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A metal and wooden sickle. Similar to a scythe, a sickle is a hand held tool for agricultural use, specifically used to cut things like grass or hay.

Scows leaving to cut hay on the marsh.

One pair of marsh clippers. These clippers were used for cutting lettuce on the Holland Marsh during the 1930s. Part of a donation by Tom Fuller Jr. that consists of items used in agriculture on the Holland Marsh.

Photograph of the Holland River Bridge in 1920. The boat in the centre of the photograph are the hay-cutters of the Holland Marsh on the boat they would use to transport their daily work. This was prior to the marsh's drainage. Horses were transported up-river to work on the Marsh wearing wooden shoes. In the photograph, there are men fishing off the bridge, and on the right side (west of the bridge) you can see the water tower which trains used to fill up their water supply.

Summary of an interview with Dave Bateman on July 21, 1996. He is interviewed by George Jackson. Ed Jones is also present. Eldon talks about marsh hay harvesting in the 1920s and 1930s. He later talks about his farm in the 1940s baling hay and selling ropes. See the Related Descriptions below for the audio.

Audio of an interview with Dave Bateman on July 21, 1996. He is interviewed by George Jackson. Ed Jones is also present. Eldon talks about marsh hay harvesting in the 1920s and 1930s. He later talks about his farm in the 1940s baling hay and selling ropes. See the Related Descriptions below for the summary.

Summary of Gord Church's first interview on January 28, 1995. He and George Jackson discuss the harvesting and use of Marsh Hay. See the Related Descriptions below for audio.

Contains news clippings and articles on various businesses of Bradford West Gwillimbury

The structure located at 98 John St. East was the home of the Collings family years ago. The large, two-storey, frame and stucco-clad house has a long shed at the back that was once used for automobile storage (and later as a utilities room). Before World War II, there was a small building used for repairs and a blacksmith shop located east of the house. Along the lane fence at the south end of the property was a large, one-storey building used for storing marsh hay. South of the main house was a cement sidewalk that led to Holland Street. There was a garden (and later, grass) on each side of the house. Originally, the family owned a horse stable located at 100 John St. East.
Bill Peters and his wife were housekeepers for Ernie Collings Sr. when he lived here around 1907. Ernie owned marshland on the west side of the Holland River at the 10th Line. Years later the house was bought by James Armstrong and his wife Jane (Saint). Jim was a marsh hay worker and he owned land above the 10th Line on the west side of the river. Jim was an implement sales man on Holland Street (around the time of WWII) after marsh haying was finished. He also ran a garage at 11 Holland St East with Fred Gregory after Dennis Nolan closed his garage. Jim and Jane raised their daughters in this house. Daughter Shirley and her husband Bill Watson remained in the house after Jim and Jane died, but it was eventually sold. (1, 2)