Bruce County Historical Society

P.O. Box 51

Tiverton, Ontario, N0G 2T0

www.brucecountyhistory.on.ca

Exciting New Events and Activities

Presented by the BRUCE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 
 
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 28, 2010 
 

Contact:

Audrey Underwood, Program Committee

519-389-5229 

Bill Stewart, Program Committee

519-934-2270 

Ann-Marie Collins, Program Committee

519-797-2080 x 114

acollins@brucecounty.on.ca  

(Bruce County)  Forward-thinking people of the County have always filled Bruce County Historical Society (BCHS) board positions.  We are endeavouring to breathe new vitality into the BCHS. Our Executive Planning Committee has come up with new and exciting ideas for open meetings to the public. Do join us for these upcoming fun and educational gatherings in our County!!!

Summer Activities

The BCHS Annual Bus Tour is being held May 20, 2010.  We are meeting at the Cargill Community Centre at 10:30 am, where we will have a presentation by Shannon Woods of the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority and lunch.  In the afternoon we will enjoy a bus tour through the Greenock Swamp.  The cost is only $25.00 per person.  Call For Tickets: Karen Ribey 519-368-7405, Jim Whytock 519-392-6003, Mary MacKay 519-353-5544 or Dorne Fitzsimmons 519-368-7186.  
 

Saturday, June 12^th participate in the BCHS and the Bruce County Genealogical Society (BCGS) Car Rally/Scavenger Hunt starting at Bluewater Park in Wiarton.  Teams can use their own digital camera to prove “items or places” found.  Cost:  $5.00 per person.  Call Ann-Marie to register 519-797-2080 x 114. 
 

Monday, July 12^th at 7:00 pm plan to attend the BCGS and the BCHS for their 3^rd Annual Authors Night, Wine & Cheese.  Enjoy local authors talking about their new books and get insight into some historic authors from Bruce County. 
 

The Bruce County Heritage Steam Show is August 20^th – 22^nd.  We are partnering with the BCGS and the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre again this year at our booth in the Mrs. Munro Barn.  Check out the additions to our display and learn about times past. 
 

Watch for our booth at the Bruce County Plowing Match, Friday September 3^rd from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. The match is being held on the property of Irwin Slade - Lot 4, Concession 7 Municipality of Kincardine.  
 

Do you have an old item in your home that you can’t identify?  Want to know more about when a photograph was taken?  Maybe we could help.  Feel free to share your family heirlooms, pictures or mementos at one of our gatherings.   
 

History of the Bruce County Historical Society 
 

The organizational meeting for a county historical society took place in the County Council Chambers, Walkerton September 16, 1901. Following Ontario Historical Society procedure, the “Bruce County Historical Society” was born.  Lieutenant-Colonel A.E. Belcher of Southampton became the first president, and the Secretary-Treasurer, Curator and Editor was Norman Robertson, the County Clerk.  Also elected were Vice Presidents representing every township and town in the County, 28 of them!!  Two representatives from Saugeen First Nation attended.  Membership was decided at 25 cents.  
 

The above organization was active until World War I.  In 1915 it surrendered its charter. One accomplishment during that time was the publishing of The History of the County of Bruce.  The basis for this book was taken from two manuscripts entered in the county competition in 1896 to write an historical essay about Bruce County.  Norman Robertson wrote the book using both manuscripts, one by Robertson himself and the other by John McNabb of Southampton.  As a result we have a superb first volume of our County history. Because of its wealth of information it has been reprinted by the BCHS several times! 
 

In 1957, an effort was made to re-establish the Bruce County Historical Society with much success.  The new president was Bruce Krug of Chesley who is still our Honourary President. Hilda Downey of Tiverton was elected Secretary, a position she held for many years. (Credit to the BCHS Centennial Book for the above information) 
 

This Centennial Book became the Society Yearbook which continues to be published each year and issued to members with their membership, an extremely good value.  Yearbooks (past and current) are also available to non-members at a reasonable price.  Membership in the BCHS is only $15 and also includes a twice annual newsletter.