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Mary Harris

Mary Harris

The history of Barrie goes back to the early 19th century. More than 170 years have passed and Barrie has been without a museum — until now. The Barrie Historical Archive exists to celebrate and preserve its rich history by telling your story through digital media. The Barrie Historical Archive is a free, online archive that centralizes Barrie's historical content. We are on a mission to preserve, protect and promote your story and the story of those who have built our great city into what it is today.

Recent Work by Mary

REMEMBER THIS: The legendary lake captain — Part 3

REMEMBER THIS: The legendary lake captain — Part 3

Sinking of the Manitoulin wasn't enough to keep Capt. Peter Campbell off the water
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COLUMN: The legendary lake captain — Part 2

COLUMN: The legendary lake captain — Part 2

The captain would become highly revered for the way he handled the doomed Manitoulin on May 18, 1882
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COLUMN: The legendary lake captain — Part 1

COLUMN: The legendary lake captain — Part 1

Georgian Bay called to Peter Campbell when he young, and he went on to form the conglomerate Great Northern Transit Company
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REMEMBER THIS: Peril on the lakes — Part 2

REMEMBER THIS: Peril on the lakes — Part 2

The Enterprise steamer suffered fate similar to that of the J.H. Jones, but with no casualties
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REMEMBER THIS: Peril on the lakes — Part 1

REMEMBER THIS: Peril on the lakes — Part 1

In the winter of 1906, the tugboat 'J.H. Jones' left Owen Sound for the last run of the season ... but it became its last run ever
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COLUMN: Slightly spooky stories: UFOs — Part 1

COLUMN: Slightly spooky stories: UFOs — Part 1

From skepticism to excitement, extraterrestrial activity was hot topic in 1970s
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REMEMBER THIS: The Wish Book remembered (4 photos)

REMEMBER THIS: The Wish Book remembered (4 photos)

This week's Remember This looks back at the history of the 'children's book of dreams'
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Remember This? Victory gardens grew in response to historic global crisis (4 photos)

Remember This? Victory gardens grew in response to historic global crisis (4 photos)

This week in Remember This, Mary shares a story of how people handled a major crisis a few generations ago
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Unfortunates: The Wonch family, part three (4 photos)

Unfortunates: The Wonch family, part three (4 photos)

The final outcome in the trial surrounding a Collingwood family, where Jenny Wonch made history by testifying on her own behalf
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Unfortunates: The Wonch family, part two (4 photos)

Unfortunates: The Wonch family, part two (4 photos)

Part two of the tale of a Collingwood family who often found themselves in the news of the late 1800s, including a double murder
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