General Club Information
Our mandate is to bring together those interested in antique engines, steam engines, antique autos, tractors, models, etc. and exchange information regarding their care and preservation.
Memberships:
Individual: $15
Family (including children under 18): $20
Meetings are held the 4th Tuesday of each month (except for July and December) at the Bracebridge Lions Hall, 325 Fraserburg Rd. Bracebridge at 7:30 pm.
Our show is held each year on the 2nd full weekend in July. We also participate at the Bracebridge Fall Fair with activities throughout the club grounds.
Our club sponsors a Poker Run each year, open to the public – please come out and support this rally.
Volunteers are always needed – please email us or talk to a director for more information. Our Annual General Meeting takes place in October. Newsletters with updated information on club activities are sent out three times a year.
Club History
Founded in February of 1984 by a membership of only 23, the Muskoka Pioneer Power Association has grown into an organization which in 2004 (our 20th anniversary) numbered around 200. The first show in 1985 had about 100 exhibits on the grounds, now we have up to 300 and are growing every year! In its infancy our group numbered few. We started out by getting together at local Fall Agricultural Fairs with engines, tractors, water pumps, models and automobiles. There was no official name for the group; we were generally referred to as “participants in the antique display”. Many of the group were members of the Georgian Bay Steam, Antique, Gas Association and members of the Muskoka Region of the Historical Automobile Society of Canada (HASC) as well as other antique clubs, most of which were outside Muskoka. As the numbers grew, talk turned to forming our own club here in Muskoka.
In February of 1984, 23 people assembled to get this idea underway. All present agreed to become directors of the Club for the first year and everyone was asked to submit names for the Club and design a logo. All this came together within the first two or three meetings and the Muskoka Pioneer Power Association was born. The logo, as shown above, incorporates a likeness of a stationary engine. It was decided to have this painted on a large 48″ circular saw blade and secured to a plywood backing. Jeff Kirton, an Ontario College of Art student, did a fine job of accomplishing this task. This sign would be taken to events to promote the Association. Farm and forest industries became the focus of our mission, and it was decided to preserve this heritage which was so significant to Muskoka. These two industries were very important in opening up this area and without them Muskoka would not be what it has become today.
Some of the stationary engines and water pumps restored and owned by our members were used right here in Muskoka in the late 1800’s when the tourist industry was just beginning and logging was opening up the areas around our beautiful lakes. The history of some member-owned antique automobiles revealed that these had been previously owned by business people here in Muskoka, as were some of the tractors and farm machinery. Even now in the 21st century, engines, tractors and farm equipment are still being recovered from islands and remote areas of the region.
2022-2023 Board of Directors
President/Director Frank Duck (705) 689-2248
Vice President/Director Keith Baird (705)801-7060
Secretary/Treasurer/Director Diane Kennedy (705) 706-2216
Past President Paul Sisson (705) 645-9245
Director Bruce Turner (705) 645-6623
Director Cole Fry (705) 769-3909
Director Peter Schroter (705) 645-6756
Director Don Currie (705) 645-5724
Director Jim White (705) 471-8434
Director Jim Kneilh (705) 346-1350
Director Bill Hemmings (705) 645-5295
Director Ron Leeder (705) 645-8233
Director/Membership Anne Hare (705) 645-9119
Past Executives
2006-07-Executive
Back L – R: Allan Dawson, Al Giddings, Sharon Sisson, Ray Leng, Doug Taverner, Ken Medley, Roy Davies, Don Gater; Front L – R: Art Yeoman, Terry Hare, Ron Leeder
2002-03-Executive
Back L – R: Shawn Leeder, Jim Fanning, Ruthann Cook, Paul Sisson, Al Giddings, Art Yeoman; Front L – R: Nancy Smith, Sybil Leeder, Murray Jibb, Glenn Kirton
2001-02-Executive
Back L – R: Al Giddings, Shawn Leeder, Ruthann Cook, Art Yeoman, Jim Finning, Ken Medley; Front L – R: Bruce Crawford, Sybil Leeder, Murray Jibb, Glenn Kirton; Absent: Ray Leng
1997-98-Executive
Back L – R: Glenn Kirton, Paul Sisson, Jack Webster, Barbara Dawson, Terry Hare, Ken Brocklehurst; Front L – R: Carol Giddings, Clinton Beaverstock, Tracey Beaverstock, Ray Leng; Absent: Don Irwin, Darcy Jibb
1996-97-Executive
Back L – R: Bruce Crawford, Terry Hare, Ken Brocklehurst, Brian Bowles; Front L – R: Carol Giddings, Dorothy Beaverstock, Paul Sisson, Jack Webster, Barbara Dawson; Absent: Darcy Jibb, Bill Wright
1992-93-Executive
Back L – R: Lloyd George, Art Yeoman, Terry Hare, Ray Leng, Nancy Smith; Front L – R: Paul Sisson, Debbie Loshaw, Anne Hare, Doug Matchett, Tracey Beaverstock
1991-92-Executive
L – R: Lloyd George, Doug Matchett, Walter Taylor, Debbie Loshaw, Dave Loshaw, Paul Sisson, Anne Hare, Nancy Smith, Terry Hare; Absent: Eric Tozer, Art Yeoman
1988-89-Executive
Back L – R: Arnold Surtees, Terry Hare, Earl Marchand, Merv Smith, Barbara Dawson; Front L – R: Anne Hare, Maurice Tulloch, Jim Armishaw, Art Yeoman; Absent: Ruthann Smith, George Orchard
2016-2017 Executive
2016-2017 Executive Back: L-R Steve Wild, Doug Taverner, Peter Schroter, Ron Leeder, Bill Hemmings, Art Yeoman, Don Gater Front: L-R Diane Kennedy, Donna Wild, Terry Hare-President, Murray Jibb-Vice President, Sybil Leeder-Sec/Treas.