Parks Canada organizes ceremony to designated Penman’s Mill#1 as a National Historic Site

Submission by the Paris Museum & Historical Society - On a beautiful autumn Saturday, two dozen people gathered at the gazebo at Penman’s Manor, previously known as Penman’s Mill #1, to unveil a plaque celebrating the history of Paris’ textile mills.

Parks Canada, which organized the ceremony, invited Brant Mayor David Bailey plus representatives of the Paris Museum & Historical Society, Brant Museum and the Penman’s Manor Residents’Group to share their thoughts.

Mayor Bailey spoke of his memories of visiting the building when it was the site of Pride of Paris, a drapery company. He spoke of Don Stewart expanding his education regarding fabrics, how they were made and their various qualities.

Judy Moore, of the Paris Museum and Historical

Society shared the story of the immigrants who came to work at the mill and live in Paris. Her grandparents were only a few of the many people in Paris who worked at the mill.

Nathan Etherington of Brant Museum spoke of John Penman’s life and the company’s holdings in Ontario and Quebec.

Doreen Coakley, a member of the Penman Manor Residents’ Group, said the group realized it has become the steward of the property and is committed to preserving its history.

The Paris Museum provided an onsite exhibit, showing part of its extensive Penman’s collection. The residents’ group displayed historical photographs normally hung in the manor’s lobby.

On October 5th , Parks Canada and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada commemorated the national historic significance of Penman Textile Mill at a special plaque unveiling ceremony at Penman Manor in Paris. Penman Textile Mill was once the cornerstone of the Penman Manufacturing Company, Canada's largest producer of woolen knit goods at the end of the 19th century.