BY BILL BRADLEY
History can be far from boring.
Sudbury residents and tourists will get a glimpse of the city's
colourful history Saturday, Aug. 26, at the Bell Mansion at 251
John St.
The Art Gallery of Sudbury, which is housed in the heritage
building, is organizing an afternoon and evening of mainly free
festivities, starting at 1 pm, to celebrate the contribution of
the Bell family to Greater Sudbury.
"We're calling our event 100 Years of Culture because it was
100 years ago that this property now on John St. was deeded to
William Bell, a lumber baron. He and his wife Katherine had an
estate of 155 acres wrapping around Ramsey Lake that over the
years has become home to many other activities that are central
to the cultural life of Sudbury - Science North, Bell Park and
the Art Gallery of Sudbury," said Celeste Scopelites, curator
of the Art Gallery of Sudbury.
The 1.5-acre Bell Mansion parcel has been the home of the
Art Gallery since 1967, said Scopelites.
"It was a centennial year project thanks to the efforts of
the Sudbury Chamber of Commerce. The building had suffered from
a fire in 1955 a year after Katherine Bell passed away. She had
left it with the Memorial Hospital who used it as a staff
residence."
The Nickel Lodge of the Masonic Temple Order undertook some reconstruction after the fire. Prior to the Art Gallery being incorporated as a separate entity in 1997, Laurentian University had managed it since 1968 and called it the Laurentian University Museum and Arts Centre, said Scopelites.
"Now we have over 10,000 people a year visiting the gallery,
using the site for weddings and sending their children to
summer day camps," she said.
Many Sudbury residents have fond memories of the Bell
estate.
"A main activity is that we are asking people to share their
memories of the property and the family. Some people who knew
the Bells are still alive today. From 1 to 11 pm, you can
record your story in the sunroom, the only original room
retained within the gallery. The recordings will be private and
we hope we get a lot of response from the community," she said.
There are many other activities for people and their
families to enjoy, said Scopelites.
"The celebration beings at 1 pm with music, fine food,
period games like croquet and tours of the site. Kids can
create their own hat and join The Mad Hatter Tea Party on the
Bell veranda until 4 pm. Science North staff will be on hand to
entertain all with the magic of science."
For a $5 entry fee, adults can refresh themselves in the
Beer Garden and watch a photo slideshow documenting 100 years
of history at the Bell mansion.
Local bands, like Spirit of World Drumming with Jeff Stuart,
Dwayne Trudeau, Matt Foy, Don Kunto and Billy John and Veronica
Dault will play from 1 to 5 pm. Then the Shaft Bottom Boys,
Broche a Foin with Sarah Craig, Mr. MD and The Aural Xciters,
Stef Paquette and the Mondo Idols perform until 11 pm.
And as visitors leave the grounds that night, they just
might catch a ghostly glimpse of the Bells.
"Many people have reported there were hauntings, especially after the fire. Some say Katherine herself still walks the grounds keeping a protective guard for the beautiful home she and her husband put so much effort into. There is talk about a mysterious tunnel under what is now the parking lot, from the main house connecting to the quarters of the maids and cooks. There are many stories about this place. It truly is a treasure trove of Sudbury history," she said.
Visit
www.artsudbury.org
or phone 675-4871.
