WINGHAM – The Wingham and Area Historical Society held its sixth public meeting at the Alice Munro Library on Wednesday, June 14.
Bevan Brown and Valdeane Gedcke gave a very interesting presentation on the trains and railways that supported Wingham’s economy in the past, and also touched on the brine salt industry that flourished locally in the late 19th century. Members said it was amazing to learn how much firewood and water were consumed by both the steam locomotives and the salt mines.
Among other things, the audience also learned about the foot bridge that used to cross the Maitland River from Victoria Street down to the old racetrack, the significance of concrete well-casings and rusted iron pipe that may be found in that area, and the meaning of numbers like “2-6-0” displayed on old locomotives. A multi-media clip about trains and the history of the railways in Canada, backed up by Gordon Lightfoot’s famous Canadian Railway Trilogy, provided a moving end to the session.
Tim Willis spoke briefly to the attendees of the Wingham and Area Historical Society’s June meeting about his time in the British Navy, as well as his woodworking. (Submitted photo)
Tim Willis spoke briefly about this time in the British Navy many years ago and also about the woodworking he has done, including model steam locomotives, trucks and all kinds of furniture, including grandfather clocks.
The Wingham and Area Historical Society will take a break from public meetings for the summer to enable planning. Public meetings will start again with a presentation on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. in the Alice Munro Library by Goderich-area author David Yates about his books. A few days later, on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 2 p.m., there will be a second showing of the black and white, silent DVD Stars of the Town. This 72-minute movie was made in 1949. The intent will be to identify the people seen in the second half of the movie, as was already done for the first half a few months ago.
