My Father's Loom

An object might seem to be just an object but the same object can have a story to tell.  A diamond ring might tell the story of love and marriage. A christening gown could tell the story of the multiple babies who wore it. But what kind of story can a loom tell? As it turns out an interesting one with a personal twist to it! Here is the loom and here is its story.

In 1946 my father Sergeant Gordon Russell Brooks was demobilized from the Canadian Armed Forces. After four years in Europe serving first in the Medical and then the Provost Corps, Russ was eager to return to Toronto to get on with his life. Never robust, he miraculously managed to survive his service without injury, but upon his return home developed severe problems in his right knee. As a veteran, he first was treated in the old Christie Street Hospital which was still in operation when the first soldiers returned from Europe. He was subsequently transferred to the spanking new Sunnybrook Medical Centre where he underwent surgery (he was one of the first 100 patients to be admitted). Recovering from surgery, Russ was bedridden for some time. The Sunnybrook occupational therapist team devised a treatment plan to keep his hands busy and his spirits up. He was prescribed a Guildcraft-Thackeray Loom, produced by the Guild of All Arts in Scarborough.

The Guild of All Arts was founded by Rosa and Spencer Clark as an artists’ co-operative and centre promoting the Arts and Home Crafts Industries movement in Canada. It was situated on the grounds of the Bickford Estate, a property purchased by the widowed Rosa Breithaupt Hewetson in 1932 just before her marriage to Spencer Clark. Bickford Estate 1944 photo TPL Digital Archives Rosa and her three daughters from her first marriage enjoyed working with looms so it was no surprise that the first studio established at the Guild in 1932 was hand-loom weaving. Other crafts soon followed - pottery, wrought iron working, sculpture, painting, and cabinet making, among others. Workshops were set up on the Clark’s property, staffed with professional crafts people who lived on site and would demonstrate their particular craft to the public. Quality pieces produced by the artists would be sold on site or at the Guild of All Arts Shop on 44 Bloor Street West. This postcard, purchased and sent home by one visitor in 1940, shows the popularity of the weaving studio.This particular visitor was from New Jersey - visitors came from near and far to visit.

 

The first looms produced and used in the weaving studio were huge, noisy and complicated. The Guild’s 100” wide loom, billed as the largest hand-loom in Canada, was set up at the CNE for visitors to marvel at. The Clarks soon began to look for a smaller loom that could be manufactured and sold to customers who wanted to learn the craft. The Clarks learned of a unique light and portable loom that had been created by Captain Henry James Thackeray, a member of the British Arts and Crafts movement, and a 3rd cousin of author William Makepeace Thackeray. The Captain had  died in 1926 but his widow continued on with his work of promoting the loom.  

In the July 11 1931 edition of the Yarmouth Independent Margaret 

Thackeray spoke of “efforts being made at Elsing to revive the old village  industry of weaving by means of a simple loom invented by her husband, the late Captain Thackeray. Its use was deftly demonstrated upon the terrace overlooking the lily-starred moat, and fabrics so made were much admired”. In the mid 1930s Rosa and Spencer visited England and stayed with Margaret at Elsing Hall, the family estate located in Norfolk. The Clarks were successful in securing the North American as well as the British patent and design rights to the loom. Despite the fact that she no longer controlled sales of the loom Margaret continued to promote it. In the 1939 Register of England she described herself as “Estate Owner and Seller of Thackeray Loom”.  

Back in Canada production of the Guildcraft-Thackeray Utility Loom was soon underway in the Guild's wood-working shop supervised by Herman Riedl. Assistance was provided by the metal-working shop. The loom proved incredibly popular and was marketed to schools, camps and rehabilitation hospitals, as well as the enterprising home weaver. The loom was light, portable, and small enough to be used by a seated patient such as my father. It was reasonably priced and many were sold by mail order. Potential weavers could visit the Guild of All Arts Shop on the 6th floor of Simpsons for a free demonstration. 

The loom could be purchased on a “Home Lovers Plan” for only $2.50 now and $2.50 monthly. Customers were encouraged to take the loom to the cottage as “During the holidays you can readily weave smart materials for suitings, hand bags, scarfs, table runners, and many gifts for Christmas” (Toronto Star June 14 1935). It became a major source of revenue for the Guild with more than 30,000 shipped worldwide, The Globe and Mail and Toronto Star were filled with ads touting the benefits of the loom and  news articles featuring Rosa and her daughters modelling clothing made from cloth they wove themselves.

Globe and Mail February 2 1938

The Canadian magazine published a glowing report about the Guild’s looms in its November 1937 article. “The Guildcraft and Thackeray looms are the biggest news the weaving world has had for centuries” as “The very smartest Parisian women and the most advanced Americans have seized on the brand-new vogue for hand-weaving with such glee that The Canadian would like to wager that you will find yourself plunged into the craze for hand-weaving before you know what has happened to you”.

The instruction book for the Loom noted that “Guildcraft Looms have revolutionized home weaving until it is now one of the easiest and simplest of home occupations. Study your loom and your work with patience and care. You will be an expert before you realize it”. The booklet featured a picture of the Hewetson girls at work on their looms on the grounds of the Guild.  

My father was extremely creative and he enjoyed using the loom to make various projects. I still have a wee blanket and a placemat/napkin set. He must have made more woven items and given them as presents as he had labels created. I don’t ever remember my father using the loom but he kept it safe through his life. It remains a reminder of a difficult but rewarding time in my dad’s life and an interesting connection to my current home in Guildwood Village.

The Guild of All Arts is no longer in operation but the site still exists though in a different form. The property has recently been renovated and turned into an event venue. The City of Toronto took over the property in 1978 and the park is open to the public. Of interest is the open air art gallery. In the1950s and 60s many older buildings in Toronto were razed for new development. The Clarks collected the decorative stonework from many of these buildings. Relics from over 50 buildings can be seen in the park.  

This is the facade from the Royal Conservatory of Music formerly located at the corner of University Avenue and College Street in Toronto. My dad studied at the Conservatory and later at the Faculty of Music located in the same building. The facade features a portrait of Sir Ernest MacMillan, dean of the Faculty when my father studied there. Sir Ernest was apparently an occasional guest at the Guild of All Arts taking the time away from his day to day activities to write music. A nice reminder of my dad’s music studies close to my home.

August 17th 1922

Toronto Daily Star 
Thursday August 17
1922
Toronto Public Library

The morning of August 17 1922 dawned warm and sunny in the Brooks household on 100 Sparkhall Avenue. It was going to be another hot one, which was to be expected in August in Toronto. The Toronto Star’s 5 o’clock edition noted a temperature of 78 degrees, cooler than the 93 degree high the day before when a “coat today felt like a woollen blanket” and it felt “as if Toronto were shifting towards the Sahara desert”. The thunderstorm on the 16th had cooled the city down to more pleasant temperatures.

This picture of my grandparents was taken in the early 1920s. Before they were married my grandfather William Thomas "Bill" Brooks had resided in a boarding house at 88 Main Street, and later 44 River Street. Both these residences no longer exist.

Might's City of Toronto Directory 1922, archive.org

Both provided easy access to the streetcar line taking him to his place of employment George Street downtown. My grandmother Gertrude Maud "Gertie" Kingswell boarded at 29 Saulter Street (now a park) and took the Queen car down to her job as a stenographer at Eaton's. Her younger sister Chrissie worked alongside her older sister at Eaton's as a packer.

Might's Greater Toronto City Directory, 1920, archive.org

Might's City of Toronto Directory 1922, archive.org

Downtown Toronto 1920s. City of Toronto Archives

Gertie had moved back to her parents' home on 471 Queen Street East shortly before her marriage. The couple were married on June 7th 1921 in her parents’ living room by Reverend George I.B. Johnson of St. Saviour’s Anglican church. Home marriages were still popular in the 1920s but probably chosen in this case due to the difference in religions - Gertie’s family were strict Anglicans and Bill's were staunch Presbyterians. Bill’s family remained in Scarborough but Gertie likely wished to be close to her family on Queen Street (currently an empty lot). The house on Sparkhall Avenue seemed to be a perfect choice.

This is a picture of the house today. It's a lovely tree lined street busy with moms with their babies and dog lovers heading to the park with their pups

I was surprised at how quickly the couple purchased a home, especially as the cost would have been managed on one salary. Mortgages would have been secured from the bank at a rate in the 6% range, and according to the FSCO (Financial Services Commission of Ontario) website only monthly interest was paid on the loan while the borrower saved towards repayment of the original sum in full. This practice would lead many borrowers to financial ruin in the 1930s, including the Brooks. However, the 1921 census showed that 46% of residents of Toronto owned their home so many took advantage of the opportunity. 

The 1920s were indeed roaring in Toronto. The home was new when Bill and Gertie purchase it and according to the 1922 Toronto Assessment Roll was assessed at $1,000 and the land at $560. 

City of Toronto Assessment Roll, Ward No. 1, Div. No 3, page 119, May 20 1922

Toronto Globe, July 9 1921

   

In 1922 Bill worked as a Purchasing Agent and Timekeeper for John Hillock and Company, Refrigeration Manufacturers, after starting in the shipping department. A timekeeper kept track of hours worked by employees for payroll purposes. Hopefully the Brooks received an employee discount that helped them purchase this fine Arctic Refrigerator, one of Hillock's finest products! Bill likely earned a respectable $1,500/yr according to the 1921 census.

Located in the Riverdale area of Toronto, Sparkhall Avenue runs between Broadview and Logan Avenues. There were lots of activities available in the area for a young couple in the early 1920s. Riverdale Park was the perfect location for strolls, picnics and baseball games.

Riverdale Park 1922, City of Toronto Archives

The Riverdale Zoo had an astonishing number of exotic animals for all to marvel at.

Toronto Zoo, 1926, City of Toronto Archives

At the other end of Sparkhall there was Withrow Park with an outdoor skating rink. There were shops and services within an easy walking distance. The amazing Sunnyside Pavilion had opened earlier that year and would be a fun place to bathe and dance the night away. The Star on August 15th noted that “ Sunnyside in the west and the beaches in the east proved the most attractive spots to citizens. The former was simply crowded last night. As one humorist put it, there are so many automobiles flashing by at Sunnyside that there is bound to be a breeze”. 

Sunnyside 1922, Toronto Public Library digital archives

Center Island was an easy ferry ride away. And later in August the CNE would open with fun in the midway and tasty treats in the Pure Foods Building. Bill would likely have visited on Warriors Day to march with fellow World War One veterans and enjoy free admission to the park.

Warriors' Day 1922, City of Toronto Archives

It had been a hot few weeks and summer activities would have beckoned to Toronto residents. But on August 17 1922 Bill and Gertie had other matters to think about. Gertie would have resigned her position at Eaton’s at the time of her marriage as was the custom in the day. It would have been expected that she remain at home to manage the household. The Eaton’s catalogue of the time would have provided all the best supplies for a 1920s home and it was an easy car ride down to the store on Queen Street to shop. 

Eaton's Fall and Winter Catalogue 1920-21, archive.org

All that was needed to complete the home was a family. Gertie came from a family of 8 children that survived infancy, a large family for the time. According to the 1921 census the average family size was 2.35. Bill had only two brothers. This was a small family given that the family farmed and would have needed the help. Bill had no interest in the family farm and moved into the city as soon as he could, as did his brother George, leaving the middle brother John to take over the Agincourt farm.

The families were close and the young couple likely entertained at home. Gertie was a talented musician and loved to play the Heintzman piano that would have had a place of honour in the home’s living room. She also loved to read. But there would be no time for any of these entertainments today. For today Gertie would give birth to her first child. 

The birth certificate doesn’t give the time of the birth and for some reason I never thought to ask my dad when he was born. Given the heat of the day I hope it was early! Hospital births were becoming more common in 1922. There was a hospital in the area but the Riverdale Hospital was restricted to patients suffering from communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis, and was known as the Isolation Hospital. Toronto East General was not built until 1929. So Gertie gave birth at home, attended by Dr. Roy Belfry whose office was located around the corner on Broadview in a fine home that still stands today. Her mom Fanny likely was also there to help her daughter through her first labour and perhaps one or more of her sisters.

I found this birth announcement in my grandmother’s papers. It was probably clipped from the Toronto Telegram which was my grandparents’ newspaper of choice given its Conservative slant. Unfortunately the Telegram hasn’t been digitized so I wasn’t able to produce a better copy but I did what I could to minimize the stains. Unfortunately neither the Star nor the Globe had a notification.

He was cute as a button and his parents were obviously pleased to have their first son. Gordon Russell Brooks was the first grandchild for John Andrew Brooks and Martha Walker. He was the fifth grandchild for Charles Kingswell and Frances Mary Wilkes. In the future there would be many Kingswell and Brooks cousins to visit and play with. Russ was joined in 1925 by his beloved brother Mel. My dad died on 29 September 1992 just past his 70th birthday. I miss him every day. Happy 100th birthday Daddy!

Becoming a Teacher

While looking through my father’s papers I found a newspaper clipping from the Globe and Mail dated June 28th 1951. It was entitled  “Results of 1951 Examinations of Ontario of Education Are Announced. In the first paragraph was a familiar name: Gordon Russell Brooks, who was a successful candidate in the High School Assistants, Type A, Intramural examinations for Vocal and Instrumental Music. Interesting, I thought. Obviously I knew that my father was a teacher but what exactly was a High School Assistant, Type A and how did one become one?

My dad’s journey to becoming a teacher started much earlier. I had written earlier about how he obtained his Bachelor of Music degree thanks to the Veteran’s Charter. Russ loved music and had always dreamed of becoming a teacher. He enrolled in the new School Music program at the University of Toronto in 1947 after returning from service in Europe in 1946. 

The class was a small, select group of 21 students with 5 professors and 3 lecturers. The program was rigorous. In his 3rd year Russ would have studied the History of Music, Keyboard Harmony. Arranging, Choral Technique, Band and Orchestral Technique, Conducting and more. Students were also given “general instruction in programme planning and musical aptitude and achievement testing” to prepare them for their future teaching career. English and Physics were also required, the latter for acoustics. Fees of $210 were charged with an incidental fee of $39 which covered Hart House access, health services and the cost of the degree itself.

By the time he entered the Ontario College of Education in the fall of 1950 Russ was well positioned to become a teacher. He had met the qualifications for admission to the music teacher’s program by completing his Bachelor of Music degree. The fees for the year program were $125 for academic including the examination and $26 for incidentals including Hart House access, health service and the medical examination for admission to the College. The Faculty of Education was located in the building that now house UTS on Bloor Street West between Spadina and Huron. 

City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 3256

There were two streams for the Interim High School Assistant Type A certificate. the first covered Agriculture, Classics, English and French, English and Latin, English, Geography, History, French and German, French and Italian, French and Spanish, Latin and French, Latin and Greek, Mathematics, Mathematics and Physics, Science,  Physics and Chemistry, Physics and Biology, Chemistry and Biology, and Home Economics. The second stream including Physical Education, Arts and Crafts, Instrumental Music and Vocal music. This is the stream that my dad entered.  Examinations for the music stream were to be held as follows: 

Russ was successful in his studies and quickly obtained a job at Uxbridge and Port Perry High Schools

Schools and teachers in the Province of Ontario. Ontario Department of Education 1951. Internet Archive  

Interesting how the directory lists the teachers’ salaries. Russ earned the princely sum of $2,800 which works out to $29,000 in today’s money. Teachers did not earn high salaries in those pre union days. My parents rented an apartment on Brock Street in Uxbridge, a 5 minute drive to Uxbridge Secondary School on Planks Lane

and a 15 minute drive to Port Perry High School on Rosa Street in Port Perry.

Both schools had been erected in the 1920s and would soon have additions built to accommodate the baby boomer generation. But in 1951 the student body was a modest size, both around 200, and the faculty small. Both schools had 11 teachers including the principal.

Uxbridge staff 1951-52

It was at the Port Perry High School that my dad first staged one of his beloved Gilbert and Sullivan operettas starting a tradition that lasted throughout his career.

   

Russ worked at the two schools for 3 years until 1954 when he moved to Oakville to teach at Oakville Trafalgar High School. He then moved on to Newmarket High School where he finished his career as a music teacher.

So what was a High School Assistant, Type A, Intramural? The difference between Intramural and extramural isn’t defined in the calendar but it appears to refer to students completing their studies in class at U of T and those studying off campus. The definition of the certificates is noted here:

Sure enough, when I next find Russ in a teacher directory he is teaching at Oakville Trafalgar High School in 1956. He is described at a HSS (High School Specialist) with special certificate in Interim and Art and earning $4,800.

Mystery solved and congratulations to my dad on this major achievement, 70 years ago!