ANTIQUE ASSOCIATION
2890 Tullochgorum Road, Ormstown, Quebec, Canada J0S 1G0
About 40 miles to the southwest of the city of Montreal, Quebec,
nestled between the St. Lawrence River and the upper New York state
border, lies the Chateauguay Valley, a rural area with agricultural
roots, and a healthy population of antique enthusiasts.
It’s not at all surprising, given the above mentioned
ingredients (farmers, farmland and antique buffs), that the
Chateauguay Valley Antique Association was formed in May of 1986,
with its membership growing quickly to include over 80 members. On
the 27th and 28th of August 1988, the club held its Third Annual
Exhibition.
The show is held at the farm of the late Leslie Rennie, located
barely ? mile from the U.S. border at Rock-burn, Quebec. The
first-time visitor will quickly recognize that the setting is
something special. Over the course of his lifetime, Leslie Rennie
amassed a most extraordinary private collection of antiques,
memorabilia and historic buildings. While his collection was sold
at auction in 1986, the historic buildings, including a turn of the
century general store, Rockburn’s first church and log
homestead, and the century old farmhouse still remain on site
beneath the shade of towering sugar maples.
Although small by some show standards, the C.V.A.A.’s show
offered something for everyone. The old general store housed a
variety of exhibits, from toy tractor collections and antique
household items, to a vintage firearms display. Black’s Church
rang with the sounds of 30 antique music machines, all impeccably
presented.
Outdoor exhibits included a wide variety of working gas engines
nicely restored and original tractors, antique fire fighting
apparatus and classic cars. Some of the favorites over the weekend
included a ? scale working model Case steam engine, a
Rider-Ericsson hot air engine, and a very special working scale
model of a 1939 John Deere AR. Live demonstrations throughout the
weekend gave visitors a chance to see threshing mills in action, a
working shingle mill, hay press, forge, stone crusher, and an
antique printing press to mention a few. Over the weekend, butter
was churned, competitors tried their luck on the tractor tilt, and
the beginning of a log cabin took shape on the grounds.
Visitors enjoyed an expanded flea market this year, as well as a
Saturday night dance (and thunderstorm), Sunday morning church
service and hearty breakfast served up by the club’s
canteen.
As the weekend drew to a close, judges endeavoured to make their
choices for the best in each class. No easy task considering the
time and care exhibitors put into their collections. Some notable
winners in the restored classes included Normand Emond’s 1923
REO Speed wagon; in tractors, Jim McGerrigle’s 1940 Model D
Case; in gas engines, Doug Lang’s 4 HP New Holland. This year,
the Association introduced a new annual award, the Leslie Rennie
Memorial trophy, given to the best overall display, as decided
jointly by the directors of each category. The club felt this would
be a fitting tribute to the spirit of collecting the late Leslie
Rennie inspired in so many people. The trophy was awarded by
Winston Rennie, a nephew, who now resides at the farm, to Bill
Barrington and his family.
The Barringtons’ exhibit included everything from their 1923
and ’46 Chevy trucks and Massey Harris Pony tractor, to a hand
operated washing machine, garden implements, gas engines, and cream
separators, all immaculately preserved and restored.
The members of the C.V.A.A. have been very excited about the
show’s success. The dates have already been set for next
year’s exhibition, to be held the 26th and 27th of August. Plan
to join us! With the energy, enthusiasm and new ideas of club
members, exhibitors and volunteers from throughout the community,
we hope that the Chateauguay Valley Antique Association’s
Annual Exhibition will be a part of Valley life for a long time to
come.
For more information about the ’89 show, call Jim Maither at
(514) 264-5615, or Doug Lang at (514) 829-2057.
