Collections

Ross House

Exterior view of museum

Experience the enchanting world of the Ross Museum as you embark on a captivating journey through time. Unearth the fascinating tales of the Ross family and the rich legacy they left behind in the Whitewater Region. With something to attract visitors of all ages, the Ross Museum invites you to transport your family back in time and create cherished memories that will endure for a lifetime. Immerse yourself in the past, embrace the present, and let your imagination soar at the remarkable Ross Museum.

Exhibit Hall

The former Ross Township Fire Hall in Foresters Falls, now the museum’s Exhibit Hall, displays several theme-based collections. Artifacts generously donated by local members and former residents of the area are arranged for easy viewing. Journey back in time to the general store, schoolroom, barber shop, millinery and sewing sections, military and photo history displays.

  • General Store
  • School Room
  • Barber Shop
  • Railroad display
  • Millinery
  • Wartime Memorabilia

 

St. Aidan’s Church

By 1869 Foresters Falls was an outstation of the mission of Beachburg. In 1891 a church dedicated to St. Aidan was built on the 15th concession, 3rd line in Alice Township. By 1909 most of the congregation in that area had moved away.

On September 29, 1909, William S. Coleman and his wife Margaret of Foresters Falls, seeing the need of an Anglican Church in the village, deeded a parcel of land to the Diocese of Ottawa. The Church of St. Aidan in Alice Township was carefully cut into sections and moved the 25 miles to Foresters Falls. A petition was sent to the Rt. Rev. Charles Hamilton, Archbishop of the Diocese of Ottawa and on October 8, 1909, the church was consecrated for public worship.

Over time, extensive renovations were made and the church was bricked. Wardens at the time were W. S. Coleman and Peter Danlin. Over the years three generations of the Coleman served as Church Wardens.

Volunteers have restored this local landmark to it’s former beauty as a sanctuary. We now have a space where meetings and or special events can be held. The church displays many of the original artifacts.

The Drive Shed

The drive shed houses the implements of the past. An early walking plow, farming tools, logging equipment and a photo logging exhibit are a few of the featured areas of interest in the drive shed.

  • Farm
  • Blacksmith
  • Logging

Snow Roller
This rare and interesting antique snow packing equipment probably dates somewhere between 1880 and 1930. The earliest rollers, ca. 1800s, were constructed of a solid log fitted with an axle which enabled it to turn. Later rollers, like the one at the Ross Museum, were constructed of two drums or barrels, generally made of oak staves with metal or wooden wheels at either end. The diameter of the drums varied in size but the rollers were usually,  not always, 12’ wide.  A driver seat was mounted above the rollers. A long pole connected the roller to a team of horses. The largest rollers would be pulled by four teams of horses. Working after dark, with lanterns, in the bitter cold prompted the son of one farmer to recall “Never was there invented a colder and more miserable job than driving a team while sitting on top of the roller exposed to wind, snow and cold.”

The invention of snow rollers ended the isolation of rural communities in winter. Rollers packed the snow in place so wagons, carriages, and buggies could slide on runners over the snow. With the advent of motorized vehicles, improved roads, and the snow plough around 1927 snow rollers started to disappear. For a while they worked alongside mechanized snow ploughs which were not always popular as they left snow drifts in front of the store fronts. In time the rollers were stripped of their good oak staves and the metal was used to support the WW11 metal salvaging program.

The result is that these artifacts are rare. Restoration is by conjecture and from old photos as there are no original builders left. There are a few museums in the US, in Vermont, New Hampshire and New York State. In Canada the record seems to be confined to books and picture post cards. This makes the Ross Museum Roller a very interesting item but it badly needs a shelter.  Please support this exciting project.

Information courtesy of Burlington Free Press History Space:The snow rollers of Peacham, and Mt.Washington Valley Vibe Feb12 2019  White Mountain Snow Rollers – Mt Washington Valley Vibe (mwvvibe.com)

Snowroller Ross Museum

History of the Township of Ross

I embarked upon the task of crafting a history that would captivate and inform the people of our municipality. I strived to make it as accurate and engaging as possible, drawing upon the invaluable assistance and information provided by numerous individuals within the Township and beyond. To these individuals, I extend my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation. Additionally, I received valuable histories and accounts from various sources pertaining to our Township, for which I am sincerely thankful and truly honored.   It is my sincere hope that it both stimulates your interest and provides you with an informative and reasonably accurate account. Undertaking this endeavor has been nothing short of monumental, and I trust that it has fulfilled its purpose.

Herbert L. Ross
Clerk-Treasurer, 1952-1972