History comes alive during Newboro Heritage Society presentation

History came to life at the Newboro Community Hall on May 26, when the Newboro and Area Heritage Society welcomed historical interpreters, husband-and-wife team Guy Larocque, MStJ, CD, and Nathalie Perron, for an immersive evening of living history.

Stepping back into the 1860s in full period costume, the pair transported attendees into the world of the British Redcoats in Canada, weaving together lively storytelling, historical artifacts and lesser-known facts from the past.

Guy and Nathalie, both members of the 1862 Brockville Infantry Company since 2004, have extensive experience in historical reenactments. Guy, who is also a board member of the Leeds & 1000 Islands Historical Society, and Nathalie, also an active LTIHS and community volunteer from nearby Lansdowne, brought depth, accuracy and personality to the era.

As a proud Canadian Armed Forces veteran who served for 26 years, Guy brought his passion for service and military insight to his presentation. He provided an interesting look at the evolution of the uniform as British forces first made the choice to wear red, surprisingly not for the reasons one might think, such as being a flamboyant colour or a colour that would hide a wound, but instead because red was the cheapest dye in 1645 that could be used with the wool jacket material used in the uniforms.

The presentation included reminders of battles fought, including the 1759 Battle of the Plains of Abraham, and discussions of the War of 1812. Guy provided background and an explanation of the creation of Canadian militia units in 1861 and educated attendees about a local link in Lansdowne, where what is now known as the Lansdowne Fairgrounds was once the practice ground for British redcoats in 1812.

Guy spoke about his experiences as an active reenactor, showcasing some of the rifles used in reenactments at Upper Canada Village, Brockville Tall Ships Festival and in area parades and Canada Day celebrations. He discussed with pride his and his wife’s participation in the 160th anniversary of the Lansdowne Fair in 2024, where they were part of a redcoat encampment on the fairgrounds, helping bring a piece of history to the local event. Guy’s commitment to remembering those who served before him and all aspects of North American military history was evident throughout the presentation, offering a memorable and engaging experience for history buffs, heritage supporters and anyone interested in the people and stories that shaped the region.

Nathalie’s share of the presentation provided a colourful look at clothing and etiquette in the 1860s. The common theme throughout Nathalie’s presentation was that wealth mattered, as it was reflected in what one wore in the past, noting that a person with more wealth had fancier buttons, clothing with pockets and silk embellishments. Interestingly, the audience was surprised to learn that shoes did not have a left or right and eventually formed to the feet as they were worn.

A pair of period-accurate pantaloons elicited laughter from attendees when Nathalie described their ease of use for relieving oneself. Audience members were also surprised to learn of the expectation that women’s waist sizes should be determined by age, often achieved with a tight corset tied in place. Women were also not to show their ankles, which is why long dresses were common during that period. Kim Lulashnyk, chair of the Newboro and Area Heritage Society, noted that, “The costumes were remarkable, and the crowd was especially fascinated by the authentic women’s undergarments and layers of dress from the 1860s. It offered such a rare glimpse into the realities of everyday life during that period.”

Thankfully, times have changed, though thanks to Guy and Nathalie and the Newboro and Area Heritage Society, who hosted the event, everyone was reminded of the importance of the past and perhaps had their interest piqued to learn more about the history of the region and the people who helped create the Dominion of Canada in 1867.

NAHS chair Kim Lulashnyk stated, “Evenings like this remind me that heritage is not simply about preserving buildings or artifacts. It is about people, stories, shared experiences, and creating opportunities for learning and connection across generations. We were absolutely honoured to welcome Guy and Nathalie for this presentation. Their passion for living history is extraordinary, and their knowledge, generosity and authenticity brought history to life in such a memorable way. I think everyone in the room was captivated by the presentation on the British redcoats in Canada.”

“As chair of the Newboro and Area Heritage Society, I continue to be deeply encouraged and inspired by the incredible support we are seeing for our heritage presentations and initiatives. This season has been filled with fascinating presentations connected to local history, culture and storytelling. We are so grateful to everyone who continues to support these evenings,” says Lulashnyk.

NAHS hosts monthly speaker evenings free of charge for members and offers a welcoming space to learn and connect. To become a member, it costs only $20 per year and provides you with a vote on key matters, approval of the annual budget and, most importantly, “helps build a strong voice for heritage, community and the future of Newboro. Be part of something that honours the past and helps shape what comes next.” See www.newboroheritagesociety.com for more details.