Last week I expressed my excitement that future textile research may revolve around the lives of women in and around Thunder Bay and this week we take our first foray into this wonderful, empowering history. Our first series is actually a two-part series. This week we will discuss the life of Annette Augustine, a dedicated and kind community volunteer who made enormous contributions to the Museum and next week we will dive into the life and work of Tina Thiessen, the devoted and hardworking seamstress who created Annette’s beautiful wardrobe. Both women have played a significant part in the recent history of the Lakehead and are a huge part of our textile collection.
So, who was Annette Augustine? Annette Augustine (nee Grofton) was born and raised in Kitchener, Ontario. After completing high school, she went on to graduate from the Ontario College of Art in 1951. She soon married her high school sweet heart, Dr. John Ross Augustine in 1952 just two days after he graduated from medical school. They spent a few years in Toronto before eventually moving to Fort William and settling down. Annette was an energetic woman who held herself to high standards and took pride in achieving what she set out to accomplish.
For over 60 years, Annette was incredibly involved in the community and volunteered her time with over a dozen organizations. In addition to the Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society, these included (but were not limited to) the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Florence Booth Home, Lakehead University’s Board of Governors, Old Fort William Citizens’ Advisory Committee, the Ontario Association for Children with Learning Disabilities, Thunder Bay Art Gallery, the Westmount Hospital (now part of St. Joseph’s Care Group), and numerous municipal committees. For her contributions to society, Annette was named a Fellow of Lakehead University in 1995 and as a Member of the Order of Canada on 21 October 1999. Both Annette and John were also appointed Honourary Presidents of the Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society and of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.
Annette and John were incredibly dedicated to the Museum, its staff, and to ensuring its future and progress. As our Registrar, Breanne Olsen recalls, they were also kind and welcoming, ensuring staff felt they were an integral part of the Museum family. Margaret Hartvikson, our recently retired exhibit designer, remembers Annette and John with great affection. In conversation last week, she recalled how humble they both were and how devoted to the Museum Annette was. The Museum’s first sign was hand painted by Annette herself to stand outside the location on May street and welcome visitors. Margaret also recalls how Annette had a hand in developing the exhibits at the old location and how she spent hours working on getting the Museum’s current logo designed and approved. Their connection to the Society went beyond their volunteerism. Significant financial donors, they were integral to both the creation of the Museum’s Centennial Club and to events surrounding the commemoration of the Museum’s 100th anniversary in 2008.
Annette and John also donated many incredible artefacts to the collection. The largest collection of like artefacts they donated was Annette’s wardrobe. This collection of clothing is almost entirely hand made by local seamstress, Tina Thiessen. In recognition of this donation and for their previous contributions, the textile storage space is named the Augustine Room.The newly renovated Augustine Room, made possible by generous funding from the Museum Assistance Program and the Ontario Job Creation Partnership, is a perfect place to preserve and protect Annette’s unique, handmade wardrobe long into the future. Annette passed away in 2016 to the great sadness of everyone at and associated with the Museum. She was predeceased by her husband John in 2014.
That is all for now, come back next week for the other half of the story as it relates to Tina Thiessen and how she kept Annette and others in the community well dressed.
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