Choose Text Size small large

WELCOME!

The Bayfield Historical Society in the Village of Bayfield, Ontario, is dedicated to recording and preserving our rich historical legacy for future generations. The Historical Society discovers, collects, classifies, publishes and presents materials concerning the history of Bayfield and its people.

 

SOCIETY OBJECTIVES

In order to promote the education of Bayfield area residents of all ages, the Society will discover, collect, classify and preserve any material concerning the history of the area and its people. To hold open meetings for the presentation of papers and discussions. To publish local historical material.

 

EVENTS

The Society holds regular monthly meetings, featuring interesting speakers and topics, on the fourth Monday of each month at 7:30PM (February to November) at the Lion's Community Building at 6 Municipal Road in Bayfield.

To learn about details of upcoming meetings and presentations, click the link MEETINGS/EVENTS. You can also consult the Bayfield Breeze, the village’s e-newspaper published every Wednesday, at its website Bayfield Breeze.

Email reminders are sent to members to announce dates and details prior to each monthly meeting. Please provide (or update) your email address when registering membership to receive meeting reminders.

 

GUIDED WALKING TOURS

SELF GUIDED WALKING TOURS

Self-Guided Walking Tour booklets are available at the Archives & Heritage Centre for $5.00.

 

THE HERITAGE CENTRE & THE ARCHIVES ROOM

The Archives Room, established in 1977 is housed in a historic clapboard building that was built in 1893. It originally served as a furniture/undertaker’s business. In 1929, it operated as a grocery store and in the 1940’s, local fishermen used it to build, repair and store their nets.

 

 

In 1964, Dorothy and Harold Ormand purchased and donated the building for the community. It was moved to its present location at 20 Main Street North in Bayfield in 1977.

 

 

In 2013, the Bayfield Branch of the Huron County Public Library was relocated to a new adjacent and larger municipal building that also now accommodates public washrooms and a post box depot.

 

 

The Archival collections and records of the Society were moved into the space vacated to provide expanded facilities for cataloguing and research by villagers, visitors and the public for people and places in Bayfield and the surrounding area.  The holdings include photos, postcards, genealogy records, cemetery records, maps and assessment rolls, in addition to family collections and personal and business records donated over time.

The former Archives area has been converted into a Heritage Centre which was officially opened on May 18, 2015. The Heritage Centre features artefacts and short videos that showcase Bayfield's history.

The Heritage Centre is open to the public during the summer visitor season and at other times, by chance or appointment. Contact us for a tour or visit.

 

CHARITABLE DONATIONS

The Bayfield Historical Society is registered as an Ontario not-for-profit corporation with charitable status, affiliated with the Ontario Historical Society and operated by a volunteer board. The Society issues tax receipts in line with Canadian taxation guidelines for donations, gifts and bequests of money, material assets and property according to the conditions made by the donor. You can help support the activities of the Society with your generous donations.

 

HELEN MACLEOD ll

The Society has a long-standing project to restore the Helen McLeod II, the last fishing vessel powered by sail on Lake Huron.  It was built in the Bayfield harbour.

The story of its planned restoration can be seen HERE...

 

 

 

GOTO PAGETOP