January 2006 - Lunenburg Heritage Society

January, 2006
News and Notes
Drawing courtesy of Bill Plaskett
Executive Committee
President’s Message ........................................................... Don Wilson
President ......................... Don Wilson ... 634-9546
Past President .......................Sue Kelly ... 634-4565
Vice President ...................... Don Tufts ... 634-8847
Treasurer......................... Mike Severs ... 634-8397
Secretary ..........................Bea Renton ... 634-8903
Executive Director............Jane Henson ... 634-3498
Board of Directors
Vacant
Margaret Murray
Mark Stewart
Vacant
George Palmer
Kay Tufts
Committee Chairs
Bandstand............................................. Pat McGowan
Folk Art Festival .............................. Sheila Woodcock
House Tour 2007 .....................................................
Knaut-Rhuland House ..............................................
Marketing .................................................... Jo McGee
Membership ..................................... Margaret Murray
Nominating .............................................. Sue Kelly
Publicity ................................................... Lynn Gillard
Raffle 2006....................................................................
Telephone Committee .................. Germaine Marshall
Liaisons
Angus Walters House Museum .................... Don Tufts
Heritage Advisory Committee.. Don Wilson/Sue Kelly
Lunenburg Academy .....................................................
Lunenburg Board of Trade ............... Margaret Murray
It seems like 2005 has roared by like a jet plane (isn’t there a song about
that?) and we are left standing in the whirlwind. Ever since the AGM in March
we have been flat out dealing with business issues, opening the House,
planning the Folk Art Festival, the House Tour and the Christmas Cabaret.
The Society has been in a state of transition for the last two years, moving
from a format of monthly membership meetings to a governing board.
 Advantages: More structure leading to much more efficient meetings and
subsequently, better decisions.
 Disadvantages: Less involvement by the general membership, leading to
a feeling of alienation.
 Solution: (1) Hold “speaker series” type of meetings for the membership
designed to be fun and informative with a minimal amount of business,
and focused on fellowship. (2) Create a meeting place for the membership to hang out (restoration of KRH basement) which would foster more
volunteers and provide a place for them to do projects, etc.
The speaker series will happen this winter, and fundraising efforts are on the
upswing. We are hopeful that Parks Canada will help us with a conservation
plan for the KRH, and we initially intend to target the provincial government,
ACOA, and private corporations for funding assistance.
The challenges of the coming years are many and I believe the biggest
challenge is people, not money, as some would allude to. We must fill our
Board Chairs with people who are qualified and have the interest to do the job
as outlined in the job description. We have been remiss in completing our job
descriptions, and this process will resume in February. It is the responsibility
of every Board member to search our community for the right people. They
are out there, and we need to identify them and bring them to the Society.
I strongly believe that Chairs of committees are responsible to find and train
their successors. These people should be brought up through the ranks of
the committee so that there is a smooth transition when a Chair retires. I
believe it is totally unfair to the Society and the Executive of the Society to
have to put themselves in semi-crisis mode when careful planning would
eliminate this problem.
I believe that we need to re-think our relationship (commitment) to the tourist. I think that we are sometimes too concerned about what
our visitors might think of us if they see some peeling paint or an unfinished room. I have never heard or seen written a negative
comment about the condition of the house. I think most visitors understand that small community museums do not have bags of
money, and they don’t expect to see everything perfect like on TV. I believe that a community museum’s mandate is to display
artefacts and tell a story of a particular period in their community and do it as best they can with what they have to work with. The
quality of the museum should be determined by the priorities of the operators based on their abilities at the time, and at no time should
decisions be made on what a tourist from Indiana might think of us. Our goal should be to tell our story to our community first, and
subsequently to the world. Our designation as a National Historic Site and our relationship with Parks Canada should go a long way to
guiding us in the best manner in which to tell our story. We must be reminded that we have only been in business five years, and have
not even scratched the surface of what we can accomplish, but we need to tap into all the outside expertise we can muster. Parks
Canada and the Federation of N.S. Heritage are sources that we must utilize to the fullest. We should be extremely proud of our
accomplishments and I think the Society is a model in the Province as to what an organization can do without government funding.
The House committee is still without a Chair, and requires other personnel as well. This is our largest committee and we must recruit
people for these jobs. I again must emphasize that this is a responsibility of Board members as well as others in the Society. We all
do not travel in the same circles and should be constantly on the lookout for recruits.
As President, I continue to focus on the big picture and leave the rest to our very competent Executive Director, Committee Chairs,
and Board members. I believe in judging people on their results, and not necessarily their methods. I would expect the same from
you. My best regards to each of you for the year ahead.
Post Office Box 674, Lunenburg, NS – B0J 2C0
Volume 5 – No. 1
Treasurer’s Message .....................................................................................................................................Mike Severs
The LHS has the sort of cash flow you’d expect in a small business. We employ staff: one staff member all year and two guides in
the summer, and there are the day-to-day costs such as electricity, mortgage, insurance, office supplies etc.
Overall, our expenses for 2005 were $121,632. This is an average cost of over $2,300 each week. Our income for the year was
$132,884, so our net income (income minus expenditure) was $11,252.
In order to achieve this level of income, fund-raising on a large scale is required to make sure there is a net flow of dollars into the
organisation’s coffers rather than out.
During 2005, our major fund-raising events included:

the Folk Art Festival, an annual event which accounts for nearly two-thirds of our income and expenditure and raised a net
income of $14,168

the Heritage House Tour, which is held every two years and this year raised $8,363

the Christmas Cabaret, which raised $3,118

the annual raffle, which raised $1,231

membership dues and donations, which brought in $3,330 and

the sale of merchandise, which brought in $3,033.
Activities during the year which did not raise funds but rather raised our profile in the community were:

the 11 summer bandstand concerts, which cost $5,015 but resulted in good publicity for the LHS and raised $1,800 in donations

the Knaut-Rhuland House, which cost $17,166 to cover the mortgage, wages, insurance, property tax, utilities, etc.
The income raised from the KRH was $2,107 from tours, teas, and donations. We also received a grant of $4,841 which covered
75% of the payroll costs for the guides.
The bandstand is being promoted and was hired out during the summer for six weddings. If you know anyone who wants a great
place for a wedding, please contact Jane. $700 was also raised from the Folk Harbour and Boxwood festivals and Eric Croft’s
walking tours. The bandstand cost $647 for repairs and electricity.
The general administrative expenses of the LHS were $17,819, which covers the Executive Director’s wages, insurance for the house
and the bandstand, water, electricity and sewerage costs, telephone, internet service, office supplies, etc.
The KRH urgently needs maintenance, particularly in the basement and the domestic crafts room. We have included $5,000 in our
2006 budget to make a start on this work. During 2005, we paid off nearly $10,000 on our mortgage. At the current rate of payment
we will pay off the remaining mortgage in eight years and four months.
The Head Gardener
at the
Knaut –Rhuland House
Jim Aulenbach, Head Gardener of the National Historic Site, tendered his
resignation in the late summer of 2005.
We thank Jim for his great
contribution to the House, both outdoors and in. (Did you see his weekly
flower arrangements?) Not only did Jim tend to the outside but he often gave
tours of the House especially in the fall when visitors would “come upon” him
in the garden.
So much of what you see in the garden was gifted to the KRH because of
Jim and his network of friends and fellow gardeners. He had many assistants
throughout the three years he cared for the garden, not the least of whom
were Greg Ernst, Wesley Ernst, Jo McGee, and Ed Ingold.
Needless to say, we need a volunteer to step forward to follow up on Jim’s
plan. He will mentor those who take over or at least tell them where the
bulbs are!! Please consider this a worthy gift of your time and talent to the
Heritage Society and to the preservation of the KRH. Call Jane at 634-3468
and leave a message.
Thank you, Jim, for your caring, your concern, and your company. You were
good for the soul of the Knaut-Rhuland House.
he Lunenburg Heritage Society needs volunteers.
9 Jobs Adopted So Far
1.
Head Gardener for the KRH
2.
Someone to put in order recent newspaper articles and photos that are piling up
in the file cabinet at the KRH
3.
Someone to change the date on the highway sign for the Folk Art Festival
(coming from Mahone Bay) from July 31 to August 6 – before the snow is six feet
deep !
Post Office Box 674, Lunenburg, NS – B0J 2C0
Number Available
3
Volume 5 – No. 1
The Summer of 2005 at the Knaut-Rhuland House .....................................................................Rosie Severs
Members and the visiting public who came to the KRH in the summer of 2005
noticed many changes and improvements thanks to the efforts of volunteers
both new and old.
The Knaut Room and the Rhuland Room on the main floor were “dressed” to
add interest for the visitor. The dining table and side table in the Knaut Room
had a mid-day meal placed appropriately to attract one’s eye. The food is
artificial, made of salt dough, baked, painted and varnished so there were no
concerns about critters nibbling it. However, it did look good enough to eat! The
Rhuland room had ‘high tea’ prepared in the same fashion, which was a
complement to the lovely tea service on display.
The Keeping Room, behind the Knaut Room, was used to interpret domestic
crafts. The Heritage Society was recently gifted a walking wheel by the South
Rawdon Museum, which unfortunately had to close. The wheel was put in
working order so that the guides and the volunteer in charge were able to
demonstrate its use quite effectively throughout the season. In addition, there
was a spinning wheel, a wool winder, loom (up and running) and a display of
Penny mats with a new mat “a work in progress”. The guides, Danielle and
Kayla, also demonstrated hooking and by the end of summer had completed a
small project of their own.
The exhibition room on the second floor was totally painted out by volunteers
Kay Tufts and Jo McGee in early June to be ready to receive Judith VarneyBurch’s collection of hooked mats. Don Tufts made display lighting to enhance
this exhibit which was very well received by the visiting public. Thanks again to
Judith for sharing her collection with us.
The two bedrooms on the second floor had to be rearranged when several items on loan were recalled by their owners. This allowed
us to relocate the Creighton wedding dress and give it the prominence it deserved. In addition, a wedding veil and bridal wreath from
the mid 1800’s joined Agnes Creighton’s dress and shoes to complete the display. This room, with its wash stand and china wash
set, corner chair and tea service, reflects the lady’s boudoir that it was intended to be. We would like to acquire a four poster bed to
truly set the scene. If anyone has one they would like to loan or gift to the Society, please contact us.
The smaller bedroom - the one without the fireplace - has a wool bed, a Young spinning wheel, several pieces of woven linen, as well
as a “Best Suit” well worn by Eisenhauer lads in bygone days. Throughout the house, there are examples of clothing worn by the
inhabitants of the community, representing the era of the house. This is largely thanks to the efforts of volunteers Anne Morison and
Kay Tufts who have sewn the items themselves.
Together with the interior of the house and the garden surrounding the property, the Knaut-Rhuland House stands with pride as one
of Canada’s National Historic Sites. There is a sign testifying to this fact right outside the door!
The Summer of 2006 at the Knaut-Rhuland House.................................................................. Rosie Severs
As members who have e-mail already know, Anne Morison and I are working on the exhibit at the KRH for 2006. It will be called
“AT HOME, WORK & PLAY IN VICTORIAN LUNENBURG”.
To date we have received offers of various items of Victoriana, which is very helpful. However, we do need more, so please search
your attics and give us a call. We would really like to get some photos that show any scenes of the town including wedding photos
and street scenes, but especially ones showing events in the Town.
The topics we are focusing on are:
 Woman’s work in the home - washing, ironing, sewing, cleaning, cooking, and crafts
 Men’s work in the town (not the fishing industry as that would be an overlap with the Fisheries Museum) but rather the
other trades and professions in town—shopkeepers, doctors, lawyers, millers, etc.
 Children’s work, school, and play - especially their toys
 Recreation - including sporting activities, cultural events, marching bands, sports teams, etc.
Please check out your photo albums or the attic - a good indoor activity for cold, wet, windy days! The dates for this era are
approximately 1860 to 1900.
Post Office Box 674, Lunenburg, NS – B0J 2C0
Volume 5 – No. 1
Notes from the Nominating Committee ....................................................................................................... Sue Kelly
The LHS is facing a dilemma! We need more members to become involved with the various activities of the Society.
In particular, we need a firm commitment to the KNAUT-RHULAND HOUSE. The House is without a Chair to oversee the various jobs
that are involved in running the House as a Museum and to work with the Board to plan for the future of the KRH. This is a big job and
requires year-round dedication.
The FOLK ART FESTIVAL needs more committee members to participate on a year-round basis. The week-end of the event, when
over forty volunteers put their shoulder to the wheel, is well supported because it is so much fun! Sheila Woodcock has given due
notice that this is her last year to chair the event. If you come on board now, you will be able to see how a really efficient committee
works under excellent leadership. Monthly meetings are held at the Fisheries Museum with the next one being January 19 at 4:00 pm.
Call Sheila (766-4295) or Sue (634-4565) about participating, or just come along.
The 2007 HERITAGE HOUSE TOUR needs someone (or two) to chair the event. Kay Tufts and Jackie Moore have carried the past two
tours and are available for mentoring. This is another major event that has many “worker bees” on the second week-end of September
but needs a core group in place year-round. You and your committee could be out scouting houses even now for 2007. Rumour has it
that this committee has the most fun, centred around hot tubs and glasses of wine!
The NEWSLETTER editor is looking for relief. After several years of coordinating the ‘Letter’ it is time to turn over the responsibility to
others. Maybe then you would get at least three newsletters a year! We have excellent support from our number one graphic artist and
layout editor, Judith Carey. However, she needs the goods to work with and the support from the Society to publish regularly.
The AGM is approaching in March and the Nominating Committee will be phoning to confirm interest and participation of past and
present officers. It would be very refreshing to have you step forward and offer to share your time and experience in any of the
categories you see mentioned. The BOARD OF THE SOCIETY needs members with legal experience, accounting, and management
know-how as well as common sense. Please seriously consider increasing your level of commitment to the Society and to the goals
and objectives for which it stands. Call Don at 634-9546 or Sue at 634-4565 to discuss the possibilities.
This is your reminder to renew your membership in the LHS for 2006. The form is included with this newsletter. A receipt for tax
purposes will be issued for the dues:
$10 – single
$15 – family
or any amount you would care to donate.
Please respond to this notice either by returning it to PO Box 674 or by hand to Margaret Murray, Membership Chair. By receiving
this newsletter, you know we consider you a valued member of the Society.
The Speakers Series
This is a new offering of the Heritage Society to their members and to the public at large. The intention is to fill the gap left when, at the
last AGM, it was decided to move to a new meeting format. The Board of the Society meets monthly, (sometimes more often as has
been the case recently) with members welcome to attend but with no voting privileges. In an effort to provide information sessions on a
variety of Heritage topics, we are booking speakers expert in several fields.
The first evening will be WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25TH at 7:00 pm at the Lunenburg Academy. The speaker will be Johanna Hancock
of Brambles Antiques. Her topic will be: “CHILDREN: THE OBJECT OF OUR AFFECTION.” She will talk on furniture, toys, and clothing
as they have related to children over the years. In addition, she will conduct a mini “ROAD SHOW” by assessing any family heirlooms
you may have that relate to children. Bring them along to show to others and to hear what they should at least be insured for as you
are not likely to want to part with them!
On MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH at 7:00 pm, Bruce English of Garden Lots is going to share the
experiences he has had renovating his home. Bruce has used the internet to source products and
guidance on how to do many innovative things in an effort to preserve or duplicate what was in his
home in a bygone era. We’ll bill Bruce as “the Innovative Renovator” who will share “SHORT
NOTES ON THE HISTORY OF AN OLD HOUSE”.
In addition to Bruce’s talk, Nigel Selig, a recent graduate of Mount Allison, will describe the
SCIENCE OF DENDROARCHAEOLOGY. This is the dating (to the year) of old wooden structures
through the use of tree rings. A few of you may be interested in this technology with regard to
accurately dating the homes or buildings you own.
We hope to offer an expert on Military History in March and a presentation on Pirates in April. All these events will be held at 7:00 pm
in the auditorium of the Lunenburg Academy with admission by donation. Refreshments will be served.
Post Office Box 674, Lunenburg, NS – B0J 2C0
Volume 5 – No. 1
LOANS AND GIFTS TO THE LUNENBURG HERITAGE SOCIETY
The decoration of the Knaut-Rhuland House has to date been primarily due to the generosity of a few members of the Society and to
gifts from Descendents of Founding Families. We have several items on loan from the Nova Scotia Museum system as well.
Appropriate items may be ‘loaned’ to the Society for use in temporary exhibits or for extended display in the KRH. The items remain
the property of the donor and are insured under the donor’s household policy.
Items may also be ‘gifted’ to the LHS and become the property of the Society. For these items a tax receipt may be issued. If the
value of the item is over $500.00 an appraisal certificate must be presented in order to qualify for a receipt. The cost of the appraisal is
born by the donor.
All items whether donated or loaned are accepted at the discretion of the Acquisition Committee. We can accept only those gifts we
feel are appropriate and relevant for use in the KRH. We do not have the facilities to house a large collection nor do we have the
expertise to restore or conserve items in poor repair.
Please feel free to approach the Society with regard to artefacts you may have in your possession that you are interested in donating or
leaving on long term loan. We are interested in furnishings, costume, written text, and decorative items from the 1800’s.
Recent donations to the LHS include:
 A walking wheel from the South Rawdon Museum. Ms. Helen Haley of the SRM co-ordinated the gifting of this item as her
Museum was closing and a new home had to be found for this exceptional wheel. Ms. Haley has since visited the KRH and
was very pleased with the way in which the wheel was displayed.
 33 pieces of Nova Scotia pressed glass from Robert and Isobel Bailly of Hudson, Quebec
 Spool bed with rope “spring” from Marni Gent and Mark Stewart
 Hooded cradle (circa 1830)
 Bible from Middle Lahave Church via Jean & Paul Demone
 Various items of clothing from Jo and Andrew Eisenhauer, Ruth Flower, the estate of Peter de Castell.
We extend our thanks to each of the donors and hope that others will be encouraged to think of the Society as a worthy recipient of
family treasures.
The 2005 raffle winner of a ”HODGEPODGE BASKET” of gift certificates, donated items, and services from local
businesses is Doris Blevins, Oakridge Crescent, Barrie, Ontario.
Our thanks to all who supported the LHS by purchasing tickets as well as everyone who assisted by selling
them. And a GREAT BIG THANK-YOU to those who donated the items in the Basket:




Laurie Swim
Bluenose II Company Store
Irving Oil Limited
Sobey’s Inc.
Post Office Box 674, Lunenburg, NS – B0J 2C0




Kitchen Witch - Bridgewater
Stan’s Dad & Lad Shop
Island Beach Co.
Famous Town Ladies Shop
Volume 5 – No. 1
Moments in History .................................. by Don Tufts
THE KNAUT-RHULAND HOUSE, A BUILDING IN PERPETUITY.
Often I feel like the fellow that grabbed a tiger by the tail. Can’t
hold on, scared to death to let go.
Andy Dumas
For plants in the garden
Wesley Ernst
For help in the garden
Anonymous
For the garden “Tool Box”
Bruce English – Yellow Dory Graphics
For a guiding hand in the design and execution of the KRH
rack card
Lunenburg Garden Club
For table centres at the Cabaret
Falkenham’s Trees & Wreaths
For the garland on the KRH
Helen Haley, South Rawdon Museum
For donation of walking wheel for KRH
Dr. David Maxwell & Linda Maxwell
For repairs to walking wheel, instruction on its use, and
donation of wool roving
Richard Mundell
Richard, husband of Penny, died on August 28, 2005.
Elsie Vickers
Elsie, wife of Gus, died October 18, 2005. Elsie and Gus have
been members of the LHS since 1979.
Dorothy Meisner
Dorothy died December 16, 2005. Dorothy had been a
member of the LHS since 1985.
Joyce Smith
Joyce died on January 3, 2006. She was a charter member of
the Society.
When the Heritage Society purchased the house in 2000, there
was a feeling in some quarters that we took on a challenge greater
than we can handle. After five years that’s still a justified concern.
We have certainly moved forward in our efforts to actually pay for
the place. At the current mortgage rate, and at the present
payment schedule, the house will be free and clear in a little over
eight years. The question the Board has to wrestle with is in what
condition will the house be in at that time? Our ability to pay for
the house and maintain it at the same time appears to be more
problematic every year.
Most repairs and maintenance to date have been superficial.
Painting of the inside, removal of the kitchen counters, installation
of an office space, replacement of front stairs, repairs to the fence
and repairs to the front door and transom. We have installed a
Humidex and de-humidifier to try and constrain moisture levels in
the house. The good thing about that is we have detected no sign
of mould.
This past summer we did a major clean-up in the basement and
attic, removing wallboards that had begun to show signs of rot, and
assorted garbage (no artefacts). These are all very necessary
things to be sure, but the main structure needs a lot of tender
loving care.
Just to give you a few examples, there is significant moisture
seeping through the stone basement walls and there is a leak in
the roof near one of the chimneys. The fireplaces that hold up the
main beams of the house are in need of repair and the exterior
siding is in need of paint, repair or replacement.
Anyone who owns an older home in Lunenburg is very familiar with
the constant work that goes along with the pleasure of being the
proud owner of a period home. Dealing with these issues is a
major problem for the Society and its Board.
If you feel that you have talent to contribute in this area, I want to
extend a warm invitation to join in and make it happen. Over the
years we have received input from the Dalhousie School of
Architecture, Parks Canada and a variety of concerned citizens.
The key is to implement a preservation plan now.
YOU CAN HELP.
Wish List
1. A digital camera for use by the LHS to record acquisitions and displays at the KRH as well as events as
they occur. Perhaps someone has “two” after the Holiday season?
2. A tall case clock (circa 1820) for the front foyer of the KRH. Now we are dreaming in technicolour but you
never know if you never ask ! (LHS can issue tax receipts for donations …)
Dates to Mark on your Calendar
January 9 ................. 7:00 p.m. ........... Board Meeting LHS .......................... Education Room - Fisheries Museum
January 25 ................ 7:00 p.m. ............ Speakers Series...................................... Auditorium - Lunenburg Academy
February 6 ................. 7:00 p.m. ............ Speakers Series...................................... Auditorium – Lunenburg Academy
February 13 ...............7:00 p.m. ........... Board Meeting LHS .......................... Education Room - Fisheries Museum
March 6 ...................... 6:30 p.m. ........... Pre-AGM Social Gathering ............ Education Room - Fisheries Museum
March 6 ...................... 7:00 p.m. ........... Annual General Meeting .................. Education Room - Fisheries Museum
Post Office Box 674, Lunenburg, NS – B0J 2C0
Volume 5 – No. 1