(Our Town's history is here).
Download Oakville Historical Society - A glimpse into the history of Oakville and our Society. In 1827, a prosperous merchant and entrepreneur, William Chisholm, purchased 960 acres of land around the mouth of the Sixteen Mile Creek and established a new community called the Town of Oakville. In 1953, Hazel Chisholm Mathews, great-granddaughter of William Chisholm, founded the Oakville Historical Society to discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge of the Town's history. The Society's collection began when Hazel Mathews discovered historical papers and documents in the Customs House in the 1930s and additional documents and artifacts under boards in Erchless and other locations. In 1953, she and several citizens founded the Oakville Historical Society. Collecting archives and artifacts started in earnest.
In 1951, the Old Post Office moved from its former location at Navy and Lakeshore. We now know this as Lakeside Park. The Thomas House followed in 1955. In 1952, Hazel deeded the property to the Town of Oakville. The Society had its first home there. |
In the early 1970s, a developer sought permission to build a high-rise apartment building on the Erchless Estate at the foot of Navy Street. As a result of representations to the Town Council by the Society and others, the Town, under the leadership of Mayor Harry Barrett, purchased the land and buildings in 1977 for $550,000. The Society renovated the buildings that had split up into residential flats and restored them to their appearance in the 1920s. The Society operated Erchless on behalf of the Town as a Museum until 1991.
At that time, the Society amassed and maintained an extensive collection. The Society shared its collection. The Town of Oakville got most of the artifacts and documents about the Chisholm Family. They owned the Erchless Estate. Most archives, including photos and documents and the artifacts used in the Thomas House, remained with the Society. The Town took over the operation of the Post Office and the Erchless Estate. The Society retained the operation of the Thomas House and got the use of the two cottages at the north end of the Erchless Estate. When the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre opened, the Society received storage space there. It is a drive from our offices.
As the official collector of archives for the Town of Oakville, the Oakville Historical Society continues to collect, preserve, and promote the historical heritage of Oakville from its Archives and Office. We thank the Town of Oakville and the Province of Ontario for supporting these efforts.
The Oakville Historical Society gratefully acknowledges the financial support received from the Canadian Government through the Canadian Council of Archives, the Young Canada Works Program, and the Canada Summer Jobs Program, which have funded (in part) the digitization program at the Society. We also acknowledge the financial support from the Ontario Government through the Heritage Organization Development Grant Program. Further, we recognize the financial and other support provided by the Town of Oakville.
We are the official custodian of Oakville's historical heritage. The Society shares, without charge, its various resources with scores of other individuals and organizations interested in promoting, sharing, and understanding Oakville's rich history. Invested each week in our community is many hours of Society volunteers' time to answer requests. Most of the requests are from individuals interested in learning more about their family's, home's, or area's history.
Donations are greatly appreciated. Donations over $20.00 will receive a charitable donation receipt.
As the official collector of archives for the Town of Oakville, the Oakville Historical Society continues to collect, preserve, and promote the historical heritage of Oakville from its Archives and Office. We thank the Town of Oakville and the Province of Ontario for supporting these efforts.
The Oakville Historical Society gratefully acknowledges the financial support received from the Canadian Government through the Canadian Council of Archives, the Young Canada Works Program, and the Canada Summer Jobs Program, which have funded (in part) the digitization program at the Society. We also acknowledge the financial support from the Ontario Government through the Heritage Organization Development Grant Program. Further, we recognize the financial and other support provided by the Town of Oakville.
We are the official custodian of Oakville's historical heritage. The Society shares, without charge, its various resources with scores of other individuals and organizations interested in promoting, sharing, and understanding Oakville's rich history. Invested each week in our community is many hours of Society volunteers' time to answer requests. Most of the requests are from individuals interested in learning more about their family's, home's, or area's history.
Donations are greatly appreciated. Donations over $20.00 will receive a charitable donation receipt.