The Meaford Museum also boasts a small but unique gift shop. We are pleased to be able to offer you some of our items online. The following is available to purchase over the internet. Click here for order instructions.
- Historical Memories of Meaford: A Walking Tour
- The John Muir Letters to his Meaford Friends
- Pictorial Meaford
- W. Watts & Sons Boat Builders: Canadian Designs for Work and Pleasure 1842-1946
- Beautiful Joe: The Autobiography of a Dog
- Beautiful Joe's Paradise: A Sequel to Beautiful Joe
- Beautiful Joe’s Activity Book
- Call of the Eagle
- Under Sydenham Skies
- A History of the Schools of St. Vincent Township and Other Chronicles
- St. Vincent: A Beautiful Land
Books
Historical
Memories of Meaford: A Walking Tour
This walking tour features 36 homes and businesses located in downtown Meaford. Each stop has a unique history and there is a wide variety of architectural types represented among them. If you are looking to visit Meaford in the future or just want a small look into Meaford’s history this little booklet would be perfect. It also includes an extended Driving Tour out into the Township to 3 Heritage Building/Sites
A joint project by The Meaford Museum and the Meaford and District Chamber
of Commerce.
Copyright 2002.
Cost: $2.00 each + Shipping & Handling.
The John Muir Letters to his Meaford Friends
If you are interested in reading the 5 letters written by John Muir which were donated to the museum, here’s your chance! This booklet contains photocopies of the letters as well as a typed transcription of each letter making them easy to read. There’s also a small bit of history on the main players who are described in the letters.
It’s a wonderful read as John Muir was a witty writer as well as a wonderful botanist. This item is unique to the museum and cannot be found ANYWHERE else.
Softcover with 34 pgs.
Cost: $10.00 each & Shipping and Handling
Pictorial Meaford
With 1,000 photographs of Meaford within its pages this 345 page book is a marvellous record of Meaford's past. There’s plenty of text and a variety of topics are covered in this book including: Railroads, Schools, Fishing, Parades, Sports, The Harbour, Floods, Fires, Streets, Buildings, People, Bridges, The Bighead River, Industry and Business, and much more. Published in 1991, the book covers the period of 1818 - 1991.
Published By Stanley Knights Ltd.
Note: This is a large hardcover book - 15" x 10" x 1.5"
Cost: $85.00 + Shipping and Handling
W. Watts & Sons Boat Builders: Canadian Designs for Work and Pleasure
1842-1946
By: Peter Watts and Tracy Marsh
In the very early 1840's the Watts family left Ireland to expand their boat building business in the rich Great Lakes region of Canada. Upon landing on Toronto Island in 1842, they began to make their mark on Canada’s marine heritage.
The resulting success of Watts boat building and business prowess, left us with a story of one of Canada’s most prolific and influential boat building families.
The families triumphs and challenges will surely entertain any reader. Throughout the text, the author’s recount fascinating experiences through the eyes of some who were there, personal accounts and historical documents. Spectacular photographs compliment the text, many from private collections which have never been published. Marine enthusiasts will delight in the publication of several plans for Watts built boats, from life boats to mackinaws.
W. Watts & Sons Boat Builders will provide hours of reading entertainment and a valuable historical resource for the historian and researcher.
Published by Mackinaw Productions, Copyright 1997. 208 pgs.
Cost: $20.00 + Shipping and Handling
Beautiful Joe: The Autobiography of a Dog
By Marshall Saunders
In 1892, in the town of Meaford Ontario, Margaret Marshall Saunders was introduced to Beautiful Joe - a mongrel dog that had been cruelly mutilated by its owner. The author was inspired to write this true story to emphasize the plight of domestic animals everywhere. Upon publication, Beautiful Joe quickly became a Canadians Classic, enchanting readers of all ages.
Although Marshall Saunders relocated the story to a fictional town in Maine, readers know the story is actually based in Meaford, where a park and a monument have been dedicated to the dog's memory and other working dogs. The park, and this commemorative version of the book, are overseen by the Beautiful Joe Heritage Society. The cover shot was taken in the park of the monument to Beautiful Joe which was sculpted by local artist Gunter Neumann.
Sales from the book are a fundraiser for the Museum and the Society.
Published By the Beautiful Joe Heritage Society, Copyright 2007/1895. 255 pgs. Softcover
Cost: $20.00 + Shipping and handling
Beautiful Joe's Paradise: A Sequel to Beautiful Joe
By Marshall Saunders
In 1902, Margaret Marshal Saunders, Canada’s first million-selling author, published a sequel to her award winning novel, Beautiful Joe. Describing a world where animals find themselves after death, Beautiful Joe’s Paradise chronicles the afterlife of many of the animals introduced in her earlier books. Known also as “The Island of Brotherly Love” this paradise is a magical place without human beings where animals, domestic and wild, live in harmony - they are able to speak their thoughts, food is abundant and earthly injuries disappear.
This edition commemorates the 100th anniversary of the original publication of Beautiful Joe’s Paradise and includes a foreword about the author and the original preface of the story by the author.
Published by the Ginger Press Ltd., Copyright 1902. 365 pgs. Softcover.
Cost: $20.00 + shipping and handling
Beautiful Joe’s Activity Book
This wonderful children’s colouring book tells the story of Beautiful Joe and provides safety hints for dog handlers and many wonderful activity pages for children of all ages.
Cost: $2.00 + Shipping and handling
Call of the Eagle
This wonderful children's novel was written by local resident Phyliss Brebner.
Following the construction of the Alaska Highway during World War II - the miracle road that was forged in nine months and six days through 1500 miles of rugged country as an overland connecting link to Alaska - the Peace River County became the home of many pioneers, prospectors and explorers for natural gas and oil.
The Call of the Eagle is the story of one such family, Sam and Mary Rhodes, who live on a horse ranch near Fort St. John with their children Jennie and David or Dusty as he is called. Dusty has a great love for horses which is hared by his special friend, a Native boy, whom they fondly call "Tote". Together these two teenagers share many adventures.
Soft cover novel, copyright 1991, 210 pgs.
Cost: $5.00 + Shipping and handling
Under Sydenham Skies
Under Sydenham Skies links the past and the present by tracing the formation of the Niagara Escapement, early explorations of the Great Lakes region, and the “surrender” of Native lands to English, Irish, and Scottish newcomers - events that shaped the character of the Queen’s Valley and its residents. Baines profiles three generations of the McArthur family, who first settled the land and built the old stone farmhouse near Owen Sound Ontario in 1876. She recreates the history of Bognor and Sydenham Township, detailing the customs and personalities that give the area its unique flavor.
Under Sydenham Skies tells the story of an old house, lovingly restored. Baines captures the mysterious quiet of the countryside at night in deep winter and the satisfaction of harvesting summer hay. The book features house layouts and garden plans, farm recipes, carpentry secrets and local lore.
Large soft cover, copyright 2001, 224 pgs.
Cost: $15.00 + Shipping and handling
A History of the Schools of St. Vincent Township and Other Chronicles
This delightful volume of history was written by the Elementary Teachers of St. Vincent Township as a Centennial project and was edited by Vina Ufland. It chronicles the history of the one room school houses of St. Vincent Township and tells many of the stories surrounding these places of learning. It also includes a section on local Women's Institutes, Local Century Farms, the Churches of St. Vincent, a list of those who served in the war, and "This and That". Included with the volume is a detailed index produced by Museum Volunteers which allows you to locate individuals and locations with ease.
Small hardcover, copyright 1967, 258 pgs.
St. Vincent: A Beautiful Land
By the St. Vincent Heritage Association
This beautiful book is a treasure trove of history, stories and memories. Written in order that “When our inquisitive children search for information about this Township, they will find this book, learn about their heritage, and recognize that St. Vincent is still - we hope - A beautiful Land.” a large amount of love and research went into this book.
The index is wonderful and makes it a great research tool for anyone looking into the area.
Published By Conestoga Press, Copyright 2004. 432 pgs. Hardcover.
Cost: $49.99 + shipping and handling
Miscellaneous
1864 Map of Meaford and St. Vincent Township
This map was originally the property of Cyrus R. Sing Esq. but was included in the Sing Collection when the museum was founded. It is a wonderfully detailed look at the area over 100 years ago. For those interested in John Muir you can also find Trout Hollow on this beautiful reproduction map.
Original Size: 9.5" x 11.5".
Cost: $3.00 each & Shipping and Handling
Meaford Postcards
a) Paul’s Hotel Mural
b) Meaford Museum prior to the renovations
c) Meaford Harbour (group)
d) Meaford Harbour
Cost: $.50 each + Shipping and Handling
John
Muir Quarter
This 2005 US commemorative quarter featuring the image of John Muir posed against Yosemite's Half Dome, with a California condor in flight overhead. and the ‘heads’ side of the bearing the likeness of George Washington, the nation's first president is an interesting item to commemorate your time at the Meaford Museum or to add to your John Muir collection.
Mr. Muir spent 4 years in Meaford and his time here is said to have inspired his love of the environment and conservation.
Each coin is brand new and is in a coin protector.
Cost: $1.00 + Shipping and handling
How to Order
To order please download and fill out the form below, print it, then either mail, fax or e-mail us your order. We will contact you with the total cost and will ship out the item as soon a payment is received.
Please Note:
The Meaford Museum accepts VISA/MASTERCARD and Debit.
