All EHS meetings are open to the public at no charge!
Upcoming Meetings
Wed. Oct. 12, 2022 TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT AND PROHIBITION IN HALTON COUNTY The evils of drink and prohibition victory of the Temperance movement in Halton County will be explored by local historian John McDonald. The benefits and consequences of this period will be examined. KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 116 Main St., S., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
Wed. Nov. 9, 2022 THE TOWN OF GEORGETOWN The centenary of the Town of Georgetown and the eve of Georgetown’s bi-centennial will be explored by local historian John Mark Rowe. KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 116 Main St., S., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
December 2022 No public meeting is held in December.
Wed. Jan. 11, 2022 HERITAGE HALTON HILLS Updates on the recently designated buildings in Halton Hills will be given by Heritage Halton Hills members John Mark Rowe and Ray Denny. KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 116 Main St., S., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
Past Speakers and Events
Wed. Sept. 14, 2022 THE QUEEN OF WALKING TOURS Queen Victoria, arriving at the Grand Trunk Station, would have enjoyed this tour of the historic street named in her honour! Join EHS historian John Mark Rowe as we explore the architecture and people that helped shape Queen Street since it was laid out in 1854. GEORGETOWN GO STATION parking lot, 55 Queen Street, Georgetown 7:00 P.M.
Fri. July 1, 2022 GLEN WILLIAMS WALKING TOUR – Canada Day celebrations return to the Glen this year. Join John Mark Rowe for a walking tour of Main Street, lasting just over an hour — you’ll be able to return to your favourite perch in time to watch the parade go by. WILLIAMS MILL parking lot, 515 Main St., Glen Williams 10:00 A.M.
Wed. June 8, 2022 WALKING TOUR – PIONEER CEMETERY AND PROSPECT PARK We will meet in the parking lot at the front of the Dufferin Centre at Prospect Park, 30 Park Avenue, Acton in Acton. It is an early starting time. – 7:00 PM
Wed. May 11, 2022 AMUSEMENT PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS IN HALTON Perhaps Halton is not at the top of the list in people’s imaginations if the question is asked “Where might the local population find fun things to do with their leisure time?” But with a little reflection, a rather long list of sites that have offered some form of recreation can be developed. Not surprisingly, the type of recreation that has been offered has changed over the last nearly 180 years. Bill McIlveen will review the variety of activities that have been available to take our attention away from the more mundane working-day life. KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 116 Main St., S., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
Wed. April 13, 2022 HALTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE & GAOL Sensational trials and public hangings put the Halton County courthouse and gaol in the spotlight. Lawyers, judges and clerks worked at the Milton Courthouse since it opened in 1855. What stories those walls can tell! John McDonald will regale us with some tales at our spring meeting. Knox Presbyterian Church, 116 Main St., S., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
Wed. March 9, 2022 LIMEHOUSE HERITAGE Heritage Halton Hills members John Mark Rowe and Ray Denny will update members on the latest Heritage endeavours and will focus on heritage in Limehouse, especially recent designations. KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 116 Main St., S., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
Wed. February 9, 2022 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING This will be an in-person meeting at Knox Church at 7:30 p.m.? Proof of vaccine and wearing a mask will be required. There will be a maximum 35 people. No refreshments will be served. A microphone and speaker will be used to aid in hearing due to wearing a mask.
Wed. January 12, 2022 CANCELLED DUE TO COVID 19
Wed. November 10, 2021 RECENTLY POSTED LOCAL HISTORY The November newsletter will feature links to several on-line
presentations featuring local history. You may, of course, view these
items at your leisure or on our usual meeting date! We will not meet in person. Your place!
Wed. October 13, 2021 TRAINING HOMES FOR JUVENILES Local historian Mark Rowe will provide an introduction to the
philosophy of training homes for young people, that were established
in Georgetown. Beginning with the unique experiment of bringing
Armenian refugees to Cedarvale, the talk will also explore the
Bernardo Boys, Cedarvale School for Girls, Notre Dame de
Beauregard and the Canadian Jewish Farm School. Bring your lawn
chair, blanket and umbrella?? as we gather in the new Library Plaza.
A speaker system will be used.
GEORGETOWN LIBRARY, 9 Church Street at 6:30 p.m
Wed. 8th September 2021 WALKING TOUR OF GEORGETOWN Join local historian Mark Rowe on a walking tour of downtown
Georgetown. We will gather in the new public square at the
Georgetown Library. A speaker system will allow for greater
distancing between walkers.
GEORGETOWN LIBRARY, 9 Church Street, 7:00 p.m.
Wed. 11th March 2020 A SHADOW OF ITS FORMER SELF: MONO MILLS IN THE 19TH CENTURY Today Mono Mills is a small hamlet that barely garners the attention of those who pass through it. However, in the 19th century Mono Mills was a busy village that played and instrumental role in the settlement of the Headwaters Region. Kurt McMurray will trace the history of Mono Mills from its origins in 1819 to its decline in the 1890’s, stopping at all the colourful moments along the way.
Wed. 12th Feb. 2020 VINTAGE ACTON: THE CALENDAR COLLECTION Anne McIntyre will present slides and stories from a historical book published this year to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the naming of Acton. ‘Vintage Acton: the Calendar Collection’ was created on behalf of Heritage Acton drawing on the articles written for their annual historical calendar for the years 2003 to 2019. Anne is looking forward to the sharing of stories from those who are able to attend. KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 116 Main St., S., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 8th Jan. 2020 DISCOVER THE TOWN’S NEW TOUR PROGRAM
Catherine McLeod, Senior Arts and Culture Specialist with the Town of Halton Hills will present the Town’s new self-guided tour program ‘Discover the Hills’. Pilot tours of Glen Williams and Acton will be presented for discussion and input.
KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 116 Main St., S., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 13th Nov. 2019 EVENTS THAT CHANGED ESQUESING TOWNSHIP
Several members of the executive of the EHS will explore events that affected the people of Esquesing over the past 200 years of our history. The plank roads, 1837 Rebellion, Coming of the Railways, WWI, WWII and Regional Government are examples of events to be discussed.
KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 116 Main St., S., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 9th Oct. 2019 THE SETTLEMENTS OF ESQUESING TOWNSHIP
Ray Denny will continue the 200th anniversary celebration by exploring the settlements of the Township from Crewson’s Corners to Whaley’s Corners! What commodity did each community contribute to the economy of the Township?
ACTON TOWN HALL, 19 Willow Street, North, Acton, 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 11th Sept. 2019 THE EARLY YEARS OF ESQUESING TOWNSHIP
John Mark Rowe begins the celebration of 200 years of settlement by exploring the pre-history, survey and first years of settlement in Esquesing township with a short walk and slide show in the cradle of Esquesing’s history.
ST. JOHN’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 10996 Trafalgar Road, Stewarttown, 7 pm
Wed. 12th June, 2019 WALKING TOUR OF ACTON A section of downtown Acton will be explored on foot under the direction of historian John Mark Rowe. Highlights will include the Town Hall Centre, McKinnon Funeral Home, Acton Optical, Moorecroft, St. Joseph’s Church and the post office. Wear walking shoes!
ACTON TOWN HALL CENTRE, 19 Willow Street North, Acton, 7:00 p.m.
Wed. 8th May, 2019 LOST HERITAGE TREASURES Esquesing has been prosperous and growing throughout its 200-year history which means many buildings have come and gone. EHS executive members have selected several properties in our collection that have been demolished. Reminiscences on these properties scattered across the township will be welcome! KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 116 Main St. S., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 10th April, 2019 THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF PETER JONES Peter Jones was a free-lance photographer in Georgetown who provided photographs for The Georgetown Herald for many years. EHS Archivist, John Mark Rowe, will share a selection of his pieces from our own photo archives. KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 116 Main St. S., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 13th March, 2019 NOTABLE TREES IN HALTON Bill McIlveen will take us on a tour of notable trees scattered throughout Halton that have noticeable physical characteristics, special cultural significance or a combination of both. KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 116 Main St. S., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 13th Feb., 2019 THE EXCHANGE HOTEL Local railway historian Jim Waldbusser will share his extensive research into the Exchange Hotel, across from the Georgetown VIA Rail/ GO station. Come and hear about the long and illustrious history of this landmark and the planned future for the 165 year old structure. KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 116 Main St., S., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 9th Jan., 2019 DESIGNATED HOMES IN HALTON HILLS Drawing from the Heritage Register compiled by Heritage Halton Hills, John Mark Rowe and Ray Denny will give a pictorial history of the designated buildings currently used as private residences throughout Halton Hills. KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 116 Main St., S. Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 14th Nov., 2018 LEST WE FORGET One hundred years have passed since Armistice Day. Like countless Canadian communities, we built memorials and cenotaphs and placed plaques to honour the largest loss of life in war ever. John Mark Rowe will visit our local places of remembrance. A display table will be available to share your own memories. KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 116 Main St. S., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 10th Oct., 2018 THOMAS CHISHOLM LIVINGSTON An Esquesing native who became a surveyor and an entrepreneur of national significance, Thomas Chisholm Livingston will be the topic of John McDonald’s Powerpoint presentation. KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 116 Main St., S., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m
Sun. 30th Sept., 2018 WALKING TOUR OF DOWNTOWN GEORGETOWN Join local historian John Mark Rowe as he leads a walking tour of downtown Georgetown as part of Open Doors / Cultural Days Halton Hills. HALTON HILLS PUBLIC LIBRARY, 9 Church St., Georgetown,
Wed. 12th September, 2018 DIGGING HALTON The hobby of metal detecting will be explored by Kevin Flynn, who will share some of his adventures and his finds. He has many episodes on his YouTube channel “Digging Halton.” There may even be a demonstration! KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 116 Main St., S., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 1st July, 2018 WALKING TOUR OF GLEN WILLIAMS
Start your Canada Day with local historian Mark Rowe as he leads a walking tour of Glen Williams Main Street before the parade starts. WILLIAMS MILL, 515 Main Street, Glen Williams, 10:00 a.m.
Wed. 13th June, 2018 WALKING TOUR OF DOWNTOWN GEORGETOWN
Join local historian Mark Rowe as he leads a walking tour of downtown Georgetown. Lemonade will be served after the walk. Note the early start time. KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 116 Main St. S., Georgetown, 7:00 p.m.
Wed. 9th May, 2018 LOCAL ANECDOTES
It’s the stories connected to a person, place or an event that makes history so fascinating. Join the EHS executive as they share a few good old-time stories with slides and contribute to the fun yourself. Come to listen or come to share! KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 116 Main St. S., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 11th April, 2018 PRECONFEDERATION HERITAGE BUILDINGS
Drawing from a list of researched properties compiled by Heritage Halton Hills,
John Mark Rowe and Ray Denny will give a short history of several buildings
throughout Halton Hills. This is rescheduled from January. KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 116 Main St. S., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 14th March, 2018 NEW WAYS OF EXPLORING OLD STUFF
Ann Lawlor of Devereaux House will welcome us to hear about the unique way the Board of Devereaux House and the Halton Region Museum have created quick little stories about the Devereaux family and farm life. Then visitors will be invited to “poke around” the house and see what they can discover!
DEVEREAUX HOUSE, 11494 Trafalgar Road, Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 14th February 2018 THE “SPANISH” INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC OF 1918
The guest speaker at our AGM this year will be Bill McIlveen who has prepared
this presentation on the effects of the Spanish ‘Flu epidemic of 1918 which
travelled around the world with returning soldiers, killing more people than the
Great War, itself.
KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 116 Main St. S., Georgetown, 7:30 p.m.