Fishing was one of the main occupations of the first settlers of Torbay. This trade has continued on through the years until 1992, when a North Atlantic Cod Moratorium was put in place. The Torbay Museum offers a detailed look at the fishery in the lives of Torbay citizens. It has one entire corner dedicated to the fishery which is filled with various artifacts.

The carpentry section of the Torbay Museum is filled with various tools that were used in the trade during 'the old days'. The museum is home to various types of saws, augers - which were used for drilling holes in the ice, and a folding measuring tape. The museum also has a mallet and some planes that were used for coal moldings.

Many visitors that come to the museum are simply amazed by these artifacts. There are no electric chainsaws or drills - everything was used by hand and without electricity. It's often said how amazing it was that people were able to use such crude tools.

Barrels and butter churns were also popular since it was not possible to transport items in glass. Men would go on long trips to St. John's to deliver goods. The roads were not in great shape to travel over so carrying tools and goods had to be carefully made to be able to endure such a task could be completed properly.

Farming

The farming section of the Torbay Museum boasts many artifacts that were once used to help Torbay with its economic growth. Although farming wasn't the primary industry of residents - it was certainly an important one.

Potatoes, cabbage and turnip were the most popular plantation crops grown. The growth of vegetables was a food source for the families of Torbay and any excess vegetables would be brought to St. John's to be sold for profit.

In the farming section the front of a barn has been created as a backdrop with hay stacked in the side window. The entire area is fenced in - just like the olden days. There are numerous milk jugs, a butter churn and even an ice cream maker. A barn lantern is hung on the barn, as well as horse bells and a horse brush. A seeder rests against the door and adjacent to that lies different types of shovels.

Parlour Room

In our parlour setting, the walls are covered with old pictures - everything from portraits to weddings. One picture is particularly striking: it's the picture of a porcelain-faced woman names Margaret Quigley (1888-1912). Quigley resided on Quigley's Lane, off Piper Stock Hill until the age of 24. It was at that time she passed away from Tuberculosis - a common disease of those times.

Nestled among dishes arranged in a glass case lies the oldest artifact of the museum - a two hundred year old platter that was once owned by George White's great grandmother, a resident of Torbay.

Music lovers can check out the old wooden organ and stool, as well as the old records and record player. For the fashion lover, there is even a mannequin supporting the dress of the times. For the young children, there are dolls and carriages and a Christening dress dating back more than one hundred years.

A mixer from the 1930's is placed on a table along with an iron toaster and various pots and pans. The table is one of the artifacts that were collected from St. Michael's Convent before it was torn down.

In the corner, there is a dresser with a mirror. A wash jug and basin rests up on it. There is also a shaving kit, hair accessories and an old bottle of Colgate toothpaste.

An old parlour stove, in good condition, rests under a mantel and is the focus point of several chairs (part of the nine-piece parlor set received from St. Michael's Convent). There is an area that is filled with old irons, cameras, a typewriter, sewing machine and much more. The parlour setting is an ideal glimpse of a "Torbay living room" at the turn of the century.