From the Townships Sun‘s Archives ― Mystery Photos & Exhibit
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The Townships Sun is asking help from history buffs to discover the who, what, when, and where of historical photos unearthed in the magazine’s photo archives. To do this, archivist John Mackley is launching a series of Photo Detective Challenges around the Townships, plus an exhibit of 31 photos at the Lennoxville Library.
Over the past 50 years, the Townships Sun has published many historical articles and photos. Buried in its files were more than 1000 photos, plus many negatives and some art images. Mackley is putting them in order and conserving them.
Photo Detectives
“In the Challenges, we’re spreading about 35 photos out on tables, and asking community members to help identify the images,” Mackley said. “We’ll select the most mysterious photos from the archives. Some are of people from the past; others are of places and buildings we’re having trouble identifying.”
The first Challenge is at the Bury Municipal Library this Saturday, January 25, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. The second is planned for Knowlton, at the Lac-Brome Museum, on Saturday, February 1st, from 10:30 to noon. Then on to the Lennoxville Library on Thursday, February 6, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
On Thursday, February 13, at 1:30 to 3 p.m., photo detectives at the Wales Home in Cleveland will have an opportunity to participate. The Challenge goes to the Haskell Library in Stanstead on Saturday, February 15, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and finally to Grace Village in Huntingville on Wednesday, February 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. All these events are free.
Exhibit of Historical Photos
Concurrently, an exhibit of 31 photos, also selected from the Townships Sun’s archives, is at the Lennoxville Library. “This selection of images gives a glimpse into the lives of the Townships Sun and the people it has featured over the years,” said Mackley.
A few “mystery” photos are part of the exhibit, but most of them have intriguing backstories that Mackley and Rachel Garber researched with the help of Jazmine Aldrich, the Eastern Townships Resource Centre’s head archivist. Each photo has its story displayed alongside it.
One fun photo shows firemen riding in what seems to be a cycle-powered bed on four wheels – a clever play on the word “Bedford,” a “bed Ford.” On its side is written “POMPIERS ― STANBRIDGE STATION, BEDFORD,” and the balloons clearly indicate their bid for attention. On the back of the 1982 photo by “Skippy” is written, “Farnham Road. Firemen of Stanbridge Stn parading to Bedford Fair – representing antipollution in the area.”
“Does anyone know who ‘Skippy’ is?” asked Mackley. “If so, please contact me at [email protected] or 819-578-2301.”
The vernissage is planned for February 6 at 5 p.m., and the exhibit, alternating photos, continues to April 3, 2025.
The exhibit is part of a project supported by the Townshippers’ Research and Cultural Foundation (TRCF), thanks to a bequest from Mrs. Lorraine Lebar for history-related projects.
