Agricultural Bees

Events known as bees have been essential in shaping the agricultural communities of Lambton County.

In rural Ontario, neighbours often banded together in bees to assist each other in accomplishing large tasks. These tasks were varied and included land clearing, barn raising and harvesting.

Neighbours donated their time and energy to help each other, knowing in turn that support would be available for them when they needed to tackle a large task. Bees were exciting social occasions as much as a means to an end. With the help of neighbours, a barn could be constructed in less than a day (often requiring 60 to 140 men).

When hosting a bee, the men organized the physical task and the woman took over behind the scenes. As important social occasions, barn raising bees were often followed by large feasts for all members involved, and sometimes featured competitive games or a dance in the new barn.

Women had to ensure that the event was properly hosted and all the neighbours were adequately fed. A poorly hosted bee could result in refusals to work and the lowering of the family's social status in the community.