Warden celebrates 100 years with a time capsule
In 2016, the town of Warden, a small village of about 350 people located in Shefford, turned a century old and the town council wanted to do something special to celebrate it’s 100th anniversary. Holding a mechoui was the main idea put forward but one man believed that this was not enough. “You eat, you go to the bathroom, you leave, and it’s forgotten,” explained Paul Sicard, who grew up in the Townships, “I came up with the idea of having a time capsule.”
Mr. Sicard is a man of many talents. He is a graphic designer, he runs his own graphic design company in Montreal called Jack of Arts, he’s a cartoonist, a writer, and he even dabbles in photography from time to time. But beyond that, he is a man with a passion for the town with a lot of historical value that holds a very special place in his heart.
Sicard’s family was among the early settlers to the area. His great grandfather William Mclaughlin settled in Warden with his family in 1852 and contributed to the development of Warden, at the time known as Mock’s Mills. Because of his family’s roots in the area, the history of Warden and its people is significant to him.
With this passion emerged the idea to have a time capsule in celebration of Warden’s 100th birthday. “Something like this gives us a little fun and memorabilia.”
The time capsule, which is to be opened on April 3rd, 2116, will hold a book designed by Sicard that presents future Warden residents with some of the history of the village, what is going on in the world presently, and in it, he also makes his own predictions for the future. “I designed a book and it includes photos of the town back 120 years ago. I took the old photos and put the dates on them. My cartoon instincts came in and I also predicted the future.”
In the book, residents of 2116 will come across pictures and information about some of the first people to settle in Warden and some of the first local businesses that were established. “The photos I have go back to the buggy days.”
He also includes photos and information about the residents that are living in Warden presently. “Everyone that is
living in Warden now, their names and addresses are in the book.”
He also incorporated political cartoons about former President Obama, terrorists groups such as Isis, and Mr. Donald Trump and his future impacts on the world. “They are all political cartoons and it’s just humor.”
As a graphic designer and cartoonist, Sicard created his own drawings that predicted the future; a future where the human race is dying off and friendly Aliens swoop in to save the day. Oh and let’s not forget, Warden becomes the main landing spot for Alien travel. “It’s more fun than anything. You always try to imagine what people will be like in 100 years.”
One of the great things about having a time capsule for future residents of Warden? “Maybe one day, they will see their great, great, grandfather in the future.”
The time capsule will be set up at the Relais Mclaughlin, the new park and bicycle path that was developed in Warden and named after Paul’s grandparents. It has yet to be sealed so people still have the chance to include their own pieces in the time capsule. You can give your items to Mr. Sicard by reaching him at 514-923-0137. If it’s something visual, he is able to print it. “This to me is what changes it from the ordinary. It encompasses the history of Warden. Not every town has a time capsule.”
As part of his passion for the town of Warden and his mission to secure its history, Sicard also has future plans to open up a coffee shop in the building that used to be the Warden post office located right next door to the time capsule and the Relais Mclaughlin that will bring people back in time.
“The coffee shop will be very old with old items. I’ve been starting to collect stuff.” Some of the items he was lucky to come across include a 150-year-old counter, the old Warden post office sign, and a variety of old teapots.
He has old photographs that will be hung up throughout the coffee shop. “It would be fun for people to see history. Warden hasn’t changed when you look at older photos. I look at a photo of my grandfather and it feels like yesterday.”
Warden is one of the oldest settlements in Shefford dating back to 1794 and it used to be a very busy town. With three sawmills, a gristmill, two tanneries, a general store, the American Hotel, and his grandfather’s buggy factory, Warden was once a booming industrial area and Sicard wants to preserve that piece of the past.
In terms of what will be offered at the café, “I’m buying from people who make homemade pastries. I’ll also have ice cream, smoothies, and sandwiches. Just quick stuff, I’m pushing towards cyclists.”
More importantly, “it should give the village a bit of excitement and activity. It’s not just a business, I want to restore the historical value of the village.”
Welcome to the future La Grande Roue Café.