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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260607
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DTSTAMP:20260612T102724Z
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UID:4005-1780790400-1780876799@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
SUMMARY:A Review of "Salome Bey & Lawrence Hill: Stories of Excellence" with Denise Pelley
DESCRIPTION:By Mary Simpson \nI was privileged to be in the historic African Methodist Episcopal Church at Fanshawe Pioneer Village last Sunday\, Jun 7\, 2026\, listening to two accomplished artists bring two remarkable Black Canadian lives into the light. Denise Pelley\, accompanied by Stephen Holowitz\, held the fifth event in the Fanshawe Village series—and what an extraordinary homecoming it was. \nNot long ago\, the AME Church stood on Thames Street in London\, largely forgotten. Built around 1848\, it had served London’s Black community as a place of worship\, gathering\, and resistance—a sanctuary for people who had escaped slavery and found freedom in Canada West. The plaque that marks its history tells of John Brown’s rumored visit in 1858\, when the church became a space where conversations about abolition and freedom took form. For over a century after the congregation moved to a larger brick church on Grey Street\, the building was someone’s home. Its original purpose faded from public memory\, buried under layers of wallpaper and time. \nNote the butterfly on the ceiling. It was drawn in to the beauty of the music and fluttered above her for some time.\n \nThen came the Fugitive Slave Chapel Preservation Project—a group of dedicated community members who saw what was at stake. They understood that losing this building meant losing tangible evidence of London’s connection to the Underground Railroad\, to Black self-determination\, to a history that many of us never learned in school. After years of work\, fundraising\, and careful restoration\, the chapel was relocated to Fanshawe Pioneer Village in 2022\, where it was fully restored by June 2023. \n  \nWalking into that building now\, you can see the care that went into bringing it home. The wide-plank hand-hewn horizontal wainscoting that lines the walls speaks of an original open floor plan—a space where community could gather. The accordion lath visible in the corner near the front door tells you something about construction techniques that were common in the mid-1800s. The basement hatch door\, the timber frame\, the cedar siding painted in heritage colours—all of it speaks to authenticity\, to respect\, to refusal to let this building become a museum piece or a relic. It is a living space for gathering\, learning\, and listening. \n  \nDenise Pelley is a musician\, educator\, and storyteller of remarkable depth. She is\, quite simply\, one of the finest artists working in our larger community. She told the stories of Salome Bey and Lawrence Hill—two Black Canadians whose contributions to art\, literature\, and culture deserve to be known far more widely than they are. \n  \nSalome Bey: pioneering blues singer\, songwriter\, performer. “Canada’s First Lady of Blues\,” they called her. Born in Newark\, New Jersey\, the Grammy-nominated singer\, composer\, and actress made Toronto her home in 1964. Bey profoundly shaped Canada’s music and theatre scenes by mentoring young artists and writing critically acclaimed cabaret shows like Indigo.  Living in Toronto in the late 1970s\, I knew the name well but didn’t know much about her.  She was made an honorary member of the Order of Canada in 2005 and was later honoured with a commemorative stamp by Canada Post. Denise says that: “Three of the songs I sang during the Salome presentation were one’s that she recorded. … I’m sure her interpretation showed the deep meaning those songs had.  Actually still have.” \n\n\n\n\n\nThen Denise told us about Lawrence Hill\, (Dan Hill’s brother) the celebrated author of *The Book of Negroes*—a novel that brought the experience of Black Loyalists and freedom seekers into the consciousness of readers across the country. Both artists\, in their own ways\, carried forward the work of bearing witness\, of speaking truth\, of insisting that their stories and the stories of their people matter. \n  \nThe acoustics in the little church are amazing.  She sang\, she spoke\, she invited us into their worlds. And Stephen Holowitz\, accompanied her.  The acoustics in that church honoured  the voices that had filled it nearly two hundred years ago. Beautiful gospel and blues.  It was moving to experience  art\, music\, and historical reflection in a space saved precisely because people understood that it was sacred ground. \n  \nThe Glencoe & District Historical Society contributed $1\,500 toward the preservation of this church.  Lorne Munroe understood that heritage is not something that belongs only to the past. He made the motion and a few of us wondered why we needed to support a London project.  But we passed the motion.  Seeing that church in active use\, full of community members engaged with story and song\, made that investment feel like so much more than money.  \n  \nSeptember 27\, 2026\, the sixth edition focuses on Rose Fortune\, Loyalist and Canada’s first female police officer\, and hockey player\, Herb Carnegie.  Tickets to this 2:00 p.m. performance include admission to the Heritage Village\, which is open from 10:00am – 4:00pm. \nAbout the Location\n Fanshawe Pioneer Village is located within Fanshawe Conservation Area.\n Enter at 1424 Clarke Road (Veterans Memorial Parkway & Clarke Road intersection). \nMore details coming soon—check back here for updates!
URL:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/event/pelley/
LOCATION:Fanshawe Pioneer Village\, 1424 Clarke Road\, London\, Ontario\, N5V 5B9\, Canada
ORGANIZER;CN="Fanshawe Pioneer Village":MAILTO:info@fanshawepioneervillage.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260612
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260613
DTSTAMP:20260615T013704Z
CREATED:20260203T012854Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260615T013704Z
UID:3899-1781222400-1781308799@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
SUMMARY:June 12 - Review of Daytripping in North Middlesex
DESCRIPTION:Friday\, June 12\, 2026 was a gift — one of those days when you set out to explore and come home knowing you’ve made connections that will last. The Heritage Day in North Middlesex brought together some of the most vibrant archivists\, artists\, and community builders in this region. As a member of the Glencoe and District Historical Society\, I was proud to take part. I also wore my Google Guide hat all day\, uploading photos to each of these cultural spaces on Google Maps so that future visitors can find them more easily. \nAilsa Craig is roughly an hour from the Glencoe area\, so the day required planning. I began in Parkhill at the Parkhill Artisan Collective\, housed in the town’s historic Carnegie Library building on Main Street — a beautiful structure with wood floors\, high ceilings\, and the kind of central staircase that makes you feel like something important is happening inside. It is. I was warmly welcomed by Rebecca Bender and Ruth Cook\, and found a collective in full celebratory mode: local artists displaying and selling their work\, baking for sale\, and the whole space humming with community energy. I came away with a beautiful handcrafted wooden cutting board — one of many pieces by local makers on display. This is exactly what a heritage building should be doing on a Friday in June.   \nA short walk away\, I visited the Parkhill Library\, currently housed inside the municipal services building. The staff were wonderfully helpful\, and made a valiant attempt at printing the County of Middlesex Road Map — a beloved resource for daytrippers that identifies every road in the county. It didn’t quite work on their small printer\, but they found what remaining copies they had. I want to put in a word here on behalf of anyone who loves driving the back roads of Middlesex: please\, County\, keep printing that map and promote it. \nFrom Parkhill I drove to Ailsa Craig\, a town that turned out to be quietly astonishing in its commitment to heritage and the arts. My first stop was the Ailsa Craig Arts Centre\, tucked behind Ye Olde Towne Hall — a maker space full of light and purpose. I had the pleasure of meeting my husband’s cousin Jan Bender\, who is a member\, as well as a new member who recently moved from Nova Scotia and threw herself into the life of this intergenerational creative space. The special exhibit that day featured a collaboration between the ACAC writers’ group and the Canadian Embroiderers’ Guild\, London — original poems interpreted in textile. It was quietly stunning. \nI stopped briefly at the Crown and Fox Pub on Main Street\, which was preparing for its opening the very next day. We wished them well. Then I visited the Ailsa Craig Library — a welcoming\, accessible space — before discovering the Auld Barn\, a beautiful woodshop and gallery where I purchased another piece of wooden artwork. \nThe historical heart of the day came when I visited the Donald Hughes Annex Museum and the Marg and Leroy Walker Research Room\, two buildings operated by the North Middlesex Historical Society that speak to an extraordinary level of local commitment. The Annex\, in the village’s former Baptist Church\, holds more than 10\,000 artifacts and serves as the society’s central hub. The Walker Research Room\, in the former Trinity Anglican Church\, contains thousands of historical documents\, photographs\, and scrapbooks. I met active members of the historical society and three of the five students they have hired for the summer — all busy and enthusiastic in their first week. The society has recently acquired a third building\, the Masons Hall on Main Street. Ailsa Craig is blessed with serious historians\, generous donors\, and a heritage infrastructure that many larger communities would envy. \nMy final stop was the Presbyterian Heritage Centre in Carlisle\, where Ian Mason welcomed me warmly. I had missed the three mini organ concerts held earlier in the day — but I did get to play the organ myself. That was a moment I won’t soon forget\, and you can read more about this remarkable instrument below. \nThe day ended beautifully at the New Moon Community Homestead on New Ontario Road\, Ailsa Craig\, for their monthly Farm Gate Friday celebration. It was everything the event promised: farm-fresh food\, live music\, local vendors\, and a genuine sense of community. The Ailsa Craig Arts Centre collective was there. Kenny the interpreter from Fanshawe Village was there. A new collective growing flax and hoping to produce linen was there. Four of the ten farms involved with Ivey Business School’s regenerative agriculture project were represented. \n \nThe New Moon farmers have rotated their enormous vegetable garden into a new section of the farm — gorgeous broccoli and kale with no visible insect pressure\, which feels like proof of something. My husband Ross Snider joined me at the end of the day and we drove home in the dusk well fed and full of good feeling. \nKudos to everyone who organized and hosted this day. Let’s keep collaborating. \nHere is a Google Map with our points of interested marked.  Click the top right square: “View Larger Map“.  Click here for an itinerary to print: June 12th Itinerary  \n \n  \nNorth Middlesex Barn Quilt Trail\nThe North Middlesex Barn Quilt Trail highlights the region’s agricultural heritage and community storytelling through public art.  Go to  https://barnquilttrails.ca/trails/north-middlesex/  and printable map   or  this one \nThe Heritage Trail – North Middlesex\nAn interactive heritage map for North Middlesex and surrounding Middlesex municipalities:\nhttps://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/374be4d414af4e9d881abde57158e2cb \n  \nThe Presbyterian Heritage Centre\n19 Falkirk Street\, Carlisle\, ON N0M 1P0  Carlisle United Church \nWebsite – http://pcheritagecentre.ca/  \nA dedicated volunteer group has transformed space within an historic United Church into a new Heritage Centre\, providing a permanent home for a significant national collection of Presbyterian artifacts after it was required to leave its former location in Toronto. \nCarlisle United Church continues to worship in the lower hall. \nThis project reflects years of commitment and care and offers visitors insight into faith history\, congregational life\, and the evolution of rural Presbyterian communities. \nHost: Ian Mason\, (647) 494-4559\,   pcheritagecentre [at] gmail.com    \nCARLISLE CEMETERY TOURS \nCarlisle United Church Cemetery is one of the primary and historic cemeteries of North Middlesex.  The earliest gravestone dates to 1854.  It is maintained as an active cemetery. \nMary Simpson plays the tracker organ in the Presbyterian Heritage Centre in Carlisle\, North Middlesx\nA Note on the Organ at the Presbyterian Heritage Centre\nThe organ at the Presbyterian Heritage Centre is one of the last eight remaining pipe organs produced by the Edward Lye and Sons Company of Toronto before the firm was reorganized by the founders’ grandsons as the Lye Organ Co. It is a small two-manual\, eight-rank tracker pipe organ\, installed in Dorchester Presbyterian Church in 1930. It was virtually a twin to a 1919 instrument installed in the same church before Church Union in 1925 caused that earlier organ to be relocated to Dorchester United Church. The 1930 organ was rescued in January 2025\, restored over nine months\, and installed in the Heritage Centre in November 2025. By the first week of December it was fully operable and tuned — a tribute to its two organbuilders. \nThe recital on June 12 was performed by Ryan Baxter\, a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate at Western University’s Don Wright Faculty of Music\, where he studies solo piano performance and also takes courses in Indigenous studies through the Memegwaanh Indigenous Learning Honour program. Ryan holds multiple diplomas in piano\, organ\, and piano pedagogy\, and has been awarded both a SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship and an Ontario Graduate Scholarship. He serves as Music Director and Organist at Rowntree Memorial United Church in London. His program included works by Bach\, Mendelssohn\, Lefébure-Wely\, Rheinberger\, Healey Willan\, Ernest Tomlinson\, and Denis Bédard — a beautifully considered selection for the instrument and the occasion. \n\nThe Marg & Leroy Walker Research Room\n158 Church Street\, Ailsa Craig\, ON \nThe former Trinity Anglican Church houses the Marg & Leroy Walker Research Room. The Research Room contains all of the Historical Society’s archives\, including thousands of historical documents\, photographs\, and scrapbooks documenting the people and places of North Middlesex. \nHosted by North Middlesex Historical Society northmiddlesexhs@gmail.com  \n  \nDonald Hughes Annex Museum\n159 George Street\, Ailsa Craig\, ON \nOpen 10 – 5:00 p.m.  \nWebsite –  \nLocated in what was once the village’s Baptist church\, the Donald Hughes Annex Museum serves as a central hub for Ailsa Craig’s local history. The building now functions as a gallery and collections space. \nWith more than 10\,000 artifacts\, the exhibits feature an eclectic mix of local—and occasionally not-so-local—objects. There is always something new being brought out for display. \nHosted by North Middlesex Historical Society northmiddlesexhs@gmail.com  \n\nAilsa Craig Arts Centre (ACAC)\n160D Main Street\, Ailsa Craig\, ON N0M 1A0   (Located at the back of Ye Olde Towne Hall) \n Regular Hours: Tuesday\, Thursdays & Saturdays 1 – 4 pm \nWebsite: https://ailsacraigartscentre.wildapricot.org \nThe Ailsa Craig Arts Centre is a membership based\, intergenerational learning centre where people can explore and further their creative potential.  Every six weeks we have a new exhibit featuring artists from the community and surrounding area. On June 12 we are especially pleased to present a collaboration between our writers’ group and the “Canadian Embroiderers’ Guild\, London” where original poems have been interpreted by textile artists. \nWe host drop-in groups such as cardmaking\, knitting\, and crocheting; special interest art-based groups such as watercolour; a writer’s group\, a book club\, and several youth programs. A wide range of classes are scheduled year round.  \nThe ACAC is a legacy project by the Ailsa Craig Quilt and Fibre Festival and completely volunteer run.   ailsacraigartscentre@gmail.com \n\nParkhill Artisan Collective \n233 Parkhill Main St\, Parkhill\, ON N0M 2K0 \nOpen 10 – 4 p.m. \nWebsite – https://www.parkhillgallery.ca/about-us  \nWe are a membership based art centre located at the Parkhill Carnegie Gallery.  We  offer a showcase for local artisans\, a teaching area for workshops/classes and a group meeting space for local groups in the area of North Middlesex\, Ontario.   \nThis beautiful building with its central steps\, the wood floors and trim\,  and high ceilings make a great setting for concerts\, special events and displaying works of art. \nOne aspect of our mandate is to preserve this building for arts and cultural purposes; another is to offer opportunities for emerging artists.  \nWebsite – https://www.parkhillgallery.ca/about-us  \nHost: Rebecca Bender  (519) 870-1974    carnegiegalleryparkhill@gmail.com \n  \n\nJune 12th at the New Moon Community Homestead\nNew Moon Community Homestead \n27093 New Ontario Road\, Ailsa Craig\, ON N0M 1A0 \nOpen 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.  \nWebsite – https://newmooncommunityhomestead.ca/  \nOn the  second Friday of each month from June to September there is an evening filled with delicious farm-fresh dinners\, live music\, and an array of amazing local vendors. The store will be open\, so after enjoying your meal\, you can grab fresh groceries and make it a one-stop shop for all things tasty.  \n  \nAdditional Stops & Points of Interest\n\n\n\nWalking Tours of Ailsa Craig and Parkhill\n\nDownload the maps here.  \n\n\nThe Church at Nairn Cemetery\n26459 Bear Creek Road\, Ailsa Craig\, ON N0M 1A0\nFirst Nairn Cemetery\n4430 Mill Crescent\, Ailsa Craig\, ON N0M 1A0\nCarlisle United Church Cemetery\n1432 Centre Road\, Carlisle\, ON L0R 1H1\nSiddallville Cemetery Cairn\n12439 Siddall Road (#12341)\, Exeter\, ON N0M 1P0\nWest Cemetery\n3793 W Corner Dr\, Ailsa Craig\, ON N0M 1A0\n\n\n\n\nParkhill Library\n\n\n\n\n229 B Parkhill Main St\, Parkhill\, ON N0M 2K0\nOpen Friday\, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. \nWebsite: https://library.middlesex.ca/locations  Search for Parkhill
URL:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/event/june12/
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ORGANIZER;CN="Glencoe & District Historical Society":MAILTO:contactus@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260618T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260618T193000
DTSTAMP:20260615T014440Z
CREATED:20260128T221338Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260615T014440Z
UID:3871-1781805600-1781811000@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Jun 18   Vanished Villages - where did they go?
DESCRIPTION:Vanished Villages in our district – a post mortem \nTime: 6:00 p.m. \nLocation: Glencoe Public Library\n \nWhile Newbury continues to thrive\, many once-bustling nearby settlements in west Middlesex have quietly disappeared from the map. What happened to places like Strathburn\, Kilmartin\, Ekfrid Station\, Pratt Siding\, and Cashmere—and why did Newbury and Glencoe endure while they did not? \nIn this illustrated and engaging talk\, local historian Jennifer Grainger explores the rise and fall of these vanished villages. Drawing on maps\, photographs\, land records\, and archaeological clues\, she traces where these communities were located\, how historians and genealogists research them today\, and what—if anything—remains on the landscape. \nThis presentation will appeal to anyone interested in: \n\nLocal and regional history\nGenealogy and place-based research\nTransportation\, railways\, and economic change\nHeritage preservation and memory\n\nAbout the Speaker\nJennifer Grainger holds an MA in Archaeology and a Master of Library & Information Science. A former president of the London & Middlesex Historical Society and Architectural Conservancy Ontario London Region\, she continues to champion local history and heritage buildings through her long-running blog Jenny’s London & Southwestern Ontario and numerous publications. She lives in London\, Ontario\, and manages internet sales for Attic Books. \nSelected Publications\n\nVanished Villages of Middlesex (Natural Heritage Books\, 2002)\nVanished Villages of Elgin (Dundurn\, 2008)\nEarly London (Biblioasis\, 2016)\nLondon Free Press: From the Vault – Up to 1950\nLondon Free Press: From the Vault – 1950–1975\n\n🔎 Why do some places vanish while others endure?\nJoin us to explore how geography\, transportation\, industry\, and timing shaped the fate of Middlesex County’s lost communities—and what their stories still tell us today.\n \n  \nVillage of Newbury
URL:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/event/vanishedvillages/
LOCATION:Glencoe Public Library\, 123 McKellar St.\, Glencoe\, Ontario\, N0L 1M0\, Canada
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ORGANIZER;CN="Glencoe & District Historical Society":MAILTO:contactus@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260620T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260620T120000
DTSTAMP:20260605T174550Z
CREATED:20260525T161737Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260605T174550Z
UID:4331-1781949600-1781956800@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
SUMMARY:June 20 - Built Heritage Project-Evan Abma
DESCRIPTION:ctu \nOver the past several years\, Evan has undertaken an ambitious research project mapping historic farmhouses across Lambton County. Using a wide range of sources—including historical land registers\, tax assessments\, farm directories\, topographic maps\, census records\, satellite imagery\, concession maps\, and digital tools such as Google MyMaps—he has documented approximately 1\,700 historic farmhouses still standing\, down from about 2\,000 in 2009. \nThe Facebook Group: Lost Lambton\, Found!  \n  \n \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n \n  \nWhat are the implications here in SW Middlesex?  \n Over the years\, Glencoe & District Historical Society members have been actively documenting heritage architecture\, historic farms\, cemeteries\, and rural landscapes across Southwest Middlesex. We are eager to learn how historical land records\, assessments\, directories\, and census data can be layered with modern tools such as Google MyMaps to create living\, shareable records of our rural heritage. This presentation may help spark ideas for how we can apply similar methods locally\, building on the work already underway in our community. \n  \n  \nBackground \nEvan’s work began after he noticed that many historic homes featured in an online article about Warwick Township were no longer standing. What started as a small tracking project quickly expanded to all of Lambton County\, revealing uneven patterns of preservation—some areas retaining many historic homes\, while others have seen rapid decline. \nThese farmhouses represent more than buildings. They embody the aspirations of early rural settlers\, marking a transition from log cabins to substantial homes that reflected permanence\, prosperity\, and connection to the land. Their loss\, Evan argues\, erodes not only housing stock but also our tangible link to rural history. \nThe presentation will be followed by time for conversation\, questions\, and informal discussion over lunch. \nThis event will be of interest to: \n\nLocal historians and genealogists\nFarmers and rural landowners\nHeritage advocates and planners\nAnyone interested in rural history\, landscape change\, and preservation\n\nAll are welcome.\n Please join us for learning\, conversation\, and community around the shared task of understanding—and caring for—our rural heritage.
URL:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/event/built-heritage-project-evan-abma/
LOCATION:The Archives\, 178 McKellar Street\, Glencoe (Southwest Middlesex)\, Ontario\, N0L 1M0\, Canada
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Built-Heritage-Project-4.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Glencoe & District Historical Society":MAILTO:contactus@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260628T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260628T163000
DTSTAMP:20251210T225037Z
CREATED:20251210T224239Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251210T225037Z
UID:3685-1782658800-1782664200@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
SUMMARY:June 28 - Annual St. Mary’s Service 
DESCRIPTION:June 28\, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. – Annual St. Mary’s Service \nLocation: St. Mary’s Anglican Church (Napier)\n 1418 Melwood Drive\, Strathroy\, ON N7G 3H5 \nJoin us for our Annual St. Mary’s Service at one of Middlesex County’s most treasured historic landmarks\, lovingly preserved since the 1840s. \nBuilt of local walnut—generously donated by Captain Christopher Beer\, who even postponed building his own home to support the church—St. Mary’s stands as a testament to dedication\, sacrifice\, and community vision. Although regular services ended in 1920\, the tradition of gathering here has continued for over a century. \nThanks to the devoted care of local families\, especially the Toohill family\, St. Mary’s remains a place of peace\, memory\, and continuity for all who visit. \nWe invite you to join us on June 28th at 3 p.m. for a meaningful service of remembrance\, reflection\, and celebration of our shared heritage. \nAll are welcome. Bring family\, friends\, and any who cherish local history. \n  \n \n\nHistory of St. Mary’s Anglican Church – Napier\, ON\nThe following history is an excerpt from an old service bulletin and the author is unknown.   \nThis church has been standing straight\, fine and true for over one hundred and eighty years.  It stands as a testament to the faith of those who built it\, those who came to regular services\, and to those who worked over the years to keep their church alive and active.  But it is a symbol\, not primarily of their strength and perseverance\, but of the presence of God in their midst. \nThe first settler in this general area was Captain John Charlton in 1825.  In 1829\, Richard\, Thomas\, and Christopher Moyle and their families and Captain Christopher Beer established residences along the river in the Napier area.  In 1831\, Lieutenant Charles Preston and his family came from Cornwall in Upper Canada.  Preston had been granted 100 acres when he commuted his pension for land.  They settled on this property where St. Mary’s Church stands. \nThe first church services were held in Captain Christopher Beer’s house.  Captain Beer’s rank gave him the privilege of conducting the first church services and first burials in the community.  After the congregation became too large\, they moved to the home of Captain Johnson.  When the congregation became too large for his house\, a school was built on this property in 1839 and used for church services.  The log school was built on one acre of land donated by Charles Preston for a church and a cemetery.  Preston also gave three acres of land for a rectory.   \nIn 1841\, the residents of the community sent a petition to the Bishop of Toronto requesting permission and assistance to build a church. The petitioners declared themselves to be generally poor and unable to pay for a frame church to be built but the increase in the congregation was such that the school was no longer large enough. Captain Beer had prepared some walnut lumber to use in building a new house.  However\, when the news came that a church could be built\, he donated this lumber to the church and postponed construction of his own home.  This gift\, which represented a considerable sacrifice\, was well used; the walnut was worked into pews\, wainscotting and the chancel.  It still stands here as a memorial to a man who loved his church and community. \nIn 1860\, the church and cemetery were consecrated by the Right Reverend Benjamin Cronyn\, the Bishop of Huron and the church officially received the name “St. Mary”.  In Ireland\, the Cronyn’s had attended St. Mary’s Church Kilkenny.  This name linked the new land with the old. \nThe last regular weekly service was held on January 29\, 1920 and annual services were initiated in the early 1930’s.  We must be grateful to the residents of this area and especially to the Toohill family for their loving care of St. Mary’s Church.  It is thanks to them that this oldest church building in Middlesex County still exists.  \n\nRod Brooks\, the music leader for St. Mary’s annual service\n 
URL:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/event/stmarys/
LOCATION:St. Mary’s Anglican Church Napier\, 1418 Melwood Drive\, Strathroy\, ON\, N7G 3H5.\, Canada
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260709T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260709T200000
DTSTAMP:20260623T234544Z
CREATED:20260424T174442Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260623T234544Z
UID:4200-1783598400-1783627200@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
SUMMARY:LEGO - Exploring the History of Small Towns Through LEGO
DESCRIPTION:Lego Village Presentation\nJuly 9\, 2026 — Glencoe Public Library \nPresented by Steve Robson |  \nModel created by Steve Robson \n\nOverview\nThe Lego Village Project involves creating a mobile\, movie-like set for photographing 1/64 scale model cars. The base of the project draws on various building designs from different towns and cities to create a fictional town. The end result is a compressed town showcasing a place with many elements of a working\, living village. \n\nHow It Started\nThe project began with a single building structure\, built simply to see how a Lego building would scale in appearance next to Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars. The test worked out well. At that point\, there was no real plan to create a full village. Over time\, plans developed into a complete village layout\, involving a number of drawings covering both the overall plan and individual building designs. The end result is a very functional-looking village. \n\nSetting Up the Village\nSetting up the village involved several key decisions. \nThe first major consideration was compressing the scale of both the buildings and the space between property lines. Building scale was determined by the size of the plates the Lego design team produces. A 5″ × 5″ plate in 1/64 scale measures out to 26.5 feet. A 10″ × 10″ plate measures out to 53 feet. This is based on the 1/64 scale standard of 1″ equalling 5.3 feet. \nThe smaller blocks used to create walls carry a rough cost factor of about $7.00 per square foot — approximately 10 cents per block — averaging out to 70 blocks per square foot. This is based on a standard 4-stud brick. \nBuilding height is determined by the style of the structure and its interior ceiling height. Using the 1″ = 5.3′ ratio\, divide the height of a real-world measurement (for example\, an 8-foot ceiling) to find the correct exterior wall height. Doors\, windows\, and other details follow the same method and can be made to look properly proportioned at this scale. \nSome building designs are reduced further in size to allow for a tighter layout. If every building were built to fully correct scale\, the village would contain only a fraction of the elements included in the current layout. \n\nThe Compressed Design\nThe compressed design approach allows for a modular layout that can be set up in any configuration. One of the primary reasons for this building style is to use the structures as photographic props. The slight downscaling can be minimized with this purpose in mind — a wide-angle lens creates the appearance of a larger environment than actually exists\, while the remaining space still provides a believable sense of a living space. \nThese designs can be built at various levels of detail. Fully detailed structures work well for complete display setups\, while simpler versions — recreating just home and storefront facades — make excellent display backgrounds for a die-cast car collection on a shelf\, reflecting the era of the vehicle being showcased. \n\nColour\nAn important element is the use of colour in the design. A colour-coding system developed naturally during the build. Browns and greens were used in older building designs\, while brighter colours go into newer structures. Combinations of these colours bridge the gap in between. Some business-themed models use colour patterns to create a corporate-looking feel. \nA challenge can arise when materials run short during a build. If a strong colour theme is needed\, purchase enough bricks to complete the design before starting. That said\, budget is always a factor. Creative use of colour can fill out a design in interesting ways\, adding a unique visual character that reflects your own vision for the scene. \n\nEngineering the Structures\nEngineering Lego structures is different from real-world construction. In effect\, you are building with oversized blocks — similar in proportion to the concrete blocks used in parking lots and highway dividers. This affects the look of the finished model. Walls will be noticeably thicker\, and small details will read as larger items at real-world scale. This is one of the things to accept when working with Lego as a building material. \nFor example\, the top section of a house wall will be thicker than realistic in order to maintain structural strength. Roofs have been left off the buildings intentionally. This allows interior details to be seen and also provides a convenient pickup point when moving the buildings. The result is a slightly surreal\, dream-like quality to the structures. \nKeep in mind that although Lego is durable\, it can break when dropped. These models should be handled like eggs — carefully. \nSince these models need to travel\, there is a balance to strike between detail and durability. There are limits to what can be achieved depending on the bricks being used\, and some experimentation is required to find what works best for your build. \n\nReality vs. Illusion\nOne interesting question this project raises is: what is real\, and what is fake? \nTake a close-up photograph of the model village. The scene looks like a street\, complete with cars and streetlights. At first glance\, it reads as real. Only on closer inspection do the small details reveal the scale. At what point does the photo become “fake”? And yet\, it isn’t truly fake — real physical objects are being used in a real scene. \nThis kind of setup is rooted in the practical special effects techniques of older films\, and in some cases newer ones as well. It also opens a door to exploring the history of building design. An older version of a real town or city could be recreated to study its structure and character from a particular era — from a simple model to a complex and detailed layout. \n\nWhy Do This?\nThe last element worth considering is the reason to take on a project like this: it keeps the mind active. \nUnlike AI\, which is increasingly present in daily life\, the process of sorting physical pieces\, researching house designs\, and studying architectural history creates a quiet space away from the world of technology. It can help in recreating memories of the past — either personal memories or general history from before your own time. \nBuilding at a scale that must feel proportionally believable — using die-cast cars and trucks as reference — helps develop spatial thinking. Placing everything into a village setting helps in understanding how a working economy is structured: the business district versus the residential areas\, the roadways\, the flow of a community. The road of imagination is an important part of the planning process. \nHopefully\, you end up with a design you are proud of. \n— Steve Robson \nEvening Program\n6:00 – 6:30 PM  Presentation \n6:30 PM  LEGO Workshop — Feeling inspired? Pick up some bricks and build! \n  \nAbout the Presentation\nStep into a miniature world where imagination meets historical curiosity. Steve Robson will guide visitors through the creative process of using LEGO-style bricks to reconstruct scenes from small towns — whether rooted in historical accuracy\, modern-day reflections\, or imaginative blends of different eras. \nThis hands-on approach to local history brings buildings and streetscapes to life\, offering a playful yet thoughtful lens on how communities grow and change over time. Attendees will discover how anyone can begin exploring small-town design — choosing a place\, picking an era (or mixing a few!)\, and recreating it one brick at a time. \nThe presentation runs approximately 25–35 minutes. \nAbout Steve Robson\nBorn in London\, Ontario in 1961\, Steve has spent a lifetime pursuing strong interests in photography and model building across multiple mediums. By combining these passions\, he has found a unique way to recreate scenes full of personal memory and historical meaning — in three-dimensional\, brick-built form. This project has transformed a long-held idea into reality\, and Steve’s goal is simple: bring out the inner child in everyone as a great way to keep the mind active. \nOrganized by: Steve Robson & Paul Macdonald \nContact: Steve Robson\, Creator |  Courtney Joris\, Glencoe Library \n 
URL:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/event/lego/
LOCATION:Glencoe Public Library\, 123 McKellar St.\, Glencoe\, Ontario\, N0L 1M0\, Canada
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/1000034018-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Glencoe Library":MAILTO:cjoris@middlesex.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260718T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260718T140000
DTSTAMP:20260623T232408Z
CREATED:20260424T185555Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260623T232408Z
UID:4209-1784368800-1784383200@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
SUMMARY:July 18 - Tartan Days 2026
DESCRIPTION:Join us on Saturday\, July 18th\, from 10 AM to 2 PM at two locations:  \n1. the Archives at 178 McKellar St\, Glencoe\,  \n2. the Parkette at 241A Main Street\, where we’ll have a prime spot right on Main Street with the car show. \nWe’ll be selling local history books and promoting our upcoming events. Stop by\, say hello\, buy a membership and browse our selection. \nWe’re also running two free draws during the event. Adults can enter to win a year-and-a-half membership\, running from July 2026 through December 31\, 2027.  \nFor visitors 18 and under\, we’re drawing for four of our beautiful commemorative medallions. These medallions were created by the Historical Society as a fundraiser 30 years ago\, sold for $10 each\, and have since become cherished keepsakes. \nCome find us at either location and help us celebrate Tartan Days while learning a bit more about Glencoe’s history! \nThese medallions were created by the Historical Society as a fundraiser approximately 25 to 30 years ago\, sold for $10 each in a lovely presentation case\, and have since become cherished keepsakes.\n  \n\nThe Whole Weekend features:\nFRIDAY\n• Tartan Days Sales\n• Chicken Dinner at Legion\, 5-7 pm\, hosted by Royal Canadian Legion Br. 219\n• Book Sale at Library\, 10 am-4 pm\n• Free Swim\, Glencoe Pool\, 12:30 pm-3 pm\, sponsored by Glencoe Lions Club\n• Truck and Tractor Pull\, Fairgrounds\, starts 6:30 pm\, Glencoe Ag Society\n• Free Swim\, Glencoe Pool\, 6:30-8:30 pm\, sponsored by CB Creative Concepts \nSATURDAY\n• Free Pancakes at Glencoe Legion\, Br. 219\, 156 McRae St.\, 8-11 am\, hosted by Quad County\nSupport Services\n• Glencoe Gators Swim Meet\, Glencoe Pool\, 8 am-2 pm\n• Tartan Days Yard Sales – Listings to appear on CCC Facebook Page\n• Car Show on Main St.\, 10 am-2 pm (rain date July 19 at Train Station parking lot 10-2)\n• Art in the Park\, Glencoe Train Station\, 10 am-2 pm\n• Inflatable Curling\, 10 am-2 pm\, courtesy Glencoe & District Curling Club\n• Book Sale at Library\, 8 am-12 pm\n• BBQ Lunch\, Glencoe Legion\, 11 am-1 pm\, hosted by RCL Auxiliary\, Br 219\n• Tartan Days Sales\n• Children’s Activities\, 9 am-Noon\n• Thistle Competition\, Train Station\, Judging at 11 am\, hosted by Glencoe Horticultural Society\n• Glencoe Historical Society Parkette Display and Open House\, 178 McKellar St.\, 10 am-2 pm \nSUNDAY\n• Breakfast at Fire Hall\, 8 am-1pm\, SWM Firefighters Assn.\n• Gaelic Service\, Burns Presbyterian\, 24493 Dundonald Rd.\, 10 am\n• Free Swim\, Glencoe Pool\, 1-4 pm\, sponsored by SWM Firefighters Assn.\n• Ceilidh at the Glencoe Train Station\, music\, fun and dancing\, \nLions Beef on a Bun\, 6-8 pm\n(indoors at Ag Hall in the event of rain)
URL:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/event/tartandays/
LOCATION:The Archives\, 178 McKellar Street\, Glencoe (Southwest Middlesex)\, Ontario\, N0L 1M0\, Canada
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/WhatsApp-Image-2026-06-23-at-10.39.10.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260726T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260726T160000
DTSTAMP:20260605T173822Z
CREATED:20260520T202046Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260605T173822Z
UID:4254-1785074400-1785081600@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
SUMMARY:July 26 - Willey Cemetery Memorial Service
DESCRIPTION:Willey Cemetery\, 5267 Gentleman Drive\, Ekfrid Township\, Southwest Middlesex \nSunday\, July 26\, 2026 — 2:00 PM \nThe Glencoe & District Historical Society\, in partnership with the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada\, invites the public to a commemoration ceremony honouring two veterans of early Canadian and American history — and the family they planted here in Ekfrid Township.  For more information\, contact Harold Carruthers at research@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca \nThe Phillips Family\nCorporal John Phillips served in the Revolutionary War before making his way to Upper Canada\, settling in what is now Ekfrid Township. He and four family members — Elizabeth\, Isabel\, Peter\, and his wife — are buried at the Willey Cemetery\, their stones among the oldest in the Four Counties area. \nHis son\, Peter Phillips\, carried on a tradition of service\, enlisting in the Oxford Militia and rising to the rank of Sergeant during the War of 1812. \nAt this ceremony\, plaques will be installed to honour both men posthumously. Representatives from the local Legion will be in attendance. \nA Cemetery Worth Saving\nThe Historical Society is proud to work alongside the Municipality of Southwest Middlesex — its staff and elected representatives — to care for cemeteries that no longer have active boards of directors. Some are family plots. Some are closed. Others remain active but have lost their governing boards over time. In every case\, the Historical Society stands as a steward and advocate. \nThe Willey Cemetery is the only cemetery in our four county district in need of significant concrete restoration work. Winter photographs show the extent of the challenge — a sloped concrete surround that has cracked and shifted over the decades\, threatening the stability of the headstones themselves. \nThe Willey Cemetery is a living record of the families who shaped this community. We hope you will join us on July 26th to help honour it. \nAll are welcome. The ceremony will be held at graveside. \nWilley Cemetery Feb 2025\n 
URL:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/event/willey/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/SCR-20260605-lnyh.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Glencoe & District Historical Society":MAILTO:contactus@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260815
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260817
DTSTAMP:20260116T223451Z
CREATED:20260116T223451Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260116T223451Z
UID:3808-1786752000-1786924799@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
SUMMARY:2026 Chippewa Powwow
DESCRIPTION:August 15 & 16\, 2026 Chippewa Powwow\n🌼 SAVE THE DATE\n49th Annual Chippewa of the Thames Powwow\n📅 Saturday & Sunday — August 15 & 16\, 2026\n 📍 Deshkan Ziibiing — Chippewas of the Thames First Nation\, Muncey\, Ontario (640 Jubilee Rd.)\n ✨ Mark your calendars for one of Southwestern Ontario’s most vibrant cultural gatherings! \n🎶 What Is the Powwow? \nA Powwow is a living celebration of Indigenous culture — a gathering of song\, dance\, community\, tradition\, and connection that welcomes people of all backgrounds. Expect spirited drumming\, colourful regalia\, dancing competitions\, and vendors showcasing traditional crafts and foods. \nApproximate schedule to give you an idea:  \nNote: Times are approximate and based on past Powwows; final schedule will be released by Chippewas of the Thames First Nation as the event details are confirmed. \n  \n🗓 Saturday\, August 15\n\n🕙 Morning — Gates Open & Vendor Booths Live\n (Arts\, beadwork\, basket weaving\, crafts\, jewellery\, traditional foods) \n\n🕛 12:00 PM — Grand Entry Ceremony\n (Opening procession with dancers\, flags\, and drum groups) \n\n🕐–🕓 Afternoon Dance & Song Sessions\n (Traditional\, Fancy\, Jingle\, and other styles) \n\n🍴 Mid-day Food & Community Sharing\n (Local Indigenous foods and community gathering) \n\n🕖 Evening Powwow Session\n (Special dance sets and performances) \n\n\n🗓 Sunday\, August 16\n\n🕙 Morning— Vendors & Activities Re-open\n\n🕛 Noon — Grand Entry & Dancing Continues\n\n🕐–🕓 Afternoon Competitions & Cultural Sharing\n\n🕔 Late Afternoon Closing Ceremonies / Honour Songs\n\n\n🥁 What to Expect\n✨ Drumming & Singing – Powerful vocal and drum performances that are central to the Powwow experience.\n 💃 Traditional Dancing & Competitions – Dancers of all ages in stunning regalia participate in categories like Traditional\, Fancy\, Jingle\, Grass\, Smoke Dance and more.\n🍽 Food & Community – Local Indigenous cuisine and community-sharing spaces where visitors can connect\, learn\, and celebrate together. \n🛍 Vendors & Makers – A rich variety of Indigenous artisans:\n \n\nBeaders\n\nBasket weavers\n\nLeatherworkers\n\nJewelry makers\n\nPaintings & carvings\n\n\n🧡 Visitor Tips\n\nBring cash for many vendors (not all have card machines).\n\nArrive early to explore booths and find a good viewing spot.\n\nRespect powwow etiquette: photos are generally fine\, but be mindful during honour songs or ceremonies.\n\nEveryone and all ages welcome — it’s a family friendly cultural celebration.\n\n\n📌 Looking Ahead\nThis year marks the 49th Annual Powwow\, with the 50th Anniversary celebration coming in 2027 — a major milestone for the Chippewas of the Thames community!
URL:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/event/powwow/
LOCATION:Powwow field\, 📍 Deshkan Ziibiing — Chippewas of the Thames First Nation\, 640 Jubilee Rd\,\, Muncey\, Ontario\, N0L 2G0\, Canada
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/powwow-DJWhite-scaled-1.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Chippewas of the Thames First Nation":MAILTO:anishnaabekwe@cottfn.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260925
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260927
DTSTAMP:20260122T161213Z
CREATED:20251210T154924Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260122T161213Z
UID:3676-1790294400-1790467199@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Sept 25\, 26\, 2026.  Glencoe Fair weekend
DESCRIPTION:September 25\, 26\, 2026.  Fair weekend.\nGo to Glencoe Fair site: https://glencoefair.ca/ \nThe Society always has a booth at the Glencoe Fair staffed by historians Harold Carruthers\, Norm McGill and many others coming and going. \n  \nThe Crystal Palace on the fairgrounds in Glencoe. It was home to about 50 Japanese Canadians in the summer of 1942 who were forcibly removed from their homes on the west coast. the men were paid 35 cents per hour to work on farms in the area before leaving November 11th. The building would later house prisoners of war from Germany and Italy.\n  \nMessage from the Ag Society\nFor hundreds of years\, the Glencoe Agricultural Society has hosted events\, promoted new and established businesses\, supporters\, exhibitors and built upon Glencoe’s sense of pride and fellowship. Empowered by the incredible support of our sponsors and the exuberance of our townspeople\, we look forward to continuously renewing – and building upon – our commitment to agricultural and philanthropic vitality. Throughout the year\, Glencoe citizens and visitors from across the region can look forward to special events – large and small – that create the very best excuses to get out of the house and spend time with loved ones. \nWe always welcome feedback from our community members and monthly meetings are held to ensure we are aligning with the best interests of the people and personalities who sustain our vibrant community. The Glencoe Agricultural Society is bolstered by the thoughtfulness and dedication of our board members and volunteers as well as the continued support of our constituents. We invite you to learn more about our long\, rich history and to see what exciting new initiatives we are looking forward to implementing. Should something spark your interest\, please don’t hesitate to reach out to find out more about getting involved. \nSome History about the Glencoe Fair\nThe Glencoe Agricultural Society annually hosts the fall fair for Glencoe and the surrounding community. It is an event that dates to the mid-nineteenth century when each township had their own fairs which then united in the 1870’s into a common fair held in Glencoe. Today the fair is always the third full weekend following Labour Day. \nEven 150 years ago\, these communities recognized the community- and business-building power inherent within a town fair. Large or small\, these gatherings of farmers\, craftspeople and exuberant citizens were the perfect way for neighbours to connect\, long before FaceTime became something you did on your phone. More… \n\n\n\n\n\nGlencoe Spring Fair\, Glencoe\, Ont. Early 1900’s at the site of the current fairgrounds. Facing North where the swimming pool is today. The race track can be seen on the left. Photo is likely taken from the Crystal Palace.\n\n\nPhoto from G&DHS archives. \n  \n  \nLocal fairs have a long history here: \n\nMosa Fair (1848 – 1874) Mosa Twp had its own fair held at various locations. Strathburn\, Wardsville\, etc.)\nMetcalfe Fair (1854 – ?) Metcalfe Twp had its fair which was later discontinued. North Metcalfe joined the Strathroy Fair\, and South portion joined with Glencoe.\nEkfrid Fair (1857 – 1876) Ekfrid Twp had its own fair\, held in Appin. This was held behind old Town Hall which is where the community centre is today.\nGlencoe Joint Fair (1875\, 1876\, Spring 1877) Glencoe & Mosa Twp have a joint fair in Glencoe at the old Town Hall on McKellar Street. (The Village of Glencoe did not previously have a fair.)\nGlencoe Union Fair (1877 – 1878) Glencoe\, Mosa & Ekfrid Twps had joint fall fairs at Glencoe Town Hall.\nGlencoe Fair (1879 – 1890) Glencoe\, Mosa & Ekfrid Union fair at Graham property (10 year lease) at the South end of Glencoe. Fairgrounds called “The Driving Park”. A race track and Glencoe’s first Crystal Palace is built in 1879 on the Graham property.\nGlencoe Fair (1891 – Present) In 1891 the Mosa & Ekfrid agricultural societies unite and became “The Mosa and Ekfrid Union Agricultural Society”. Land at current fairground (North end of Glencoe) was purchased in 1891 and the first fair was held at the current fairgrounds. The property with race track was owned by John McAlpine and was leased for the fair. Glencoe’s second Crystal Palace was built in 1892. The grandstand facing the race track was built in 1892 on fair board property. In 1910 the property with race track was purchased by the fair board.\n\n 
URL:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/event/glencoefair2026/
LOCATION:Glencoe Fair\, 268 Currie Street\, Glencoe\, Ontario\, N0L 1M0\, Canada
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_5664.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260930T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260930T203000
DTSTAMP:20260625T142917Z
CREATED:20251210T160433Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260625T142917Z
UID:3679-1790794800-1790800200@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Sept 30 - Cemetery Sleuthing & Genealogy Night
DESCRIPTION:With Ken Beecroft & Gerry Cross\nSeptember 30\, 2026 · 7:00–8:30 pm · Online via Zoom. – Link will be provided later.   \nThe Glencoe & District Historical Society invites you to a special online event celebrating two of our community’s most dedicated genealogy volunteers: Ken Beecroft and Gerry Cross. Between them\, they have contributed thousands of hours researching local families\, preserving abandoned and pioneer cemeteries\, and documenting Southwest Middlesex history through Find A Grave and other archival tools. \nAbout the Presenters\nKen has been a leading force in preserving the memory of early residents of Southwest Middlesex. A Past President of the G&DHS\, he has helped document active and abandoned cemeteries\, contributed hundreds of detailed memorials to Find A Grave\, and ensures that people long gone are remembered with dignity and historical accuracy. His passion is connecting stories\, names\, and places in ways that help families understand where they come from. \nGerry is equally devoted to uncovering family histories\, tracing relationships\, and ensuring accurate online memorials. He spends countless hours verifying dates\, locating records\, and adding missing pieces to help families discover their ancestors. His careful documentation and deep local knowledge make him an invaluable resource for researchers across the region. \nTogether\, Ken and Gerry offer a remarkable service to the public by helping preserve the stories of those who shaped our community. \nWhy Attend? \nThis Zoom session is ideal for: \n\nAnyone researching their family tree\nVisitors using Find A Grave who want to understand how to get the most out of it\nCommunity members curious about early cemeteries and pioneer history\nPeople who would like to contribute to online memorial projects\nResearchers wanting to learn what the G&DHS Archives can offer\n\nTopics will include: \n\nTips for effective searching on Find A Grave\nHow to correct or enhance an online memorial\nThe importance of documenting changes in cemetery markers over time\nHow the G&DHS Archives can support your genealogy work\nWhen to reach out to our volunteers for help\n\n  \nUse the Archives as Your Research Home Base \nThe G&DHS Archives contain extensive family files\, cemetery records\, obituaries\, photographs\, maps\, and local documents. Ken and Gerry’s work is strengthened by the archival collections—and your research can be\, too. \n  \nParticipants are encouraged to make use of the Archives both before and after the event for follow-up questions or deeper research.
URL:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/event/beecroftg/
LOCATION:The Archives\, 178 McKellar Street\, Glencoe (Southwest Middlesex)\, Ontario\, N0L 1M0\, Canada
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/simpson2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Glencoe & District Historical Society":MAILTO:contactus@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261022T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261022T193000
DTSTAMP:20260129T195545Z
CREATED:20260126T114619Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260129T195545Z
UID:3861-1792692000-1792697400@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Oct 22:  Love Hate Whisk(e)y: A Family Saga
DESCRIPTION:October 22\, 2026 at the Glencoe Library at 6 p.m.  \nThe Glencoe & District Historical Society and the Glencoe Library welcome Dutton author Valrita Fournier for an engaging evening exploring her sweeping Canadian family saga\, LOVE HATE WHISK(E)Y. \nSet along the St. Clair River and rooted in the farm culture of early 20th-century Ontario\, Fournier’s two-volume saga follows the Bennier family through love\, loss\, secrecy\, and the charged world of whiskey production—legal and illicit. Rich with historical detail\, the novels weave together the rise of the automobile\, evolving farm life\, shifting fashions\, and the deep social tensions of the era. \nVolume I: Le Réveillons (The Awakening).  Introduces the Bennier family and their complex emotional world—love\, hate\, trauma\, and resilience—against the backdrop of Ontario’s whiskey-making tradition. \nVolume II (forthcoming) opens in June 1940 as master distiller Marcel Bennier returns home to the family farm with a dual mission: to produce industrial alcohol for the war effort and to conceal a secret too dangerous to reveal. As his family prepares for his arrival\, they reflect on the events of the past years and brace themselves to share a shocking truth of their own. \nAbout the Author\nValrita Fournier is a multi-talented playwright\, poet\, mystic\, novelist\, composer\, and master of ceremonies. A graduate of the University of Toronto with a degree in English Language and Literature\, she won first prize in a one-act play competition with her comedic work Eggs-Actly My Dear!. \nThough not a musician by training\, Valrita has organized musical and theatrical events at numerous venues including Place Concorde\, Mackenzie Hall\, WEDS Theatre\, church halls\, wedding stages\, and even a Women’s Day whiskey-tasting book talk at a distillery restaurant. \nHer creative works include: \n\nLOVE HATE WHISK(E)Y – Volume I (published)\nLOVE HATE WHISK(E)Y – Volume II (in editing)\nThe Legende of the Greene Faerie\, a musical environmental tale (CD)\nThe Eleventh Commandment\, a mystical religious work (out of print)\nSeveral unpublished plays\n\nEvent Format\nThe author talk will run approximately one hour\, including audience questions.   This is a wonderful opportunity to meet a local Southwestern Ontario author whose work blends heritage\, drama\, and the storytelling traditions of rural life. All are welcome\, and admission is free. \nContact for inquiries:\nMary@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca  or Valrita Fournier – 4nier.arts@gmail.com
URL:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/event/fournier/
LOCATION:Glencoe Public Library\, 123 McKellar St.\, Glencoe\, Ontario\, N0L 1M0\, Canada
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-26-at-6.42.41-AM.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Glencoe & District Historical Society":MAILTO:contactus@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20261103T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20261109T170000
DTSTAMP:20260106T105844Z
CREATED:20260106T105844Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T105844Z
UID:3764-1793692800-1794243600@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Nov 3- 9 Treaty Recognition Week 2026
DESCRIPTION:Treaties Recognition Week 2025: Respecting and Honouring Treaty Relationships
URL:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/event/nov-3-9-treaty-recognition-week-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-14-at-8.17.44-AM.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Glencoe & District Historical Society":MAILTO:contactus@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261111
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261112
DTSTAMP:20260106T110115Z
CREATED:20240712T151055Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T110115Z
UID:2138-1794355200-1794441599@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Remembrance Day in the area
DESCRIPTION:Glencoe at the Cenotaph: Park and gather before 10:30 a.m.  Parade begins at 10:45 a.m.   Main Street is closed.  Organized by Royal Canadian Legion\, Reg Lovel Branch\, 219.  Their facebook page \n  \nNewbury Newbury Legion Group\n\nMelbourne
URL:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/event/remembrance-day-in-glencoe/
LOCATION:Glencoe Epitaph on Main Street by the train tracks\, Glencoe\, ON
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-13-at-11.05.29-PM.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Royal Canadian Legion%2C Reg Lovell Branch 219":MAILTO:br.219.rcl@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20270127
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20270128
DTSTAMP:20260625T143416Z
CREATED:20260625T143416Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260625T143416Z
UID:5355-1801008000-1801094399@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
SUMMARY:A Wee Burns Supper: An Evening with Doug Ferguson
DESCRIPTION:Wednesday\, January 27\, 2027\nPresented by the Glencoe & District Historical Society \nTo Be Confirmed\nDate: Wednesday\, January 27\, 2027\nLocation: McKellar Hotel\, Glencoe\, Ontario \nJoin us for a celebration of Robert Burns Day (Burns Night)\, honouring the life and poetry of Scotland’s national bard. We’ll mark the occasion with a traditional wee Burns Supper featuring haggis\, neeps\, and tatties\, accompanied by a Scotch tasting. \nFeatured Presentation \n“A Tale of Two Families: The McKellars and the Fergusons”\nPresented by Doug Ferguson — 20 minutes \nThe Bear Creek McKellars and the Ardare McKellars married into the Ferguson clan during the 19th century. Doug Ferguson shares this story of tragedy\, scandal\, and resilience set in Mosa Township throughout the 1800s. \nDoug Ferguson grew up in Brooke Township and practices law in London\, Ontario. His interest in genealogy began while dating his late first wife\, Anne McColl\, when his grandmother revealed the two were fourth cousins. Doug recently received the Law Society of Ontario Medal in recognition of his contribution to the legal profession.
URL:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/event/burns/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Robert-Burns-engraving-A-Biographical-Dictionary-of-1870.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Glencoe & District Historical Society":MAILTO:contactus@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20270414T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20270414T210000
DTSTAMP:20260418T235108Z
CREATED:20260418T235102Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260418T235108Z
UID:4170-1807729200-1807736400@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
SUMMARY:April 14\, 2027  Annual General Meeting
DESCRIPTION:Annual General Meeting \n📅 Wednesday\, April 14\, 2027\n 🕖 7:00 p.m.\n 📍 Archives\, 178 McKellar Street\, Glencoe\, Ontario\n \nNotice to Members \nExisting members: this is your official notice to attend the Annual General Meeting. \nIf you’ve been thinking about joining\, this is the perfect opportunity! Memberships can be purchased at the door: \n\nIndividual Membership – $20 \nFamily Membership – $25\n (Tax receipts issued by Membership Secretary\, Harold Carruthers) \n\nWhat to Expect \n\nReports and stories from the year 2026. \nA look ahead at upcoming projects and events. \nHonouring and thanking our volunteers. \n\nSpecial Feature: Show & Tell \nBring along a family heirloom\, artifact\, or “mystery object” from the past to share with the group. Let’s make history interactive\, personal\, and fun!
URL:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/event/agm2027/
LOCATION:The Archives\, 178 McKellar Street\, Glencoe (Southwest Middlesex)\, Ontario\, N0L 1M0\, Canada
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-18-at-7.47.38-PM.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Glencoe & District Historical Society":MAILTO:contactus@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20270725T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20270725T160000
DTSTAMP:20260414T191116Z
CREATED:20251110T175318Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260414T191116Z
UID:3560-1816524000-1816531200@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Lotan Cemetery Commemoration
DESCRIPTION:Sunday\, July 25\, 2027 – 2:00 p.m.\n Lotan Cemetery (Ekfrid Township Cemetery E1 – LOTAN)\n 5472 Century Drive\, Appin ON • Concession 4\, Lot 10 \nLotan Cemetery is one of Ekfrid Township’s quiet treasures. About thirty-three burials rest here\, spanning from the 1850s through the 1970s. It’s managed today by Southwest Middlesex\, but it remains a place held in memory by many. \nThe Glencoe & District Historical Society invites neighbours\, descendants\, and friends to gather with us for a Community Memorial to honour the people who shaped this corner of Ekfrid Township. \nLocal historian Harold Carruthers will share the history of the cemetery and the early families who settled nearby. Afterward\, we will take time in community to speak names\, share memories\, and acknowledge the ancestors whose lives left a mark on this land. \nEveryone is welcome. Bring family stories\, quiet respect\, and your sense of connection to those who came before us. \nAlso\, we are hoping to learn about grave stone repair.  There is a chance that Tom and Maria Moore from Forget Me Not Gravesite Caregivers might attend.  Harold Carruthers and members of our Society also have a lot of experience caring for the stones who have no descendants to maintain them. \nFind a Grave: Ken Beecroft and Gerry Cross will be there to talk about helping descendants who live far away learn more about their ancestors via Find a Grave.  They are the local connection. \n  \n  \n  \nCairn erected by Township of Exfrid Cemetery Board 1982\n  \nLotan features a well-contructed feature that preserves the stones.  It has held up well in the weather over the years.\n  \nAnother view of the construction built to preserve the stones.\n  \nA heritage cedar marked by the Municipality of Southwest Middlesex in 2007.\n  \nThe roots of a cedar have grown over a stone.\n  \nLotan Cemetery (Ekfrid Township Cemetery E1 – LOTAN) 5472 Century Drive\, Appin ON • Concession 4\, Lot 10.   New cemetery signs by the historical society and the municipality.  
URL:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/event/lotan/
LOCATION:Lotan Cemetery\, 5472 Century Drive\, Appin ON\, 5472 Century Drive\, Appin\, Ontario\, N0L 1A0\, Canada
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Lotan-cemetery-1.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Glencoe & District Historical Society":MAILTO:contactus@glencoehistoricalsociety.ca
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR