A group of seniors were taken back in time on Sept. 23, as the Western Development Museum (WDM) presented its new reminiscence kits at the ‘Senior’s Time to Reminisce’ event.
During the presentation, program coordinator Alexis Jones delivered a presentation complete with a slide show, and then passed around each artifact from the kit as it was presented. Guests could then handle the artifacts and their feedback helped Jones update the museum’s database by providing personal accounts.
“Cufflinks were common,” said one lady in attendance. She said that women used to have cufflinks as well. “Women would have cufflinks as well, and all the buttons down the front of your blouse would be covered.” There was some discussion about this and a few in attendance fondly remembered having the button-shaped cufflinks in their wardrobe.
After the cufflinks were presented, spontaneous discussion of fashion from the 60s and 70s erupted. Guests talked about their broaches, and about fashion which would now be considered “exaggerated” by today’s standards. Some of the items were coming back in style too, and everyone seemed quite surprised by this. “I never thought I would see that happen,” one lady said about the platform shoes.
When the cookbook was introduced, almost everyone recalled their experience with the wide variety of food groups placed inside a dish of Jell-O.
“Cookbooks have reinforced women’s role as wives and mothers and made the home safe and healthy for their families,” said Jones. “The 1950s and 60s revolutionized Saskatchewan’s kitchens as rural homeowners connected to power grids purchased labour-saving devices. The ice box was replaced by the fridge, electric ovens were introduced, and mixing by hand gave way to electric mixers… kitchens also got bigger to accommodate all the new appliances.”
Guests recalled some of the foods they remember growing up to. “Cheez Whiz sandwiches,” said one guest. “Meatloaf,” answered another begrudgingly. Probably the item recalled least positivity was the “tomato aspic,” which was said by one or two guests without all that much enthusiasm.
A laminated poster from Breakfast at Tiffany’s was then sent around, and guests recalled the show and how Audry Hepburn made the Cabriole cigarette holder popular. Guests recalled how prevalent smoking was at the time, and said doctors, patients in hospital waiting rooms, and even airline passengers would smoke without concern.
One guest who lived in England for a while recalled how the glass cream bottles would be covered with a small lid, and then covered in different colours of tinfoil. She said that birds would learn to spot the cream bottles they preferred and would peck at the lids if they were left unattended.
“My favourite part was the telephone, just because we always had a telephone and it was never on a party line,” said Carole Nelson, one of the guests in attendance at the event. The rotary phone was one of the biggest hits and everyone recalled the party line concept, and how you could listen in on any conversation from the local network.
True to the adventurous nature of the guests, several stories floated about the room describing how many people would use some of the system’s flaws to their advantage. By making a call and not accepting the charges, you could notify loved ones that you have arrived safely without incurring any expense in one example. Otherwise, coast-to-coast calls could be as high as $1 per minute.
Jones said she was happy with the turnout and the level of engagement from the guests. Virtually everyone in attendance contributed with some commentary, and everyone was delighted to share their memories brought on by the various items sent from table to table.
For information on the museums other programming, visit wdm.ca or contact Alexis Jones at 306-693-5989.
The Western Development Museum in Moose Jaw is located at 50 Diefenbaker Drive.
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