|
July July has been a very busy month at Walker House! our Children's Summer Program, running Tuesdays and Thursdays, has started up and is well attended. On Thursday July 8 Francis Stewart, historian for the Bruce Beach Cottagers Association gave a presentation on the history of Bruce Beach as part of our Heritage Speakers Series. Our second major exhibit for the summer season, a History of Scouting in Kincardine opened and a afternoon reception was held on Saturday July 9. |
|
June The Board is pleased to have our three summer students from last year return for another summer working at Walker House. Samantha Young, Kara Lake and Elizabeth Coates bring enthusiasm, creativity and motivation to our tours and children's programming. This month we also held a special evening reception the Gone to the Beach exhibit that was held on Tuesday June 15. |
|
May
|
|
April The Program Committee hosted a very well received Speakers Presentation this month, "Who Let the Dogs Out" with dog trainer Marcel. With the help of Board member Jacqueline Faubert, a silent auction was also organized so the evening became a successful fundraiser for Walker House as well. The Program Committee also hosted a Children's Program event on April 10 featuring puppetmaster Andrea Zimmer. The Board held its Annual General Meeting, formally appointing Amanda Zimmer to the Board of Directors. |
|
March Report The Program Committee, led by Marilyn Clarke and assisted by new Board member Amanda Steinhoff organized a successful St. Paddy's Day Holey" on March 17. Music was provided by the Kincardine Scottish Fiddlers and classic rock band General Gist. The evening was well attended and raised over $1200 for Walker House. Research for the summer exhibit, "Gone to the Beach; Vacationing in and around Kincardine" was wrapped up this month and all content is in the hands of the graphic designer for construction of the information panels. The exhibit is on schedule to open in May, 2010. The Board has advertised for volunteers for both its Board and various Committees. |
|
February Report The Board has made some changes to the allocation of exhibit space in Walker House. With the decision of the Kincardine Scottish to remove their exhibit from the second floor room that has housed their memorabilia, this room has been given over to the 2010 summer exhibit, "Gone to the Beach; Vacationing in and around Kincardine." It has also been decided to downsize the Gift Shop and move it into the North Exhibit Room. Walker Family memorabilia will be moved into its own room, the parlor or former Gift Shop. Board members June Daniel and Lynda MacKenzie organized our Annual Heritage Dinner held at Best Western Governor's Inn with a near capacity crowd. This was once again a very successful fundraiser for Walker House as well as a very entertaining evening. |
|
January Report While Walker House continued to be close for the winter months, the Board has been busy planning for a successful 2010 Summer Season. A grant application to Bruce Community Futures Development Corporation under its Local Initiatives Program was accepted and funding has been provided to create a new exhibit to be called "Gone to the Beach; Vacationing in and around Kincardine." Work has begun immediately with the intent that we will open again in May 2010. |
|
December Report The Administrator reported to the Board this month that Walker House, ending its first year of operations as a heritage centre, received over 4000 visitors with admissions bring close to $3000 in revenue. The Gift Shop was open on December 11 and 12 for residents wishing to do their Christmas shopping. Lynda Mackenzie and her volunteers were kept busy both days with a steady stream of shoppers. |
|
November Report As of Sunday November 1, 2009 Walker House began its Winter Hours and closed to daily visitors. However, you can arrange a group tour, meeting, family celebration or any other special event at Walker House by calling 519-396-1850 and leaving your name and phone number. You will be contacted to make the necessary arrangements for your event. The Walker House Program Committee also continued to plan and schedule special activities and events throughout the winter so check our website, www.walkerhousekincardine.com regularly for updates. Our Exhibits Committee planned a special exhibit of artefacts for our rembrance Day Tea hosted by the Program Committee in our Tavern Room on November 11, 2009. A special treat for those who attended was the rousing musical performance by Mrs. Pat Fox of wartime tunes using our tavern room player piano! A Speakers Series presentation was offered by our Program Committee featuring Charles MacLean of MacLeans Brewery on Friday November 20, 2009. Breweries were one of the earliest industries in most 19th century communities. From the local grain farmer, to the miller, the cooperage to the tavern, many people were economically dependent upon making ales and lagers. Recent immigrants from the northern European countries brought their individual recipes and brewing characteristics that made their beers unique. Mr. MacLean's presentation was well received and thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended!. |
|
October
Report At a recent Board of Director's Meeting, a review of Walker House financial statements led to the unfortunate but necessary decision to end the contract position of Curator at the present time. Walker House was the recipient of a Trillium Grant that enabled us to hire Lambertus DeGraaf to fulfill the responsibilities of Curator for the last 5 years. Unfortunately this financial support has come to an end and our current budget circumstances don’t allow us to continue this position on a full time basis. The Board of the Paddy Walker Heritage Society intends to continue to use Bert’s skills as a graphic artist on a contract basis when the need arises. Bert’s other responsibilities will be fulfilled by volunteers until that time when funding allows us to hire a full-time curator. Walker House has certainly benefitted from Bert’s contribution during his time with us. His creativity greatly enhanced our exhibits, and his passion for the development of the Walker House was deep. Bert has been responsible for our oil painting classes and workshops and many of the heritage craft workshops such as the Painter’s Bench and Birdhouse Building crafts. According to Bert, he will be continuing to pursue his love for painting by seeking out opportunities in the region for a professional artist and mural painter. He intends on volunteering at the Walker House -- a community gem he helped make possible. |
|
September Report
|
|
August Report This month our Program Committee hosted a presentation by award winning artist Glen Urguhart "World War One Air Aces: Terrors and Triumphs" as part of our Heritage Speakers Series. Mr. Urguhart spoke about the WW1 aviators depicted in his "Flying Aces Series" of paintings. Mr. Urguhart was recently awarded first prize in the 2009 Centennial of Flight Art competition held by the Department of National Defense. Day to day visits continued to be quite high with again over 400 visitors this month alone! Our Gift shop, operated by Board member Lynda Mackenzie, also benefitted by the high traffic as sales were quite strong all month. |
|
July Report We had a very busy month at Walker House with over 400 visitors touring our heritage centre. Our exhibit "Kincardine in Flight" has been very well received by the community. The children's program " Krazy Krafts" (craft projects using all recyclable materials) has had full registration. We have been lucky to have had the help of Kara, Samantha and Elizabeth with our day-to-day operations and maintenance of the centre. |
|
June Report This month Walker House welcomed its three summer students who will work with us conducting tours, building our exhibits, cataloguing our collections and a host of other necessary tasks. Samantha Young is a 4th year student in sociology at Carleton University, Ottawa. Kara Lake is studying biotechnology at Connestoga College, Kitchener and is in her 3rd year. Elizabeth Coates is in Grade 12 at Sacred Heart High School, Walkerton. While the girls will be quite busy this month with the day to day operations of Walker House, part of their time will be spent assisting June Daniel and the Exhibits Committee with the preparations for next month's "Kincardine in Flight" exhibit and Marilyn Clarke and the Programme Committee who will run a "Krazy Krafts" Childrens Programme in July and August. Also this month the hard work of Val Young and her Garden Committee is starting to bloom in our yard. Stop by and rest a bit in our patio garden! |
|
|
|
May Report June Daniel, Chair of our Exhibits Committee, has kept her volunteers busy this month researching, writing and creating three new exhibits to replace our "Its Hockey Time!" exhibit. In our Dining Room we are now exhibiting "Two Artists, Two Mysteries; Jeannette Scott and George Agnew Reid". The North Room will house "The Walker House Restoration" exhibit and upstairs the former "Children's Room" exhibit is being replaced with "Industry in Kincardine" exhibit. Val Young and the Garden Committee have begun preparing our outdoor gardens despite the unseasonally cold weather and hopefully our grounds will once again be in colourful blooms. |
|
April May Our "It's Hockey Time! exhibit continues to draw community wide interest and we have had above normal attendance at Walker House. Curator Bert DeGraaf has been teaching a Saturday morning art class that finished this month, ''Trompe L'Oeil" (or Fool the Eye). Planning has begun by our Exhibits Committee for our summer season that will begin following the hockey exhibit. Sally Boileau, who manages the Gift Shop for Walker House, has added new items to our inventory, many of which have been made by local artisans. We encourage the public to visit our Gift Shop for a truly unique purchase. Our volunteer carpenters Ken Zurbrigg and Bill Bowers completed the installation of new kitchen cupboards for our kitchen and installed a reproduction of the bar in our tavern room. |
|
March Report During March and April Walker House has hosted an exciting exhibit, “It’s Hockey Time” that has attracted interest throughout the community. Normally these are quiet months with respect to visitors touring the building but this exhibit has brought hundreds through our doors! Our Exhibit Committee chaired by June Daniel and in this case assisted by Sally Boileau collected hockey memorabilia from many generous individuals and groups in Kincardine. The North Room focuses on the hockey heritage of Kincardine Minor Hockey, the Kincardine Oldtimers and the Kincardine Junior “C” Bulldogs. Our Dining Room shares the accomplishments of Kincardine residents who have gone on to either play or officiate Canada’s national game at the college/university, semi-professional and professional level. Our two month long exhibit has also provided the hockey enthusiasts in our community with a number of interesting events and activities. With the support of The Coast 95.5FM we have had a Daily Hockey Trivia Contest, and Walker House has hosted a Kids Day, a Hockey Celebrity Day, an Oldtimers Luncheon, a Girls Hockey Day and a Junior “C” Reunion. We were also able to have a special Sunday exhibit of the fabulous Murdoch Collection of Hockey Sweaters and with the assistance of Kincardine Minor Hockey, we hosted a Road Hockey Tournament.“Its Hockey Time” has been a very popular and well received exhibit for Walker House! |
|
February Report
Throughout February Walker House continued to have visitors interested in seeing our exhibit Little Horse of Iron, A Horse's Tale. Our Events Committee worked with June Daniel to organize our 9th Annual Heritage Dinner that this year featured the music and stories of the 1980's. Once again this entertaining evening, an important fundraiser for Walker House, was assisted by the support of Mike Brough of The Coast 95.5FM who served as our Master of Ceremonies. On February 18th the events Committee hosted another Speakers Series evenings . Over 40 interested visitors heard a presentation by Marcel Verlaan, otherwise known as The Dog Whisperer, on strategies for dog obedience. |
|
January Report In January our Exhibits Committee with the assistance of our curator Bert DeGraaf mounted a very interesting exhibit called Little Horse of Iron, A Horse's Tale". This exhibit featured the history of the Canadian Horse, a breed specifically developed in France for our early French Canadian settlers. This breed is currently raised locally by Dr. Wiebe and his wife Janice McKean and their story is also part of our exhibit. (until February 28) Walker House is also providing area artists an opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills in an eight week course taught by our curator Bert DeGraaf. Titled "Trompe L'Oeil, Fool the Eye", lessons begin Saturday January 24, 2009. |
|
December Report Our Decorating Committee, led by Sally Boileau, worked hard to dress up Walker House in its most festive spirit! We have our very own Christmas tree in our Dining Room and there are brightly coloured decorations throughout the house. Sally has also restocked our Gift Shop and we now have many heritage gift items, ideal for Christmas shopping, available to the community. Our Cash Calendar sales continued this month and make a great Christmas gift for your family and friends. The Program and Events Committee planned two very successful activities in the spirit of the season. On Saturday December 6 the rooms of Walker House were filled with the laughter and squeals of children who attended the Annual Walker House Christmas Party. And then on Sunday December 14 the Program and events Committee hosted an afternoon tea, bringing out many community residents for a social afternoon. Our Exhibits Committee, led by June Daniel, picked up on the musical theme of our Christmas tree decorations and has mounted a beautiful display in our Dining Room that features a history of Kincardine Community Singers. |
|
November Status Report This has been a very busy month at Walker House! Board President, Brad Kirkconnell with Director Marilyn Clarke put together a fantastic and entertaining Walker House Fall Feast on November 6, 2008. at the Bruce Bar and Grill. A scrumptious menu of pheasant and venison with all the fixings was prepared by Chef Craig Kirconnell and entertainment was led by Bronte Hunter followed by Morgan Farrell and Greg MacLeod. A live and silent auction were also held and the whole evening was a profitable fundraiser for The Paddy Walker Heritage Society. The Events Committee, chaired by Marilyn Clarke with the help of Julie Bonnet and Carolyn Mills added to the activity level in the building this month. Beginning on November 3 and held every Monday morning for the following 4 weeks, Walker House hosted Rug Hooking Classes taught by Margaret Humphrey. On the weekend of November 7-9 Walker House was festively decorated and served as on of the most popular stops on the Christmas Tour of Homes. Later in the week on November 11 the Events Committee hosted a special Remembrance Day Tea after the ceremonies at the Legion. |
|
October Status Report We have experienced a considerable drop in the number of daily visitors to Walker House as could be expected with the end of the tourist season in Kincardine. Yet, our Programme and Events Committee chose to look upon this period as an opportunity to provide a variety of activities and presentations that would be of interest to a broad specter of the community. They organized and planned events that attracted young and old alike! The month opened with a popular Harvest Fun and Craft Day for children on the first Saturday. This was followed up with an adult event hosted by our curator, Lambertus DeGraaf, with a well received Bird House Building Workshop. A few weeks later the 5th Heritage Speakers Series was held, featuring Dr. Jacquline Faubert speaking in "Crime and Punishment Through History". And then, with the approach of Halloween, Walker House hosted a Children's Halloween Party on October 29 followed up with a Family Halloween Night featuring local magician, Sam Pearce on October 30. It's these type of events that the Paddy Walker Heritage Society hopes will make Walker House truly a community asset for everyone! |
|
September Status Report September has seen the expected drop in daily tours of visitors with the coming of the end of the tourist season. With this drop in attendance we are also experiencing a significant drop in donations, an important revenue source for the ongoing operation of Walker House. The Board of Directors and its Executive Committee are meeting to look for alternatives so that we can keep our doors open to the community during the quieter winter months. Two immediate revenue programmes are underway that can have a positive impact on our balance sheet. The 2009 Cash Calendar is on sale at a number of outlets in Kincardine as well as at Walker House. Cash calendars have daily draws announced each morning on The Coast FM and along with special draws throughout the year, there will be over 400 lucky winners in 2009! Our Fundraising Committee is also planning another Fall Feast in November, always a popular social event for Walker House supporters. Both the Programme and Events Committee and the Exhibits Committee have been busy with their plans. Their work is reported elsewhere on the website. |
|
August Status Report We closed our first summer season as a fully operational heritage centre on a high note! By Labour Day weekend, we estimated that over 3000 visitors passed through Walker House! The Kist Exhibit, on loan from the National Museum of Scotland, was very well received by our visitors. It will be packed up and transferred to another museum in Strathroy, ON in the first weeks of September. Our summer visitors were also very interested in our Irish Exhibit and our Exhibits Committee is planning to maintain a smaller version of it for the fall. Discussions are underway with both the Program and Events Committee and the Exhibits Committee on what Walker House will offer this fall to maintain community interest and involvement with the heritage centre. And, by the end of August, Walker House said good-bye to our three summer students who were returning to school. We appreciate their important contributions this summer and certainly wish Kara Robertson, Imran Khamis and Vikki Holla continued success in their studies. |
We had a very busy month in
September at Walker House. Even though our number of daily
visitors dropped off after Labour Day and the end of the busy summer
tourist season, our volunteers kept our Heritage Centre active and
brought in many interested visitors. The month began with a very
successful 4 day art show, Artful Hands, organized by the Kincardine
BIA from September 10 - 13th. Our Program Committee also
hosted a full house with its Parent-Child Corn Husk Wreath
Making craft workshop on Saturday September 20, 2009. Then
on September 23, our Program Committee hosted a packed house to hear the
informative presentation by Les Buell, a Civil War re-enacter from
Rochester New York who spoke on "Dr. Secord and the American
Civil War". This presentation was another in our Heritage
Speakers Series which has proven to be very popular with our area
residents. This month our Collections Committee, chaired by Bob
Bullen began moving much of our collection of historical artifacts
and furniture to our new storage room at the old Westario Building
through a special arrangement with the Municipality of Kincardine.
|
July Status Report Our ten year long journey to completely restore Walker House came to a successful end with the Grand Opening Ceremony held on Wednesday, July 30, 2008. Over 200 personal invitations were mailed out and numerous other general appeals to bring as many in our community to our celebration as could attend. It was particularly important to the Board of Directors to have as many present and past volunteers attend the Grand Opening and a rough estimate is that we likely had over 70 who were able to come. Other notable guests were Mr. David Forsyth, Senior Curator for The National Museum of Scotland, The Hon. Paul Steckle, MP for Huron-Bruce, Mr. Larry Kraemer, Mayor of Kincardine, Mr. Robert Cottrill, Founding President of The Paddy Walker Heritage Society and Mr. Jake Hunter, representing the Walker family. Our festivities began with the piping in of our guests by Kincardine Scottish piper Keith Davidson. Current Paddy Walker Heritage Society President Mr. Brad Kirkconnell welcomed all present and following greetings from our guests the ribbon at our front door was cut and over 100 toured the building and enjoyed hospitality provided by the Society. We wish to acknowledge the financial support of Matchett Financial Services, Ontario Power Generation and Steelback Breweries for our Grand Opening Ceremony. |
|
June Status Report This month we were able to hire another summer student to help with our operations. We welcome back Victoria Holla, an experienced tour guide who has worked at Walker House the past two summers. Victoria graduates from KDSS this year and will continue her studies at the University of Guelph in September. Our Construction volunteers have been very busy this month with their eyes on the calendar and goal to have everything completed for our July 30, 2008 Grand Opening Ceremony. The Dining Room has been completed and June Daniel, Eleanor Smith and Linda MacDonald have been quite bust assisting our curator Bert DeGraaf with the installation of our Scottish Immigration (The Kist Exhibit) in this area of Walker House. The men with the hammers moved into our kitchen and work is underway with drywall, painting, trim and cupboards. Walker House will also have a Victorian Garden for visitors to enjoy! This month we finished the installation of the cement pad that will be the foundation for our eventual storage shed and laid the concrete for our garden patio. Gardens and sod followed as well as the installation of an in ground sprinkler system. Walker House also received a generous grant from the TD Friends of the Environment programme that enabled our Garden Committee to purchase all the beautiful plants. With this accomplishment, we are pleased to host the Kincardine Horticultural Society's Garden Tour that will be held next month, July 13, 2008. |
|
|
