Fonds - Kitchener's Farmer's Market fonds

• Multiple media
• Textual record

3.5 m of textual records
1m of photographs
40 m of videos
60 cm of artifacts
20 cm of plans/blueprints

For over 140 years there has been a farmers market building in the city of Berlin/Kitchener. At its peak, the market was known as one of the best farmers markets in North America. The market was frequently visited by many people who came back regularly to the same vendors over the many years. Busloads of people came to the Saturday market and it was one of the main attractions in Kitchener. The market buildings have changed and have been modernized over the years. There has been controversy associated around the market but today it still operates a Saturday market. The Kitchener Farmer’s market has changed locations over the many years but the tradition of the market still continues to be a part of Kitchener’s cultural identity.

      There has been a market held in the city going as far back 1839.  Jacob Y. Shantz was the pioneer of the first market building in Berlin.  In 1869 for under $4,000, he erected a two story building that not only held the market but the council chambers and post office.  On Saturday mornings farmers traveled to the market by horse and buggy to sell their items.  In 1872 a long, low building was erected behind the original building.   For the next 35 years, farmers came to sell produce, livestock, vegetables and other items in the market building.
     In 1907 a larger building was required and a two story red brick building was erected for just under $18,000.  For over 60 years the market was held inside and outside of this building.  The market was thriving in the 1950’s and 1960’s.  There were as many as 350 farmers and over 500 tables inside the building and 150 tables outside the building for regular venders.  Vendors arrived as early as 5 a.m. to set up their stalls.  Outside stalls cost $40.00 to $60.00 and inside stalls ran from $20.00 to $150.00.  Meat, poultry, eggs, vegetables, fruit, cheese, flowers, plants, baked goods, bread, crafts were many of the food and other items sold.
     In the 1960’s refrigeration was suggested for the perishables items.  The idea was not met with much support.   Vendors did not want to be forced to add refrigeration to their counters.  Council approved an idea to cover 40 of the outside market stands.  Discussions were taking place on the possibility of the market moving from the location behind city hall.  A survey was taken of market customers and King St. merchants.  Market customers were asked if the market was moved to the outskirts of Kitchener, would they visit more, less or the same amount.  No specific location was given as to where the market would be located.  The results were that they would visit more or about the same if the market was moved.  King St. merchants were overwhelming in favour of not moving the market out of the downtown core.  The decision was made by Council not move the market at that particular time.  Rental rates were increased in 1971.  Inside stall rose to between $35.00 to $200.00 and outside stalls rose from $75.00 to $95.00.
 In 1971 the city council announced the plans to demolish the old market building and the city hall.  The market would be relocated to the new shopping complex that would be built on the land.  This became a very controversial matter in the downtown redevelopment.   The plan was to keep the look of the inside of the new market similar to the old market.  The interior of the new market would have wood pillars and beams, plaster walls on the lower floor and brick walls on the upper floor.  Proper refrigeration facilities would be added for all perishables.  The final market day in the 1907 building was held on August 1, 1973.  An estimated crowd of 8,000 people attended the last market before demolition.  A farewell to the old building was commemorated by a ‘Tradition on the Move’ luncheon for the vendors and guests.  A market bell was presented for installation in the new building.  A plaque commemorating the markets’ move was also presented.  Vendors and guests received a brick with a plaque as a memento.   On August 4, the market was moved to the parking garage where it continued operations until the new structure was completed.  More than 13,000 souvenir bricks were sold for $1.00 a piece over several months.
     On June 29, 1974 the new market was open for business and over 10,000 people attended the opening day market.  The market was an overwhelming success in the first month after opening.  Crowds ranged from 17,000 to 20,000 on Saturdays up from between 12,000 to 14,000.  On Wednesdays the attendance was up to 9,000 from 5,000.  The official opening of the new market was held on October 12, 1974.  Premier Bill Davis rang the market bell to commemorate the opening.  The market continued to operate from this site for 30 years.
     In the late 1990’s, the long-term Market Square lease was about to expire and the city began a search for a new location.  The city began to buy up the land bounded by King, Eby, Duke and Cedar Sts.   A 2001 survey was complied to ask residents questions regarding the new market. The ‘Your Kitchener Market’ opened on May 22, 2004 on King St. E.  The Kitchener market today continues the tradition started over 130 years ago.  Today, it is called the Kitchener Market and the International Cuisine and merchant upper level market vendors are open Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.  The lower level Farmer’s Market and the artisans and crafters on the upper level are open Saturday’s 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The fonds consists of minutes, historical information, plaques, drawings, blueprints and photographs. Other items are books, a bell and bricks.

1: Minutes/Reports – 1886 – 1981. 60cm

    This series consists of the minutes and reports of the market.
    An index is available in Appendix A

2. Textual Information – 1900’s – 2008. 60cm

    This series consists of newspaper articles, newsletters, books, and correspondence.
    An index is available in Appendix B

3. Photographs – 1898 – 2005. 100cm

   This series consist of photographs, albums and mounted photographs.

An index is available in Appendix C.

4. Videos, Cassettes and CD’s –1990 – 2006. 4cm

   This series consist of various videos, cassettes and cd’s.

An index is available in Appendix D.

5. Artifacts – 1874 – 1981. 20cm

   This series consist of plaques and two bricks and a bell.

An index is available in Appendix E.

6. Drawings/Blueprints – 1960’s – 2006. 20cm

   This series consist of architectural drawings, blueprints and floor plans.

An index is available in Appendix F.

7. Ephemera – 2004 - 2012. 2cm

   This series consist of posters and brochures.

An index is available in Appendix G.

Appendix A
Series 1: Minutes/Reports

Title Date Volume/Item Box
Minutes –
Market Technical Advisory 1973 1-1 12608
Minutes -
Market Design Advisory 1973
1-2 12608
Minutes – Market Operating 1975 1-3 12608
Minutes – Market Operating 1976 1-4 12608
Minutes – Market Operating 1977 1-5 12608
Minutes – Market Operating 1978 1-6 12608
Minutes – Market Operating 1979 1-7 12608
Minutes – Market Operating 1980 1-8 12608
Minutes – Market Operating 1981 1-9 12608
Regulation –
Fruit Branchers 1931-1959 1-10 12608
Regulations –
Live Stock Products 1939 1-11 12608
Committee Minutes – Volume 35 1946-1947 2-1 12083
Committee Minutes – Volume 37 1948-1949 3-1 12079
Committee Minutes – Volume 38 1950-1951 4-1 12077
Committee Minutes – Volume 41 1952 5-1 12072
Committee Minutes – Volume 42 1953 6-1 12070
Committee Minutes – Volume 44 1954 7-1 12066
Committee Minutes – Volume 46 1955 8-1 12062
Committee Minutes – Volume 49 1956 9-1 12069
Committee Minutes – Volume 52 1957 10-1 12063
Committee Minutes – Volume 53 1958 11-1 12061
Committee Minutes – Volume 57 1959 12-1 12054
Committee Minutes – Volume 59 1960 13-1 12050
Committee Minutes – Volume 62 1961 14-1 12057
Committee Minutes – Volume 66 1886-1911 15-1 12049
Committee Minutes – Volume 72 1900-1911 16-1 12038

Appendix B
Series 2: Textual Information

Title Date Volume/Item Box
Farmers Market Study 1986-1987 17-1 11191
Promotional Information 2001-2006 17-2 11191
Promotional Information 2001-2006 17-5 11191
Background Information 1839-1997 18-1 10946
Book “The Story of Kitchener” 18-2 10946
Miscellaneous Information 1958-2000 18-4 10946
125th Anniversary Certificate 1994 18-7 10946
Market Clerk Position 1981-1986 19-1 10942
Magazine Article 1966-1974 19-5 10942
Newsletter 1994 19-6 10942
Market Business Plans 1995-1999 19-8 10942
Newspaper Articles 1980-1999 20-1 10934
"My Old Order Mennonite Heritage" –Book 1982 20-2 10934
Scrapbook 1971-1972 22-1 11093
Market Future Is Its Past - article 1989 23-5 9390
“The Kitchener Market Fight” – Book 1975 24-1 10358
Newspaper Article on Demolition of Market 1973 26-2 14310
Farmer’s Market Booklet 2000 27-1 11143
Ontario Superbuild Report 2003 27-2 11143
Newspaper Articles 2008 27-3 11143
Kitchener Market – Round 1 application 1978-1980 31-3 11999
Memorabilia 1984-1992 32-3 10944
Guest Books 1979-1991 32-4 10944
Promotional Information 1995-2001 36-1 12544
Newspaper Articles 1960’s 37-1 10143
Newspaper Articles 1970’s 37-2 10143
Market Postcard 1950’s 60-1 10906

Appendix C
Series 3: Photographs

Title Date Volume/Item Box
Photographs 1970’s-1990’s 18-3 10946
Photographs 1990-1990’s 18-6 10946
Slides 1969-1991 18-9 10946
Photo Albums (4) 1981-1995 19-4 10942
Photographs 1898-1906 19-7 10942
Photographs 1980’s 20-3 10934
Photo Albums (3) 1980’s 20-4 10934
Market Vendors 1960’s 21-1 11723
Market Photos 1960’s-2001 23-2 9390
Market Photo 1950’s 28-1 10925
Photograph 1960’s 30-1 11862
Photograph 1955 30-2 11862
Photograph 1900 30-3 11862
Photographs 1970 31-1 11999
Photographs Vendors 1980’s-1990’s 31-2 11999
Photographs 1960’s-1980’s 32-1 10944
Bicentennial Photograph 1984 32-2 10944
Photo Albums (2) 1995-2005 33-1 12289
Framed Photo 1980’s 39-1 CH 0009
Framed Photo 1950’s 40-1 CH 0010
Framed Photo 1950’s 41-1 CH 0011
Framed Photo 1950’s 42-1 CH 0012
Framed Photo 1800’s 43-1 CH 0013
Framed Photo 1950’s 44-1 CH 0014
Framed Photo 1930’s 45-1 CH 0015
Framed Photo 1950’s 46-1 CH 0016
Framed Photo 1900 47-1 CAO 0214
Framed Photo 1900’s 48-1 CAO 0217
Framed Photo 1900’s 49-1 CAO 0237
Oil Painting 50-1 0239
Photographs 1983-1994 51-1 10948
Photographs 1960’s-1990’s 52-1 12811
Story Boards 2003-2004 56-1 CH
Your Kitchener Opening 2004 57-1 11843
Slides n.d. 58-1 12996
Photographs n.d. 59-1 CH

Appendix D
Series 4: Videos, Cassettes and Cd’s

Title Date Volume/Item Box
Market CD 2001-2006 17-4 11191
Market Tapes 1991-1997 18-8 10946
Your Kitchener Market Opening CD 2004 29-1 10908
Your Kitchener Market CD 2005 33-2 12289
Cassettes 2002 53-1 14544
Videos 1990-2002 53-2 14544
Videos 1994-1996 54-1 14548
Cassettes 1991-1998 55-1 14549

Appendix E
Series 5: Artifacts

Title Date Volume/Item Box
Plaque 1981 19-2 10942
Plaque n.d. 19-3 10942
Bell 1874 25-1 shelf
Bricks 1973 26-1 14310
Triptech art 1976 34-1 @ Market
Plaque 1973 35-1 GR
Plaque – Jacob Shantz 1977 38-1 CH 0008

Appendix F
Series 6: Drawings/Blueprints

Title Date Volume/Item Box
Sketches 2001-2006 17-3 11191
Market Square Blueprints 1985 18-5 10946
Drawings 1960’s-2001 23-1 9390
Market Square Floor Plans 1980’s 23-3 9390
Market Blueprints 1980’s 23-4 9390

Appendix G
Series 7: Ephemera

Title Date Volume/Item Box
Posters 2007-2012 61-1 11281