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Heritage building offers glimpse into Barrie’s military past

'The regiment was in existence long before Canada was in existence,' notes museum curator of facility that is a treasure trove of memorabilia

An historic building in downtown Barrie has been occupied with soldiers, farmers, municipal workers and even a sitting Member of Provincial Parliament.

But the real history of the Grey & Simcoe Foresters Regimental Museum, located at 36 Mulcaster St. in downtown Barrie, represents the honour, dedication and sacrifices of the soldiers who have served with the regiment over many, many years in conflict, peace time service and making vital contributions during natural disasters (think Hurricane Hazel in ’52, the Barrie tornado of ’85, the Manitoba floods of ’97 and the Ontario ice storms of 1998).

The military history of Barrie - and Simcoe County as well as Grey County - is well represented by the contents of the sturdy brick building that has been a mainstay on Mulcaster Street for more than 130 years.

What is now the museum - which includes displays of uniforms, weapons, honorary medals, photographs and so much more (including miniature wartime models that are accurate to a ’T’) - was originally the first brick armoury for the town of Barrie, with the building’s foundation being laid down in 1888.

The following year it was up and running, but few of its future occupants could have imagined how the world would change in the coming years and decades. The Mulcaster site became an auxiliary drill hall - along with other obligations - and a room for the regimental band to hone their chops.

In 1914, with the First World War looming, the federal armoury that still overlooks Queen’s Park in Barrie was constructed, but the importance of the Mulcaster Street armoury to the community has never faded.

Eventually, the structure was withdrawn from military service, was offices for some Town of Barrie public works staff (before the town was incorporated as a city in 1959), a farmers’ market and later a meet-and-greet constituency office for Barrie MPP Joe Tascona.

Its original brick facade was revealed during restoration, and much of the interior tongue-and-groove woodwork remains; there is a sense of history in the space that is compelling.

The displays offer up a personal insight into what the Grey & Simcoe Foresters troops have accomplished, and sacrificed, over the years and the history of the regiment is with us to this day, according to Grey & Simcoe Foresters museum curator Maj. Peter Litster (Ret.) CD.

“You can’t talk about the building without talking about the regiment at the same time. The regiment was in existence long before Canada was in existence,” he says while sitting at his desk in an office occupying one of the structure’s two ‘wings’.

On the other side of the building is a wing featuring 100-plus year old panoramic photos - some of soldiers at Camp Borden, as Canadian Forces Base Borden was known at the time - as well as some examples of military technology from the day: brass casings from shells that could rip though the air for miles, old radio technology, rifles and more.

While that technology may seem to pale compared to 21st century weapons, when seen front-and-centre, they look effective and deadly.

Of course, history does not stand still.

The Grey & Simcoe Foresters Regimental Museum is not just a place to ponder the past but also a space to consider our current place in the world, says Litster, adding that youngsters - whether from air, army or sea cadet groups or schools - get an eye and ear-full of history.

“When we conduct tours, it’s interesting to find out that they know almost nothing from their time in school about our own history,” he says. “When I mention the Fenian raids or anything to do with Canada, they don’t know.

“When they first come in, they don’t know why they’re here. They have no interest. But by the time we’re finished giving them a tour, we have a tough time getting them out of here.”

Grey-Simcoe reservists have been front-and-centre for decades and beyond Canada’s borders: the Boer War in South Africa at the end of the 19th century, both world wars, Korea, the Middle East, in Bosnia and certainly in Afghanistan.

“Our unit was not called up as unit to go to Afghanistan,” says Litster. “All the guys had to volunteer individually and they had to pass medicals again and go for increased training for combat.”

“We had almost 100 serve in Afghanistan,” he says proudly. “This unit still stands - still remains - and is active to this day,” says Litster.

“That’s important. We are still in demand and the regular (Canadian Armed Forces) needs us.”