From outside and within, Sylvancroft mansion offers a look back to a time when Edmonton’s elite entertained servicemen during the First World War and city residents rode horses through Edmonton’s streets.
Through Sylvancroft we are given a glimpse into Edmonton life 100 years ago. Just look at these images of the various historical artifacts – the treasures – we came across when we entered the estate for the first time. Each photograph tells its own story.
If you were looking for a chocolaty treat 100 years ago, chances are you’d choose a Neilson’s chocolate bar. The confectionary company began as Neilson’s Ice Cream in the early 1890s before it became William Neilson Ltd. It was an instant success. In their first summer as ice cream makers, the Neilson family sold an amazing 3,750 gallons, earning a profit of $3000 – a princely profit in 1893. By 1915, when founder William Neilson died at the age of 71, the Neilson company was producing a million pounds of ice cream every year and 500,000 pounds of chocolate.
Aptly named Chipso was simply chipped soap. Manufactured and sold by Procter & Gamble, each Chipso box bore the tagline “For all cleaning” and the phrases, “Quick Chipso Suds. For the wash boiler. For the dish pan. For the washing machine and for soaking clothes over night.” Housewives during the 1920s and into the 1950s were sure to have a box or two Chipso, or similar brand, in the house.
The Swiss Alpine Club was the first Alpine club founded in continental Europe after the foundation of the Alpine Club (1857) in London. It was founded in 1863 in Olten. Today, it is composed of 111 sections with over 110,000 members. These include the Association of British Members of the Swiss Alpine Club. H.M.E. Evans most likely became a member through his British connections.
Much like today, royalty were the celebrity of all celebrities in the 1930s. This letter along with a commemorative medal from His Majesty the King must have been quite the cause for excitement at the Sylvancroft household! The coronation of King George VI took place on 12 May 1937, following the death of King George V on 20 January 1936 and the abdication of King Edward VIII on 11 December 1936. There were 90,279 commemorative medals issued in total, 10,089 of them going to Canadians.
Sylvancroft will always hold an important place in Edmonton’s local heritage.
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