Taking a "step back in time"

Outside of the city limits of the bustling town of Owen Sound, ON, the sound of a blacksmith pounding on metal and fires crackling can be heard while women, men and children in period costume can be found inside of Moreston Heritage Village at Grey Roots Museum and Archives.

For 55 years, Grey Roots Museum and Archives has been in operation, conserving the history of Grey County, an area just 2.5 hours north of Toronto.

While much of the county and its historical artifacts can be viewed from behind of protective glass casing, just steps outside of the main building, that same history is brought to life.

Outside of the museum along the gravel road, historical structures representing the 1850s to the 1920s stand in the form of homes, a school house, a barn, garage and blacksmith shop.

As a child growing up in Grey County, the pioneer life (often emphasized in our curriculum) could be found motionless in textbook photos and definitions; to us, mere facts to be memorized for the next history test. The village, however, has attempted to change this attitude for many area students, bringing a historical fascination which lies beyond the classroom.

Inside of the historical buildings, staff members and volunteers can be found in pioneer costume, telling stories of their long journeys from Toronto while stirring boiling water in a pot above a roaring fire. Susan Sparks, a visitor services representative at the museum says it is this interactive element that draws students, teachers and tourists into the village.

“It really makes the village come alive and that really allows you to take a step back in time,” says Sparks.

The re-launch of the village this summer will feature the expansion with more features and buildings, reminding more tourists and students of the forgotten days of Grey County.

Photo #1: Grey Roots Museum and Archives can be found on Grey Road 18 just outside of Owen Sound, ON (Photo Credit: http://www.greyroots.com/)

Photo #2: A fire burns inside of the historic log cabin inside of the Moreston Heritage Village at Grey Roots Museum and Archives. (Photo Credit : http://www.greyroots.com/)

Photo #3: The outside of one of the historic buildings inside of the Moreston Heritage Village at Gret Roots (Photo Credit: http://www.greyroots.com/)

The only trend in Kensington is your own personal style

When looking to overhaul your spring wardrobe this season, corporate clothing giants in the Eaton Centre or Yorkdale could transform your closet into a carbon copy of many others, but when shopping in Toronto’s Kensington Market, the “trend” can be any personal style.

“It’s bohemian, it’s punk, it’s everything,” says Toronto resident Darcie Smith. “I always think of it as its own little village inside the city.”

According to blogTO, Kensington has been recognized throughout Toronto and Canada for its eclectic atmosphere, a reputation upheld on the racks and shelves of its clothing retailers, which range in styles from urban chic to vintage.

Cece Scriver, owner and operator of Courage My Love, a vintage store on Kensington Avenue, says that her active presence in the store is one characteristic that sets it apart from commercial retailers.

“The owner is always here, so you’re getting a first-hand experience,” says Scriver. “You’re not talking to someone who can’t make any decisions. You’re not talking to a robot, you’re talking to people that actually go and buy the stuff that you’re purchasing.”

Being the owner and operator has had other benefits for Scriver’s customers. An avid traveler, she has been able to hand-pick items from countries such as Thailand, Mexico and Indonesia, assuring they are a one of a kind item that won’t match the conventional styles of other Torontonians. Scriver ads that some of her creations such as clothing sewn from '40s and '50s table cloth has been the inspiration of some mainstream trends and attracts representatives from chain stores such as H&M.

Down the street at vintage and costume shop, Exile, stylist Tina Meister says that Kensington was once one of many locations that promoted style individuality, but corporate stores have slowly pushed out independent retailers, leaving them nowhere else to go but the market.

“All the cool places were getting kicked off of Queen Street in the '70s and it’s all box stores now,” says Meister. It’s turning the area into one big Eaton Centre, which is why you don’t see a lot of people shopping there.”

Like maintaining one’s individual style, it hasn’t been an easy feat preserving the market’s character. Over the years, retailers have rallied together, shutting down a Nike Athletics store to help preserve the market’s atmosphere.

This “in your face” attitude is the embodiment of their fashion philosophy, which they emphasize to all of their customers.

“Wear what you want to wear,” says Meister. If you think you look good in it and you can pull it off, then you can pull it off. Nobody is going to question anyone walking down the street who is looking confident.”

Kensington has been able to “pull it off” for decades, keeping the market alive and inspiring new shoppers to pursue their own fashion identity.

Photo #1 Caption: A number of Kensington Market's clothing retailers are located on Kensington Avenue (Photo taken by Stephanie Lowe)

Photo #2 Caption: The outside of Courage My Love, one of Kensington Market's oldest vintage retailers (Photo taken by Stephanie Lowe)

Photo #3 Caption: Every wall in Courage My Love is covered with one of a kind vintage clothing and accessories from all corners of the globe (Photo taken by Stephanie Lowe)