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In 1827 William Chisholm, a prosperous merchant and entrepreneur, purchased 960 acres of land around the mouth of the Sixteen Mile creek and established a new community which became 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 had its beginnings when Hazel Mathews discovered historical papers and documents in the Customs House in the 1930's and additional documents and artifacts under boards in Erchless and in other locations. In 1953 she and several citizens founded the Oakville Historical Society. Collecting of archives and artifacts started in earnest. In the 1951 the Old Post Office was moved from its former location at Navy and Lakeshore to what is now part of 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. |
Colonel William Chisholm (1788-1842)
Hazel Chisholm
Mathews - 1930,
age 32
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In the early 1970s, a developer was seeking permission to build a high-rise apartment building on the Erchless Estate at the foot of Navy Street. As a result of representations to Town Council by the Society and others the Town, under leadership of Mayor Harry Barrett purchased the land and buildings in 1977 for $550,000. The Society took on the job of renovating the buildings which had split up into residential flats and restoring it to its appearance in the 1920s. The Society operated Erchless on behalf of the Town as a Museum until 1991.
At that time the collection amassed and maintained by the Society was split. Most artifacts and those documents pertaining to the part of the Chisholm Family that owned Erchless were passed to the Town. 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 was given the use in the two cottages at the north end of the Erchless Estate. When Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre opened, the Society was given storage space there.
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. For their support of these efforts, we wish to thank, in particular, the Town of Oakville and the Province of Ontario.
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. For their support of these efforts, we wish to thank, in particular, the Town of Oakville and the Province of Ontario.