Fun Fact Friday #13 - Don't Forget to Wipe! 🚽

Manila Hemp Paper - Now usually
used for crafting and pulp.

      Did you know that toilet paper was not invented until about 1857?

      Joseph Gayetty was an American inventor that originally thought of the idea of cleaning your behind with something other than leaves or rags. He found that using flat sheets of manila hemp paper was much more comfortable and was advertised it as "the greatest necessity of the age". He then made it into a medically lubricated paper with aloe used for hemorrhoids. 

Scott Toilet Paper - 2018

Unfortunately, Gayetty's business failed and in stepped Thomas, Edward, and Clarence Scott. They founded the Scott Paper Company in 1879 and began selling paper on a roll instead of common flat sheets. This is now the brand you know as Scott Toilet Paper. 

Come and check out some of the old toilets people used in the 19th century at the Backus-Page House Museum:
29424 Lakeview Line, Wallacetown, ON
(519) 762-3072

Can Tyrconnell Heritage Society Count On You?

Our goal is to have 100 new Lifetime Members join the heritage society and museum in 2018.  Would you be 1 of the 100?  Would you purchase a membership for a Christmas gift for someone?  

Purchase online hassle free at eventbrite or email info@backuspagehouse.ca or call 519-762-3072 to arrange for payment via cash or cheque at Backus-Page House Museum.  

Other annual types of membership also available.  

Tickets Available for Harvest Tea and Tours

Don't doddle.  Purchase your Harvest Tea and Tour tickets right away to avoid disappointment.  Some times are already sold out.  Online tickets available through eventbrite.  You can also call the museum office 519-762-3072 or email info@backuspagehouse.ca   

Fun Fact Friday #12 - Got Syrup? 🍁

      Did you know that maple syrup has more calcium in it than milk?

      Maple syrup seems to be a more reliable source of many different nutrients. You may have heard that the amount of calcium in milk "helps build strong bones", but in reality maple syrup contains about 321.3 mg of calcium per cup while milk contains 300 mg. Maple syrup also contains more potassium than a banana in the same context! There is also a ton of magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and iron! Who knew your pancakes could actually be so healthy?

Come learn more about maple syrup at the Backus-Page House Museum:

29424 Lakeview Line, Wallacetown, ON
(519) 762-3072

Fun Fact Friday #11 - Species at Risk 🐾

Monarch Butterfly

      Did you know that there are approximately 240 species that are at-risk is Ontario ALONE?

      Species including the redheaded woodpecker, monarch butterfly, bald eagle, american badger, and many more are threatened by all kinds of environmental factors. Changing environments and overpopulation of predators have these creatures fighting for their numbers. 

      Fortunately, conservation areas are working hard to protect these species and bring their numbers back up to a steady amount. John E. Pearce Provincial Park is one of those areas that is home to all of the species listed above.

Redheaded Woodpecker

See if you can spot any at-risk species along the trails at John E. Pearce Provincial Park:
29424 Lakeview Line, Wallacetown, ON
(519) 762-3072

Fun Fact #10 - Weather Watchers ⛅

      Did you know that early settlers were able to read the sign language of nature? 

Farm equipment used to plow fields (approx. 1850)

      Farming was extremely important not only now, but also during the 19th century. Farms and crops were essential for living away from cities or towns. These days farmers are able to just check the weather network to see if it's going to rain, snow, or be sunny and hot all day long. The weather network, of course, was not around in the 1800's. Instead, farmers had to be able to figure out the signs of different weather conditions and then move forward accordingly. For example, a light dew and no wind, a bright sky with clouds that had dark middles, a fog on hilltops, and a possible wind coming from the east could mean that rain was on it's way. 

      Farmers have always been coming up with clever and productive ways to improve their fields. 

Back Pages Band

Come check out Tyrconnell Heritage Society's Heritage Farm Show this weekend (Sept. 8 & 9 10:00 Am to 4:00 PM) to find out more interesting facts about the history in the agriculture industry! There will be 165 heritage farm artifacts on display and the Back Pages Band will be performing in both days! It is $8.00 admission and kids under the age of 12 are free. 29424 Lakeview Line, Wallacetown, Ontario. Call 519-762-3072 or visit www.backuspagehouse.ca for more                       information.

Heritage Farm Show September 8-9

Schedule of Activities

10am  Gates Open

11am Threshing

Saturday Only 11am—2pm

Your Picture in History with the Elgin County

Archives in the Museum Parlour

11:30am Skills Competitions: nail driving, bale toss, cross cut sawing, post toss

12—4pm The Back Pages Band

1:30pm Skills Competitions:

2pm Threshing

3:45pm Candy Scramble for Kids

4pm Closed to the Public

Saturday Only 5pm Exhibitor & Volunteer Dinner $5

All day activities: Carnival Games, Poultry Show, Barn Tours (2nd floor), Museum Tours, Horse Drawn Wagon Rides, Hands on History, Kids Zone, Blacksmithing, Guess the Weight contest, and Food.