Open 9-3
Fall Fair Saturday
September 14th
Strong Agricultural Society
Pioneer House and Heritage Building
MISSION STATEMENT
The Heritage Committee of the Strong Agricultural Society maintains heritage buildings and local historical artifacts on the grounds of the SSJ Arena, primarily for the communities of the Township of Strong, Village of Sundridge, and Township of Joly, and secondarily the surrounding area and visitors to the area. This collection provides an opportunity to present and communicate our unique community identity, document our cultural heritage, and preserve historical documentation and artifacts for future generations.
VISION STATEMENT
HISTORY
The Heritage Committee of the Strong Agricultural Society maintains heritage buildings and local historical artifacts on the grounds of the SSJ Arena, primarily for the communities of the Township of Strong, Village of Sundridge, and Township of Joly, and secondarily the surrounding area and visitors to the area. This collection provides an opportunity to present and communicate our unique community identity, document our cultural heritage, and preserve historical documentation and artifacts for future generations.
VISION STATEMENT
- Maintain, preserve, and further procure heritage artifacts that reflect the life and history of our community.
- Provide a robust presentation of local heritage, including lifestyle, production and agriculture, facilitating depth and diversity to our local, regional and national memories of the past.
- Engage children and adults through formal and informal educational opportunities and activities:
- to develop an appreciation for local heritage
- generate historical and contemporary understanding of rural life, and
- build connections within the wider community and across generations.
- Establish paid, as well as volunteer, staff and management positions to accomplish our vision.
- Utilize technology to more effectively disseminate and share activities with the community and visitors to the area.
HISTORY
The Strong Agricultural Society Pioneer Home was originally built and owned by Mark Hall on Lots 14 and 15, Concession 11 in Joly Township, Ontario. Mark started building in 1880 and received the title to his property in 1884. This was also the year the Strong Agricultural Society was formed.
In 1997, Stew Donnelly was chairman of the Strong Agricultural Society, and his dream was to have a functioning pioneer home on the fair grounds. David and Mary Ballantine, who owned the Mark Hall property, decided to donate the old log house to the Society. On July 27th, 1997, this century home arrived at its new address on the corner of the Strong Agricultural Fair Grounds.
August 24th, 2004 was the grand opening of the Strong Agricultural Pioneer Home, and Stew Donnelly's dream came true.
Events are being held which depict pioneer life with costumed pioneers strolling around the gardens or enjoying a chat on the old bench in the garden. There is wood chopping, baking cornbread, rug hooking, braiding, spinning, quilting, weaving, knitting, and violin playing on the verandah. At times there is tea and lemonade being served with home baked cookies, and even a few people warming their hands around the kitchen stove.
The critical need for a local heritage building became apparent during the Strong Agricultural Society's 125th Anniversary celebrations in 2009. In response, the Society has refurbished an existing building with the help of volunteers and an Ontario Trillium Grant. The knotty pine interior is consistent with the area's rich timber resources, and the Society is in the process of setting up exhibits.
Dating from the 1930's, the Strong Agricultural Society Heritage Building is vital to the preservation of area artifacts, historical documents, and our local history. The open concept display area will house dynamic exhibits representing the historically unique economy of this community: lumbering, trapping, farming, maple syrup production, hostelry, early tourism, retail and manufacturing, as well as our cultural, educational, and religious past.
In 2013, a windmill was donated to the heritage site by the Michel Family of Lount Township which adds to the charm of a bygone era.
Fundraising is ongoing to relocate a pioneer era church to the site in the future.
The Society is seeking donations and loans of items for exhibition in the Pioneer Home and Heritage Building. Financial support is also sought to defray the costs of relocating the church, and tax deductible receipts will be issued for all donations over $10.00 by the Society.
Contact:
strongagsociety@hotmail,com
In 1997, Stew Donnelly was chairman of the Strong Agricultural Society, and his dream was to have a functioning pioneer home on the fair grounds. David and Mary Ballantine, who owned the Mark Hall property, decided to donate the old log house to the Society. On July 27th, 1997, this century home arrived at its new address on the corner of the Strong Agricultural Fair Grounds.
August 24th, 2004 was the grand opening of the Strong Agricultural Pioneer Home, and Stew Donnelly's dream came true.
Events are being held which depict pioneer life with costumed pioneers strolling around the gardens or enjoying a chat on the old bench in the garden. There is wood chopping, baking cornbread, rug hooking, braiding, spinning, quilting, weaving, knitting, and violin playing on the verandah. At times there is tea and lemonade being served with home baked cookies, and even a few people warming their hands around the kitchen stove.
The critical need for a local heritage building became apparent during the Strong Agricultural Society's 125th Anniversary celebrations in 2009. In response, the Society has refurbished an existing building with the help of volunteers and an Ontario Trillium Grant. The knotty pine interior is consistent with the area's rich timber resources, and the Society is in the process of setting up exhibits.
Dating from the 1930's, the Strong Agricultural Society Heritage Building is vital to the preservation of area artifacts, historical documents, and our local history. The open concept display area will house dynamic exhibits representing the historically unique economy of this community: lumbering, trapping, farming, maple syrup production, hostelry, early tourism, retail and manufacturing, as well as our cultural, educational, and religious past.
In 2013, a windmill was donated to the heritage site by the Michel Family of Lount Township which adds to the charm of a bygone era.
Fundraising is ongoing to relocate a pioneer era church to the site in the future.
The Society is seeking donations and loans of items for exhibition in the Pioneer Home and Heritage Building. Financial support is also sought to defray the costs of relocating the church, and tax deductible receipts will be issued for all donations over $10.00 by the Society.
Contact:
strongagsociety@hotmail,com