Portraits of local people: Joseph Simonin, collector

He rescues, repairs, and maintains objects from the past. A tireless collector, he tastefully showcases the witnesses of the past in his museum. He passionately conveys the stories told by each of these objects, thus awakening the past of certain visitors who come to remember and, in turn, pass on a little of life in the past. Joseph shares his story and his attachment to the region with us; here is his portrait, in the series “portraits of local people.”

Watch the interview with Joseph Simonin

The tractor was beginning to replace the horse

At 15, 16 years old, I was already putting things aside to save them., since it was the time when the tractor was beginning to replace the horse. I was born in 1946, I am a few years older… The machines that were used by horses were often destroyed. I put them aside with makeshift means, sheltered under trees, in the barn.

I was born on the farm next door, and lived there until I was 30. My professional life focused on carpentry, where I worked with the Simonin company all over the world. I worked at the museum on Saturdays, a little in my free time. Having retired, I devoted myself to completing this museum to open it in 2014.

The farm experience

I have always been open to pass on the heritage, the objects, their use. This is my main activity when I am at the museum. Those who come to visit say that I am really very passionate to give explanations on the use of objects, their origin too.

I was lucky enough to work on the farm. I worked with horses, with old farm equipment. I worked in the forest, I did logging with horses.

I also know a lot about crafts. It's through experience that I'm well-informed about all these objects. It was necessary working from a very young age and participating in farm work.

Everyone was in the same boat

Life was tough, but not hard, because In large families, we were always in a team, there was always a good atmosphere, and then finally everyone on all the farms was on the same page.

Back then, really everything mattered, everything was calculated to save money.

One day, we were making hay, and then a small tornado came and lifted a forkful of hay from the neighbor's house, who was running after it to retrieve it. Today, it's a little different, if there's a little hay left on the edges, we abandon it, but back then, a forkful of hay was important.

Come, come back and share

My favorite pieces In the museum, there are several: the kitchen with the wood stove, the stable too, I always kept some animals in the summer in the pastures, cows with horns.

And then the workshop of Marshal Ferrand, the Blacksmith, also has great importance for me. It corresponds to my ancestors, since my grandfather was a Marshal Ferrand.

There are adjustments every day, every week. The four main machines of the farm, the plow, the mower, the turner for shaking the hay, and the rake for gathering it, will be suspended from the frame, in order to free up space for other scenes, especially the butcher's shop on the farm, where we kill the pig, make the black pudding, the sausage, the ham.

To all the visitors who come to the museum, I want to say to them come, come back, and then in reality, that's what really happens, since everyone who comes to the museum, I think at least 80%, comes back, with family or friends the following year.

Recover, renovate, clean… pass on

The collection of objects continues a little. My wife doesn't really agree with me collecting more things, because she thinks there are already too many, but I still have donations. new items arriving almost every weekI can't resist, I collect them, I renovate them, I clean them, I repair them.

There are still many objects in the attics that can be displayed.

The heritage that has been accumulated must survive, must live, it is absolutely necessary find a solution to the problem of successionAll small rural museums, whether private or public, are faced with this problem of succession.

Rediscover the fir trees and the mountains

I haven't had the chance to go on vacation much because I've been very busy with the construction of the museum, but it's true that I never want to leave for very long. After a week, ten days, I want to go back and find my fir trees, my life in the mountains. In my professional life, as a carpenter, I went abroad a lot, so today it's true that I'm becoming a bit of a homebody, I stay more in the region.

A very fulfilling retirement

I always thought that our mid-mountains were a predestined tourist destination, with snowy winters and summers. There are activities available all year round.

Since I was young, my three goals were: the restaurant, the museum and the accommodationThe restaurant and museum are open, but I haven't managed to find accommodation, and now it's a bit too late, I think.

The museum is already plenty to keep you busy. It's still a very fulfilling retreat.

Visit the Museum of Life in the Past

“Portraits of local people” series

Find more portraits of enthusiasts, residents of Pays Horloger, who share a little of their lives. Because before being a tourist destination, the Pays Horloger is a living, vibrant territory. These women and men are the Pays Horloger as well as our must-see natural sites! Meet them!