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Battlefield House Museum has a large number of very committed volunteers. Each carries with them a signature strength and personality. One thing they all have in common, is that they are great people with a love for preserving history.2
Voice of Hugo Van Zwol, a dedicated volunteer for over 20 years at Battlefield House Museum.2003
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For the moment, I am about 22 years volunteer in the Battlefield House. To come to the Battlefield House was also by accident. I was already a weaver and a spinner and was a member of the weaver's guild from Hamilton. We had an exhibition in Hamilton where I was in some demonstration. When I have a break, I look the other parts at what other people did. I saw a couple girls were demonstrating spinning but I had not a lot of interest in. When they ask me was I able to spin, I say "yes" and they ask me to try it. I sat down and spun for a while. Then the girls (I don't know the name at the moment), they ask me if I was interested to do some spinning for the Battlefield House. They gave me the address and the name and I should go there and talk about it. When I came in the Battlefield House I met the curator Ann Boyer. She let me in and we talk about it and she like to have me as the spinner and I like to do it. So from that point on, I am the spinner at the Battlefield House. However, how good spinner I was, I didn't know much about the history. Since that moment I started looking for history as far as possible. For the moment, I can say any questions about spinning and history, I can answer in the right way. Also for wool and textiles. In the beginning, I was just the spinning and there was no weaving loom. I don't know exactly the date, but we got a weaving loom from a lady that passed away. That weaving loom is still in use here and I am glad to have it here. I use it to make coverlets, floor coverings, etc. When I have some children with me, who come for the tour, how to do it, it is always thinking "how old are the children?", "how far can I go that they understand what I'm talking about?" I try to tell them how at home why there is spinning done. And how old it is. And how it was done in the very past. Also with the weaving. Many times, special now I get a little bit older, I was looking for a person who would take over from me in case it is necessary. Many times I taught spinning lessons to most of the volunteers in the Battlefield House. Some of them do quite well. Some of them never will learn (with a laugh).4
Hugo Van Zwol cards wool during an educational programme.1997
Battlefield House Museum
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Hugo Van Zwol shows a group of school children how to operate the spinning wheel.2000
Battlefield Park, Stoney Creek, Ontario
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Hugo Van Zwol (the man from the audio clip) demonstrates to a group of interested students the art of spinning. Hugo can spin and weave like no other. He recently finished weaving a rug whcih he had been working on for quite some time. He has been recognized provincially for his work as a volunteer. In 2002, he was also presented with the Queen's Jubilee Medal for his volunteerism. Hugo is 89 years of age.7
Hugo Van Zwol, master weaver and spinner, sharing his knowledge with staff and volunteers.2000
Battlefield House Museum
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Hugo assists many staff and volunteers in learning how to spin and weave.9
Junior Volunteers at Battlefield House Museum.2001
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Here are three of Battlefield House Museum's younger volunteers. They are known as junior volunteers at the museum. As a junior volunteer, young people learn about the past, go on trips to other historic sites (such as Fort Erie), perform plays at the local United Church, and most importantly HAVE FUN!11
A volunteer spinning at Battlefield House Museum.2001
Battlefield House Museum
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Volunteer Carol Taylor serves Houseguard member Rick Peterson a drink in the Keeping Room.2001
Battlefield House Museum
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Volunteer Pat Mewse talks about why she enjoys being a volunteer at Battlefield House.August, 2003
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Well, I enjoy the time period that we're portraying, I enjoy the costuming that we wear, I enjoy working with the children and trying to translate how it was 200 years ago living in this house. Also, we've made a lot of friends here with the other volunteers. |
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