Saving Our History One Photo at a Time: Cruising Ontario '81

In 1981, a group of dedicated volunteers embarked on a mission to document Ontario's rich maritime heritage. They traveled the province's vast waterways, capturing thousands of photographs of historic vessels, shipyards, and communities. These images, now housed in the Cruising Ontario '81 collection, provide an invaluable glimpse into a bygone era.

Tillsonburg Ontario in Colour Photos: Saving Our History One Photo at a Time (Cruising Ontario Book 81)

by Barbara Raue

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2705 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	89 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

The Cruising Ontario '81 project was the brainchild of a group of members of the Georgian Bay Cruising Club. They were concerned that the province's maritime heritage was being lost as traditional vessels and shipyards disappeared. They decided to take action to document what remained before it was too late.

The volunteers set out in a fleet of small boats, traveling from one community to another. They stopped at shipyards, marinas, and museums, photographing everything from grand sailing ships to humble fishing boats. They also interviewed local residents, collecting stories about the people and places they visited.

The Cruising Ontario '81 collection is a testament to the volunteers' hard work and dedication. It is a unique and valuable resource for anyone interested in Ontario's maritime history. The images in the collection provide a vivid glimpse of the province's past, and they help us to appreciate the importance of preserving our heritage.

The Boats

The Cruising Ontario '81 collection features a wide variety of vessels, from large sailing ships to small fishing boats. Many of the boats are now gone, but the photographs in the collection provide a record of their existence. Some of the highlights of the collection include:

• The barquentine J.E. Henry, one of the last commercial sailing vessels to operate on the Great Lakes.
• The steamship Armenia, a former passenger ship that was converted into a floating restaurant.
• The schooner America, a replica of the famous racing yacht that won the first America's Cup in 1851.
• The tugboat William J. McBride, a historic vessel that was used to tow logs and barges on the Great Lakes.

The Shipyards

In addition to photographing boats, the Cruising Ontario '81 volunteers also documented the province's shipyards. These shipyards were once important centers of industry, but many of them have now closed down. The photographs in the collection provide a glimpse into the history of these shipyards and the people who worked in them.

Some of the shipyards featured in the collection include:

• The Collingwood Shipyards, a major shipbuilding center on the Georgian Bay.
• The Port Arthur Shipbuilding Company, a shipyard that built some of the largest ships on the Great Lakes.
• The Russell Brothers Shipyard, a small shipyard that built wooden boats for local fishermen and pleasure boaters.

The Communities

The Cruising Ontario '81 collection also includes photographs of the communities that the volunteers visited. These photographs provide a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived and worked on the waterways of Ontario.

Some of the communities featured in the collection include:

• Peninsula Harbour, a small fishing community on the Bruce Peninsula.
• Parry Sound, a major port town on the Georgian Bay.
• Kingston, a historic city on the shores of Lake Ontario.

The Legacy

The Cruising Ontario '81 collection is a valuable legacy for the people of Ontario. It is a reminder of the province's rich maritime heritage and the importance of preserving our history.

The photographs in the collection are a source of inspiration and pride for all Ontarians. They show us the beauty of our province's waterways and the resilience of the people who have lived and worked on them.

The Cruising Ontario '81 collection is a reminder that our history is worth preserving. It is a legacy that we can all be proud of.

How You Can Help

There are many ways that you can help to preserve Ontario's maritime heritage. Here are a few ideas:

• Visit the Cruising Ontario '81 website and explore the collection.
• Share the collection with your friends and family.
• Support organizations that are working to preserve Ontario's maritime heritage.
• Volunteer your time to help maintain historic boats and shipyards.

By taking these steps, you can help to ensure that Ontario's maritime heritage is preserved for future generations.

Tillsonburg Ontario in Colour Photos: Saving Our History One Photo at a Time (Cruising Ontario Book 81)

by Barbara Raue

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2705 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	89 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE