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Perth & District Historical Society Meetings are open to the public and are held on the third Thursday of each month, at 7:30 pm, at the Perth Canadian Legion Hall, 26 Beckwith Street East. A voluntary “Toonie Fee” (donation) is suggested for each meeting. See below for upcoming meetings
* there are normally no meetings in July, August and December.
| 2024 |
| October 17 |
P&DHS Meeting, Perth Legion |
Marking Lanark County’s 200th Anniversary, County Clerk Jasmin Ralph will provide an overview of the fascinating stories, historical facts, and photos of the County’s history, and its administration and services. See the meeting announcement (PDF) |
PREVIOUS TALKS
| 2024 |
| January |
Doug Phillips |
A talk with display artifacts and photographs all about the Frost and Woods Company of Smiths Falls.
|
| February |
Frances Rathwell |
An in-depth presentation on the documentation available on our area’s history in the Lanark County Archives
|
| March |
Shelagh Stevens |
Retired Officer Stevens on the role of women in International Peacekeeping
|
| April |
Allison Margot Smith |
Presentation of two films produced, with the Township of Rideau Lakes – ‘Beverly Riots and a Death in Phillipsville’, and ‘Taverns and Their Keepers’, on taverns in the early communities
|
| May |
Glen Russell |
Documentary, and upcoming exhibition, on Elgin area’s photographer Clifford Pennock, his artistry and photos of residents and early life in Elgin area
|
| June |
Rian Manson |
Smiths Falls railway historian and LAC archival assistant, on the LAC marine & railway collection, and navigating through the LAC archives
|
| September |
Stacey Niceliu |
On the Perth Veterans Banners Programme, it’s background, sponsors and community participation.
|
| 2023 |
| January |
Ron W. Shaw |
"Rendition on Wellington Street: London's Unrepentant Confederates and the Ku Klux Klan", Ron’s recent book on the 1872 kidnapping, and transporting to the United States, of Dr. James Rufus Bratton, and the subsequent government protests.
|
| February |
Glenn Tunnock |
The historical context of Canada’s fractured relationship of the past with our First Nations, its evolving framework and suggestions on potential ongoing action
|
| March |
Lynne Haddon |
The history of three of Perth’s most prominent gardens - the Gore Street Flag Garden, Inge Va Garden and Matheson House Garden
|
| April |
Gary J. Smith |
Gary J. Smith, author of the book “Ice War Diplomat: Hockey Meets Cold War Politics”, on the iconic 1972 Hockey Summit Series |
| May |
Allison Margot Smith |
Historical documentaries produced in partnership with Rideau Lakes Township: ‘The Rideau Canal; the Big Breakthrough’ and ‘Fettercairn; WWI on Indian Lake ’. |
| June |
PDHS |
A slide-show and artefact tour following the Perth Citizen’s Band from its 1852 founding |
| September |
Michael Dupuis |
presentation on the post-war time of turmoil in Winnipeg, the resulting 1919 Winnipeg General Strike, and its impacts
|
| October |
James Forrester |
“Deconstructing the Historic Old Red House in Perth”, the story of relocating the 1816 ‘Old Red House’ to the Algonquin College Perth Campus
|
| November |
Brian Tackaberry |
A presentation on the United Empire Loyalists, some of whom continued north to settle the Rideau River, and their area settlements.
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| 2022 |
| June |
- - |
‘The Canadian Federation of University Women – Sharing Their Past, Present & Future’, and ‘A Warm-up to Canada Day, with a Selection of Patriotic Canadian Songs, Written by Ellis Craig’ |
| September |
Meryl Oliver |
"Tracking and Discovery of the Elusive Franklin Ships by Parks Canada" |
| October |
Ross Lamber |
‘The Early Life of Dr. Norman Bethune, and His Connection to Spain’ |
| November |
Jennifer Irwin & Roy Probert |
The story of famous WWI Flying Ace, A. Roy Brown, presented by Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum and President of the Roy Brown Society. |
| 2020 |
| January |
Ron W. Shaw |
The story of Lanark Society Settler
families from Glasgow, and present-day Lanark County, to Salt lake
City, Utah. |
| February |
John McKenty |
'Joe Perkins' Life & Times' |
| 2019 |
| January |
Kathryn Jamieson |
A vision for Perth's Matheson House Museum.
|
| February |
Eric Halpin |
An introduction to The Perth Cemetery Company, Elmwood Cemetery and some inhabitants. |
| March |
Loree Tannett |
Revisits the world of Canada's early Fall fairs. |
| April |
Jack Hollinger |
Heritage Carpentry in our area, Canada and abroad. |
| May |
David Crowley |
The move to the Glen Tay multi-room school, in 1968, of the traditional one-room schools of early Bathurst and North Burgess Townships. |
| June |
Laura Desmond |
Frederick Remington's Northern Frontier |
| September |
James Forrester |
Perth's oldest building, the 'Old Red House', 55 Craig Street; heritage residence and early community centre, as military quarters, tavern, meeting hall, church etc.
|
| October |
John McKenty |
"The
Life & Times of Joe Perkins" |
| November |
John Clement |
History of the Perth Courier; recent developments in the community newspaper sector |
| 2018 |
| January |
Ellen Dean |
The 100th anniversary of the devastating Halifax
Explosion, the largest man-made non-nuclear explosion in history |
| February |
Ron Shaw |
The little known stories of the Black families who were an integral part of the Perth and area community in the late 1800s.
|
| March |
Susan Code |
Stories of early Perth and our townships
|
| April |
Jim Winton |
Perth's early prestigious whiskey business
|
| May |
Brent McLaren |
The tradition and history of Perth's Town Crier |
| June |
Meet & Mingle |
A fun get-together, recognising Maximilian Restaurant's anniversary and the Summer Solstice |
| September |
Stuart Howard |
History of True Britons Lodge 14 |
| October |
Author Larry Cotton |
The Richmond Military Road, celebrating its 200th Anniversary this year |
| November |
Major General Clive Addy |
post-war options for the future |
| 2017 |
| January |
Perth 200th Anniversary Committee |
An audio-visual
review of the Town's anniversary celebration in 2016 |
| February |
Loree Tannett |
What Our
Forebears Wore in the 19th Century |
| March |
Perth-Upon-Tay Musical Group |
Janet Coward and Group on Dominion Days from 1867 |
| April |
Deborah Ireton |
The History and Contribution of the Women's Institutes to our Ontario Communities" (see presentation on the Perth Local History Page) |
| May |
Anne Raina |
Meeting cancelled |
| June |
Glenn Tunnock |
Events leading to Truth and Reconciliation, and insights into local opportunities for addressing them |
| September |
Anne Raina |
Author of Clara's Rib: A true
story of a young girl growing up in a Tuberculosis Hospital, presents
her book on Clara's life in 'the San' in Ottawa from her arrival as a
pre-teen to her departure as a young woman in her mid-twenties |
| October |
Frances Rathwell |
"The One Room Rural Schools in Lanark County", the series of books researched and published by Archives Lanark preserving the history of the County's early schools |
| November |
John Stewart |
Landscape Architect of Perth's award-winning Heritage Canada Main Street Program discusses the town's architectural heritage |
| 2016 |
| January |
Ken Watson |
"Finding the Settlers Trail": a visual presentation of the route of the first settlers from Brockville to Perth depot. |
| February |
Janet Coward with Rob Carroll, Murray Hodgins,
Melanie Weber and Mary Lou Carroll |
A celebration of seven decades of St. Patrick’s Day festivities in
early Perth and area. |
| March |
Brian Gilhuly |
The Ottawa Valley Railroads, including our area's 1865 Brockville to Ottawa line. |
| April |
Major John R. Grodzinski |
"The Legacies of Military Service": the lives of the 1812 veterans following the war. |
| May |
Drummond/North Elmsley Township |
Celebrating 200 years of the united Drummond and North Elmsley Townships |
| June |
Algonquin College Library |
Presentation on the Historical Mapping Project, with Barrie Crampton |
| September |
Susan Code |
An evening of story-telling on Tay Valley's original Bathurst, North Burgess and South Sherbrooke Townships |
| October |
Tim Zander |
Sports teams and Players that have made a significant contribution to the Perth & District area; introduction to the Perth & District Sports Hall of Fame |
| November |
John Fowler, John Gemmell |
The Role of the Church in early Perth, and the Perth Legion |
| 2015 |
| January |
Author Roy MacSkimming |
On the upcoming book 'The Secret History of John A.', marking the bicentennial of Macdonald's birthday. |
| February |
Annie Dalton/Barrie Crampton |
The story of the extinction, one
hundred years ago, of the Passenger Pigeon; followed by the digital
historical mapping project under development for the 200th anniversary. |
| March |
Brian Perkin |
Over 40 years of area broadcasting culminating in the development of local radio station Lake 88 |
| April |
Rhodena Bell |
How Joe Purdon dedicated his life to protecting the rare Showy Lady’s Slipper |
| May |
Brian & Renee Porter |
The second of our presentations on Sir John A. Macdonald's bicentennial; the domestic side of John A.'s life. |
| June |
Hélène Jasmin |
The story of Perth's Elsie Meighen Reford, founder of the famous Métis Gardens (also known as Reford Gardens) of eastern Quebec |
| September |
Video |
The documentary film 'The Story of Perth, Part One' by Robert & Sharon Newton |
| October |
Brian Gilhuly |
Our Ottawa Valley early railroads, including our area's 1865 Brockville to Ottawa line. |
| November |
Kay Rogers |
Tay Valley Township's 200th anniversary book, 'At Home in Tay Valley'. |
| 2014 |
| January |
Perth, Tay Valley Twp., Drummond/North Elmsley Twp. |
Representatives of three local municipalities unveiled celebration plans
for the area’s 200th anniversary, 2016 |
| February |
Author Shaun McLaughlin |
Stories of the 1838 attacks on Upper Canada, the aftermath of the 1837 Rebellion |
| March |
Show & Tell Presentations |
Nine local residents with presentations and displays on a wide collection of interesting artifacts and documents from our past
|
| April |
Author Claudia Smith & Perth Resident Frank Mahon |
A double billing featuring Claudia Smith and her grandmother's story of serving at the front, as a nurse, in WWI, and Frank Mahon of Perth with the mystery behind a seaman's travel desk. |
| May |
Jim Sands, F/O (Retired) |
Canada's Role in WWII development of Radar. |
| June |
Janet Coward Musical Evening |
This third annual musical evening featured the area's 19th Century Temperance Movement. |
| September |
David Frisch |
The story of unknown Almonte Hero George Eccles. |
| October |
John McKenty |
The story of how shoemaking became a significant Perth industry, 'St. Crispin's Legacy; Shoemaking in Perth, Ontario, 1834-2014. |
| November |
Denise Chong |
Harry (Fong) Johnston, of early Perth's Harry's Cafe, is remembered in 'Lives of the Family; Stories of Fate and Circumstance', the stories of three Chinese families living in small town Canada. |
| 2013 |
| January |
Ron Shaw, Irene Spence |
Forgotten Hero - the story of Alexander Fraser. |
| Feburary |
Chris Anstead |
The story of John Wilson (last duel) and family |
| March |
Roy MacSkimming & Don Beattie |
Otty Lake's North Shore |
| April |
David Taylor |
Our Lost Mills of the Tay River Area |
| May |
Ken Watson |
Why World Heritage? (Rideau Canal) |
| June |
Tobi Kieswalter |
Guided tour of the Silver Queen Mine, Murphys Point Provincial Park |
| September |
John Gemmell |
Welcome to the Perth Legion and tour of their Hall of Remembrance Museum |
| October |
Arlene Stafford-Wilson |
An evening of excerpts from Arlene's four books on reminiscences of Lanark County, and advice on developing our own family history interviews |
| November |
Glenn Tunnock |
update on the status of negotiations on land claims with the eastern Ontario Algonquin First Nations |
| 2012 |
| January |
Tobi Kiesewalter |
The History and Archaeology of Murphy's Point Park |
| February |
David Turner |
The Foundation of Representative Government in Canada: its BNA Origin |
| March |
Janet Coward and the
Perth-Upon-Tay Musical Heritage group |
An evening of song based on two 19th Century St. Patrick's Day evening social events in Perth |
| April |
Shaun J. McLaughlin |
The 1837 Rebellion along the New-York-Canada Border |
| May |
Major John. R. Grodzinski |
The War of 1812 on the Upper St. Lawrence |
| June |
Tour of Bowes Mill |
Tour of Bowes Mill followed by a meeting with the Tay Valley 200 Anniversary Committee at EcoTay |
| September |
Clark Theobald |
Talk about his recently published book on Daniel Daverne, controversial A/Supt. in early Perth. |
| October |
Ronald L. Doering |
Defending Our Homeland - Loyalist families of Dundas County and the Battle of Crysler's Farm (novel). |
| November |
John McKenty |
Arden Blackburn's Mail Route: The Early Days at Christie Lake. |
| 2011 |
| January |
Mike Jaques |
Colonel Myers and the Mount Myers in Perth |
| February |
Roy MacSkimming |
Sir Wilfred Laurier: Laurier in Love |
| March |
David Theobald |
Conservation of Historical Documents |
| April |
Carleton Place Representatives |
experience and opportunities under sister-city twinning agreements
|
| May |
John McKenty |
The Canada Cycle & Motor Company - the CCM Bicycle |
| June |
Janet Coward |
A Selection of Traditional Perth 19th Century Music |
| September |
Kay Rogers |
Recently Launched Book Voices of Pike Lake |
| October |
Edith George |
Designation of Heritage Trees in the Community |
| November |
-- |
Film presentation "From Famine to Shipwreck: An Irish Odyssey". Presented by: Kay Rogers and Jane Murphy |
| December |
-- |
Christmas 2011 Newsletter |
| 2010 |
| January |
Keith Lindsay |
The War of 1812 |
| February |
Glenn Tunnock |
The Ottawa Valley Fire of 1870 |
| March |
Terence Currie |
The 175th Anniversary of the Tay Canal |
| April |
Brian Porter |
The North-West Mounted Police |
| May |
Susan Code-McDougall |
The Code Family of Perth and Area |
| June |
Glenn Lockwood |
History of St. James Church in Pert |
| September |
Glenn Tunnock |
Perth Scotland's 800th Anniversary |
| October |
Glenn Lockwood |
St. James Church, Perth - Chapter T |
| November |
Tim Zander |
The Canadian European War MemorialsI |
| 2009 |
| January |
Ron Watson |
Free Masonry in Perth and Area |
| February |
Rev. Canon Purcell |
The Irish and the Rideau Canal |
| March |
Ken Watson; Susan Code;
David Taylor |
The 175th Anniversary of the Tay Canal |
| April |
Neil Patterson |
Irish Settlers of the Rideau Corridor |
| May |
Jeff Earl |
Archaeology of the St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Site, Perth |
| September |
Hugh Chatfield |
The Daniel Daverne Documentary |
| October |
Tim Zander |
Perth & District Collegiate Institute Student Research |
| November |
Stephen Nichol |
The 21st Battalion C.E.F in WWI |
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