Preserving and Promoting Oakville's Heritage
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Phone: 905 844-2695

Our Story

(Our Town's history, is here).
Download ​Oakville Historical Society - A glimpse into the history of Oakville and our Society.

​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
Colonel William Chisholm (1788-1842)
Picture
Hazel Chisholm Mathews - 1930, age 32
Picture
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.

The Oakville Historical Society gratefully acknowledges the financial support received from the Government of Canada through the Canadian Council of Archives and 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 received from the Government of Ontario through the Heritage Organization Development Grant Program.  Further, we acknowledge the financial and other support provided by the Town of Oakville.
 
As the official custodian of Oakville's historical heritage, the Society shares, without charge, its various resources with scores of other individuals & organizations who are interested in promoting, sharing and understanding Oakville's rich history. Many hours of Society volunteers' time are spent each week fulfilling their requests. The bulk 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 $5.00 will received a charitable donation receipt.
​
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2023 Copyright & Legal notice:
The content of the Oakville Historical Society's ("OHS") website is to be used for general information only. The Oakville Historical Society and its officers and directors, members, webmaster and any other person contributing to this website do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any material contained herein. The Oakville Historical Society specifically disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to the use of this material or any results with respect thereto. The material contained in this website shall in no way be construed to constitute a recommendation by Oakville Historical Society Inc. The material contained within this website, except as otherwise indicated*, is owned by the Oakville Historical Society and is protected by copyright, trademark and/or other proprietary rights. You are free to copy and use the images herein for non-commercial purposes provided you give clear attribution to the Oakville Historical Society or the indicated copyright holder. Further details and restrictions are available here. Commercial uses are forbidden without OHS's or the copyright holder's written consent. Please use the Email Contact Form on the right side of our contact page and select Information as the topic.
  • HOME
  • Contact
    • DONATE
    • Internships
  • ABOUT
    • Our Story
    • Our Town
    • Our Downtown
    • Our Office and Grounds
    • The Thomas House
    • Our Interns
    • Our Sponsors
    • Our Plaques >
      • Plaque Process
      • Plaque Order and Payment
    • Supporting our Cadets
  • Publications and Resources
    • Newsletters
    • Reprints >
      • Beautiful Oakville - 1897
      • Garden of Canada - c1902
      • Telephone Book 1947
      • The Sumner Diaries
    • Audio Video >
      • Videos of Life in Early Oakville
      • Oakville Heritage Moments
    • Links
  • Collections and Exhibits
    • Archives, Photos and Libraries
    • Stories
    • Village Essays
    • Website
    • Basket Factory Memorial Plaques
    • War >
      • First World War
      • First World War Poppies Exhibit
      • Ontario Farmerettes
      • Munro Letters
    • Health Care As It Was >
      • Health Care As It Was - Continued
    • Oakville Images
    • Plaqued Houses and Buildings
    • Town of Oakville Online Collections
  • Membership
    • Join, Renew or Update
    • Why Be A Member
    • Our Volunteers
  • Activities
    • Speakers' Nights
    • Guided Walking Tours
    • Self-guided Walking Tours >
      • Downtown Oakville Historical Walk
      • Erchless Estate
      • Navy Street
      • Old Oakville
      • Trafalgar Road Heritage Conservation District
      • Trafalgar-Allan Corridor
      • Lot 12
      • Historic Reynolds
    • Black History Month
    • Indigenous History Month
    • Ghost Walks >
      • Survey
      • Photo and Video Submission
      • Photos 2022 Ghost Walks
      • Photos 2010 - 2022, Reviews 2016 - 2018
      • Reviews 2022 Ghost Walks
      • Volunteer for Ghost Walks
      • Ghost Stories
      • Video Ghost Stories
    • Doors Open
    • Culture Days
    • Historic Places Days
    • Yard Sale
    • Mayor's Historical Picnic
    • Family Activities >
      • Family Day
      • Annual Family Activities
      • Colouring >
        • Jigsaw Puzzles
  • Shop
    • Shop
    • Fine Art Prints
    • Shop Order Form
    • Art of Oakville
    • Payment