August 2024 - By Mike Tott
Why is there a ‘Toilet Seat’ on display in the Morin Height Historical Association display area in Chalet Bellevue???
“MUSIC – BARS AND BEER” is the title of the new display in the Chalet Bellevue entrance, featuring a lighthearted snapshot of social history here in Morin Heights. Music especially has become an integral part of our community’s history and identity – and believe it or not the "toilet seat” is part of that history.
Back in the 1990’s the community rallied round to organize a fundraiser for the Morin Heights Elementary School music program, which had lost its funding. There was a supper and auction at an event held at Ski Morin Heights. The famous toilet seat had been donated by Le Studio, at the time one of the most recognized recording studios in North America and located right here in Morin Heights.
The toilet seat had been surreptitiously removed from the Le Studio guest house where many famous recording artists stayed. It is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity listing some of the famous “bums” that sat on it, including The Police, Sting, The Bee Gees, Cat Stevens, and Brian Adams.
At the fundraising auction that seat raised a healthy amount for the school music program and was recently donated to our Association collection. Also featured in the display is a t-shirt signed and donated by Sarah McLachlan with the words “Save the Music,” which was the catchy slogan for the fundraiser.
Working with local collectors the display includes memorabilia from the many bars and coffee houses that have been part of our history and even includes a set of concert drumsticks from Neil Peart of Rush who also recorded here and who was a local neighbour.
