Printed copies of our newsletters are available upon request. The following are excerpts from recent issues. Newsletters are printed three times a year with deadlines for submissions January 21, May 21, and September 21.

From the Fall 2008 edition of the CIHC newsletter:

My Cockshutt Connection

By Rob Adlam

A Brantford Boy

I was born and raised in Brantford, Ontario and my family has had its roots there going back 5 generations. While I now live just a half an hour outside of Brantford, in Brant County, I still work in Brantford and travel there every day.

I have had a keen interest in history from the time that a teacher in the seventh grade first introduced me to the subject and I have been hooked ever since. In the following years I made the effort to discover for myself the incredibly rich social and industrial history of my hometown. It is an odd thing really; that while Brantford has this heritage that is the envy of any other region in Canada, it is one of its best kept secrets. That is why I had to do my own digging to begin to uncover some of these incredible stories that are not actively promoted. Growing up in Brantford was a funny thing; while there were only hints of our great past, no one seemed to talk about them or even acknowledge it for that matter.

I attended the International Plowing Match when Brant County hosted it a number of years ago and I remember seeing a display of walking plows. One of the plows had the name Cockshutt on it and I thought, "I’ve heard of that name before" but there was no significance to it for me at the time, and sadly my experience is not unique. As a kid I can remember being driven past the Massey Ferguson combine plant and seeing the field attached to the rail line being a solid sea of red combines ready for shipment. During the 1980’s when both Massey Ferguson and White Farm Equipment went into bankruptcy and so many people lost their jobs, there was a general desire to bury all the memories and accomplishments of the past that were now too painful to think about. Over 100 years of farm implement production in Brantford (combined between the Massey and Cockshutt companies) had now come to a bitter end. These events devastated Brantford and plunged it into an economic depression that took over 20 years to come out of. It wasn’t until the Cockshutt Homecoming event in 2000 that a serious attempt at rediscovering our industrial heritage and reclaiming our bragging rights was put into motion so that present and future generations would have a better appreciation for their heritage.

The First World War

It was during the time of this conflict that permission was received from the Canadian government authorizing the formation of local battalion made up of volunteers from Brant County on October 31, 1915. It would be known as the 125
th (Brant) Battalion. In order to bring the 125th into existence it took the political influence of W.F. Cockshutt, the Member of Parliament for Brant and Bill Cockshutt’s grandfather, to lobby the Minister of Militia in order to obtain permission to organize and recruit soldiers. For his efforts and continued support W.F. Cockshutt was appointed to the rank of Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the 125th Battalion. The battalion was organized into A, B, C, and D Companies and the Company Commander of "C" Company was Major Ashton Cockshutt (W.F. Cockshutt’s son and father of Bill Cockshutt). My great grandfather, also named Robert Adlam, enlisted in the 125th Battalion and fought in Europe. I am not sure what battalion company he was assigned to. Further research into his service record could prove interesting if it turns out to be "C" Company or not. Today, I proudly have his medal and a uniform badge from the 125th that were given to me by my grandmother as a reminder of this heritage.

The Glenhyrst Estate

Perhaps one of the lesser-known sons of Ignatius Cockshutt was his fifth son Edmund Lister Cockshutt (1861 – 1956). Although he was a director and minor shareholder in the Cockshutt Plow Company, his overall involvement was much more limited than that of his father and brothers. Edmund Cockshutt’s interests were strongly rooted in the arts, travel, horticulture and social philanthropy (a Cockshutt family tradition).

In 1914 he purchased 16 acres of land overlooking the Grand River in Brantford from the Stratford family. The name

Edmund Cockshutt hired the architect F.C. Bodley to design his home in 1922. Many of Bodley’s designs can still be seen around Brantford today as he worked on several public buildings in the area. I, myself attended F.C. Bodley Public School in Brantford as a child, which was named as a memorial to the famed architect. Not wanting to keep the beauty of his home or gardens secluded to himself, Mr. Cockshutt delighted in sharing them with the public. Whether it was attending an outdoor play held on the grounds or showing his private art collection Edmund Cockshutt intended that Glenhyrst should be accessible to everyone. During his life a sign on the main entrance gate read "Visitors Welcome".

He had many publically known acts of generosity. Brantford needed a treatment centre for tuberculosis and opened the Brant Sanatorium in 1913 in a facility that Edmund Cockshutt funded substantially and donated the 5 acres of land where it was located. He also helped found and/or support social organizations such as the Social Service League and the YMCA. His most enduring legacy came following his death in 1956 at the age of 95. In his will he donated his beloved home and gardens to the City of Brantford to be used as an arts centre.

During his lifetime; however, Edmund Cockshutt employed a staff at Glenhyrst to assist him with the large task of maintaining his estate. This staff consisted of a maid, butler, chauffeur and a succession of gardeners. The last gardener to work for Edmund Cockshutt was my great-great uncle, Bob Force. Uncle Bob was a farmer from Saskatchewan who came to Brantford and spent many years working and living at Glenhyrst, though his skills as a horticulturalist were also in demand from other organizations.

Although all of these accounts happened before I was born, I will attempt to paint a picture for you of life at Glenhyrst as recounted by my parents who spent a good deal of time there during Uncle Bob’s tenure, as well as the personal account of my uncle Don Rogelstad who worked as Uncle Bob’s assistant for 3 summers in the early 1950’s. Don had the opportunity to meet Edmund Cockshutt when he was introduced to him by the butler and his wife.

All of the staff had their own living quarters either in the Main House or somewhere else on the grounds. Uncle Bob and Aunt Clara lived in the small Gardener’s Cottage near the main gate. It had no plumbing and was heated by an oil stove in the middle of the living room. This building is preserved today and has served as a restaurant in the past, but is now part of the art gallery. The other building still in existence is the Coach House where Mr. Cockshutt’s two cars were kept; a 1941 Dodge Coupe and a 1952 Chrysler.

Growing up under his father Ignatius’ example, Edmund Cockshutt learned the finer points of running a sound financial ship. Suffice it to say, he learned it very well. While he was a generous public benefactor, things around Glenhyrst were funded on a tight budget. As I mentioned earlier the Gardener’s Cottage had no plumbing because it wasn’t considered necessary by the landlord. This prudent financial policy is also the source of a humorous story that I can remember being told in my family from the time of my childhood. Uncle Bob had the use of an old pickup truck for his work on the grounds. This truck was, in Bob’s opinion, in bad repair but he wasn’t allowed to spend any money on it. He came up with a plan as to convince Edmund to replace the truck. He drove the truck up to the Main House and loosed the carburetor off of the manifold and then brought Edmund out to look at it. When he tried to start it there was so much smoke and back firing that it alarmed Edmund so much that he told Uncle Bob, "Robert, you go downtown and get a new truck". Pleased with his success so far, Bob tried to press the issue a little further and asked if the new truck could have a heater so he could transport plants in the winter. Edmund said he could have that option included. Risking one more venture, Bob asked if he could have a radio in it. The answer came back as a definite NO. There wasn’t even a radio allowed in the Main House! Regardless, Uncle Bob had a new truck the next day.

Since his living quarters didn’t have plumbing, Uncle Bob would, from time to time, have to move the outhouse that was used at the cottage. After he filled it in he would plant vegetables over the spot and they would grow quite well. He would take the vegetables up to the Main House where they really enjoyed them until the day came when it was found out where he got all those vegetables from and then they wouldn’t eat them anymore!

These amusing stories hearken back to a different time and give us a glimpse of an employer who was somewhat eccentric, and his employee who was some what of a character and their unique working relationship. In the end, their relationship did work and, through their combined efforts, Glenhyrst was a magnificent showpiece.

My parents, Bill and Selma Adlam, remember Glenhyrst as a peaceful place where the off-hours from work were spent visiting on the porch swing of the cottage. Inside the cottage; however, my father still laments his checker game losses over fifty years later, to Uncle Bob and my grandfather who were both very competitive players and would occasionally allow him to win only out of pity. In all, their memories of time spent there were of good times, fun and laughter.

As a final act of kindness and respect, the will of Edmund Cockshutt stated that although the estate was to be given to the City of Brantford, Uncle Bob was to be allowed to live in the Gardener’s Cottage at Glenhyrst for the rest of his life, which he did until his own death 13 years later. Today the site is named

Where I come into the picture
Glenhyrst is derived from one of the previous owner’s residences, Glenhyrst Lodge, which was located nearby. Due to the shortage of building materials that was a result of the First World War, Edmund could not construct his home immediately so his focus was turned to landscaping his new property. As a well known and gifted horticulturalist, he became the first commercial grower of hothouse tomatoes and mushrooms, maintaining his greenhouses at another location. In his lower gardens that were situated on a plateau near the river he grew exotic and experimental plants that were not native to Southern Ontario. He also planted Lindens and Jack Pines on the property and today the gardens are now classified as an arboretum with over 200 trees labelled for the public to enjoy. Many members of the ICCI will remember and appreciate the Glenhyrst grounds from the portion of the Cockshutt Homecoming Festival held there in 2000. Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant, fulfilling Edmund Cockshutt’s grand vision by offering art lessons, exhibitions and cultural events to several thousand visitors each year.

As for myself, my present day connection and ongoing involvement rests with my membership in two key organizations: the International Cockshutt Club and the Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre.

I originally joined the International Cockshutt Club due to my interest in Brantford history as well as having a love of the history of farm life. I have often thought that it would have been nice to have grown up on a farm. My mother’s family has a farming background, but my grandfather sold our family farm many years before I was born. Membership in the ICCI brought these two interests together for me nicely. In my personal collection, I have several old Cockshutt catalogues, ads, a Brantford Carriage Co. sleigh (made for the Cockshutt Plow Co.), and a 1962 Model 550 tractor (Serial # BR 1413) that I use around our 4 acre property. I also have a keen interest in the transportation division of the company (Brantford Coach & Body and Adams Wagon Co.) and have several brochures and ads relating to them as well. I would enjoy and appreciate hearing from anyone with similar stories or interests regarding these companies and their product lines.

I sit on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre and I am a charter member. It has been my privilege to be able to help coordinate and distribute our two DVD set series, "The Cockshutt Way" and "First in the Field", which have been widely accepted. I would like to thank everyone who has supported this project as we continue to raise funds for our goal of establishing a new heritage museum complex in Brantford. Through this venture we can adequately tell Brantford’s industrial stories to the world and raise the awareness level so that present and future generations will not be ignorant of their own heritage. I would encourage anyone to support and consider becoming personally involved in the CIHC and their great work. Your participation for its continuing success is vital! Be looking this fall for the introduction of single disc DVD sets taken from the larger sets that have been available to date and for a special 50th Anniversary re-release of the films covering the 500 Series tractors.

(An edited version of this article is found in the Fall 2008 edition of the CIHC newsletter. Due to space restrictions only a portion of the article is in the newsletter but the full article is printed here. Most of the stories relating to Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant will be printed in the next edition of the newsletter, Winter 2009.)

Back Issue...

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE OCT/NOV 2007

This year has been both good and bad. The CIHC has achieved some of its goals in its pursuit to accord the industrial heritage of Brantford and the County of Brant the recognition it deserves and which to date has been largely ignored or hidden. What have we achieved?

Thanks to the efforts of Rob Adlam an excellent DVD package has been produced featuring archival footage of the role of the Cockshutt Plow Co. as a major corporation and its contribution to agriculture. The sale of the DVDs will be a major source of funding for the CIHC. This has been a significant achievement and sincerest congratulations are extended to Rob for all of his work.

Thanks to Donna, the CIHC now has a business office, naturally in a heritage building. We have recently obtained a computer system (at no cost, courtesy of Brant FreeNet), and Jennifer Dunkerson has agreed to assist with the set up and operation of the office at 136 Dalhousie Street, Brantford.

Thanks largely to the efforts of Donna and Karen Richardson significant progress has been made towards developing the CIHC website and work is underway to create a virtual museum. Check out the site at www.canadianindustrialheritage.org.

On a less positive note, a major concern of the CIHC is the seeming lack of progress and commitment towards the goal of a major heritage complex. A thorough analysis of The Ribbon Through Time study by a proposed community task force has been delayed pending city council’s decisions regarding a museum sustainability plan being developed for the city museums by the Museums and Galleries Association. This plan might be ready by December or early 2008.

The struggle is not over and the CIHC remains committed to getting the recognition our industrial heritage so richly deserves.

Mike O’Byrne, President

Lights, Camera....Cockshutt!

By Rob Adlam

Home movies; many of us have them and some of us have even starred in them. Whether it is shots of the family picnic, Christmas at grandma’s house, high school graduation or summer vacation at the lake, these images remain fixed in time and help to define us for who we are. They also add perspective to the journeys we have taken and experienced in bringing us to the present day. In short, they help it all to “make sense”.

Corporations can be like extended families as well. They are made up of a large group of diverse individuals that have been brought together and share a common identity through their work association. The films, or home movies, that they produced that give us a glimpse back in time to their products, technology and people.

Due to the great response of the release of “The Cockshutt Way” DVD set in 2005 and the many requests for older footage, the Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre is pleased to announce the new companion series entitled “ First in the Field ”. This 5 disc set contains 6 hours of footage produced by the Ontario government and Cockshutt from 1922 to 1955.

In early 2006 research began to source out copies of original Cockshutt films, some of which were reported to be in storage in Brantford at the Brant Museum and Archives. Additional film copies were also discovered at the national archives (Library and Archives Canada) in Ottawa.

In particular, the films in Brantford were found to be in an advancing state of deterioration so the urgency to get them transferred to a digital format was all the more necessary. These films were taken to a lab where they were cleaned three times and backwards, as well as broken splices done many years ago were repaired. The skilled technicians did a wonderful job and the results make for great viewing of these one-of-a-kind films.

Being a person who responds well to visual presentations, I can see that this set can give each of us better personal insight into the company and the people behind it. For example, many of the plowing match films in Disc 1 feature Harry Cockshutt in his role as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Suffice it to say that the vast majority of us today never had the opportunity to meet this man. Our only source of information about him and his accomplishments can be found from articles and history books. Here in these films we can see him moving and interacting with others. This is very helpful in giving him a dimension of humanity, by lifting the man out of the official portraits and history books and placing him into everyday life and experiences. I don’t believe this experience would be possible any other way!

December 1st - CIHC Strategic Planning Session

Mark December 1st, 2007 on your calendar! We want as many members as possible to participate in our Strategic Planning Session on Saturday December 1st from 9 AM—1 PM at 136 Dalhousie Street, Brantford, ON. The Session will be facilitated by Leigh Sherry, President of LJS & Associates Consulting Inc. Leigh has many years experience working with not-for–profit clients and as a corporate trainer/business consultant. It is time for the CIHC to revisit our vision, mission and develop a new strategy for the future. Bring your ideas, your criticism and your solutions! Coffee and snacks will be provided.

Please RSVP Donna at 519-752-9858 to reserve your seat and ensure you have your say about the future of the CIHC. Or email donnastewart@sympatico.ca or dstewart@canadianindustrialheritage.org.

CIHC acquires Canadian Blue Bird Coach artefacts!

We were all saddened by the news that Canadian Blue Bird Coach Ltd. was closing it’s doors forever ending an 80 year success story of school bus production in Canada. It is only one of about 7 manufacturers to close in the city since 2005. As we watch our industrial heritage disappear before our eyes, we have made an effort to collect some important archives and artefacts from Blue Bird. Rob Adlam, whose father was the HR Manager there for 30 years, visited the plant and was given a number of items including the sign from the outside of the building that you would see as you passed by this landmark. Rob will be reporting on this new acquisition at our strategic planning session. All the more reason to continue our work to capture the INDUSTORY of our Canadian Industrial and local heritage.

Thank You! For Supporting the CIHC!

Thank You to Ilsa Kramer who along with Mike O’Byrne provided an excellent Historical Display about the local Mining industry at Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead last month. An excellent collection of artefacts and archives tell the story of the gypsum mining industry in Paris, ON.

Thanks also to those who assisted the CIHC with the Talking Cockshutt Display during Doors Open event in September. A special note of appreciation goes to the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead volunteers who made our visit so pleasant!