Project biting in to McIntosh apple story

 

MORRISBURG – While Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman) became an American legend for supplying apple trees to much of the United States, little is known about a Canadian version of Johnny Appleseed, John McIntosh.

 

The Ontario Visual Heritage Project (OVHP) is producing a documentary to share this local history with the province, the nation, even the world.

OVHP director and coordinator Zach Melnick, producer Yvonne Drebert and researcher William Darfler, made a presentation at the McIntosh Inn last Thursday.

Among the local politicians, area organization representatives and history buffs who attended the meeting was the great, great granddaughter of John McIntosh, Nancy McIntosh.

Melnick plans for the high definition documentary, to commemorate the discovery of the McIntosh apple by John McIntosh in 1811, to be released in time for the 200th anniversary of the discovery.

“The story of the McIntosh’s bumpy rise to prominence from a single tree found by John while clearing a farm near Dundela in Eastern Ontario to become the dominant apple variety in North America is a little-known adventure that has the opportunity to become a major source of pride for Canadians,” said Melnick. “The 200th anniversary of this discovery is fast approaching, and now is the time to bring this unique story into the public through a dynamic documentary produced by the non-profit Ontario Visual Heritage Project.”

“There is surprisingly little recorded about this,” said Darfler. He explained that OVHP happened upon the story by accident. “It’s a complex story that I have never seen written together in one place.”

“This is a profound story, and I hope we can do it justice,” added Melnick.

He said this type of little-known Ontario story may have a big reach. When mentioning that big reach, making the connection between the locally discovered fruit and the popular brand of Apple computer was in the minds of some at the meeting.

This project, estimated to cost $125,000, would likely be broadcast on TV Ontario. OVHP will seek funding through various sources and is looking to raise $10,000 locally for the project.

The documentary would be supported by a web site promoting the McIntosh apple’s story, and a course guide connecting the project to the Ontario Curriculum. DVDs and Blu-ray discs will then be distributed for free into all schools in Eastern Ontario, and made available for sale throughout the province.

Melnick explained that this project would have a community-focussed production model. There will be opportunities for local input through the formation of a community-based committee and the use of local actors and local sites for shooting.

To date, the Ontario Visual Heritage Project has partnered with hundreds of non-profits, municipalities, and First Nations to produce 11 historical documentaries, 11 web sites and numerous course guides and DVDs that have been distributed to thousands of Ontario schools, museums and tourist centres.

For more information on the Ontario Visual Heritage Project, www.visualheritage.ca

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