Meeting Elizabeth Milner, 150th Anniversary Of The Hillary House

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Mon, 21 May 2012 03:14:47 +0000

I did not have the name and I did not have the close up picture. I had a story and I knew that someone will put it all together. Family, friends and neighbors commented on the last post identifying the barn guide as the young remarkable 13 year boy, Geoffrey Sharp.

I just want to acknowledge his efforts again and how wonderful it was to see all the support and encouragement he received from his family and friends.

Hillary House

The visit to the Hillary house wasn’t just seeing the Hillary House after all. By the end of the day I looked back – it was all about the people and the Hillary House made it happen – interesting phenomena that worked.

Elizabeth Milner Signing My Book

That day I came to the Hillary House to meet Elizabeth Milner for the first time. She didn’t know I was coming and I didn’t know if I will be there. When I finally arrived, I brought my own copy of Elizabeth’s book Aurora 1945-1965 An Ontario Town at a Time of Great Change to be signed. After all it was through her book we connected and have been corresponding since last year September.

What can I tell you about her? We all know that Elizabeth is a historian, teacher and writer but do we know that she is also a very friendly, funny, charming and charismatic lady. Yes I do know now and I am telling you that she is.

I wish that all my past history teachers were like that as I wouldn’t have any difficulty with all the dates, events and leaders memorization. There is a lot to learn when comes to European history so may be that is why the European system had us to learn history right from grade four in elementary school.

Elizabeth Milner with David Heard

As you can see I wasn’t the only one meeting Elizabeth for the first time. David Heard met Elizabeth for the first time that day and I over heard that he read her book ONLY four times.

Musician Performing At Hillary House

Looking at the picture of the musician performing that day at the Hillary House it only make sense to share with you an important musical history event Elizabeth shared with me via email.

She wrote: ‘The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto is celebrating its 125th anniversary. Louise McDowell, actually Sara Louise McDowell, who lived in Aurora at various times, and was related distantly to the Willis family, was taught piano by Edward Fisher the founder of the Conservatory. She was one of the first students at the Conservatory which opened in Septenber of 1887.

In her last years she lived on Reuben Street on the north east corner of Temperance Street. I wrote about her in Aurora 1945-1965 on pages 31 to 34. I called her Aunt Louie, but she wasn’t actually my aunt. She died at 93 in 1965 and is buried in Aurora Cemetery.‘

This is only an excerpt from Elizabeth’s book about Louise McDowell, who was a musician, teacher and writer as well. Yes Louise McDowell also wrote a book, Past and Present: A Canadian Musician’s Reminiscences, potentially the next book on my list to read.

Hillary House

Speaking of writing books, Elizabeth Milner is working on the second book consisting of stories about Aurora during the same period 1945-1965, and in the near future it will be great addition to my Aurora books collection. A collection of two books only – second being AURORA A History in Pictures by W. John McIntyre.

John McIntyre Talking To Elizabeth Milner

The Boy Guide At The Barn, 150th Anniversary Of The Hillary House

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 17 May 2012 02:45:17 +0000

150 years of the Hillary House. My Matthew probably would say ‘that is too much years‘ as he did say the same last week to his grandfather who was celebrating his 75th birthday.

The Barn, 150th Anniversary of the Hillary House, Aurora

Last weekend it was my first and very first visit inside the Hillary House. However, I did step on the side porch before for the photo shoot during my brother’s in-law wedding – I was part of the bridal party.

Oh and of course I was in the front of the barn as well when they made us do silly things for the video – not too silly but never again especially on the historical grounds. So I do have a small personal connection here.

The Barn, 150th Anniversary of the Hillary House, Aurora

I really enjoyed the inside visit and I took few pictures, but I also enjoyed the barn on the back of the property. When I came closer there was a young guide who was telling interesting facts about the barn.

I will take a guess, the guide was 11 or 13 years old boy. He knew his stuff very well and when he did not he proudly took his notes to get the information. I was impressed so were the others.

The Barn, 150th Anniversary of the Hillary House, Aurora

When I was taking pictures, he was also approached by the older man who asked him what can he tell him about the place. Judging the man, and that is my observation only, he asked boy questions and probably did not anticipate anything interesting. When the boy finished, the man nodded his head and smiled at him.

The boy may never remember this incident, but I will.

The Barn, 150th Anniversary of the Hillary House, Aurora

It was really nice to see the young generation volunteering their time for the 150th Anniversary of the Hillary House event. I almost was disappointed when minutes before I encountered two or three boys running around the Hillary House.

I just had this terrible picture in my mind them knocking down something valuable. On the contrary, I was glad to see a young boy doing something right.

The Barn - Inside, 150th Anniversary of the Hillary House, Aurora

Nothing unusual when I looked inside the barn as I did see many barns before. However, just that one thing hanging on the wall looking like a bat got me interested – not sure what it is? A big chain hanging on the side wall and some barn tools were inside as well.

I didn’t find lucky horseshoe anywhere. May be there wasn’t one?

The Barn - Inside, 150th Anniversary of the Hillary House, Aurora

And if I heard the boy correctly, the grounds keeper slept or lived in the barn. I usually have difficulty listening and taking pictures at the same time – may be one day there will be a voice recording option for my camera.

The Barn - Inside, 150th Anniversary of the Hillary House, Aurora

Around The Barn, 150th Anniversary of the Hillary House, Aurora

I am glad that I was able to sneak out that day to visit the Hillary House. I definitely will be back for more photos. However, my intention for the visit that day was to meet someone, and I will tell you in the next post who that mystery person was.

Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Geoffrey Sharp

Meeting Elizabeth Milner, 150th Anniversary Of The Hillary House

The Boy Guide At The Barn, 150th Anniversary Of The Hillary House