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Last month we learned that Brooklin was a small but self-sufficient village around the time of Confederation in 1867. According to an article in the Oshawa Vindicator, Brooklin supported a variety of businesses and industries, including several photography studios. In fact, most villages, towns and cities in Ontario supported at least one photographer in the late 19th century. It's easy to overlook photography studios when we're looking at the integral services that supported a community. At first, they don't seem as necessary as grocers, blacksmiths, farmers and mills. However, we owe a lot of what we know about Brooklin in the 19th century to photography. Surviving photographs show us how people dressed, how they farmed, what the streets looked like, and how the community came together for barn raisings, weddings and other events. By the mid-19th century, the photographic process evolved into a relatively inexpensive way to record events and capture family members' likenesses. The presence of studios and travelling photographers became ubiquitous in many communities. According to Glen Phillips in his book, The Ontario Photographers 1851-1900, Volume 1, the number of photography studios in Ontario increased from 63 in the 1850s to 743 in the 1860s. At the time of Confederation, Brooklin supported two photographers: George E. Groat and John H. Thomas. After 1867, this number grew to five. We know surprisingly little about Groat and Thomas, aside from their being listed in local directories and their works surviving in our collection. Thomas operated a studio in Brooklin between 1866 and 1869, while Groat was around from 1865 to 1871. Their works consist mostly of portrait cartes-de-visite, pocket-sized photographs that were handed out when visiting friends and acquaintances. Both photographers stamped their names on the backs of their photographs and this helps us to date the photographs according to the years they worked in Brooklin. Interestingly, Thomas's stamp indicates that he was also a jeweller and watchmaker. This was not uncommon; photographers were often associated with a second occupation, either because photography was a hobby or because the chemicals and tools required for photography often crossed over to other occupations like chemists and druggists. For now, Groat and Thomas as individuals remain a bit of a mystery, but thanks to their works and those of others, we can form an image of what Brooklin and its people were like in 1867. -- Sarah Ferencz is the archivist at the Whitby Public Library. Contact her at archives@whitbylibrary.on.ca durhamregion.com The Citizen April 27, 2017 3 Sarah Ferencz Whitby Public Library archivist Photography studios integral to history of Ontario communities Submitted by Whitby ArchiveS BROOKLIN -- At the time of Confederation, Brooklin supported two photographers: George E. Groat and John H. Thomas. This is a photo taken by the latter. Pick up free compost at Whitby event May 6 WHITBY -- Calling all gardeners: There's a free compost giveaway event in Whitby on Saturday, May 6. Residents are invited to drop by the Whitby operations centre at 333 McKinney Dr. between 8 a.m. and noon to get free compost for their gardens. There is a limit of four containers per resident while quantities last. Containers can be about the size of a blue box. Residents are reminded to bring their own containers and shovels. Blue boxes and green bins will also be available for sale (cash only). Damaged blue boxes or green bins can be exchanged for new containers at this event at no cost. Residents are asked to bring a donation of a non-perishable food item for the local food drive. Remember to check expiration dates on food items donated. metrolAnd file photo WHITBY -- Bob Carson took advantage of a free compost giveaway hosted by the Town of Whitby at the Whitby operations centre last year. This year's event is scheduled for Saturday, May 6 from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information: visit www.durham.ca/wasteevents