Small
One of Canada.s most steadfast explorers, but one of the lesser known, James Anderson arrived in Canada in 1831 to spend his entire working life in the service of the Hudson.s Bay Company (HBC). Anderson not only transformed the landscape he explored, he was dramatically shaped by it. This Community Memories exhibit, .Exploring James Anderson: A Journey through the Adventurous Life of a Company Man,. draws on a range of media to bring the story of this unheralded explorer to life.
Beginning his career as an apprentice clerk, James crisscrossed the country, steadily rising through the HBC ranks along the way. He was eventually promoted to chief trader in 1847 and finally to chief factor in 1856.
James Anderson was trustworthy, resilient and dutiful, qualities that did not go unnoticed by his superiors and peers. In 1854 he was chosen to lead an expedition in search of lost British explorer John Franklin. Although Anderson failed to locate Franklin and his doomed crew, he nevertheless proved his mettle and was awarded the Polar Medal as a result of his formidable effort.
In 1864, upon retirement, James settled in present-day Georgina, where he owned property and died only months after Canada.s Confederation. Many of his relatives rose to prominence in Georgina, holding important political, economic and social titles.
The exhibit includes various images of rare artefacts and archival documents from the Georgina Pioneer Village & Archives. collection: comic book images, letter transcriptions, journal entries, official HBC correspondence and before-and-after photographs of conservation work done to restore the integrity of these pieces.
