The Glengarry Historical Society is excited to host Robert MacPherson as the first speaker of our 2024-2025 Speaker Series event!
Robert MacPherson was raised on a dairy farm in Lancaster Township. He spent over 40 years working in the farm implements industry. He is now semi-retired with his wife Linda, living near Faulkner’s Point in South Lancaster.
On October 2, at the Lancaster Legion, Robert MacPherson, will be speaking about a slice of Canada’s past, and particularly a slip of Glengarry’s history that, if we are not careful, will slide form our memories forever. There are few people available to speak about this historical event that is almost forgotten. Mr. MacPherson will be recalling stories told by his father, grandfather, great uncle, and others about that flax fibre industry during WWII and Glengarry’s role in it.
Flax was a major crop from 1939 – 1947 in Glengarry, not so much known for the nutritional seed back then, but more for the fibre that was produced and exported to Ireland to be woven into linen for military purposes.
The Second World War years were a demanding time, “to get ‘er done!”. On May 2, 1939, all three levels of government quickly established the Glengarry Flax Co-operative to help fulfill the quota of flax fibre needed for the war efforts. It was managed by the local community and overseen by a local board of directors.
The Flax factory ran two shifts a day, with fifty men to a shift, supported by 175 local farmers, their families and others. MacPherson’s great-uncle worked at the Flax Factory as a night foreman, who modified farming equipment to assist in harvesting the flax. That mill is still standing on Second Line Road, County Road 26 in North Lancaster.
MacPherson will present a historical timeline of the Glengarry Flax Co-operative: the demands, uses of flax fibre, the equipment to harvest and process, the mill, and its people.
The talk about flax in Glengarry begins at 7pm on Wednesday, October 2 at the Royal Canadian Legion, located at 119 Military Road in Lancaster.
Next months guest speaker will be Bob Pearson, a pilot, who will be reliving his harrowing experience of the landing of the “Gimli Glider”, near Gimli, Manitoba, which saved the lives of 60 passengers! This event will take place on Wednesday, November 6th at 7pm at the Alexandria Arena (170 McDonald Blvd). Admission is $5 for members and $10 for non-members.
