This couple operated as as a team, when either one was approached with a proposition, offer, or whatever, the response was “I will talk to my wife (or husband).
They were always keen to add to their project and watched it grow with new projects, opening to the public, films, special activities.
The Moores were keen tourists visiting similar sites in Vermont and Massachussets to absorb various successful operations to apply at Canadiana Village.
Canadiana Village soon became synonamous with Dorwin Falls at the mention of Rawdon.
The Moores also travelled to Europe, Russia, and China always with an interest in such facilities and left memories to the staff.
In 1999 while visiting such living museums in Europe the mention of Rawdon Canadiana Village was quickly mentioned. The interest in the Village was more than just a passing remarked. The cords limiting access were unhooked and was escorted into the belly of their museum with great respect.
Earle Moore was born and educated in Montreal, Quebec. He inherited his father’s company, Moore Bros. Machinery on Decairie Blvd. in Montreal which he directed until his retirement.
Earle and his wife, Nora Lehane, were avid collectors of Canadiana and in the early 1950’s they decided to create a site to share their collection with anyone interested. To this end they purchased a 140 acre abandoned farm in Rawdon with several out buildings in remarkedly good condition to store their burgeoning collection.
The project started with furnishing the farmhouse with old Quebec style pine furniture and converting the out outbuildings to showcase even more of their treasures. A veternarian’s office, built in 1912, furnished with items from George SmileyV.S.’ office, a long serving veterinary in Rawdon which were donated to the Moores by Dr. Smiley’s family) a postoffice (with the wicket from the recently refurbished building), and a general store, with numerous items found in such a establishment were also on display in the drive shed. Upstairs chairs, beds, tables, etc. were held in storage for future display.
The nearby barn had a collection of sleighs, buggies and farm machinery on both floors.
The first building to be relocated to the farm was the Logan Schoolhouse from Mille iles. The school was complete with original desks and benches that had been stored in a barn loft for almost a century.
Several other buildings followed and soon they had “a village” on their farm with over 20 houses and shops on the upper level.
Canadiana soon became “Hollywood North” with several filmings done on site. For some buildings, such as the church, had to be erected to accommodate the particular film. While there were very few, possibly 4 or 5 of these structures, Earle opted to keep them to display their ever growing collection.
Two American clothing outlets used Canadiana to photograph their seasonal calendar using local models.
Chairman of the Board: Moore Enterprises
Director: Canadian Heritage Society
The English Speaking Union
Past Director: Montreal Board of Trade
Past President: Moore Bros. Machinery
Province of Quebec Museums Society
Rotary Club of Montreal
Montreal Branch of the Royal Commonwealth Society
The Dominion Commercial Travellers Association
The Farmers Club of Montreal
The Downtown Citizens Assoc.
Quebec Provincial Council of Boy Scouts of canada
Life Governor & Executive Member: Antiquarium & Numismatic Society
Life Governor: The Chateau de Ramsey
Boy Scouts of Canada: Internatial Commissioner for Canada
Former Alderman: The Town of Mount Royal
Town of Baie d’Urfie
Honorary President: Rawdon Artists’ Circle
Member: Vintage Automobile Club of Montreal
Canadian Aviation Historical Society
The Antique Airplane Assoc. of AmericaThe Antique Carriage society of America
The Dominion Executive of Boy Scouts of Canada
Honorary Member: R.C.A.F. Assoc.
Fellow: Antiquarium & Numismatic Society
Governor: Montreal Diocesan Theological College
Delegate; Anglican Synod
Recipient: 1978 Queen’s Jubilee Medal
The Scouts’ Silver Wolf Award Canadian Boy Scouts of Canada
Centennial Medal for Service to Canada
Jubilee Medal for Service to Canada
Nora Lehane Moore
With her husband of 57 years, Earl Moore, Nora co-founded Canadiana Village in
Rawdon. Nora, with a degree in fashion, was considered one of the top authorities on early Canadian dress and furniture. She and her husband were given an award by the Governor General for their work in the restoration and preservation of Canadian heritage.
Nora had a keen desire that the children today and in the future should be aware and proud of their heritage.
Just as her husband, Nora was a member of several various organizations.
An active member of the Canadian Red Cross during WWII
Volunteer speech therapist of the Montreal Rehabilitation Centre
Founding Member of the Ladies’ Auxillary of the Salvation Army Eventide Home
Demonstrated millinery for several years to ladies at this Home on Upper Lachine Road
Supporter of the Canadian Girl Guides
Past President of the Women’s Art Society of Montreal
Honorary President of the Rawdon Artists’ Society
Lectured on various facets of early Canadian dress and early Canadian furniture
Past President of the Ladies Branch of the Antiquarian and Numismatic Society and a member of the Board of Directors of the Organization.
Member of the Royal Commonwealth Society
Member of the Quebec Museum Society
Member of the English-speaking Union
In 1978 Nora was presented with the Citizens Award for Outstanding Service to the Community by the Rotary Club of Montréal
Nora could be found dipping old pine furniture into a large vat of acid to remove its patent before placing it in a building for exhibition.
When not preparing items for display she would most likely, if not attending to the many who would drop by out of curiosity. She never failed to accommodate these visitors with her customary enthusuastic welcome.
The buildings and grounds were maintained to appear very attractive. She believed if there was not an inviting, atmosphere it would not appeal to the public.
Nora’s goal was to show the buildings as they would be when if people actually lived there and had just gone out for a few minutes.
Each building had a particular setting, the main house was a setting portraying a bride preparing for her wedding, a Grandma’s House depicted represented preparation for Christmas, etc.