File

This file is composed of two scrapbooks containing various records associated primarily with the sport of snowshoeing. Compiled between 1908 and 1914 by William N. Petch when he was living in Montreal, these scrapbooks document the popularity of this recreational sport in the early 20th century and the organization of Canada's first snowshoe clubs.

The first scrapbook covers the period of August 1908 to October 1910. The memorabilia it contains -- correspondence, invitations, programs announcing upcoming activities and calendars -- illustrate Petch's interest in snowshoe races. Numerous newspaper articles about annual meetings and sports competitions indicate that William N. Petch was president of the Holly Snow-Shoe Club from 1908 to 1909. Commemorative ribbons also highlight his role as a judge at various races such as the Coupe de La Presse. Other illustrated press clippings report on events like the Montreal Winter Carnival and the attack on its Ice Palace, the big gathering of Canadian snowshoers in Saint-Hyacinthe and the Canadian track and field championships. An article published in La Presse on February 8, 1909, paints a positive picture of the Sherbrooke Snow-Shoe Carnival: "Sherbrooke envahie par les raquetteurs : brillant succès des fêtes du Carnaval" (Sherbrooke invaded by snowshoers: Carnival festivities a great success).

The second scrapbook covers the period from October 1910 to July 1914. It primarily documents Petch's activities as president of the Canadian Snowshoe Union and the contacts he made with member clubs of this association. According to the by-laws preserved in this scrapbook, the Canadian Snowshoe Union was formed in Montreal in 1907 by Arthur Lamalice, with the mandate to promote the national sport of snowshoeing and unite many of the regional clubs located primarily in Quebec and Ontario. Accordingly, in a letter by William N. Petch that was published in 1910 in several newspapers and addressed to all snowshoe clubs, he discusses the efforts to regulate and promote competitions and standardize racing rules. There are also letters, invitations, postcards, programs and menus announcing competitions, annual meetings, dances and banquets organized by these sports clubs. In addition, illustrated press clippings show the logos and official uniforms of the various snowshoe clubs, e.g., the Club Canadien de St. Henri, Le National, the Y.M.C.A., the Club champêtre canadien, Le Montagnard, the Lachine Snow Shoe Club and the Emerald Snow Shoe Club. A blank registration form also provides information about the snowshoe racing schedule and the awards given out at the world championships at Montmorency Falls on February 17, 1912.

Both scrapbooks also contain documents illustrating Petch's membership in various Masonic societies. They include, for example, portraits of members, death notices, directories, meeting notices and annual reports for the St. George and Browne lodges, as well as the Arab Patrol of the Shriners Karnak Temple. In addition, there are photographs, drawings and editorial cartoons highlighting the foibles of Quebec society. The collection of identified press clippings comes from both French- and English-language newspapers like La Presse, Le Soleil, The Montreal Daily Herald, The Standard, Saturday Night and The Quebec Telegraph.