Dorset Heritage Museum
Short Stories
Dorset's First Motorized Vehicle
The International Harvesters truck was ordered from Toledo Ohio in 1913 by HIRAM BARRY. It was number 802 to have been built. It was shipped to Hamilton Ontario,and then sent on to Huntsville. It arrived in Huntsville in February 1913. It was such an occasion that the Huntsville Band was brought out to meet the new arrival.
The new motor wagon was driven over the ice of Fairy and Peninsula Lakes, across the height of land between North and South Portage, then across the ice of the Lake of Bays to Dorset.
The two men traveled with the International, one to teach Mr. Barry to drive it, the other gentleman was to teach him how to fix it! The payment these two gentlemen wanted was to be taken on a few fishing trips; for they had read how great our lakes and area were for fishing and hunting.
The main use for the International at that time was to cadge supplies into the Lumber Camps.
Hiram Barry owned and operated Dorset’s first garage and his family still do today!
Making Amends
In the late 1990s the Clayton Family received a letter addressed to the ‘Claytons of Dorset’. The letter was from an 80-year-old gentleman who was from New York State. This man had attended Camp Otter on nearby Otter Lake. In the 1930s. The letter stated that he had stolen some chocolate bars from Claytons General Store while his teenage friends had kept D.W. Clayton busy at the back of the store.
For 60 more years he had felt guilt and, thus he sent a letter of apology and a cheque for $20.00 to cover his theft. He wanted to finish his life with a clear conscience.
You can stop in to the Dorset Heritage Museum to visit our ‘GENERAL STORE’ exhibit. View photos and artifacts of Claytons General Store. The museum also has an exhibit featuring area camps, one of which is Camp Otter.
Wedding Month
June is traditionally known as wedding month, and we invite you to step into the past and explore Dorset's weddings. Our permanent exhibit presents over 65 years of Dorset couples tying the knot.
From the early 1900s to the 1960s, timeless wedding fashions, traditions, and memories are on display, including a beautifully preserved wedding gown worn by a local bride in June 1901. Captured in photographs, visitors get a glimpse into Dorset's families and their friends as they celebrated that special day, and love was in the air. We invite you to 'walk down the aisle' anytime at the Dorset Heritage
Museum.
Did you say, "I Do" in Dorset? We'd love to see your wedding photos, please email the museum with your stories and photos to dhm@muskoka.com ❤️