Low Down Articles
GVHS Related
Article 26 of 49
This article first appeared in the August 7, 2013 issue of the The Low Down to Hull and Back News.
Reprinted with permission. Search complete list of Low Down Articles.
o o o
Historical Hills auction 'jewel' turns 50
By Lucy Scholey
A worn-out kettle, a dustedoff painting and your grandmother's dress - a look back at old photos from past Gatineau Valley Historical Society (GVHS) auctions reveals this: the haircuts have changed, but the items up for bidding have not.
"An antique is an antique," said Carol Martin, former GVHS president, an organizer of this year's event and an attendee of almost every single auction since it began 50 years ago
While this year marks a big milestone for the popular event, organizers say they're not planning anything different for Aug. 17 - it will just be a straight-up country auction with a flea market, bake sale and neighbours making bids either from their lawn chairs or just standing around.
Still, it's worth noting that the event has made it to 50 years. After all, it's the sole fundraiser for the GVHS, whose volunteers work to preserve the history of the Gatineau Hills.
"Anything that survives in the Gatineau Hills for 50 years, especially in Chelsea, deserves some recognition," said RJ Hughes, the GVHS auction coordinator and a graduate of the Worldwide College of Auctioneering in Iowa.
He calls the GVHS a Hills "jewel," among the longstanding Gatineau River Yacht Club and the Larrimac Golf Club.
Last year, the GVHS celebrated its 50th anniversary as an organization, with monthly historical presentations and events, but this year, it's all about auction's 50th.
It began at the old, then-unused town hall building, which was beside what is now Chelsea Pub. It has since moved to the Old Chelsea Community Centre, Chelsea Elementary School, St. Stephen's Church grounds and, just last year, Hendrick Farm.
Auctioneers have included former president Arthur Davison, Edgar Mulligan, Col. E.T. Munro, Bev Street, Michel "Hoss" Bertrand, Gerry Lepage and, since 2006, Revel Stewart.
Last year's auction was its biggest yet, with about 200 people in attendance. It raised $8,806 (netting $5,857), which goes towards publishing GVHS documents and buying materials for the archives.
Apart from the timeless antiques and collectibles, there have been some peculiar items auctioned off. Davison had a crowd bidding on a jar of marbles one year.
A wooden washing machine, tin bathtub, 100-year-old gun case and a buffalo robe have also made the auction list.
Another year, Martin took home an old-fashioned iron bed she thought her daughter would love. She didn't love it. So it stayed in Martin's attic for about 20 years until she finally brought it back to the GVHS auction in 2000. She said it sold for the same price she bought it for.
Part of the auction's purpose is to generate awareness of the GVHS. Every year, they sell a couple of memberships and are now at 300 members.
But for many, it's just about getting together with neighbours.
Though it will not be a bigger to-do than normal this year, maybe some people will reflect on the auction's longstanding tradition in the Hills.
"I just keep thinking of the 50 organizers before me," said Hughes. "And the 50 coming after."
The GVHS auction will be Aug. 17 at Hendrick Farm on Chelbrook Road (off Old Chelsea Road) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
If you have antiques or collectibles worth donating, bring them to the farm Aug. 16, between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. There will also be a preliminary viewing of these items that same day from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and right before the auction from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
For more information, visit www.gvhs.ca.