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.

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.

What's New and This Month's Meeting:
At the June 28th meeting, Paul Carroll, a very well known and highly respected area historian will be presenting the full story of the 'Wexford' one of the great mystery ships of the Great Lakes that sank during the 'Great Storm of 1913'. This presentation comes just after Paul's book on the Wexford will be published.

The story of the Wexford, which sank about 10 miles west of St. Joseph has special significance in Bayfield history. Many of the crew member bodies washed ashore near here and some would have been brought to our Archives Building because at that time it was a funeral parlour.

Historical Walking Tours:
During the summer, members of the Bayfield Historical Society lead informative and liesurely walking tours through the village's Heritage district. Learn about the history of the area, the ghosts, the fires and the fascinating characters who helped make the village the wonderful place it is today.
The $5 fee for the walking tour is used to support our Archives.

Primary Fundraiser:
The Bayfield Historical Society's primary fundraiser is our annual Collector Exhibition at the Community Center in the arena in April.

Helen MacLeod ll:
The society facilitates the preservation of the Bayfield built, Helen MacLeod ll, the last sail powered commercial fishing boat to work on the Great Lakes.

The restoration of the Helen MacLeod can be seen here . . .

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.

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. It is open May to November, Wednesday and Saturdays: 1-5PM

The Bayfield Archive’s mandate is to collect, record and preserve local history. Collections include photos, postcards, genealogy, cemetery records, maps and assessment rolls for research

Charitable Donations

The Bayfield Historical Society is registered with the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) as a charitable corporation. 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 Historical society with your generous donations.