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.

There will not be a meeting of the Speakers Series in October

Great Lakes Storm of 1913

The Bayfield Historical Society will be hosting a display of artifacts and stories related to “Broken Ships and the Great Lakes Storm of 1913� at the Water and Beyond Trade Show at the Goderich Legion Centre on Friday and Saturday, November 8, 9, from 10 am to 4 pm. The Trade Show is one of the many events commemorating the 100th year anniversary of the Great Lakes Storm of 1913. BHS participation in the Trade Show is in place of the BHS regular monthly Speakers Series for late October.

Last month, as part of its speakers series, the BHS sponsored a talk by former CFPL meteorologist, Jay Campbell, on “The Weather Bomb of Early November 1913� at the Huron County Museum in Goderich. The overflow audience was riveted by Jay’s analysis of the weather factors that converged to cause the 1913 storm - the deadliest and most destructive natural disaster ever to hit the Great Lakes. The storm killed more than 250 people, destroyed 19 ships, and stranded 19 others.

There are several remaining events, organized by the GLS1913 Remembrance Committee, to commemorate the Great Lakes Storm 1913 including presentations each Thursday evening until November 10th at the Museum in Goderich and also a play about the Storm at the Livery October 31 to November 10. Check 1913Storm.ca for details.

2014 memberships are now available for purchase for $20.00. Please contact Bud or Pat Langley at 519-565-2894 or budlangley@tcc.on.ca

Historical Walking Tours:
During July and August on each Saturday at 1p.m. 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 $10 fee for the walking tour is used to support our Archives.
For your convenience walks can be arranged by appointment, call 519-440-6206.

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.