E.F.) with the Queen’s
Own Rifles providing the bulk of
volunteers. Andrew served with
the 37th Haldimand Rifles, and
Major Andrew Ruthven then enlisted with the 114th regiThompson (1894-1961) ment where by default (death of
the Commanding Officer) became
in February 1916. The 114th regiment embarked from
Halifax October 31, 1916, and once arriving on November 11 in Liverpool, England the 114th regiment (to
their dismay) was split up into other Battalions. Lieutenant Colonel Thompson went to the 3rd battalion
where he was appointed commanding officer of the central
Ontario Region and looked after
training and administration. At
44 years of age, much to his disappointment, he was considered
too old to go over to France.
Andrew Thorburn’s wife,
Violet and their daughter Margaret also were involved and folLt. Walter Hepburn lowed their husband and brothThompson (1896 - 1929) ers when they left for England.
Unlike their father, after
arriving in Liverpool, Andrew
and Walter were transferred to the 4th battalion.
Andrew was at Passchendaele which ended the Third
This August will mark
the 100th year of the beginning of the Great War. Many
organizations throughout
the country and for that
matter others throughout
the world will be organizing events to acknowledge
the human cost of and sacrifice made by many throughout the duration of the war.
Ruthven will join in this
Lt. Col. Andrew Thorburn
commemoration by presentThompson (1870 -1939)
ing the many artifacts in our
object collection which were usedand produced by the
Thompson family members throughout the war. This
unique private family collection includes weapons,
uniforms, medals, equipment and the papers, correspondent and photographs. Some of the events that
have been planned this year include:
• April 23 - The True Horror of War: Canadian
Army Rations and Food Preparations during the First
World War. Speaker David Webb, see page 7 for more
information.
• September 21 - Doors Open Haldimand County.
The Haldimand theme for this year is: We Will Remember Them: Commemorating the 100th Anniverary of
WWI
• September 30 - A return visit and presentation by
Andy Robertshaw, author, broadcaster and curator.
• November 1 - Commemorating the Great War,
special all day event
• November 9 - From Ruthven to Passchendaele - a
play with puppets by Studio Babette
The involvement of the Thompson family in WWI
begins with the third generation - Andrew Thorburn
Thompson (1870 - 1939) and continues with his two
sons: Andrew Ruthven Thompson (1894 - 1961) and
Walter Hepburn Thompson (1896 - 1929).
While attending the University of Toronto, Andrew
Thorburn Thompson served as a Private and later
www.ruthvenpark.ca
continued on page 5
Inside this issue
Presidents Report ..................................... 2
Family Day................................................. 4
Building Responsive Museums............... 6
Mark on your calendars ........................... 7
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Tel: 905.772.0560
President’s Message
Thompson Family WWI
Artifacts at CCI for
Conservation Treatment
By Betsy Smith
President, The Lower Grand River Land Trust
Winter at Ruthven Park presents activities and also
concerns. The parking lots and the one-half kilometer driveway have required continuous maintenance.
Coach House rental is minimal and we do not have
too many outdoor weddings at this time of year! Consequently rental income is very low. However utilities in that building need to be retained but at rising
costs. Bird banders are kept busy filling the numerous
feeders (donations to cover this important expense are
appreciated). Snowstorms have necessitated cancellation of committee meetings.
Biologists say this deep freeze snowy weather will
have been hard on invasive species. Does this mean
that Ruthven’s forests will not suffer this spring and
summer at the hands of the gypsy moth and the emerald ash borer? The frigid temperatures have caused the
ground and river to be heavily frozen. We did not have
the usual January thaw and trees have suffered considerable ice damage. Once we have warmer weather, the
water levels in the Grand River and streams will rise
significantly and tree limbs will hamper flood waters
from flowing. The Grand could flood extensively and
the clean-up of Ruthven’s trails will be massive. Spring
flooding leaves bags of debris which must be gathered.
Ice, snow and wind damage to trees leaves us with hazardous trees and limbs that must be removed in order
to keep our trails safe. We will welcome spring but it
will come with plenty of work for our staff and volunteers.
Ruthven was pleased to be a recipient of $10,000.00
donated by the County of Haldimand Mayor’s Charity
Gala Fund. This donation is directed to the conservation of the Mansion basement floors which has been
affected by dampness and frost. By carrying out this
project, the tours of the Mansion will, in the near future,
possibly include visiting the basement. Presently some
of the wooden floors have been deemed unsafe. A
Charity fund recipient requirement for gala funding
is to provide volunteer hours towards the planning,
preparation and responsibilities during the event. If
you can help us out, please give the Gate House a call.
The Board of Directors and staff are presently
focused on the 100 day achievements set out in our
new Strategic Plan facilitated by Gord Evans, CEO of
Entrepreneurontario. It was an excellent process and
has triggered spirited board discussions and provided
us with a vital new direction. We will continue to move
forward to accomplish our numerous approved goals.
www.ruthvenpark.ca
For many years, the Ruthven Mansion has been
the repository for two of the three flags used by the
114th Regiment. The King’s Colours hung in the hall
to the right just inside the front door. Opposite hung
the Battalion Colours of the Unit. I say “hung” as both
are now being conserved - the King’s Colours are at the
Canadian Conservation Institute in Ottawa being conserved by expert specialists. Being silk and sensitive to
light, the material has deteriorated and has weakened.
The regimental colours is being cleaned and reframed.
Soon they will adorn the front hall once more. The third
regimental flag was embroidered by and presented to
the 114th by the Six Nations Community. The native
contingent represented half of the soldiers and officers
whio made up the 114th Regiment. Today the flag is
in the collection of the Woodland Cultural Centre in
Brantford.
The King’s Colours (top)
Crest from The 114th
Regimental flag (left).
Two crossed tomahawks
are below the motto “For
King and Country”.
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Tel: 905.772.0560

Bits & Pieces

By Marilynn Havelka, CAO
If you happen to receive the January/February edition of the Grand River Watershed newsletter (Grand
River Conservation Authority) Grand Actions you
would have noticed an article on ‘Decling Monarchs’.
The article references the census carried out at Ruthven by members Norm & Mary Pomfret each summer. This was a wonderful way to share information
and to promote Ruthven and its activiites to a wider
audience. Thank you again Mary and Norm for the
work you do!
Board member Rob Gerrie, Ruthven members Mary
and Norm Pomfret, staff member Natalie and I
attended the 17th Annual Heritage Day workshop
sponsored by the Heritage Working Group of the
Grand River Conservation Authority. This year
the event was held at Six Nations Polytechnic in
Ohsweken. Over 200 were in attendance and it was
a wonderful way to celebrate our heritage with so
many enthusiasts. The theme for the day was Crossroads of Conflict, Pathways to Peace; Legacy of a
Living Culture.
•
•
I had the opportunity to speak about The Thompsons and WW1 and Ruthvens Evolving Landscape at
the Stoney Creek Historical Society and Haldimand
Abilities Center in Hagersville respectively. Unfortunately the Stoney Creek event was cancelled due
to the weather and has been rescheduled for Sept. 3.
As of today, I have been asked to return to Hagersville to present another feature on Ruthven.
Sandra Turner, Stewardship Coordinator, recently
completed the Ontario Pesticide Training and Certification for Forestry at the University of Guelph.
Next in her list is to apply for the Pesticide Exterminators License. Having these permits in place means
encroaching invasive species can be eradicated in
the slough forests. These invasives will degrade the
quality of and characteristics of the slough forest over
time. Removal by mechanical means is prohibitively
labour intensive and inefficient.
•
Butterfly Meadow programming is underway!
Natalie and Sandy have met with four teachers and
a vice principal from W. Ross Macdonald School in
Brantford (for the blind and visually impaired) who
have offered to consult and help with the Butterfly
Meadow Senses project. Once completed it will be
the first of it’s kind! Stay tuned for more information
and updates in our next newsletter!
•
We were pleased to receive $10,000 from Parks Canada cost share program for a Conservation Plan to
assess the existing conditions and structural integrity
of the flooring systems and components in targeted
areas of the basement floors in the mansion. ERA
were contracted as the architectural firm to carry out
the work. Mark Shoalts was the structural engineer.
The report has been completed and reviewed by the
Building Conservation Committee and will be forwarded to the Land Trust board. More will be written
about the findings in an upcoming newsletter.
•
Board member Janet deVos represented Ruthven at
the Selkirk Heritage Day held on February 17th.
•
•
Recently, I attended a meeting at Osgoode Hall in
Toronto for the National Historic Sites and Monuments Board Steering Committee. As I walked
through this wonderful building I could visualize
Andrew Thorburn Thompson walking the halls as a
law student in the 1890's.
•
Education Coordinator Natalie Campbell recently has
been elected as Vice President of the Haldimand Norfolk Cultural Association and yours truly has stepped
down as President after serving in that position for
many years
www.ruthvenpark.ca
Staff have been busy during the winter months painting the interior of the Coach House so that it is ready
for the upcoming wedding rental season.
•
With all of the snow and ice that we have had this winter I can’t help but think of the Thompson family living in the mansion and maintaining this property considering the snow and ice that collects around here.
Today we use a snow blower and can plow out the 1/2
km drive - guess that is why they had sleighs!
continued on page 5
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Tel: 905.772.0560
Family Day Hike
More Turtles and Snakes
thanks to OPG!
We had a small but enthusiastic group of hikers on
family day! We hiked along the snowy Riverside trail,
collecting stickers and learning about the different animals that live at Ruthven Park; we made simple bird
feeders for our feathered friends, enjoyed hot chocolate, cookies, and a Mansion Tour. It was a beautiful
day! A Family Day hike and tour has become an annual
tradition at Ruthven Park – be sure to join us next year
(and feel free to bring your four legged family members for the hike too).
We received funding from the Ontario Power
Generation (OPG) to add to our collection of Ontario
native turtle and snake models! The shipment has just
come in: a painted turtle, a ribbon snake, a snapping
turtle egg, a snapping turtle hatching and a snapping
turtle hatchling (and soon a Dekay’s brown snake as
well). These models have been a fantastic addition to
our school and public programing. They can be taken
for outreach programs, used to show some of our species we cannot always see in person on site; the best
part about these models is how realistic they are, we
are constantly asked if they are real and have even had
people jump when they see them on display.
If you like Snakes – don’t forget about our Snake
Day on April 21 at 1pm. You can be sure all of our models will be on display alongside our real snake visitors.
Family Day visitors enjoyed making bird feeders for the
Chickadees we heard along our Riverside Trail.
Torontonians Love Ruthven!
Natalie (Education Coordinator), shows Charlie how to
identify a Painted Turtle.
The Toronto Nature Lovers meet-up group made
their way out to Haldimand County on Saturday February 22, and Ruthven was their key stop! They came
to Ruthven to see the banding lab in action, had an
enthusiastic tour through the mansion, ate lunch at the
Gingerbread House, and then took a leisurely drive
along Lake Erie to see eagles. Unfortunately with the
high winds, the banding lab was low on birds, but The
Toronto Nature Lovers, are not only nature lovers, they
are also avid photographers, and Ruthven mansion
made a great study for them! As they left, organizer
Murray Shield, yelled “I love Ruthven!” We hope to see
them back again soon.
www.ruthvenpark.ca
Snapping Turtle egg, Snapping Turtle hatching, and
Snapping Turtle hatchling.
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Tel: 905.772.0560
A sample of one of the many poems written by Lt.
Col. Andrew Thompson while recovering from an illness at Perkins Bull Hospital for Convalescent Canadian Officers in a London, England.
continued from page 1
Battle of Ypres. That summer in Belgium was the wettest in living memory. Duckboards helped soldiers
while walking on the battlefield and some drowned
in the mud. It was referred to as “no man’s land”. It
was here that Andrew, while repairing barbed wire,
was so severely wounded that a Padre started to read
the burial service over him. However, he was taken by
stretcher to a field dressing station and on to a field hospital near the channel. He arrived in London, England
on 16 November 1917. Paralyzed from the waist down,
his parents were told he would never walk again. After
spending six months in the hospital he was allowed
to sail home to Canada. Andrew wrote a popular ten
part series from November 1941 to August 1942 which
was called “No Road to Glory” and describes his own
experiences while at Passchendaele. It is our intention
to print the story and hopefully have it available in our
gift shop.
Walter Hepburn Thompson was a law student and
left school for England in 1916. He was wounded in
1917. His torn blood stained uniform jacket he was
wearing is in our collection. The bullet braised his chest
and landed in his right arm. In 1917 he was declared
medically unfit and returned to Canada.
Another
Thompson
cousin, Lt. Harry Thomson
was shot on the battlefield in
France on October 1917. He
was nineteen years of age at
the time.
These incidents are a
testament to the sacrifices of
one family during WWI.
The Thompson collection of WW1 artifacts will
be on display in the mansion throughout the next few
years. During tours staff will
share some of the stories, letters and other documents in
Lt. Harry Thomson the Ruthven collection. When
you visit perhaps you could
share some of your family stories with us too!
Rest
No more the droning of the plane,
In place of it I hear again
The droning of the bee,
As through the clover-scented field
I slowly walk my senses yield
To all that’s sweet to me.
The beauty of the sun-lit sky,
The music of the lark on high,
The brawling brook beside.
All this in place of war’s alarm,
Instead of and deadly harm, What better could betide?
The war-worn soldiers feel the peace
Of nature’s charm, their sorrows cease,
In country scenes so pure.
Oh God doom them no more to strife,
Give them for Death Eternal Life,
Thy Peace, that doth endure.
A.T.T. Thompson
Military Hospitals were set up by the British Red
Cross and other organizations to ease the burden on
large military hospitals. These public buildings used
during the time of war were crucial. The Perkins Bull
Hospital was named after Mr. William Perkins Bull, a
Canadian lawyer and businessman living in London.
Mr. Bull and his wife opened the doors to Canadian
officers and their home became a hostel for many
Canadians. As many of the guests were convalescing after being wounded, Mrs. Bull convinced her
husband to rent the vacant house across the road to
be used as a convalescent hospital. This building was
officially opened on 19th July 1916 and was used until
the summer of 1919.
continued from page 3
Currently, six MBA students from Wilfrid Laurier
University are working with Ruthven staff on a fundraising/financial strategy. This project will contribute to the number 1 goal identified in our strategic
plan - financial sustainability.
www.ruthvenpark.ca
Perkin Bull Hospital in London, England. Photo from
www.ezitis.myzen.co.uk
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Tel: 905.772.0560
Building Responsive
Museums
Last year we had the opportunity to work with
the Ontario Museum Association (OMA) on a project
called Building Responsive Museums. The initiative
was scheduled at the same time as the Land Trust board
were planning to undertake a Strategic Plan for Ruthven Park. Hmmm what comes first – the chicken or the
egg. It was decided that both could work. The strategic plan was completed and approved by the board on
October 26th. One of the following strategic goals was
a Program/audience development strategy and infrastructure needs review. The strategic objectives stated
were to deliver an array of high quality programs
and events to a broad audience that will grow by 10%
annually (breakdown by programs, weddings, events
=> $10,000), and to identify infrastructure needs by the
end of the program review (e.g. signage, interpretive
centre, etc.)
It made sense that the project with the OMA would
target programming. A half day workshop was held
on December 7 with sixteen participants representing the board, staff and the community. This was an
information gathering workshop designed to provide
the Board with thoughtful input on the audience development opportunities for Ruthven. The participants
were given homework to prepare for the workshop
which required some pre-reading. The workshop was
designed by the facilitator, Carrie Brooks-Joiner, in collaboration with the Ontario Museums Associate and
Ruthven staff.
In four working groups, the participants identified
four audiences for Ruthven: Students and Learners;
Nature Enthusiasts; History Enthusiasts; and Rental
Users. Once identified the groups were asked to
-describe a profile for each of the groups
- identify what each groups wants
- what Ruthven provides of value to this audience
- what the audience can provide to Ruthven
- identify signs of successful engagement
- challenges of engagement
-steps needed to engage this audience
-first small steps
-possible impact
With the findings from the workshop, staff are
working on an audience development / program plan
to present to the board.
If you have any comments that would add to the
discussion by all means call or email Marilynn at the
Gate House.
www.ruthvenpark.ca
This sporting jersey is just being prepared for shipment to
the Canadian Conservation Institute in Ottawa. According
to David Webb, this jersey is incredibly rare and may be one
of the only CEF WWI jerseys that has survived. It is somewhat damaged, due to moths, but is still displayable. CCI
will clean and stabilize the sweater so that it can be preserved
for the future.
The Haldimand County Museum and Archives were going
through their collection and curator, Karen Richardson
forwarded this photo of the regiment - with half of the men
wearing the sporting jerseys!
Red-breasted merganser rescued from the highway in York by
Stewardship Coordinator, Sandy Turner. She took the duck
to Toronto Wildlife Center where it is expected to recover.
This winter has been particularly hard on the wildlife.
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Tel: 905.772.0560
Mark On Your Calendar
The True Horrors of War:
Canadian Army Rations and
Food Preparation
during The First World War
Rag Rug Workshop
March 26 ~ 7pm - 9:30pm
This late 18th century technique involves a combination of braiding and “weaving” that produces a
beautiful rug. NO sewing is involved! Participants
will learn how to make oval, round and squared
fabric forms. Workshop facilitated by Helen Sluis,
Decorative Arts Instructor.All materials supplied.
Pre-registration required.Cost is $35.00.
April 23, 2014 ~ 7pm
Tickets $10. Pre-registration required.
It has always been the soldier’s right to grouse-Throughout history, many complaints have centered
around army food and rations. Terrible food, badly
prepared, and hunger in the trenches fill first hand
accounts of the Great War. On the other hand, the
achievement of the British and Empire supply system
to feed so many soldiers on the Western Front was
something of a minor miracle. This evening we will
explore the good, bad and inedible, with samples available for the truly brave at heart!
•
Earth Day
Gray Ratsnake Awarness Event
April 21 ~ 1pm - 4pm
Come out to Ruthven Park for a fascinating afternoon with Canada’s largest snake.
1pm - tour of constructed hibernaculum and established nest boxes
2pm - feature hands-on construction of 6 nest
boxes
3pm - live presentation by Sciensational Sssnakes
Led by David Webb, re-enactor, advisor, historian,
curator, interpreter who has a great interest in the War
of 1812 and Great War time periods.
View and interact with live snakes, learn about the
possible threats and actions you can take to protect
this beneficial species. Admission by donation.
•
Ruthven’s for the Birds
May 10 ~ 8am - 12 noon
Join us for International Migratory Bird Day to celebrate our feathered friends! Meet at the banding
lab at 8am (or thereafter) and shadow the expert
bird banders as they net and band neotropical
migrant birds. Don’t miss this opportunity to see
birds up close! Novice birders are welcome. Tours
of the mansion at 11am and 12 noon.
Admission by donation.
Samples of labels used during WWI
•
Mansion Tours/ WWI Exhibit
The historic house opens for the season on May
17th. Hours: Wed- Sun, and holiday Mon. 10am4pm, tours on the hour. Enjoy the grounds during
daylight hours. Regular admission rates apply.
www.ruthvenpark.ca
Equipment used for eating - D. Webb’s collection
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Tel: 905.772.0560
JOIN
RUTHVEN’S
FAN CLUB...
become a member!
VISION
Your support helps to conserve
and present this
National Historic Site
To be an exemplary steward of the lands entrusted to our care...creating an awareness and understanding,
through the public education and involvement, of the past and future natural and cultrual processes.
MISSION
Ruthven Park is a National Historic Site owned and managed by the Lower Grand River Land Trust Inc. a not-forprofit, non-government, charitable organization which seeks to conserve, maintain and promote Ruthven Park’s
rich cultural and natural heritage through research, stewardship, interpretation and education for the enjoyment
of present and future gnerations.
(Approved by the board on October 26 during the strategic planning process).
LOWER GRAND RIVER LAND TRUST STAFF
LOWER GRAND RIVER
LAND TRUST INC.
Marilynn Havelka, CAO, Ruthven Park
Natalie Campbell, Education Coordinator
Sandra Turner, Stewardship Coordinator
Caitlin Cannon, Operations Coordinator
Bob Donald, Maintenance
The Lower Grand River Land Trust Inc.
c/o Ruthven Park National Historic Site
243 Haldimand Hwy #54, Box 610, Cayuga,
Ontario N0A 1E0 • 905.772.0560
email: [email protected]
website: www.ruthvenpark.ca
Board of Directors
2013 - 2014
Executive Committee
Betsy Smith, President
Gail Collins, Vice President
Ron Gowland, Secretary
Phil Kuckyt, Treasurer
Rob Gerrie, Executive Director
Volunteer?
Directors
Karen Walton
Janet deVos
Nancy Furber
Jim Smith
Walter Peace
James Potter
www.ruthvenpark.ca
We have several projects on hand!
If you are interested, please give us a call at
the Gate House.
905 - 772- 0560
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Tel: 905.772.0560