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Gilberts: Rural school fairs were an annual affair

I recently was able to borrow a facsimile of a brochure which shows the prize list for the 1935 Rural School Fair in Thamesville.

I recently was able to borrow a facsimile of a brochure which shows the prize list for the 1935 Rural School Fair in Thamesville.

Thanks to Chris Crawford, who oversees the exhibits at the Old Town Hall Museum in Thamesville, for this loan. I also want to thank Jim for helping me write this column.

Gilberts: Rural school fairs were an annual affair Back to video

We first did some research about rural school fairs. They began in Ontario about 1912 and by 1928, there were 560 around the province. They were supported by the Agriculture Ministry, which helped develop the criteria and provided support for the prizes.

Once the Depression hit, the ministry withdrew its financial support and the T. Eaton Co., which also had been providing prizes, etc., took over. At that time, the number of schools declined, but several continued annual fairs for two or........

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