Grey County Historical Society

July 19, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. Vist to a 150 year old home

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 21:48:53 +0000

Our Wednesday, July 19, 2026 the meeting is a members only house tour. We will visit a 150-year-old home in Sydenham Township.

Members will receive instructions on how to find the house via email.

July 15 Hanover, Ontario -- Walking Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 19:00:16 +0000

Our next gathering is Wednesday, July 15 at 10 a.m.

Gather at the Hanover Clock Tower where we will meet our guide.

We will cross the road to the Heritage Square where we will learn its history. From there we will visit the Clock Tower. At the nearby church we will visit the archives and have a time for refreshments and conversation.

There is no charge for the tour. Please let us know if you are coming by 4:30 p.m. on the 13th, so we can let our hosts know the numbers. info@greycountyhs.ca

Parking is available on the lot behind the Tower (10th Street / Highway 4).

Grey County Historical Society Annual Dinner -- May 20, 2026 at 6 p.m. in Walter's Falls

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:07:00 +0000

The 56th Annual Dinner of the Grey County Historical Society is on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 6 p.m. The dinner is at The Falls Inn at 140 Front Street West, Walter's Falls. Enjoy a herb roasted chicken dinner, the presentation of the Certificate of Recognition, and the talk by Dave Carr, "The Good, the Bad, the Ugly.

We will present the Grey County Historical Society Heritage Certificate of Recognition to Joan Beecroft Award acknowledging her work to anthologize the lived experiences of individuals and communities in Grey County whose stories might otherwise have gone unrecorded.

Advance Tickets only; payment must be received by May 8. Tickets payable by, cash, cheque or e-transfer (treasurer@greycountyhs.ca). Tickets are available from some board members. The cost is $45.00 per person.

For more information, contact the Society at info@greycountyhs.ca

Of History, Place, and Story… Reflections on Growing up in Rural Kilsyth presentation by Dorothy Brown Henderson

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 02:03:00 +0000

March 18 at 7 p.m. Virtual Meeting — Registration required

Dorothy Brown Henderson grew up on a Kilsyth-area farm consisting of a gracious stone farm house, fertile fields and lines of eskers…which meant stone fences. She was one of seven children in a hard-working, musical, story-telling family. She attended eight grades at S.S. No. 4 Derby.

She later earned an ARCT in piano, a BA, an MA and an MRE as well as a three-year diploma from Ewart College, specializing in Christian education. She enjoyed a variety of careers: music teacher, mental health worker, writer, Christian educator, and leadership developer and, before retirement, the minister of Caven Presbyterian Church in Exeter, Ontario.

Since retirement, she has written a cookbook and six novels, several of which are set in the Kilsyth-Owen Sound area. She lives in Waterloo, Ontario, with her husband, John, and she has three children and five grandchildren.

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/LFX4hq-8S6aDz6oZdR32ZA When you register, you will receive the link to join the meeting.

Free to attend. Open to the public.

Meetings

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 16:16:00 +0000

Our November meeting was our last meeting for 2025. We had a wonderful presentation at the Community Waterfront Heritage Centre in Owen Sound. The museum is on its off season hours now. Curator Zack McLean provided many interesting facts about the ferries connected with Owen Sound. People in attendance shared stories of their experiences with the different ferries.

The Board of Directors are now working on a schedule of programs and activities for 2026. Unless otherwise stated they will be the third Wednesday of the month.

Janet

November 19, 2025 meeting at the Community Waterfront Heritage Centre

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:48:00 +0000

Please join us
on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
for our last in-person meeting for 2025.

Ferried Through the Years

Curator Zack McLean will share the history of Owen Sound ferries. Discover how steamboat services as far back as the mid-1800s help set the stage for the Chi-Cheemaun's operations today.

Community Waterfront Heritage Centre

(Marine & Rail Museum)

1155 1st Avenue West,

Owen Sound, Ontario

No charge, all welcome

Wednesday, October 15, 2025, lunch at 12:30, meeting at 1:30 p.m.

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 02:21:00 +0000

Mark your calendars for the October meeting of the Grey County Historical Society at the Williams on 26 at the Major General Richard Rohmer Meaford Airport on Highway 26 (east of Owen Sound).

Lunch is at 12:30 p.m.

Be there for 12:30 if you are not having your lunch there.

Guests are welcome to attend.

Hope to see you there.

September 17, 2025 meeting at Grey Roots: "The English Trip of 1910"

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 16:00:00 +0000

The Grey County Historical Society will have its September meeting in the Grey Roots theatre, Wednesday September 17, at 1:30 p.m.

Mima Brown Kapches will speak on "The English Trip of 1910". She will share stories of this trip with a highlight on Owen Sound's Jaffray Eaton, who was later killed in action at Passchendaele.

No charge to attend the meeting. Members of the Public are well.

For more information check out this link:

https://greyroots.com/exhibit-event-program/grey-county-historical-society-meeting-english-trip-1910

August Bus Trip - Tuesday, August 19

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:38:00 +0000

We're going on a trip!

The Community Waterfront Heritage Centre (CWHC), in partnership with the BME Church of Owen Sound, is organizing a bus trip to the Sheffield Park Black History Museum in Clarksburg. The bus will depart at 11:15am on Tuesday, August 19th from the CWHC parking lot (1155 1st Avenue West, Owen Sound).

We will be at the museum from 12-3 pm, giving you the chance to look through the 20 different buildings onsite. Bring your own lunch.

Tickets are $25 each, which includes both transportation and entry to the museum. They are available in person at the CWHC or online. For more information, please email info@waterfrontheritage.ca.

July 16, 2025 Members Only Potluck Picnic

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 15:49:00 +0000

July Meeting - Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at noon

Potluck Picnic -- Members Only
Bring food to share, dishes, lawn chair, etc.
Show & Tell (bring a treasure)
Information re location, etc. will be sent to members.

Annual Dinner - May 21, 2025

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 02:37:00 +0000

Wednesday, May 21 --- The historical society's Annual Dinner @ Royal Canadian Legion at 1450 2nd Avenue West, Owen Sound.

Guest speaker is Richard Thomas speaking about the Chi-Cheemaun.

Roast Beef dinner $30.00 paid in advance. Call to dinner @ 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for social time. Purchase tickets by May 11. Invite your friends to come with you.

Tickets will be available from Board Members (cash or cheque) A new option will be order your tickets via e-transfer: treasurer@greycountyhs.ca Tickets will be held for you at the door.

The talk details the early history of the Owen Sound Transportation Company, the Ferry Service and decisions that led to the construction of the Chi-Cheemaun at the Collingwood Shipyard. The presentation incorporates interviews with shipyard workers, archival film and video footage, and passenger stories submitted during the writing of the book.

Meeting - Wednesday, April 16

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 15:41:00 +0000

Wednesday, April 16,— Annual Meeting

arrive 12:15 for lunch at 12:30,

meeting at 1:30 p.m.

At Williamsford Mill: Great Rare Books and Cafe

316070 Hwy 6, Williamsford, Ontario

https://www.greatbooks.ca/menu/

The Williamsford Mill has had a long history and a series of incarnations. It now serves as Great Books, a bookstore and café that is hugely popular with locals and tourists alike.

Learn some of the history of the Old Mill.

Enjoy a delectable lunch prior to the start of the meeting,
if you are able to work that into your schedule.

If coming for lunch—please let us know by April 12 the numbers — info@greycountyhs.ca

Remembrance Day Theme - November 5, 2024 meeting at Billy Bishop Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 02:42:00 +0000

Join the Grey County Historical Society for tour and Remembrance Day talk at The Billy Bishop Museum Tuesday, November 5, at 1:30 p.m.
This museum is the childhood home of Victoria Cross recipient William Avery “Billy” Bishop. The collection and its stories connect to the Canadian war experience and broader currents of global history while recognizing the contributions of the many men and women who have served our military.
This will set the stage for our guest speaker, Rev. David Shearman, a retired United Church minister who hosts the show Politically speaking on Rogers cable and writes for the Owen Sound Sun-Times. He will share stories about his military relatives and other military distinguished members in the lead up to Remembrance Day.
Members and the public are invited to attend. The museum is located at 948 3rd Avenue West, Owen Sound.

Featherstone Family Farm - Wednesday, September 18 at 1:30 p.m.

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 01:16:00 +0000

Please join us.

Join the Grey County Historical Society for a tour of the family farm! Featherstone Family Farm is a small-holding farm in Priceville that embraces old-world farming with healthy relationships to the land, nature and animals. Their practices provide healthy food for us and provide species, like the Bobolink, habitats in which to thrive.

This mixed farm incorporates wildflower meadows a deer migratory forest and ancient hedgerows. They raise small Old English Shorthorns, over 300 rhubarb plants, vegetables, herbs, flowers and seasonal produce. Cash sales of produce and culinary treats are available in their farm gate store.

Everyone is invited to join us Wednesday September 18 at 1:30 pm to tour this old-English inspired farm and meet the farmers. Located at 305334 South Line A, Priceville.

How to get there: If coming by Highway 10 from the north turn right (west) at Flesherton on Grey Road 4. Do not go as far as the village of Pricevile. At County Road 14 turn left and go south to South Line A. Turn right until you get to 305334 on the left.

Mudlarking on the Thames - August 21, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.- Society's meeting

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Sun, 11 Aug 2024 02:10:00 +0000

Mudlarking on the Thames: Sifting through 2000 years of History - Guest speaker Michael Martin from Toronto.

The Grey County Historical Society presents self-described avocational archaeologist Michael Martin as he shares his journey from the fields of Grey County to his Mudlarking adventures on the Thames River in London, England.

Michael began his interest when he was young. Always having his hands in the dirt to find fossils, he couldn’t help but also find stray bits of pottery and clay pipes.

He began understanding his finds through research and on a trip to England became a licensed mudlarker along the Thames River. A mudlarker waits for the tide to go out along the river and then discover what has been left behind along the muddy shore.

Michael will speak about his experience of discovery through these found items which were lost or left behind, connecting it from Grey County to England and back again. The talk takes place at the family homestead where he will also share his finds from the property.

This talk is free for all to attend and takes place Wednesday, August 21, at 1:30 pm at the Baines home, 557297 concession road 4 (aka Strathaven Road), Bognor, south of the Grey County Road 18 (Derry Line).

Follow the long driveway and please bring a lawn chair. For more information: info @ greycountyhs.ca

From the north it will be on the left hand side. Call 519.371.2429 if you get lost.

Summer Potluck Picnic Lunch - July 24, 2024 at Morland Place

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 15:13:00 +0000

UPDATE: On Wednesday, July 24 at 12 p.m. the Grey County Historical Society is hosting their annual potluck picnic at Morland Place, 102645 Grey Road 18, Owen Sound. It is located the east of Grey Roots.

If it rains or threatens rain, we will be welcomed indoors. There is room for about 12 cars in the driveway.

There is limited parking at Morland Place and we would like to keep that primarily for those who can not walk far.

You can drop off your food and lawn chairs and then park your car at Grey Roots. There is a path from Grey Roots to Morland Place. There is no parking permitted on the road's shoulder. It is a busy highway [Owen Sound by-pass].

Bring food to share, dishes and utensils, and your lawn chair.

This posting and Facebook will be updated with any change of information.

If you have any questions, please e-mail info@greycountyhs.ca

Orange Lodge Ravenna, Ontario. June 22, 2024 1:30 p.m. Meeting

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 02:04:00 +0000

Saturday, June 22nd 1:30 p.m. We will learn about the Maple Leaf Lodge, 1396 Ravenna. We will meet across the road at the Ravenna Hall, Ravenna, Ontario. (Grey Road 2 & Grey Road 119). 628299 Grey County Rd 119, Ravenna, ON N0H

Join members of the Grand Orange Lodge Ontario West to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the last active Loyal Orange Lodge in Grey, Bruce, and Dufferin. Enjoy an opportunity to visit the Maple Leaf Lodge 1396 Ravenna which continues the traditions of community engagement in its 150th year of service. The Grand Master of Ontario, Ian Gillespie will provide a perspective on the Grand Orange Lodge Ontario West, the past Grand Master Mark Aiken will give a Grey County perspective and a Ravenna Lodge member will share information about the Maple Leaf Lodge 1396 Ravenna itself.

The Loyal Orange Lodges were established across The Blue Mountains where the majority of the settler population were of Scottish and Irish descent. These Lodges were the earliest community buildings supporting rural life. Discover the history, legacy and continued value of the Loyal Orange Association here in Grey County with this talk by their members.

Map: https://www.thebluemountains.ca/recreation-culture/recreation-facilities/ravenna-hall#map

Article in Collingwood Today: https://www.collingwoodtoday.ca/the-blue-mountains-and-grey-highlands/grey-county-historical-society-meeting-in-ravenna-9072394

Grey County Historical Society Annual Dinner - May 29, 2024

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 18:58:00 +0000

54th Annual Dinner - Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Social Hour 5:00 to 5:55 p.m. with Call to Dinner at 5:55 p.m.
Roast Beef Dinner $30.00

Our presenter: Ann Marie Rowland "This Old Quilt: Quilts in Story and Song"

Advance Tickets only, pay by May 15
Pay by Cash or Cheque, payable to the Grey County Historical Society
Available from Board Members and
at the Grey Gallery, Owen Sound
10-5 Thursday and Friday; 10-4 Saturday (883 2nd Avenue East)

Owen Sound Legion - 1450 2nd Avenue West, Owen Sound

For more information and where to get tickets info@greycountyhs.ca

Learn about Bookbinding / Annual Meeting

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Sat, 06 Apr 2024 13:57:00 +0000

Join us on Wednesday, April 17 at 1:30 p.m. at The Colour Jar. It is located at 120 Garafraxa Street, Durham, Ontario.

Binder Timothy Dyck will talk about his work as a bookbinder. He repairs and restores books and binds new publications.

There also will be a short annual business meeting.

Our new membership year begins June 1. If you wish to pay that day and get an extra month.

http://greycountyhs.ca/membership.html

All are welcome.

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Sat, 05 Aug 2023 15:37:00 +0000

Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 1:30 p.m.

Moreston Heritage Village at Grey Roots Museum & Archives

Join us for our August meeting: Wednesday, August 16, 2023, 1:30 p.m. at Grey Roots Museum & Archives.

We will gather and begin our meeting in the theatre, then enjoy visiting Moreston Heritage Village.

This is a chance to view the Arnott General Store which is open for the first time in 2023.

We hope the weather will cooperate so that we can take the tour.

Moreston Village closes as necessary for thunder/lightning and heat warnings.

Location: Grey Roots Museum & Archives

102599 Grey Road 18, Owen Sound (Municipality of Georgian Bluffs)

Image provided by Grey Roots Museum & Archives

Hibou Park -- Grey County Historical Society July 19, 2023

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 14:52:00 +0000

Hibou Park Picnic

Come and share a picnic lunch, rain, or shine at Hibou Park, noon, on July 19th. We will be under a shelter. Drive straight ahead after you enter the park.

Bring food to share, lawn chair and sweater/ jacket as it may be breezy.

The Society will supply the plates, cutlery, napkins, and cold drinks.

Hibou Park is located between Owen Sound and Leith on the left side of the road, when coming from Owen Sound. Watch for the signage. It is situated on 20 hectares of wetland on the beautiful shore of Georgian Bay.

Our guest speaker is Bob Knapp who 50 years ago saw this underdeveloped shoreline and persuaded the Sauble Conservation Authorities to purchase this land. Hear his passionate story of the beginnings of Hibou, its name and other bits of information.

Entry cost to the park is $10 per car. [They don’t accept cash.]

Annual Dinner: May 18, 2023

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 19:54:00 +0000

After not having an annual dinner since 2019, we are pleased to share that we look forward to having a dinner in Rocklyn at the Euphrasia Community Centre. Tickets are $25.00. Our guest speaker is Murray Calder. He will share a "Potpourri of Grey County Stories".

Searching for the Missing Pieces in Genealogical and Historical Research

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 00:04:00 +0000

The Grey County Historical Society with the Bruce & Grey Branch Ontario Genealogical Society held a webinar on February 15, 2023.

This was the Historical Society's first meeting for 2023 held via Zoom.

The following is the link to view the recording.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=amtaSQGBr0U&feature=shares

The Historical Society will have an in-person meeting next month.

Grey County Historical Society Annual Meeting

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 14:18:00 +0000

April 20, 2022 at 2 p.m. is our annual meeting where we will be reviewing 2021 and looking ahead to 2022.

We need quorum to attend to business.

We are pleased to have Gloria Phillips join us as our speaker talking on Home Children: Britain's Loss, Canada's Gain

Members will receive an email with information on how to join our Zoom meeting.

We hope to see you on-line or talk to you on the phone (if you do not have a headset or web-cab).

Annual Meeting

noreply@blogger.com (Grey County Historical Society) — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 00:43:00 +0000

For Members of the Grey County Historical Society

Annual Meeting Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The meeting will be called to order at 7 p.m.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are holding our Annual Meeting via the Zoom Virtual meeting platform.

Because our annual meeting should have taken place during the period when the Ontario Emergency Orders were in force (ended July 24), we are required to have the meeting by October 22.

Information was provided in the spring issue of the newsletter concerning planned updates to the Constitution that will be voted upon at the annual meeting. We will send out copies of this via email a week before the meeting.

The meeting details:

Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The meeting will be called to order at 7:00 p.m.

You will be sent information a week before on how to join the meeting. You can access it through any device that has internet access. If you do not have a microphone and may wish to speak, you will be able to connect by telephone (long distance number in Toronto) while watching it on the Internet.