The Glencoe & District Historical Society has been preserving and sharing the history of our communities since 1978.
Our mission is to promote, encourage and foster the study of local history and genealogy, including original research.
We collect and preserve photographs, documents, records, stories and other materials that help tell the history of the people, places and communities of our district.
Our Work
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Mapping Our Disappearing Heritage — A Session with Evan Abma
June 20, 2026 at The Archives, Glencoe: The Glencoe & District Historical Society welcomed twenty attendees for a wonderful Saturday morning session featuring guest presenter Evan Abma. The workshop was organized by Denise Corneil, Secretary of the G&DHS, who is a passionate advocate for documenting our region’s historical structures before they’re lost. Evan, Chair of the Sarnia Heritage Committee and…
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Volunteer Opportunity: Video Curator
As Video Curator, you will help us celebrate and preserve our local history through video. You’ll play a key role in building a digital legacy that future generations can learn from—while empowering others to share their own stories.
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The Treasured Family Archive Arrives
May 12, 2026 – The Treasure Arrives Glencoe Archives – Amy, great great granddaughter of Mrs. John “Alberta” McFarlane of R.R. #4, Appin, arrived Tuesday with her great grandmother, Caroline Gough, and grandmother, Betty Ann Gough, to deliver the Bertie Fonds. Here is Amy, a fourth year Western student headed into Library and Archive Science, descibing the significance of these…
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April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026 in review
We currently have 69 members paid up. A tracking system exists for recording volunteer hours, and this year we documented approximately 2,350 hours. This reflects only a portion of the total contribution, as much volunteer time goes unrecorded.
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My Treaty Responsibilities –
by Mary Simpson, Old River Farm, Mosa Township, Treaty 21. Attending Mark French’s presentation at the Glencoe and District Historical Society (18 March 2026) felt like waking up to a responsibility I had never fully acknowledged. Mark, an Elder from Deshkan Ziibiing (Chippewas of the Thames First Nation) and husband of our G&DHS treasurer Diana Jedig, spoke about treaties not…
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Feb 12: Capturing Oral Histories Virtual Workshop
Members of the Glencoe & District Historical Society recently joined a live online presentation by Sarah Walker on the art and practice of gathering oral histories. The session was both practical and inspiring, reminding us that capturing memories is not simply about recording sound—it is about creating space for storytelling, trust, and preservation.
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A Canoe for His Grandfather
Ron McRae is the grandson of J. Stanley Knapp (1892-1967), the pioneering agricultural educator who started Ontario’s first Boys & Girl’s Clubs in Waterloo County in 1915. That club became the model for 4-H Ontario, an organization that supports over 6,000 youth and 1,600 volunteer leaders annually. Knapp’s work emphasized education through doing, leadership through example and opportunity through inclusion-…
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A Remarkable Revival of Scots Gaelic Heritage at Tait’s Corners
June Journey / Turas an Ògmhìos A Remarkable Revival of Scots Gaelic Heritage at Tait’s Corners Written by Trevor Aitkens | Directed by Antje GilesPerformed November 15–16, 2025 The Glencoe & District Historical Society was honoured to sponsor and support June Journey / Turas an Ògmhìos, a beautifully crafted Gaelic play written by Trevor Aitkens and hosted at the historic…
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St James Anglican Church, Wardsville
Windows on the past Part 3 St James Anglican Church, Wardsville by Bill Simpson St James Wardsville was torn down in 1942 after the foundations were fatally undermined by improvements to the adjoining Hagerty Road. Sadly, there are no known pictures of the interior of the church, and we have only an image of the exterior to let us know…
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St James Anglican Church & Cemetery, by Ken Wilis
By Ken Willis, Wardsville Historian, July 2023 It was in the year 1839 that John Strachan became the first Bishop of Toronto. When he received this appointment, his diocese covered the land area now known as Southern Ontario. The Rev John Gunne was licensed ‘To perform the office of Travelling Missionary’ by the Bishop, for the Townships of Zone, Euphemia,…
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April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025 in review
Prepared by the Executive members for the members of G&DHS. For the AGM April 16, 2025. Preserving Our Family Histories for Future Generations Our ancestors—whether Indigenous, settler descendants, newer generations, or recent Canadians—have all contributed to the rich history of our communities. Each of us carries important stories that deserve to be told. Historians seek the truth, striving to understand…
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Christmas Cheer at the Archives
The Glencoe and District Historical Society welcomed members, volunteers and special guests for a Christmas open house on Thursday afternoon, December 12, 2024 to celebrate the season and the Society’s many partnerships.
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Ken Willis, Curator, Wardsville Museum
Long-time Dedication For over two decades, Ken Willis has dedicated himself to preserving Wardsville’s history, curating a collection donated by residents that tells the story of Wardsville and its people. The Wardsville Museum is a cherished part of our community that houses a collection of artifacts and stories that showcase Wardsville and Mosa’s rich history. The museum depends on community…
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Rooted and Remembered, published 2024
CJ Frederick signs book for a friend at Glencoe Tartan Days July 2024
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New museum attracts local crowd
McEachren shared the history of the company and some trivia before opening the door to his impressive indoor museum McEachren Collection at Forty-87, featuring everything from toys to John Deere literature. Historical Society past president Ken Beecroft thanked Dave for sharing the story of John Deere’s life and his fascinating collection.
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History of The Appin Cemetery
By Jim May Presented to the Appin Memorial Day gathering August 1, 2000 by Jim May, whose family had a long association with Appin Cemetery. Jim’s first recollection of the cemetery was a phone call in the early 1950s: “Could my Dad come with his truck to help collect up stones for the cemetery gates?” This presentation tells the history…
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They Settled in Riverside – family history book
By Bob Gentleman and Kathy Evans. Review printed with kind permission from the Middlesex Banner. In July of this year, family and friends gathered at Arrowwood Farm, a beautiful property in Riverside, just south of Melbourne, to celebrate the publishing of a book written by my uncle, Bob Gentleman. The farm that is now called Arrowwood Farm (6460 Riverside Drive)…
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The Appin Cemetery Commemoration
Appin Cemetery Commemoration July 28, 2024 [slideshow_deploy id=’2326′] As part of an annual commemoration of area cemeteries, Glencoe & District Historical Society (G&DHS) organized a presentation and community walk at the Appin Cemetery. Prayers, dedications, singing, and community conversation were key parts of the afternoon.
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Highlights from the AGM for Apr 1, 2023 – Mar 31, 2024
Date & Venue: Wednesday, April 17th, 2024, at the Archives, 178 McKellar Street, Glencoe. Attendance: A solid turnout of 30 members, with all executives present except President Ken Beecroft. Opening: Vice President Mary Simpson initiated the meeting at 7:00 PM, welcoming members old and new. Remembrance: A moment of silence was observed for the late Lorne Munro, a member for…
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April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 in review
Glencoe & District Historical Society – Report for April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 K.W. Beecroft, President, Glencoe & District Historical Sociey Dated March 31, 2024
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Lorne Munro, Past President
During my tenure as President in 2018, the Society’s collection moved from our rooms on Main Street to the old library at 178 McKellar Street, Glencoe. I have served as secretary, first vice president, president (a couple of times).
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Early Days of Mosa Township
By 1850, Mosa had 1,775 residents, two grist and two saw mills, one fulling mill and one carding machine in operation. The only large settlement was Wardsville, then boasting 200 inhabitants. Wardsville was incorporated as its own entity in 1867.
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Our County Council is stoked to save our history
Listen to Carol Small’s presention to Middlesex County Council, March 14, 2023 … on behalf of the Committee to Establish a Middlesex County Archives. We continue to encourage Middlesex County Council to help preserve our local history.
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Andrew McGill Members Only Portfolio Review
Local photographer and Glencoe Native, Andrew McGill hosted a Portfolio Review of his work to the core membership of the Glencoe & District Historical Society. The review took place at The Archives on February 18th, 2023. Andrew recently moved back to the Glencoe area after living in Toronto, and New York, for over a decade. Throughout that time he has…
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The year 2022 in review
April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 The Glencoe & District Historical Society was formed in 1978 to promote local history research. We are a registered non-profit organization, staffed by volunteers who are keenly interested in maintaining our objectives. Our objectives are: First, It should also be pointed out, that during the past year G & DHS did resume normal…
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Scots Gaelic – Past, Present and Future
Trevor Aitkens grew up in Brooke township, Lambton County, and lived with his grandmother who spoke Gaelic. He regrets now that he didn’t take it up at the time. He studied a number of other languages but realized later that he needed to pay homage to his own heritage. Trevor stumbled upon a night school offering in Mississauga in 1998…
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Oakland Cemetery, Mosa Township
“Beyond the gates of the cemetery lives an historical account of our past, a rich heritage populated by friends and relatives. Loved ones who can no longer be with us, but whose memories live on.” – Josh Kekosz Each year the Historical Society honours those who came before us. On July 24, 2022, the Cemetery Memorial Service was held…
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What’s on the Horizon for G & DHS?
K.W. Beecroft, President, G & DHS. Dated April 20, 2022 Our April 20th Members Meeting represents G&DHS’s 44th anniversary. A wonderful achievement for our organization. With Covid 19 hopefully on the decline, we hope to move ahead with Program ideas and initiatives that will be informative and educational for our members and the public. We plan to have at least…
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✴︎ Our Work
Many thanks to the Municipality of SWM
K.W. Beecroft, President, G & DHS. Dated April 20, 2022 The ARCHIVE – G&DHS and Municipality of Southwest Middlesex have an agreement for the use of the facility at 178 McKellar Street. This has proved to be a very positive arrangement for both parties involved. There is room for G & DHS meetings, restoration workshop, a sales area, an office,…
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✴︎ Our WorkInformation Technology Report
for G&DHS general meeting 2020 – 2022 Aim: To plan for and manage the digital information and on-line applications owned by G&DHS. Domain: Social media apps; Google Workspace; digital archives; on-line privacy and security. Circle of volunteers includes: Tyler Thomson, Colin Varga, Mary Simpson, Ayako Macdonald, Ken Beecroft, Harold Carruthers, Angela Foreman–Bobier, Ryan Tuer, Marie Williams-Gagnon, Richard Hathaway, and more. …
