An interesting item has just been added to Fort York’s collections, thanks to the sharp eye of David Juliusson, Program Officer at Fort York, who spotted for sale on eBay a copy of a Boston newspaper, The Weekly Messenger, for 14 May 1813. It carried a front-page report on the battle at York, U.C., now Toronto, on 27 April and the death of US Brigadier-General Zebulon Pike. Chief Curator Dr. Carl Benn was consulted and gave his blessing, an anonymous donor came forward to back the bidding to an agreed maximum and the chase was on! Bidding closed on December 11 and David was the successful purchaser at US$44.00, which Carl describes as “a surprisingly low price.” It is expected the newspaper will be used in an exhibit on the Battle of York proposed for the Blue Barracks.
The fort has very limited funds for acquisitions to enrich its collections. Hence, gifts or, as in this case, backing to purchase things that are needed to interpret Toronto’s history are welcome. Anyone wanting to help add to Fort York’s collections should contact Dr. Carl Benn, chief curator for the City of Toronto Museums & Heritage Services, tel. 416-338-0028 or <cbenn@toronto.ca> He’d be happy to discuss opportunities with potential donors.
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