Details about the Walter C. Bush fonds and a number of new additions are highlighted in the May edition of New to the Archives.

 

2017.31 Walter C. Bush fonds

Walter Clarence Bush was born near Wilton in 1892 to Henry and Sophia Bush (nee Cannon) and was one of six children in the Bush family. When Bush enlisted with the 146th Battalion in September of 1916, he was living in Tamworth. His enlistment papers indicate he was a carpenter. Bush was among the thousands of Canadians at Vimy Ridge in 1917. He died 29 April 1917 and is buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France, along with 664 other Canadians.

Items from the Walter C. Bush fonds including his war diary, field manuals, photographs, war medals, postcards, and other war memorabilia have been on display in the museum lobby as April 2017 marked the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

 

Additions to the Museum

A significant assemblage of nineteenth and early twentieth century Odessa material culture was received courtesy of a former Odessa resident. Among donations received are:

  • Babcock baskets and hamper, including a picnic basket.
  • Crock from H.F. Snider, General Merchant, Odessa. Grange & Co., Napanee, and a Lazier crock that was used by in the Silver Meat Store in Odessa.
  • Apothecary bottles used by local doctor Dr Maybee (d. 1945), along with his presentation cane, given to him by the Medical Profession.
  • Wool blanket, possibly woven at the Asselstine Mill
  • Noon Day Quilt- red and white star pattern, Clyde Family provenance, Mr. Clyde was Reeve and Mrs. Clyde was a dressmaker.
  •  Log Cabin “string” quilt- 4 red corners, Snider family provenance
  • Coverlet, blue and yellow, donor used this a table covering at their house in Odessa. Unclear where the coverlet was woven. Most likely from the area.
  • Folk art paintings of views of the Babcock Mill and millpond, by Marie Scouten