Scott/Sefton Negatives

This interesting collection of photographs documents street scenes, store windows, house interiors, sports groups, clubs, rural views, railway crossings, and much more all in the area of St.Thomas. These photographs span almost a century (mid to late 1800s to the early 1900s) and show the geographical changes of the region. This book is $5.00 in our giftshop at the Backus-Page House Museum or call 519-762-3072 for shipping arrangments.

Donations of Talbot Items by Steve Peters to Backus-Page House Museum

Steve Peters, pictured here with Cultural Manager, Angela Bobier, has donated six items relating to Colonel Thomas Talbot to Backus-Page House Museum from his personal collection.  Included in the donation are the following:

A wooden rocking chair reported to have belonged to Thomas Talbot dated to 1850.

A framed engraving of The Right Honourable Lord Talbot de Malahide from 1863 by J.B. Black of London UK based on a photograph taken in 1854 by Maull & Polyblank, photographers.  The engraving was purchased when Malahide Castle in Ireland auctioned off the contents in the early 1970s and a quantity of items were acquired and brough to London, Canada.  James the 4th Baron, Lord Talbot de Malahide is the Grand Nephew of Colonel Thomas Talbot through Thomas' eldest brother, Richard Wogan Talbot and his son James Talbot, the 3rd Baron.

  

A framed print of the interior of Colonel Talbot's home at Port Talbot give to Steve Peters for his contributions to Elgin County.

A framed drawing of Malahide House at Port Talbot  by J. Ferguson 1927

 

A framed Land Deed dated June 15, 1840 to Neil Campbell for the SE 1/4 of Lot A on Concession 10 in Aldborough Township signed by Thomas Talbot, Jeffrey Hunter and Mahlon Burwell.

A brick from the demolition of the Talbot house at Port Talbot.

Staff of the museum are setting up a portion of an upstairs room dedicated to the founder of the Talbot Settlement and these items along with a few currently in the collection will be on display soon.  Watch for the announcement!  

Toolbox Tuesday- An Awl

Awl

An awl is a long, pointed spike, which can be used for a variety of reasons.  For example, an awl can be used for making holes in wood, marking wood or for piercing holes in leather and other materials.  An awl is the simplest hole-maker, because it simply pushes material to the side without pulling it out.  Since awls were and are used in a variety of trades, there are many variations to fit the particular needs of the carpenter, tailor, sail maker. There may be multiple names for the same type of awl, as well as different awls with similar uses.  The awl was pressed against an object and then rotated by hand, much like a present-day screwdriver.  It is even said that an awl would historically have been used to pierce ones ears.

 

Another Museum Mystery For You To Solve

Today an old photo album was donated to our museum collection.  The donor had purchased it at an auction years ago.  While looking it over I found 2 photographs inside!  Of course neither one is labelled with the subject's name.  Both are mounted on thick cardboard paper. 

I'm hoping our readers will be able to make some educated guesses on who the people are. 

The first is a little boy.  The photo is done by Scott Hopkins in St. Thomas, Ontario.

The other is a young man.  The photo is done by J.S. Ferguson in Dutton, Ontario.

If you have any idea of the time period of the photos and who the people are, we'd be glad to know.
Contact Angela at info@backuspagehouse.ca or leave a comment.