Welcome to the Bayfield Historical Society

 Explore Our Archival Catalogue

10,000 Years in 20 Minutes 

A Brief History of Indigenous People in Huron County Prior to European Settlement

Encampment Among the Islands of Lake Huron by Paul Kane (1810–71). Royal Ontario Museum, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

  • News & Updates

    Announcements, information about projects and events, plus an archive of past notices. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook and find us on Instagram at bayfieldhistorical.

    FIND OUT MORE

  • Admiral Henry W. Bayfield

    Learn about the life and work of the Royal Navy surveyor and chart maker after whom our village is named. Written by David Yates, the book was published by BHS in 2021.

    EXPLORE HERE

  • Archival Images from Our Collection

    Scroll through our themed image galleries featuring Bayfield people, places, and events in our archival collection.

    GO TO THE GALLERY

  • Bayfield Historical Web Map

    Search maps of the village - current and historic - to find archival images of places, events, and buildings

    EXPLORE HERE

  • Genealogy

    We may be able to find information that assists you in your family tree research. Reach out with your question.

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  • Videos

    Watch BHS videorecordings featuring stories of the people, places, and events of our community.

    GO TO VIDEOS

20 Main St. N., PO Box 161, Bayfield, ON N0M 1G0

519-441-3224

bhsmembers@gmail.com

  • The Archives & Heritage Centre is at 20 Main St. N. (next to the public library).

    Between September and June, we are open by appointment. Please email bhsmembers@gmail.com to make arrangements.

    We accept e-transfers at etransfers.bhs@gmail.com for donations, memberships and special orders. In the comments section of the transfer, please enter your name and address, and items you are paying for. Don't forget to send your password.

  • New members of the Bayfield Historical Society are always welcome. Memberships or renewals can be arranged by contacting: Membership Coordinator Deborah Curran at bhsmembers@gmail.com.

    How to send payment::

    1) We accept cheques payable to Bayfield Historical Society. Please mail to us at 20 Main St. N., Bayfield, Ontario, N0M 1G0. Attn: Membership Coordinator

    2) We also accept e-transfers at etransfers.bhs@gmail.com.

  • Volunteers help to operate the Society's Heritage Centre and Archives.

    Help is always appreciated and training is available to welcome visitors or to assist in scanning or classifying photos and archival holdings.

    Email us if you are interested: bhsmembers@gmail.com

 Land Acknowledgement

The Bayfield Historical Society (BHS) operates on the lands surrendered through the Huron Tract Treaty (#29) of 1827, where Anishinabek people still remain and govern themselves on their reserved and unceded lands at Kettle and Stony Point (Wiiwkwedong: Kikonong & Aazhoodenaang), Sarnia (Aamjiwnaang) First Nation, and Walpole Island (Bkejwanong). In addition to these Huron Tract Treaty signatories, BHS is located near the self-governing Chippewas of Saugeen Ojibway First Nation at Saugeen and Nawash, and the Chippewa-Munsee-Oneida First Nations located on and near the Thames River (Deshkan Ziibing).

All of these First Nations have an unbroken historical and legal right to govern themselves on their own lands and on the waters, and to be Canadian citizens. 

We are grateful to live and work here with the First Nations, and with all Indigenous People who reside on this Sacred Land (Gtchitwaa kiing).

This statement has been written in collaboration with a member of the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation and approved by the Bayfield Historical Society Board of Directors.