New From You

This February, our team received an exciting offer—one we simply couldn’t turn down. Hidden away in Stayner was a remarkable piece of history: a large, beautifully carved sideboard once shown at the World’s Fair. Today, it’s known as “The Great Sideboard.” 

This impressive piece was built by Robert Hay and Company, which grew out of the earlier Jacques (pronounced Jake’s) and Hay Company. From 1835 to 1885, Jacques and Hay were the leading furniture makers in Ontario and all of British North America. Their main factory, powered by modern steam technology, was located in Toronto. As business expanded, they needed more lumber, so in 1854 they looked north to the forests of Simcoe County. There, they built a mill and factory in what is still called New Lowell. 

In 1876, the United States held its first World’s Fair in Philadelphia, called the Centennial International Exhibition. Because it marked 100 years since the founding of the country, the event was designed to be a big celebration. Wanting to show their best work to the world, Robert Hay and Co. created a grand sideboard with detailed carvings and impressive size. Rumour has it that it took two men one year and nine months to complete. 

Their hard work paid off—“The Great Sideboard” earned the company a place of honour at the Exhibition. After the event, the sideboard was shipped to the Queen’s Hotel in Toronto, which once stood where the Royal York Hotel is today. In 1927, it was sold and moved to the Prince George Hotel, also in Toronto. Then, sometime in the 1930s, it was purchased by George Wilcox, who owned an inn on Main Street in Stayner. 

Over the years, the inn changed hands and eventually became a nursing home. When Clearview Township later acquired the building, someone with a good eye recognized that the sideboard was something special. The Simcoe County Archives and Museum were contacted, and soon the piece was offered to our museum. 

After 150 years, this incredible piece of craftsmanship has finally found a safe and permanent home with us. We are thrilled to share it with our community and preserve its story for future generations.