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100 Days of The Reach

Shawl #1007This square, green-black, wool shawl with the monogram "M.B. 1905" belonged to Mrs. Rempel, who left Russia for Germany in 1919, and in 1927 came to make her home in Canada.

fob #1015Made by Henry Paver circa 1915 - 1920 as the first project of his cobbler's apprenticeship at the Goodyear Shoe Repair Company in Vancouver. Paver later relocated to Bradner where he grew bulbs but he kept the fob, as it as it meant more to him than anything else he owned.

Dixie Cup Dispenser #1039Decorative clear glass and chromed metal "Dixie" cup dispenser with wall mount bracket used in Dr. John Lukas' dental office at 2517 Montvue. Probably bought new for installation in Lukas' combined home and office in 1938. Dr. Lukas practiced dentistry in Abbotsford until the late 1980s.

Binoculars #1043This pair of 1920s "Henry Birks and Sons" binoculars belonged to WWI veteran George Fletcher. Lightweight with easy focus, these binoculars would make excellent birding glasses.

Sewing Machine Toy #1051Fully functioning metal "Casige" toy sewing machine donated by Lois Sanders who was born in 1952 at the original MSA General Hospital on McCallum Road. The donor's parents had both immigrated from Russia with their parents. The couple were married in 1949 and lived on a farm on Tramp (now Columbia Road) Road until they were bought out by the expanding Abbotsford Airport. They relocated to a farm still owned by the family on Farmer Road.

Rolling Pin #1063Handmade, one-piece, solid wood rolling pin, likely made of maple. Years of use by its owner, Beula Marcy, have polished the surface to silken smoothness. Donated by Beula's daughter, Joanne Borrows, who recalled her mother's reputation for delicious handmade pies.

Fire Extinguisher #1067Upright, cylindrical metal fire extinguisher saved from the Officers' Mess, No. 5 OTU at Abbotsford Airport by its donor, long time Matsqui resident and reeve, J. A. "Spud" Murphy. The Airport was constructed in 1942 as a west coast defence station and air force training facility.

Wooden Mallet #1071Utilitarian, handmade wooden mallet, well-worn from consistent use by Bill Roberts, Abbotsford's first plumber and sheet metal worker. The business was passed to Bill's son, Charles Roberts, who maintained the Village water system until 1956, then to Bill's grandson and the mallet's donor, Ed Roberts.

Lacrosse Stick #1081Well-used lacrosse stick with arched wooden handle and leather woven net, circa 1955. It was donated by Ken Yates, former Parks and Recreation Department Director.

"Pratt's Poultry Inhalant" Bottle #1085Clear glass "Pratt's Poultry Inhalant" bottle, circa 1933. Donated by J. A. "Spud" Murphy, son of John and Kathleen Murphy who lived on a small farm at the corner of Downes and Murphy Road. The family raised poultry for personal use, as did most local residents. A worldwide demand for incresed production during WWII saw the development of industrial poultry operations locally.

CPR Meal Tickets #1099Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) meal tickets provided to returning WWI soldiers, 1919. Meal tickets offered for officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Military or Naval Service ON REGULAR OR TROOP TRAINS; red-inked stamp across front reads "THIS TICKET MUST BE PRESENTED BEFORE ORDERING MEAL". Back of ticket reads "Canadian Pacific Railway, July 31, 1919, Kingston Ontario". Tickets include text listing restrictions for redeeming.

Spinning Wheel #1105This spinning wheel with rectangular base was brought to Canada from Yugoslavia in 1951 by the donor, Mrs Kemle's, mother. It was estimated that this spinning wheel was already 100 years old when it was donated in 1969. Typical of the practical objects brought with them by immigrating families.

"Roy Rodgers and Trigger" Puzzle #1129"Roy Rogers and Trigger" 21-piece wooden puzzle, copyright 1950. Donated by longtime Abbotsford residents Ralph Godson and Violet Molden. Westerns were popular during the 1950s and both boys and girls sported the Western looks and often toy six shooters.

Valentine's Day Card Set #1131Paper Valentine's Day Card set, "40 Valentines to cut out and make up," circe 1949.

Merit Badge #1137Rectangular Guide badge, "Camping is Really Fun!", circa 1960-1979. Donated by Ethel Chace who was involved in Guiding locally as a Leader during the 1970s and 80s.

Opthalmoscope #1161'This 16-piece opthalmoscope belonged to Dr. James Simpson Cull, who used it to examine a patient's interior eye structure. Cull held many positions in the medical field nation-wide and had many firsts to his credit: First Director, North Vancouver Health Unit; First Director, Peace River Health Unit; First Director, Unit 4 Vancouver; First Assistant Provincial Health Officer of B.C.; First Deputy Provincial Health Officer for B. C. until 1948; First Director of Local Health Services for B.C.; First Assistant National Director Canadian Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, 1948, Toronto, Ontario. In 1953, he resigned his position in Toronto and moved back to Vancouver. He joined his father, Norman G. Cull, and worked in the optical business until his father retired. He returned to Public Health work until his retirement in June 1970 when he retired to Abbotsford and lived with his daughter.

Red Wool Hat #1173Men's red wool pillbox hat that was part of a traditional Croatian costume. This hat was brought to Canada in 1937 by the parents of the donor's wife, Ann Slater, when they immigrated from Croatia.

Fraternal Pin #1177Albert Israel's Orangeman's insignia from the Mount Lehman L. O. L. No. 1868. The Mt. Lehman community hall was constructed in 1904, and the Orange Lodge met upstairs. The Orange Order was a political and religious fraternal society in Canada. From the early 19th century, members proudly defended Protestantism and the British connection.

Rotary Carder #1185Rotary wool carder donated by Barbara Martens and used by her family on Sumas Prairie from the 1940s. Last used when the donor's parents moved to Clearbrook in 1968. In addition to carding fresh wool the machine was used to "re-work" wool batting in quilts. Quilt covers were removed and the batting recarded to restore the loft of the wool fibres. Quilts could be reworked over and over until the wool fibres became too brittle or short to rework.

Repair Kit #1189Mendets pot and pan repair kit: tiny washers, nuts and bolts that are used to patch holes in metalware to extend the life of metal and enamelware pots and pans. Such kits were popular during the Depression and throughout WWII, when every pot mattered. Surprisingly still available today!

Scrubber #1193Metal mesh chain link pot scrubber. From the estate of Mrs. H. L. "Stannie" Brown who farmed in Clayburn. Ongoing use of coarse scrubbers like this wore right through cooking pots providing the deamond for patching kits like "Mendets".

Briefcase #1209Leather briefcase with "The Corporation of the District of Sumas Assessment Department" embossed in gold letters on the front. The District of Sumas was incorporated on January 5, 1892 and endured until November 17, 1972 when it amalgamated with the Village of Abbotsford to become the District of Abbotsford.

Certificate #12151911 Abbotsford-Sumas Agricultural & Horticultural Association First Prize Certificate, awarded to Mrs. Harriet Chudley for 3 pounds of butter, neatest wrapper and print. The "1st Annual Exhibition," held on September 27, 1911 at the Abbotsford fairgrounds appears to have been the only exhibition, as no further references appeared. In 1912 the Matsqui Fair was held in its newly constructed building but no mention was made of an Abbotsford or Sumas fair. In 1913, Sumas Reeve Munro closed the Matsqui Fair indicating the likelyhood that the two fairs amalgamated and continued under the auspices of the Matsqui Fair. Although it has been known by several names, the annual fair continues today as Agrifair.

Shopping Bag #1217Cotton shopping bag advertising, “I’m Voting for Plan A” promotional shopping bag. On September 25, 2006, Abbotsford council voted unanimously to hold a referendum asking voters to borrow $85-million to fund three community projects, including a new museum/gallery, entertainment and sports centre and an expansion of Abbotsford Recreation Centre. On November 25, 2006 a majority of Abbotsford voters approved the referendum. The Reach Gallery Museum was the first project to be completed and opened on September 22, 2010.

T-Shirt #1219Cotton t-shirt popular with Plan A proponents. On September 25, 2006, Abbotsford council voted unanimously to hold a referendum asking voters to borrow $85-million to fund three community projects, including a new museum/gallery, entertainment and sports centre and an expansion of Abbotsford Recreation Centre. On November 25, 2006 a majority of Abbotsford voters approved the referendum. The Reach Gallery Museum was the first project to be completed and opened on September 22, 2010.