Saturday, December 7, 2024 | 1:00 – 4:00 PM Sunday, December 8, 2024 | 1:00 – 4:00 PM
NEW Melbourne United Church, 592 John Street, Melbourne, Ontario
Step back in time and celebrate the season with us at the Manse, a classic example of Italianate architecture.
What to Expect: 🎄 Period Christmas Decorations: Experience the charm of Victorian-era holiday décor.
📜 Historic Displays: Explore exhibits showcasing Melbourne’s local history, including fascinating artifacts and stories of the area’s past. 👀 Signature Quilt: See the 1918 signature quilt on display—could your ancestors’ names be stitched into its fabric? Discover your family connections!🛷 Kilbourne Cutter Sleigh: Admire this elegant piece of local history on the front lawn.
Architecture Highlight The Manse, built with locally-made brick, features a wide central hall, a stunning staircase, and large windows with stained glass. While originally designed without modern conveniences like bathrooms, later adaptations—including 1960s enclosed porches—have added layers to its architectural story over the decades.
The Italianate design of this home was inspired by plans published in the Canada Farmer magazine in 1865, which highlighted this style for its practicality and grandeur.
Giving Back In the spirit of the season, we are graciously accepting non-perishable food items and cash donations for local food banks. Join us for a heartwarming afternoon filled with history, holiday cheer, and community spirit. We can’t wait to welcome you!
Farmer, writer, radical, sage: Re-introducing Peter McArthur
Peter McArthur’s Haunts – his farm, his grave, and back to the Archives.
June 16, 2024. 1:30 – 5:00 p.m.
A tour with three stops: Please park carefully. Bring a lawn chair. There is no rain date – check facebook Page for last minute instructions:
1:30 p.m. Peter McArthur’s Farm, 22517 McArthur Road, Southwest Middlesex.
2:30 p.m. Eddie Cemetery, 4490 Glendon Dr, Glencoe, ON N0L 1M0. Mr. McArthur’s grave.
3:30 p.m. The Archives, 178 McKellar St, Glencoe, ON N0L 1M0
Father’s Day afternoon. Bring Dad and Grandpa out for a trip down our local literary path. Get to know Peter McArthur. Who was this local writer that was famous across Canada.? He was a pal of the Prime Minister, had an amazing career in New York City and London England, and gave it up to came back to write in his cabin on the farm. That’s when he found his audience.
1:30 p.m. Peter McArthur’s Farm. 22517 McArthur Road, Southwest Middlesex. Carefully park along the road. Hosted by John Sinclair, current owner of the McArthur property. We’ll check out the new interpretive sign; listen to tales by Donny Sinclair; and learn about this famous writer’s life. We will coordinate our parking at Eddie Cemetery for the utmost safety.
2:30 p.m. Eddie Cemetery. We’ll jump in our cars and go a couple miles north to Mr. McArthur’s grave where the historical society has installed another commemorative panel. We’ll share some readings and pay tribute to a great Canadian writer. Please take your time to park carefully along the side of the road.
3:30 p.m. The Archives. Then we’ll go back to The Archives in Glencoe, drink coffee, learn about his family, and check out his books and memorabilia. Stephanie McDonald and Harold Carruthers will share more stories. We are hoping some of Mr. and Mrs. McArthur’s descendants will attend.
Fundraiser: We are fundraising to pay for the interpretive panels dedicated to the life work of Peter McArthur. Target is $750. Mark cheque “Peter McArthur” and mail it to G&DHS, 178 McKellar St, Glencoe, ON N0L 1M0 or bring it along June 16, 2024
“Although I have lived in far countries and great cities, no place ever was my home except this farm.”
“Something of this farm struck a tendril into my heart which neither time nor distance could break. It is the only spot on earth that ever gave me the feeling of home. … At all times it was my place of refuge, and, when I finally returned to it, it was with a feeling that my wanderings had ended, and that I could settle down and enjoy life where I belonged.”
Before the day of radio, TV, and the Internet, there were newspapers and pianos. Here is a song with lyrics by Peter and an illustration by the famous CW Jeffery. We’ll sing it together accompanied by Mirah Simpson, a descendant.To be Taken With Salt – by Peter McArthur.
Donny Sinclair – history keeper of the Peter McArthur legacyPeter McArthur and his cow
July 28, 2019. Community Memorial Service. Gough Cemetery, 5018 Scotchmere Drive, Glencoe, Metcalfe Township, ON. 2:00 p.m. Bring a lawn chair. No rain date. In case of rain, the event will relocate to The Archives, 178 McKellar Street, Glencoe, ON.
May 15, 2019. Open House at The Archives! 178 McKellar Street, Glencoe, ON. Come and see what we are all about.
10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Ribbon Cutting at 11 a.m. Re-dedication of Rotary Memorial. Refreshments and tours. Draws for free memberships.
Main Price – Ancestry DNA kit.
(4:00 p.m. Guy St. Denis is presenting his new book at the Glencoe Library. Then he is coming to do a Q&A at The Archives. Books available for purchase)
Take your lunch break with us. There will be coffee and goodies. This is a fantastic new public space that is yours to enjoy. Buy a membership. Do your family tree. Borrow a book. Bring us your family documents to preserve.
