1

Called 'Dean' by her family and friends, Geraldine Batman was born on August 7, 1886 to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Batman. She lived all of her life in the same house overlooking the mill pond that ran her father's Sawmill for many years.

From 1942 to 1946, Geraldine Batman was President of the Women's Institute, but the love of history and the desire to preserve it started early in her life. Her family's lives are enriched by the scores of photographs she left them.

In 1962, Miss Batman was instrumental in organizing the Centennial activities in Sheguiandah. She was also a Charter Member and secretary of the Eastern Manitoulin Historical Society that agreed to be the governing body in a museum project suggested by the Sheguiandah Women's Institute.
In 1964, Geraldine donated a piece of property on which to build the Centennial Museum. For her donation, an area was to be set aside not 'less' that 10' x 20' in the new museum for 'a display of the historical items and records of Miss Dean Batman.

2

Miss Batman's father Thomas was also a taxidermist, so many of the items donated to the new museum were animals he had preserved.

Geraldine loved children and was a doting aunt and great aunt to many children in the community. She also played the organ in the Sheguiandah United Church and served the church in various capacities for over 70 years. On her 90th birthday the church dedicated a new organ purchased through a substantial donation from Miss Batman and a special fundraising project that she herself had chaired.

Geraldine Batman died in December of 1982.

3

Batman's Mill operated until about 1930
1890
Sheguiandah, Ontario, Canada

4

Batman's Saw Mill in Sheguiandah, Ontario taken about 1890

5

Sheguiandah Public School
Sheguiandah, Ontario, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


6

Geraldine Batman is the little blond in the second row, on the left of the picture. Both she and Ella Lewis attended the same school.

7

Geraldine Batman at the wedding of Georgina Hastie and Fred Meredith
19 June 1912
Sheguiandah, Ontario, Canada

8

As an attendant at Georgina Hastie's wedding to Fred Meredith, June 19, 1912, Geraldine Batman is sitting left of the groom.

9

Sheguiandah Women's Institute
1967
Sheguiandah, Ontario, Canada

10

Geraldine (Dean) Batman is the second woman on the left, back row in this picture of the Sheguiandah Women's Institute, 1967

11

The first look at the new Batman room
1996
10862 Highway 6, Sheguiandah, Ontario, Canada

12

This was what the Batman room looked like in the new exhibit area in 1996

13

The Batman room
2005
10862 Highway 6, Sheguiandah, Ontario, Canada

14

The Batman room, dedicated to the memory of Geraldine (Dean) Batman as it appears in 2005.