Our neighbourhood's history book

It has taken three years of work from inception or conception you could say, to the launch of this book. As the Chair of the Book Committee for our historical society it was my job to be the liaison between the Board members, the membership, the designer, the writer and the editor.

It’s a good thing they were all wonderful people to work with.

On Sunday afternoon we launched this book at the kick off event for our neighbourhood’s 100th birthday. The book was our official Centennial project and it has been a resounding success. What was even more special was that we launched the book in the home of one of the two founders of the Highlands! His house was built exactly 100 years ago as well. Can you imagine what he would say?

A couple more milestones this spring: The Highlands was chosen as one of 12 best Old House neighbourhoods in Canada and one of 61 in North America by This Old House Magazine. We were thrilled by that.

More recently I was given an award by the Edmonton and District Historical Society for my “significant and ongoing contribution to our society and to the promotion and preservation of the history of Edmonton and surrounding district”.  My husband and I attended an official dinner where I was presented with the award. I was pleased to get the award mostly because it showed that I am a member of a community of kindred spirits that love history and old houses – and if you are reading this there’s a good chance that you are too.

Front of 1912 House

Books Books and more Books!

Last night we discussed floors and mill work. Both of these are extremely important aspects of the charm of a heritage home interior. Mill work especially is what links one room to another and it’s important to ensure that their visual treatment is consistent.

Show the beauty of that front door

The screen is hidden in a track on one side of the door – you can do this on the inside of the room as well if you have an outward opening door. When we did our kitchen renovation a few months ago we purchased a very nice Arts and Crafts door – I didn’t want it hidden but I loved the fresh air that came from having the door open. (This is not something you want to do too long however because of the insects.) So yesterday we had one of these screens installed. We chose a Mirage Screen.

It looks great because you really don’t even notice it. It’s the same colour as the mill work around the door. It even comes in wood grain colours.  

Of course full screen doors are not too secure but I figure if anyone really wants to get in they can. I’ve decided to use a small diameter tension rod across the screen midway to make it just a bit more difficult to come in. But now I’m looking forward to having this door wide open for fresh air come spring!

The mark tells an appraiser how old it is, when it was made and where, whether it was made for local sales or for export – and a lot more. In this case the info I received indicated that the dishes were made in the Federal shape but I have no idea of the pattern itself.

The Syracuse China Company had its earliest beginnings in  1841. W.H. Farrar operated a pottery to make Rockingham style pottery whiskey jugs, butter crocks, mixing bowls, clay animals etc. From 1855 until 1871 it was known as Empire Pottery. The Empire company added a line of whiteware to their products.

In 1871 it was reorganized again under the name Onondaga Pottery Company until 1966 when the name became Syracuse China. Apparently, according to the book ”Lehrer’s Encyclopedia of US Marks on Pottery, Porcelain and Clay”  this is confusing to the collectors because the Syracuse china mark was used since 1879 but only on a particular type of china – china that bore the New York Coat of Arms. This is what started their success.

Over time however several different types of china products were added to the line. Lehrer’s Encyclopedia features five pages worth of information on this company including marks and dating Coding. It’s worth checking this out to gain a better understanding of the company and its products.

Blue Mikado

1. Take all your china out of the barrels. Put like things together. For example put sets of dishes in a separate grouping by themselves and show serving pieces clearly.

2. Take photographs of the groupings. If your camera allows, take photos of the marks on the back.

3. If not, write down or draw the marks or info that is on the back of the dishes. Note down any chips or cracks or stains – no matter how small.

4. Put the china back into the boxes (list on each box or barrel what’s in side)

5. Then shop the photos to dealers to gauge interest. That way you don’t have to drag the items around to see if there’s any interest. It’s a lot easier on your back!

6. Once a dealer is interested then you simply go to where you know the dishes are, pack them in a box and bring the dishes to the dealer so they can have a look. Dealers usually have a pretty good idea if they are interested as soon as they see your pictures. If you are up front about any damage or wear and they are still interested enough to have a look chances are you will have made a sale.

Any other tips to share with sellers of china?

Our fur baby,Taffy

• This story was about a 3 month old puppy that was thrown in the trash in the middle of winter. I read this and of course shed a few tears of frustration at the cruelty of human beings. I was also reminded of our own story.

It was also winter about two years ago when my husband took Taffy for a walk. They had barely opened the back gate to the alley when Taffy stopped in mid stride then made a bee line for a box that had been placed by our garbage. My husband knew right away that we had not placed this box there and came into the house to get me. Together we carefully peeled the folded top of the box and looked inside.

Inside there were four little black kittens! Some idiot (actually I really mean asshole) had been too cowardly to leave them behind their own house so decided to put them in someone else’s garbage.

We brought the very quiet, shivering, little kittens into the house. We figured they were about three months old.  They hid underneath our claw foot tub because it was warm under there. I gave them milk which they gobbled up – They were starving. I don’t think they had been outside that long because there was no frostbite on their little ears that I could see.

Taffy, our Welsh Terrier

It was out of the question to keep them with us because my husband is extremely allergic to cat hair (which is why we have a non-shedding dog). My good hearted friend and cat lover came to the rescue. She took them home and today two of the kittens are still with her – I found a home for the third, and my friend found a home for the fourth kitten.

I was shocked to find out that black kittens are the most numerous at shelters because no one wants black cats – and we call ourselves a progressive society.

Thank heavens Taffy found them.