4 minute read
A taste of Powell River's History
A Taste
of Powell River's History
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INGREDIENTS ½ cup butter 1 teaspoon soda
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 egg beaten light ½ teaspoons cloves
1 cup raisins or cuts 1 cup hot applesauce 1 ¾ cups flour
INSTRUCTIONS Cream the butter, beat the
sugar gradually, then add the well-beaten egg, and the fruit chopped and floured. Add the flour, sifted with the soda and
spices and the next applesauce which should be strained. Bake
APPLE SAUCE CAKE
SUBMITTED TO THE POWELL RIVER COOK BOOK BY MRS. H. BENJAMIN
Elizabeth Jones was born on September 2nd, 1891 in Monmouthshire, Wales, to Vincent and Ann Jones and was the youngest of four children.
In the late 1900s, Elizabeth met and was engaged to Henry
‘Harry ’ Benjamin, a grinder from Monmouthshire, Wales. In 1911, Henry immigrated with his brother, William, to Powell River to begin work as a grinder at the newly built Powell River Mill. A year later, Elizabeth joined him in Powell River and the couple was married in 1912. Elizabeth and Henry ’ s first house was located at 181 Oak Avenue in Townsite; a four-room bungalow that Henry helped build. In 1916, Elizabeth and Henry happily added a daughter, Myfwany, to their family. Sadly, after only four years, Myfwany died of a “ childhood
disease. ”
Through out the years at the Powell River Company, Henry worked his way from grinder to supervisor. Before their move to Westview in 1922, Elizabeth and Henry welcomed another child, Henry Glyndwr ‘Glyn ’ . The family left the Powell River Region for Vancouver in the late 1920s, and expanded their family to welcome, William Bruce in 1926.
On September 30th 2021, the museum closed in recognition of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation.
What is Orange Shirt Day?
September 30th is day to recognize the ongoing harm that the residential school system has inflicted on Indigenous communities. The date was chosen because it
represents the time of the year that children were taken from their homes and moved into
residential schools. The orange t-shirt comes from the story of Phyllis Webstad whose brand-new orange shirt given to her by her grandmother was taken from her by school administrators on her first day at a residential school in 1973, when she was six years old.
On this day, we honour the children who survived the Indian Residential Schools and
remember those that didn’t. Orange shirts are worn in recognition of the harm done to Indigenous culture, and children’s sense of self-esteem and well-being, and as an affirmation of our commitment to ensure that everyone around us matters. It also recognizes the inter-generational impact of Residential Schools.
Events throughout Canada are designed to commemorate the residential school experience, to witness and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families, and to commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation.
What is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?
On July 20, 2021, the Government of Canada declared September 30 the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation; a federal statutory holiday to allow public servants the opportunity “to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools. ” The declaration of this
holiday is in response to Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action No. 80, calling for the creation of a statutory holiday “to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.
To finish off their summers, our summer students. Kayla and Joseph, created an exhibit called "Symphonies of the Sunshine Coast" which goes into detail about the musical history of the qathet region. You can check it out in our Museum Gallery space during our hours or see the virtual exhibit online on our website here.
Thank you Joseph and Kayla for the great summer; we had lots of fun! They are both back to school on Vancouver Island this year and we wish them the best of luck in their studies. A Sneak Peak of the exhibit... The First Piano
In the year 1911, the Powell River Company pulp and paper mill construction workers enjoyed playing harmonicas and listening to music in the cook shack. However, they regrettably didn’t have a piano, so they took up a collection to purchase a piano, which was the first piano brought to the Powell River district. It was played for the first dances, held in the finishing room in the mill and the second Central Hall. Later, it became the Henderson School piano.
Partnerships with the Powell River Public Library
Portal to the Past
Time travel with historical picturebook tales from PRPL and real local, historical content from the Powell River Historical Museum and Archives in this virtual series released the last Friday of the month!
For Children 5-10. Released Virtually on the PRPL Youtube and PRHMA Website. Free
October 29
Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein & the Patricia Theatre
November 26
On the Trapline: The Coast Salish & Living off the land
December 24
Marja's Skis & Old Time Logging
Young Writer's Group Dives Into the Archives
Practice your skills and hone your talents in writing and critiquing history with this extraordinary Young Writers Group.
For Teens 11-19. Via Zoom from 3:30 - 4:30 pm Register with PRPL by contacting 604-485-4796
September 24
SHIPWRECKS & Stories of the Sea
October 15
GHOSTS of the Patricia
November 19
PROTEST & Point of View
December 10
Whose voice tells history?
