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Forest Home Bakery
Forest Home Bakery
Backdropped by the old bakery's ovens, this display tells the story of the very popular business that once occupied this building. Close your eyes and maybe you'll catch a whiff of some fresh baked bread. Mmmmmmmmm!
Backdropped by the old bakery's ovens, this display tells the story of the very popular business that once occupied this building. Close your eyes and maybe you'll catch a whiff of some fresh baked bread. Mmmmmmmmm!
First Nations
First Nations
Artifacts in this display remind us of the original peoples to inhabit this area. The arrowheads, spear points and carving tools serve as testament to their impressive skills.
Artifacts in this display remind us of the original peoples to inhabit this area. The arrowheads, spear points and carving tools serve as testament to their impressive skills.
The Railway
The Railway
The history of Forest is intimately connected with that of the local railway. It was because of the construction of the Grand Trunk Railway in 1859 that the community was founded. Hop aboard and see what interesting stories and artifacts about our town's railway history we have to share!
The history of Forest is intimately connected with that of the local railway. It was because of the construction of the Grand Trunk Railway in 1859 that the community was founded. Hop aboard and see what interesting stories and artifacts about our town's railway history we have to share!
Down on the Farm
Down on the Farm
Farming has long been important to our community. Our display traces the story of local agriculture from its beginnings with the First Nations through to the early Twentieth Century. A highlight of our display is an apple barrel manufactured locally for the Johnson Brothers.
Howard Fraleigh
Howard Fraleigh
Mr. Fraleigh was a prominent local farmer, businessman and politician. On display you will see samples of crops he grew - flax and hemp in particular. You might be surprised to discover the primary uses for these products in the early Twentieth Century.
Mr. Fraleigh was a prominent local farmer, businessman and politician. On display you will see samples of crops he grew - flax and hemp in particular. You might be surprised to discover the primary uses for these products in the early Twentieth Century.
Tools of the Trade
Tools of the Trade
We have a large collection of tools used by local tradespersons in a variety of industries. These tools are mostly located in our main outbuilding. Ask our staff if you wish to see this collection.
We have a large collection of tools used by local tradespersons in a variety of industries. These tools are mostly located in our main outbuilding. Ask our staff if you wish to see this collection.
Local Businesses and Industries
Local Businesses and Industries
Photographs and artifacts associated with the businesses and industries that have operated in the area are on display. See if you can find out how the canning factory called its workers to the job... and how the rug (actually the carpet) was pulled out from under the feet of local politicians in 1903!
Photographs and artifacts associated with the businesses and industries that have operated in the area are on display. See if you can find out how the canning factory called its workers to the job... and how the rug (actually the carpet) was pulled out from under the feet of local politicians in 1903!
Forest Excelsior Band
Forest Excelsior Band
"Swing" on by this exhibit to see numerous artifacts and photos associated with the colourful and entertaining history of this still active band that formed way back in 1884.
"Swing" on by this exhibit to see numerous artifacts and photos associated with the colourful and entertaining history of this still active band that formed way back in 1884.
Music
Music
Whether you are musically inclined or not, you will take note of our small but impressive array of musical instruments. The violins will be familiar, but have you ever seen an Anglo concertina? Do you know what a Rolmonica is? We bet you have never seen a dulcimer as old as ours.... apparently the oldest one in a museum collection in Ontario!!
Whether you are musically inclined or not, you will take note of our small but impressive array of musical instruments. The violins will be familiar, but have you ever seen an Anglo concertina? Do you know what a Rolmonica is? We bet you have never seen a dulcimer as old as ours.... apparently the oldest one in a museum collection in Ontario!!
Lochead's Hardware
Lochead's Hardware
A tinsmith by trade, William Lochead established a hardware store in town that became a "go to place" for the plumbing, electrical and household appliance needs of local citizens. Look over interesting items from the store including Mr. Lochead's desk, his ledgers (is your account up to date?) and his safe.
A tinsmith by trade, William Lochead established a hardware store in town that became a "go to place" for the plumbing, electrical and household appliance needs of local citizens. Look over interesting items from the store including Mr. Lochead's desk, his ledgers (is your account up to date?) and his safe.
Local Churches
Local Churches
Learn about our local churches as you view items such as the communion sets and hymn books used by their congregations during worship. Go ahead! Step up to our pulpit and deliver your sermon to the masses (or whomever is near at hand!)
Learn about our local churches as you view items such as the communion sets and hymn books used by their congregations during worship. Go ahead! Step up to our pulpit and deliver your sermon to the masses (or whomever is near at hand!)
The School Room
The School Room
Step back into the days of inkwells, slates and spellers! Desks rescued from one-room schoolhouses and numerous other artifacts, plus old photos of local elementary and high schools and their students, are on display. Search carefully and you just might catch a glimpse of astronaut Chris Hadfield's dad, Roger!
Step back into the days of inkwells, slates and spellers! Desks rescued from one-room schoolhouses and numerous other artifacts, plus old photos of local elementary and high schools and their students, are on display. Search carefully and you just might catch a glimpse of astronaut Chris Hadfield's dad, Roger!
Military History
Military History
The matchbox that saved the life of Private Allan Whitbourn, and a panoramic photograph of the men of the 149th Battalion (a.k.a. "Lambton's Own"), are just two of the items that will help you learn about the sacrifices made by local citizens in defense of Canada.
The matchbox that saved the life of Private Allan Whitbourn, and a panoramic photograph of the men of the 149th Battalion (a.k.a. "Lambton's Own"), are just two of the items that will help you learn about the sacrifices made by local citizens in defense of Canada.
Telephones
Telephones
Get connected with the history of local phone service. Displayed are numerous vintage telephones from as early as 1907. Look for the battery operated military unit from World War II... And you can't miss our vintage switchboard. Our operator will fill you in on all the local gossip!
Get connected with the history of local phone service. Displayed are numerous vintage telephones from as early as 1907. Look for the battery operated military unit from World War II... And you can't miss our vintage switchboard. Our operator will fill you in on all the local gossip!
A Trip to the Doctor's
A Trip to the Doctor's
The doctor will see you shortly. In the meantime, just relax.... and peruse the tools of the medical trades in our collection.
The doctor will see you shortly. In the meantime, just relax.... and peruse the tools of the medical trades in our collection.
Home Life
Home Life
If home is where here the heart is, you will find "the heart" of our museum home as you visit our parlour, kitchen, bedroom and dining room. Each is decorated with numerous reminders of households of yesteryear.
If home is where here the heart is, you will find "the heart" of our museum home as you visit our parlour, kitchen, bedroom and dining room. Each is decorated with numerous reminders of households of yesteryear.
Barber Shop
Barber Shop
Need a haircut? Sorry, we won't provide one. But if you take a peek at this display it won't be hard to imagine a barber getting ready for his next customer.
Need a haircut? Sorry, we won't provide one. But if you take a peek at this display it won't be hard to imagine a barber getting ready for his next customer.
Local Artists
Local Artists
Michalangelo, Rembrandt, Picasso..... No, you won't see their works on exhibit here.... but, then again, they weren't from here! Instead, we showcase the paintings of local talent including Nellie Willoughby, Edith Gustin Willsie, Bill Holmes and W. Fink.
Michalangelo, Rembrandt, Picasso..... No, you won't see their works on exhibit here.... but, then again, they weren't from here! Instead, we showcase the paintings of local talent including Nellie Willoughby, Edith Gustin Willsie, Bill Holmes and W. Fink.
Sewing Exhibit
Sewing Exhibit
Knitting, sewing and quilting skills were all very essential in the era before the mass production of clothing. See if you can stitch together some of the story as you view this exhibit. Be sure to also see the spinning wheel (currently in our front room) that came to Forest aboard a train in 1859.... and back to Forest again in 2022.... from B.C.!
Women's Fashion
Women's Fashion
Window shop our collection of fine fashion, including hats from Forest's "Edna Shop", jewellery and dresses from the Victorian era.
Window shop our collection of fine fashion, including hats from Forest's "Edna Shop", jewellery and dresses from the Victorian era.
Men's Fashion
Men's Fashion
Do clothes make the man? Judge for yourself as you give the once (or twice) over to our collection of hats, watches, suits and other accessories worn by gentlemen of days gone by.
Do clothes make the man? Judge for yourself as you give the once (or twice) over to our collection of hats, watches, suits and other accessories worn by gentlemen of days gone by.
Toys
Toys
You will feel like a kid again when you explore our fun collection of dolls (lots of dolls!), games and other toys!
You will feel like a kid again when you explore our fun collection of dolls (lots of dolls!), games and other toys!
Clocks
Clocks
The Ancient Romans said "Tempus fugit". We say "Don't hurry! Take your time" as you stroll through our museum. Nearly every room has an old timepiece. All are accurate at least twice a day!
The Ancient Romans said "Tempus fugit". We say "Don't hurry! Take your time" as you stroll through our museum. Nearly every room has an old timepiece. All are accurate at least twice a day!
Odds n' Ends
Odds n' Ends
As you explore the museum you will come across many more items not mentioned above.... from stoneware pottery to Edison phonographs and numerous typewriters. We know you will not be disappointed by our eclectic collection!
As you explore the museum you will come across many more items not mentioned above.... from stoneware pottery to Edison phonographs and numerous typewriters. We know you will not be disappointed by our eclectic collection!
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