April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026 in review

April 12, 2026June 10, 2026Glencoe & District Historical Society

Glencoe & District Historical Society– Annual General Meeting for 2025 – 2026

President’s Report, Mary Simpson

Prepared for the AGM April 15, 2026– 7:00 p.m. Nineteen in attendance.
The ARCHIVES, 178 McKellar St., Glencoe

Founded in 1978, the Glencoe & District Historical Society (G&DHS) was established to preserve and share the rich history of Southwestern Ontario, with a particular focus on the Glencoe area.

We are supported by a dedicated group of officers, directors, and managers—those remarkable volunteers who have taken on defined roles. Their commitment is the foundation of our work. General Manager Harold Carruthers and Vice President Norm McGill keep it all going, providing steady operational oversight, community presence, and mentorship to volunteers.

Mary Simpson’s report, Outgoing President

As I complete my two-year term as President, I do so with deep appreciation for the strength of this organization and the people who sustain it. I am pleased to be moving into the role of Past President, and to welcome Norm McGill as incoming President.

When I stepped into this role, I had a few simple hopes. I wanted the Historical Society to feel like a safe and welcoming place—where people could show up as themselves, and where we support each other in the work we care about. I wanted us to be inclusive, to open the door wider, and to recognize that everyone here has something valuable to contribute.

I also saw this Society as part of something bigger. Not just one organization, but part of a whole network of heritage work happening across our district—our museums, our libraries, our local historians, our community groups. Over the past couple of years, I think we’ve taken real steps toward connecting those dots, building relationships, and working more collaboratively.

At the heart of it, my goal has been to help us grow as a community-based organization—one that is rooted in the principles of community development. That means sharing leadership, supporting volunteers, encouraging initiative, and trusting people to step forward and take on meaningful roles. And we’ve seen that happen. Thank you, everyone—for your time, your energy, and your commitment to this community and its history.

This work doesn’t belong to any one person—it belongs to all of you. I’m very grateful for the chance to serve as President, and I’m looking forward to continuing in a supporting role as Past President. Norm, I know you’ll do a wonderful job, and I’m here to support you and the team however I can. – Mary Simpson

The Alexanders: A Migrant Story

December 21, 2025June 10, 2026Glencoe & District Historical Society

By Kellie Davenport

As the agent of his excellency the Right Honourable Lord Howden, Her Majesty’s Ambassador at Madrid, I hereby certify that Mr. James Alexander has been employed as a farm manager on his Lordship’s Grimston Estate for six years.

By his own desire, he will leave this country to try his fortune in America. I have great pleasure in testifying that his conduct has always been most trustworthy, steady and exemplary in the extensive farm works carried on here.

Also, from his good education and experience in farming, I consider him well qualified to conduct and manage any agricultural operation in all its branches.

—M. Harington, Grimston Park, Tadcaster, Yorkshire.

Penned in 1853, this letter of reference launched the Alexander family legacy in Canada—and a long line of dedicated Ontario farmers. More than 170 years later, the Alexanders’ original crown settlement south of Melbourne, Ont. is still a working cattle farm, now into its sixth generation of the family.

These deep agricultural roots sprouted in rural Forfarshire, Scotland, before blossoming on a Yorkshire estate owned by a British lord and later blooming across the ocean in Southwest Middlesex. The Alexander story is a true migrant tale, showcasing the upheaval, ambition, dedication and success of newcomers to Canada.

From Yorkshire to Ekfrid and Back Again

December 8, 2025June 10, 2026Kellie Davenport

By Kellie Davenport

As our Uber approached the stately manor house at Grimston Park, a historic North Yorkshire estate about 25 minutes west of York, the size of the property immediately struck us. The sprawling 2,500-acre estate was a far cry from our quaint 200-acre family farm in Ekfrid Township near Melbourne, Ont.

But surprisingly, we felt right at home.

Along with my parents, Debbie and Alexander, we had travelled to this far-flung county to visit this rather impressive place because our ancestor James Alexander (1824-1895), my three-times great-grandfather, once lived, worked and worshipped here. (Though he likely arrived here via Scotland by horsedrawn coach, not electric car.)

McAlpine–Smith Family Fonds

December 6, 2025January 29, 2026Glencoe & District Historical Society

Dec 6, 2025. The Archives, Glencoe – Donation and provenance provided by Kathleen Scott, great grand daughter, St. Thomas, Ontario. Received by Mary Simpson and Norm McGill.

This collection of items belonged to the McAlpine and Smith families of 3528 Oil Field Road, near Glencoe, Ontario. At the center of the family story is the marriage of Rebecca Smith and Alexander McAlpine, who were married on April 12, 1899. Their illustrated marriage certificate, preserved inside Alexander’s family Bible, is one of the key artifacts in this collection.

Rebecca and Alexander lived on the family farm on Oil Field Road. After Alexander’s death, the property was eventually purchased by Jim Schieman, and the McAlpine family maintained a warm friendship with the Schieman family for many years afterward. Several items in the collection reflect this long community connection.

Also included are photographs and records connected with the Zavitz, Schieman, and Peters families, who were neighbours and later stewards of the original McAlpine farm. A wedding photo of Peter Schieman’s son is part of this grouping.

These artifacts—Bibles, hymnals, books, and photographs—together illuminate more than a century of rural family life in Southwest Middlesex, documenting marriages, migration, faith, work, and community connections passed down through generations. Thank you Heather for entrusting these treasures to the Glencoe & District Historical Society.

St James Anglican Church, Wardsville

May 16, 2025June 18, 2026Bill Simpson

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 how it looked.

The design looks very similar to that of St John’s Glencoe, with the exception that the belltower is offset to the side of the entrance rather than where the entrance porch is shown. This explains how the reredos (wooden screen in the chancel) fit so snugly into the chancel at St John’s when it was moved there. (I am writing another post about this memorial reredos and altar table.)

It was noted in an Anglican News article that St James had many beautiful ornamental and memorial windows, but we have no pictures of them.

But, remarkably, a small part of one of these windows was discovered by Wilson Bowles while renovating his house on Talbot Street and was given over in to the care of Ken Willis, the Wardsville Historian. Ken speculates that this fragment was rescued by Abraham Linden, who occupied the house previously.

St James Anglican Church & Cemetery, by Ken Wilis

May 14, 2025June 10, 2026Glencoe & District Historical Society

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, Brooke, Ekfrid and Mosa on June 30, 1845. On one Sunday of each month he would ride his horse from Zone Mills (Florence) which was his headquarters, to hold services in Wardsville, likely in private homes until a church building was erected.

The first official parish to be formed was Wardsville, Glencoe and Newbury, also in 1845. About the same time, land was given to the Church of England, for the purposes of a church building, by Dr. Abraham Francis. (This land, 102 acres, was on the south Part of Lot 20, Range one North of the Longwoods Road.) A parsonage was subsequently built on this property but the year is not known.

Lots 18 and 19, south of Church Street, were obtained by the Church Society of the Diocese of Toronto by a Bargain and Sale agreement with William Hatelie, et al, on August 22, 1849. This was a year or two after a wooden framed church building had already been constructed on the lot. This is known from a letter penned by Bishop Strachan on May 8, 1848, to Hatelie and the Churchwardens of the Church of Wardsville. He wrote, gentlemen: I have the honour to acknowledge your Memorial of the 2nd instant, in which you state that you have erected a church at Wardsville, Township of Mosa at considerable expense, but that since the erection of said building, you have only had divine service in it every third Sunday. This building served a congregation of approx. 150 members until the very early 1870s when it fell into disrepair.

April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025 in review

April 15, 2025June 10, 2026Glencoe & District Historical Society

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 what really happened and how people have worked together over time. We share a common past, woven together through generations. Consider this: each of us has two grandmothers, four great-grandmothers, eight great-great-grandmothers, and so on—each with their own unique stories waiting to be remembered.

Every family needs both storytellers and story keepers. The Glencoe & District Historical Society encourages families to record their histories—write down stories, label the backs of photographs, and document the details that future generations will cherish.

Some families are fortunate to collaborate with authors like CJ Frederick, who transform family histories into engaging historical novels. Others use platforms like Remento or StoryWorth to compile family memories into beautifully bound books that can be passed down for generations. Online genealogy tools such as Ancestry.ca have also made it easier than ever to trace our roots.

Many families bring their archives and precious artifacts to the Historical Society for safekeeping. In today’s digital world, we recognize what a treasure trove these collections are. While digitization allows for easy sharing, it does not guarantee long-term preservation. Whether in digital or physical form, historical records are always at risk. By working together to protect and document our shared past, we ensure that future generations will have access to the rich stories that shape our community.

These are our aims for 2024/2026:

Connect with membership and build close, working relationships with all our local groups, our regional heritage groups, and the elected reps and staff people of Southwest Middlesex and County of Middlesex.
Ramp up our outreach and channels. Mobilize an IT circle to support improved communication and decision-making.
Digitize and record our stories, curate, preserve, upload, and share. Figure out better platforms for working together. Facebook groups don’t cut it.
Learn the tools offered by dynamic governance, and the flourishing business canvas
Bring our elders and youth together. Tell all the stories. 10,000 years of local history. Place making.
Build a cultural network to link history with tourism. Nurture and support the arts in heritage and cultural communities.
Lead the interactive Barn Quilt Trail project, which features an alliance of four organizations plus FedDev Government of Canada, the funder. Link our cultural assets to local tourism strategies and investments. Work with Middlesex county tourism.
Advocate for county archives. Interpret history along the Thames river Watershed arts corridor
Invite skilled local people and support their history passions. Build teams around peoples’ interest. Assign domains. Delegate authority.
Update and revise our bylaws. Build a closer working relationship with the Ontario Historical Society.
Build out our organizational structure. We have a great foundation in our bylaws featuring managers. Build a circular hierarchy to support workers, facilitators, leaders, and admin support.
Engage the branding dream team to do an agile branding process for G&DHS, the interactive Barn Quilt Trail, and our various groups and projects that need a brand
Figure out how to tell our amazing stories, make sure they are preserved and interpret the amazing history of Ontario Southwest, that we want to share with family, friends, community, travelers, guests, youth, new, Canadians, refugees, children, all of the people that make up our Rural society people.

Christmas Cheer at the Archives

January 16, 2025June 10, 2026Glencoe & District Historical Society

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.

Jim May and Harold Carruthers stand beside the Masons display. The Glencoe Masons ‘went dark’ in 2024.

Tony Bruinink shares the story of the ‘Cookie with the Hole’ and the humble beginnings of Hollandia Bakery

Peter McArthur: the “horrible, horrible” war

December 26, 2024June 10, 2026Glencoe & District Historical Society

Part 1: Peter McArthur, the hardest question and the “horrible, horrible” war

By Stephanie McDonald, December 2024

It’s a question from a child no parent is equipped to answer: Should I go to war? It was what Daniel, eldest son of Mabel and Peter McArthur, asked of his father in the early years of the First World War.

Even as prolific a writer as Peter McArthur was, one can imagine how the man dubbed the “Sage of Ekfrid” struggled to find the right words to share with his son. His response reveals both his wish for his child to come to his own decision as well as the urge to protect and keep him safe.

Peter penned his answer to Dan’s question in a letter on January 25, 1916, a year and a half into the war:

Ken Willis, Curator, Wardsville Museum

December 5, 2024June 8, 2026Glencoe & District Historical Society

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 support to preserve its treasures.

Ken Willis, the long-time curator of the Wardsville Museum, shares his personal story and an appeal for support.

Ken is committed to the museum’s future and is planning for the museum’s collection. He is asking Your Wardsville Community Association to step in. Proceeds from the Your Wardsville Silent Auction (Dec 3–10, 2024) supported this vital effort.

Please denote your donation to benefit the Wardsville Museum and a tax receipt will be issued. Every dollar helps preserve Wardsville’s heritage for future generations.

Your support means the world to Ken and the entire Wardsville community. Thank you for helping us keep our history alive!

Post by Denise Corneil, December 1, 2024.

March 12: Thomas Gardiner: The Ghost of Cashmere.

Marie Williams: A large crowd packed into the Glencoe and District Historical Society Archives on Wednesday evening, March 12. Following announcements, a brief membership report and some unfortunate technical difficulties, Society president Mary Simpson introduced the evening’s guest speaker, Glencoe native and author Daniel Perry.

Perry spoke about his newest work, a non-fiction memoir focussed on his own research into the life of Thomas Gardiner and Gardiner’s connection to the hamlet of Cashmere in the former Township of Mosa.

Born in 1774 in Ireland, Singleton Gardiner sailed for New York State in 1804. He moved to the Talbot Settlement in 1816 and to Mosa Township in 1825. He built a mill in 1834 on the site of what became Cashmere.

His brother Thomas Gardiner, born in Ireland in 1767, sailed for New York in 1804 and arrived in Upper Canada in 1807. Perry outlined charges laid against Thomas Gardiner which were subsequently dismissed, the connections between Thomas Gardiner and John Parker Jr., tales from the War of 1812, his years serving as a teacher, disputes over land, family friction and his pleas for help as an aging man.

Singleton Gardiner was the first person buried at the Cashmere Cemetery in 1834 but there is no stone marking what could be the grave of Thomas Gardiner.

A Stroll through Time – story telling

Stories about the Kilmartin community who established Burns Presbyterian Church in the hills of North Mosa.

Marie Williams reported: A great crowd attended Sunday’s “Stroll Through Time” at Burns. The event had been postponed from February due to icy conditions. Morgan MacTavish served as narrator with cast members Sarah, Sophie, Anela and Audrey Faulds, Andrew Johnson, Courtney Bailey, John David MacTavish, Taylor Chalupka and Carol Leitch doing a great job in their roles. Scriptwriters and organizers were Flora Walker, Louise Campbell and Mary Simpson.

Narrator: Welcome to A Stroll through Time – Celebrating 190 years of Burns Presbyterian Church, Mosa. Over the next hour and a half, we want to take you back to some events which occurred in this congregation over our 190 years of existence. Although the events did happen, we have taken some liberty with the minor details. Our characters will surround you with their tales of joy and sorrow. Please sit back and relax and we will let our story begin.

The Old Log Church was replaced with the first “Brick” church but it was eventually replaced by the existing church in 1891 when it encountered structural difficulties after a heavy slate roof was added.

The history of Burns’ Presbyterian Church

Burns Church has deep roots in the traditions and values brought over by Scottish immigrants. Many of the pioneers who established the church originated from the Highlands of Scotland, particularly from Argyleshire. Their strong sense of faith and resilience, hallmarks of Highland character, guided them through the challenges of settling in Canada West in the early 19th century. These Scottish settlers arrived in the townships of Mosa, Metcalfe, Ekfrid, and Brooke, at a time when the land was still largely an unbroken forest. Despite the physical hardships of pioneer life, they carried with them a strong Presbyterian faith, holding regular meetings for prayer and worship, often in their homes or in the forests, before the establishment of a formal church.

By 1835-36, the community had built its first log church on what is now Kilmartin Cemetery grounds in Metcalfe Township. Though the church was incomplete and lacked doors, windows, or a roof, it became a place for gathering and worship. Despite the harsh conditions, the congregation remained devoted, listening to sermons on cold winter days while seated on rough wooden sleepers. As years passed, clergy such as Rev. Alexander Ross and Rev. Donald McKenzie occasionally visited, providing spiritual guidance and conducting services. These visits were cherished, and many traveled long distances through forests and swamps to participate, highlighting the central role religion played in the lives of the settlers.

In 1842, Rev. Duncan McMillan visited the area to perform baptisms and organize prayer meetings. It wasn’t until 1844 that the Mosa congregation was formally organized by the Presbytery of Hamilton. For several years, the congregation shared clergy with nearby Knox Church in Ekfrid. Services were initially held in barns and homes, notably the McLauchlin family barn, before another log church, known as “The Old Log Church,” was built around 1844.

Rev. Wm. R. Sutherland was ordained as the first permanent pastor in 1848, and the church flourished. He frequently traveled throughout the region to communities like Wardsville and Euphemia, to preach, marry couples, and baptize children. He travelled by horseback or on foot in all weather conditions.

The fourth building – Burns Presbyterian Church Mosa. Opened in 1891.

They Settled in Riverside – family history book

July 31, 2024June 10, 2026Glencoe & District Historical Society

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) has sentimental value to our family, as it was once owned by the Gentlemans, purchased in 1870.

Bob’s book, titled “They Settled in Riverside,” is largely a family history, documenting the arrival of our ancestors in the Riverside area and describing their family branches. But Bob also captures an era now decades past as he shares stories of early Riverside neighbours and of growing up in Melbourne in the 1930s. He recalls his paper route, the school, town merchants and businesses, the railroad, and the neighbours and friends who were important in his life.

Rooted and Remembered book launch

Tonight, August 23, 2024 is the book launch – Rooted and Remembered

Come meet story keeper, James Carruthers and local novelist CJ Frederick. They will describe how they brought this special family history to the printed page.

Topic: Lest We Forget Ellwyne Ballantyne.

Time: Oct 23, 2024 07:00 PM America/Toronto

Join Zoom Meeting or come to the Archives. Join the zoom call at 6:55 p.m. so we can settle in for a 7 pm. start.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88548582065?pwd=VEZTIFxIdFbcMmHozRsa4wL4dTYg8N.1

Meeting ID: 885 4858 2065

Passcode: 459615

CJ and James hope that Ellwyne’s story and his connection with the Carruthers clan touches people with its message of love, faith, and remembrance. It’s only through storytelling that those who carry memories, and decide to share them, make history come to life.

Author CJ Frederick signs book at Tartan Days, July 20, 2024.

Copies of “Rooted and Remembered” will be available to purchase.

To read more about CJ Frederick visit https://www.cjfrederick.com or https://www.facebook.com/cjtellstales

MAKING HISTORY COME TO LIFE THROUGH STORYTELLING

Listen to CJ tell about how she became intrigued with this story and how she collaborated with James Carruthers, the grandson of Betsy Jane Carruthers, during the pandemic to write a ‘creative non-fiction’ book about this wonderful young man, Ellwyne. Link to Interview starts at 9 minutes.

CJ’s First Novel – her story: Stories ripple all around us, if only we’re willing to hear them. In 2012, CJ first learned of Ellwyne Ballantyne and the astonishing relationship he forged with two strangers after reading a short newspaper article about the dedication of an unusual tree to a long-dead soldier from World War One. With obligations to work and family filling her time, she wasn’t yet ready to hear his story. It took a global pandemic, with the prospect of lockdowns and unexpected forced time at home, to open her ears, mind, and heart and be ready to explore the roots of Ellwyne’s story that took place more than a century before.

CJ grew up in the 1980s in a wood-framed farmhouse built by Scottish settlers, situated on a dead-end road that terminates near the winding Sydenham River. In 2000, this road was renamed from a numbered concession to Buttonwood Drive. The name reflects the stand of buttonwood trees gathered at the river’s edge, where they most comfortably grow.

In 2020, she began reflecting on the fallen soldier and his extraordinary buttonwood tree that grows near her childhood home. Her curiosity eventually led her to the doors of Carruthers clan descendants, where she begged to have a conversation about Ellwyne and his connection to the tree. Thinking it might have the makings of a short story, she began putting together the pieces of Ellwyne Ballantyne’s brief life. But, with each photograph, letter, and artifact shared, she became more engrossed in the tale of an orphan who had stepped foot on three continents and was taken in by strangers who came to love him as their own. At the outset, CJ did not anticipate that it would bloom into a novel, but as she learned more details about the characters and events, she believed that each nugget was fascinating and intriguing.

Join Zoom Meeting – more details

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Meeting ID: 885 4858 2065

Passcode: 459615

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April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 in review

April 24, 2024June 10, 2026Glencoe & District Historical Society

Report for the Glencoe & District Historical Society

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 20 years.

Business as Usual: The minutes from the previous year’s AGM were approved without issue, and discussions moved smoothly to current matters.

Financial Health: Treasurer Marilyn McCallum presented a detailed financial report and budget for the upcoming year, which were both accepted unanimously.

Membership Milestone: Harold Carruthers announced a record membership count, (over 80 members) reflecting the society’s ongoing relevance.

Engaging Programs: Program Director Mary Simpson introduced upcoming events, including a talk by local author C.J. Fredericks.

Election Excitement: Nominations for the new executive team were made and approved smoothly.

Dynamic Presentations: Members shared updates on various projects, showcasing the society’s diverse activities.

Wendy Simms Bestward reported on the Simpson Descendants genealogy work.

Denise Corneil reported on the alliance formed by Glencoe & District Historical Society, Creative Communities, barnquilttrails.ca, the Chippewa of the Thames cultural group, and EXAR Studios to build a story telling app to enhance the Barn Quilt Trails, a grassroots arts movement.

Harold Carruthers noted the 100th anniversary of the death of “The Sage of Ekfrid” Peter McArthur. There will be an interesting event on Father’s Day, June 16th at 1:00 p.m.

Norm McGill conducted a Show and Tell in which 8 people participated.

Closing: The meeting concluded at 8:50 PM, setting the stage for the incoming executive team.

Looking Ahead: With new leadership in place, the society is poised for another productive year.

The Appin Cemetery Memorial

This year we remembered the people in The Appin Cemetery.

Time: 2:00 p.m. on July 28, 2024

Location: The Appin Cemetery, 22886 Thames Road (Concession 2, Lot 12)

Link to interactive G&DHS Cemetery Map.

[slideshow_deploy id=’2326′]

[archiveorg history-of-appin-cemetery-jim-may-2000 width=560 height=384 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]

Farmer, writer, radical, sage: Re-introducing Peter McArthur

February 22, 2024 – “Peter McArthur: Our Famous Canadian – 1866 – 1924”

A large crowd attended the Glencoe and District Historical Society Archives to experience Peter McArthur, the “Sage of Ekfrid”. It would appear that McArthur is as popular today as he was over 100 years ago. In addition to 30 viewing online, over 50 turned up in person. Norm McGill welcomed guests before president Ken Beecroft made some announcements. Kosta Vaklev offered a reading by McArthur before historian Harold Carruthers described his lifelong interest in the farmer/author.

Joining from Ireland, guest speaker Stephanie McDonald, described McArthur’s life and works, focussing on the last 16 years of his life after he moved back to the home farm in Ekfrid Township. Another long- time McArthur enthusiast, Don Sinclair closed the afternoon event, speaking about his connection to McArthur through the home farm and, in particular, the demonstration woodlot where McArthur wrote about his unique appreciation for rural life and nature.

In 1908, at the age of 42, Peter McArthur returned to his family farm in Ekfrid Township with his wife and five children after living and working in Toronto, New York and London, England. For the next 16 years he wrote weekly columns in The Globe, amusing and enlightening his readers about life on a rural Ontario farm.

October 28, 2024 will mark the centenary of McArthur’s death at the age of 58 following an operation. The man dubbed the “Sage of Ekfrid”, who had the most famous farm in Canada, is now nearly forgotten. With wit and wisdom, McArthur interrogated questions that we’re still asking today – how to bridge the rural/urban divide, how to protect the natural environment, and how to spend our days and live a good life.

Stephanie McDonald grew up on a mixed farm in Ekfrid Township. She has worked as a newspaper reporter in the Canadian Arctic, and in communications, policy and administration roles in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Ottawa and now Dublin, Ireland. Stephanie has had articles published in various newspapers and magazines, mostly about farmers, farming, food security and the climate crisis.

Farmer, writer, radical: the Sage of Ekfrid

Doug Ferguson: Ancestral Odyssey – The Family Ferguson

Over 60 history buffs gathered, in person and online, to listen to Doug Ferguson as he described his “Ancestral Odyssey” at the Glencoe and District Historical Society Archives on Wednesday evening, January 17. His Ferguson ancestors had left Craignish, Argyleshire for Aldborough Twp. in 1818 and then moved to northern Mosa Twp. in 1827. The McDonalds left Inverness for Quebec in 1830, before settling in Ekfrid Twp. in 1835. Read more →

The year 2022 in review

April 1, 2023June 10, 2026Glencoe & District Historical Society

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:

To promote, encourage and foster the study of local history and genealogy, including original research. We encourage, support and solicit research information on heritage buildings in our District. We lend our support to other community groups who are active and interested in the preservation and restoration of heritage buildings.
To provide and maintain a local archival repository for the collection and preservation of books, manuscripts, typescripts, charts, maps, photographs, journals, Photostats, microfilms, tapes and artifacts.
To reproduce some of the presentations presented to the Society, as well as other research and materials.
To provide education through newsletters, presentations, social media and participation in local and surrounding area events.

First, It should also be pointed out, that during the past year G & DHS did resume normal activities, as the Covid 19 pandemic was basically over. Letters were issued in August to reach out to our members, Membership renewals were encouraged, and consequently our membership was mostly restored. Several patrons provided financial donations also. Appreciation goes out those who contributed during this time. Service fees for research services were still somewhat reduced. Consequently, again during the past year, as a not for profit organization, it has been a difficult several years. Our Financial Report may detail some of this later.

This past year our Society was involved as a partner with The Municipality of Southwest Middlesex (SWM), for the manufacture and installation of identification signs in all of the active and abandoned cemeteries within SWM. Our plan called for 30 signs within SWM, and three outside of SWM, but within our area. Hykut Signs was our local manufacturer. These standardized signs outline to the public, the name of area cemeteries and when they were established. We have identified and signed the forgotten ones also, so that our pioneer ancestors will be remembered.

The Archives in Glencoe, Ontario, Canada

Many thanks to the Municipality of SWM

April 20, 2022June 10, 2026Glencoe & District Historical Society

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, stacks for books, documents and artifacts along with special collections, microfilm library, and archival space for artifacts. Key also for the move is that the precious property records again make their home in the original Registry Office, which we now call “The Vault”.

Our new facility allows us to host educational Program activities onsite, as we now have everything available –access, washrooms, seating capacity and parking. We are also pleased to say that we share our facilities with other community organizations, on a revenue neutral basis. Organizations such as local cemetery boards, such as Oakland and Eddie, and Southwest Middlesex’ “Celebrate Community Committee” conduct their routine members’ meetings at 178 McKellar Street.