1

Agriculture as a lifestyle shaped the ways in which local residents interacted and engaged with one another. The demands of farm life made communal labour and mutual assistance essential to a family's economic success. It was important to form close relationships with neighbours who could help with large tasks like raising barns, threshing wheat, or preparing for winter. This need for a small, tightly knit social network resulted in the growth of tiny crossroad hamlets across Markham Township.

2

Nehemiah Ogden's barn raising in Unionville, Markham Township
Early 20th Century, Circa 1900
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1988.0.58

3

Pages from the diary of Gertrude Brown listing the preparations involved in holding a barn raising
Early 20th Century, 1924
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Courtesy of the family of Gertrude Brown Hood

4

The 'Winning Side' taking supper first at Thomas Thomson's barn raising
15 June 1909
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1987.0.1000

5

Ladies enjoying the meal they organized at Thomas Thomson's barn raising
15 June 1909
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1987.0.999

6

Women serving the mid-day meal at Nehemiah Ogden's barn raising in Unionville, Markham Township
Early 20th Century, Circa 1902
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1988.0.59

7

Women serving the mid-day meal at Bob Agar's barn raising
Early 20th Century, Circa 1907
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1982.59.26

8

Workers enjoying the mid-day meal at Bob Agar's barn raising
Early 20th Century, Circa 1907
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1982.59.32

9

Barn raising supper at the Ramer family farm in Mount Joy, Markham Township
Early 20th Century, Circa 1905
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.2012.0.104

10

Barn raising at Amos Burkholder's farm
Early 20th Century, Circa 1912
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1982.60.3

11

The Commander, a heavy mallet used for driving framing timbers together when raising a barn
Early 20th Century, Circa 1900
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1986.0.1202

12

This commander is a handcrafted wood working tool showing signs of hard wear and makeshift repair
Early 20th Century, Circa 1900
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1986.0.1202

13

Hauling timber to raise Amos Cole's barn in Locust Hill, Markham Township
14 August 1902
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1974.36.3.3

14

Women and children at Amos Cole's barn raising
2 June 1903
Markham, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Markham Museum Collection, M.1984.37.5