1

The daily and seasonal rotations of agricultural life allowed farm families to engage in a number of activities that contributed to the family's cash earnings and subsistence. Many families in the Markham area devoted much of their land and labours to the harvesting and sale of cash crops like wheat and grains, whose prices were dictated by world markets that were constantly shifting. To safeguard against over-reliance on unpredictable market prices, farm families diversified their economic activities. The range of options supported by the local environment acted as a kind of insurance policy for farmers and also for entrepreneurs whose fortunes relied on the ability of farmers to buy their products.

2

Threshing season required the help of all family members, as seen here on the Lister farm
Early 20th Century, Circa 1915
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1994.21.10

3

Lottie Stephenson bringing cows in from pasture on the Rodick farm
Early 20th Century, Circa 1910
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1987.0.1425

4

Elizabeth Meyer (at left) and her daughter tending the garden beside their home
Early 20th Century, Circa 1915
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.2012.0.108.3

5

Prominent Markham businessman Albert Wideman with his son Norman in their corn field
Early 20th Century, Circa 1915
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.2012.0.108.1

6

Lloyd Gowland with the rabbits his family raised behind their row house on Main Street
Early 20th Century, Circa 1910
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1989.27.28.8

7

Lloyd Gowland and a cousin walking down the garden path behind his family's home
Early 20th Century, Circa 1914
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1989.27.118

8

View of the MacDonald Family's extensive gardens from Markham Village's water tower
Early 20th Century, Circa 1920
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1987.0.92

9

Jane Jacques feeding her chickens
Late 19th Century, Circa 1890
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1975.92.4

10

Andrew Wideman feeding his chickens
late 19th Century, Circa 1890
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1979.24.1

11

Mosena A. Galloway feeding geese
Early 20th Century, Circa 1915
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1980.57.31

12

Diary page of Anna Burkholder mentioning a quilting bee in December, the season for such events
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1975.21.15

13

Postcard addressed to Elizabeth Boyington, Victoria Square
9 November 1914
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1975.2.15

14

Letter from Ellen Callahan to Anna Burkholder
21 May 1883
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1987.0.1076