index

ABOUT US

Go back to Burford Township Historical Society Page

- Celebrating 25 Years -

The Burford Township Historical Society was registered as an affiliate of the Ontario Historical Society in November 1986. A group of citizens, all concerned about preserving our local heritage, met at former Burford Township Deputy Reeve Doris Given’s house in April of 1986, in Burford for a brain-storming session to see if there would be enough interest in forming an historical Society. By May 1986 a steering committee was formed to manage the task of actually forming the society and at the June 10th, 1986 meeting, held at the home of Robert Miss, the Ontario Historical Society representative Dorothy Duncan was our first guest speaker. At that meeting our first executive was elected and the name of the society tentatively called “The Burford Township Historical Heritage Society” which was too wordy so at the next meeting, in July, the name was changed to the “Burford Township Historical Society.”

The first executive:

President......................Robert Miss

Vice President..............Clayton Barker

Secretary......................Margaret Davis

Treasurer......................Marge Hedden

The first projects on the society’s slate were to try to save the Hearne Hall building (the upper portion of the old J & J Service shop or more recently known as Karl’s Woodworking shop) and to put a display up at the Burford Fall fair. The first annual old fashioned Christmas concert was held in the Harley hall on December 14^th, 1986 (we did not yet occupy the hall though).

By 1987 the Society had 33 actual members and was holding monthly meetings at the homes of the members throughout the Township.

There was word that the society could use the former Burford Township Hall at the village of Harley and we were given a choice of either purchasing the hall for $1.00 or just taking over as a tenant. The previous tenant was the Harley United Church Women. In April 1988 we agree’d to take over as just a tenant An agreement to lease the Harley hall was made with the former municipality of The Township of Burford and later transferred to the County of Brant. On May 6^th 1988 we held our first event in the hall as official tenants, which was an old time spring barn dance. Our first society meeting took place in the hall May 24^th 1988.

The first annual Strawberry Social did not take place until June 26^th 1988 when a wagon was set up in the yard of the former Township hall at Harley, which was used as a stage for the event. Many great local entertainers, bands and dance groups performed. There were antique cars and implements in the yard and in the hall there were artifact displays consisting of primarily quilts, and of course strawberries and ice-cream was served in the basement of the hall.

By September 1988, the society had accumulated several artifacts from local residents and it became clear that we would have to have a permanent place to be able to store and display these items. It also became clear that a system for keeping track of the items would also need to be put in place. an archivist committee was formed to keep track of the loaned and donated artifacts and to catalogue them.

Our mandate and mission has been and always will be:

... “to stimulate and foster the interest and awareness of people, old and young, in the history of the geographic township of Burford and to encourage the preservation of historical records and artefacts.”

We hold monthly meetings in the Hall where our artefacts are prominently displayed on the walls for all to see. We hold an annual garden party and strawberry social in the summer, which has always been a success along with a Christmas open house and talent show in December. Throughout the year the Museum and Archives is open to the public on SATURDAYs from 11am to 1pm .

Our Meetings are 4th Tuesday of every month (except July, August and December) at #141 Harley Road in the Brant County community of Harley. [refer to map]

www.burford.on.ca

About Burford Disclaimer Contact Us