Speakers' Nights are open to the general public. Thank you for supporting our events through memberships and donations.
Traditionally Speakers' Nights are held on the third Wednesday of a month, at 7:30 pm. – 9:00 pm. For 2023, sessions might be in person and/or by Zoom. Normally our Speakers' Nights are hosted during February, April, May, and November. Please feel free to share this invite with friends and family. Other Historical Societies may also join in.
The Zoom link is emailed to our members. Others may request the Zoom link.
In-person, events take place at St Johns United Church. West of Trafalgar, south side of Randal. Please enter from the Randal Street parking lot.
Format of the meetings: (all times are approximate)
07:15 Join in for chatting, checking things out, and more.
07:35 The meeting will start
07:35 Announcements/Introduction
07:40 Presentation
08:30 At the end of the presentation everyone will be invited to ask questions
08:45 After the question period, some stay to chat more.
Embrace the opportunity to gain some valuable insight and life lessons from our guest speakers who are based in Oakville and beyond.
Traditionally Speakers' Nights are held on the third Wednesday of a month, at 7:30 pm. – 9:00 pm. For 2023, sessions might be in person and/or by Zoom. Normally our Speakers' Nights are hosted during February, April, May, and November. Please feel free to share this invite with friends and family. Other Historical Societies may also join in.
The Zoom link is emailed to our members. Others may request the Zoom link.
In-person, events take place at St Johns United Church. West of Trafalgar, south side of Randal. Please enter from the Randal Street parking lot.
Format of the meetings: (all times are approximate)
07:15 Join in for chatting, checking things out, and more.
07:35 The meeting will start
07:35 Announcements/Introduction
07:40 Presentation
08:30 At the end of the presentation everyone will be invited to ask questions
08:45 After the question period, some stay to chat more.
Embrace the opportunity to gain some valuable insight and life lessons from our guest speakers who are based in Oakville and beyond.
2023 Speakers
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Wednesday, February 15th, 2023 7:20 pm. – 9:00 pm.
Zoom meeting only Members will be e-mailed the Zoom link. It is also directly below. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81785353110?pwd=d1JqSGF2dnpndmJkUitFTWwxa2UwZz09 Meeting ID: 817 8535 3110 Passcode: 190786 Carol Marie Newall, wrote a book called “Outside the Gate: The True Story of a British Home Child in Canada”. Between 1869 and 1932, over 100,000 children were sent from Britain to Canada through assisted juvenile emigration. These migrants are called “home children” because most went from an emigration agency's home for children in Britain to its Canadian receiving home. The children were placed with families in rural Canada. The children were promised a bright future in the land of opportunity, and some managed to make a good life, but many were abused, neglected and reviled by those who took them in. Although most still had families back home, reunification was discouraged. One of those children was Winnie Cooper. Born in Scarborough, Yorkshire in 1908, she was sent at age twelve to Barnardo's Village Home for Girls near London. Three years later, Winnie was shipped off to a farm in rural Ontario. Nothing back in England had prepared her for working the rough land in Canada, but despite the long days, isolation and bitterly cold winters, Winnie's natural wit and cheery disposition helped her find love and friendship. Yet she always dreamed of returning to her mother in Yorkshire. The story, told by her granddaughter, author Carol Marie Newall, is a family saga of love and loss, pain and joy as Winnie struggled to find her place in a young inhospitable country. It's also a revealing portrayal of a troubling chapter in Canadian and British history. |
We may have copies for sale.
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Allan Symons
The Canadian Clock Museum Virtual Tour Wednesday, January 18th, 2023 7:20 pm. – 9:00 pm. Zoom meeting only Canada’s only clock museum was set up formally in December 1999 as a federal non-profit Canadian corporation and registered charity. In 2022 its focus remains on telling the impressive story of two centuries of Canadian clock makers and sellers. That goal has been achieved both through the acquisition, preservation, and exhibition of representative clocks in the museum and online and through the research for and print publication of peer-reviewed articles about them. See lots more information. |
Allan Symons beside the walnut version of Arthur Pequegnat’s.jpg
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Wednesday, March 15th, 2023 is our members only Annual General Meeting.
Therefore no Speakers' Night this month.
Therefore no Speakers' Night this month.
2022 Speakers
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Wednesday, November 16th, 2022 7:20 pm.–9:00 pm. In Person meeting
Rick Barrett History of the Oakville Fire Department. Rick Barrett is a retired Captain with the Oakville Fire Department. His career ran from April 1976 until retirement in May 2004. Rick spent his career working at the different stations situated throughout Oakville, finishing as Captain on Ladder 232. For one year, Rick was the first Public education officer for the OFD. Hear about the early years of the OFD and the volunteers. Then the transition when Oakville started hiring full time in the early 60’s. The equipment and changes that occurred over the years. See pictures of the major fires that were fought in Oakville’s history. |
Visit the Oakville Fire Department Museum
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Wednesday, September 21st, 2022 7:20 pm. – 9:00 pm
In Person meeting - No refreshments will be served. Hopefully refreshments will be served at the next Speakers' Night. Carolyn Van Slightenhorst and Susan Schappert will join us from Oakville Heritage Planning Services. Gain an overview of their work to prepare heritage permits for specific properties, and policy projects like cultural heritage landscapes. Hear any updates and the Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District Map. Pictures from the district are shown to the right. Heritage Conservation Districts Map |
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Carolyn Van Sligtenhorst has been a Heritage Planner at the Town of Oakville since 2008, where she processes heritage permits, reviews planning applications, prepares studies and policy reports on heritage planning, and works with numerous stakeholders to assess and protect heritage resources. Carolyn is a registered professional member and a board member of the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals. She regularly speaks to realtor associations, heritage organizations and business groups about heritage planning. Carolyn has a passion for old buildings, architecture and interior design and loves combining these interests through her heritage conservation work in Oakville.
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Susan Schappert has been working in heritage conservation for twenty years, spending the past thirteen years as a Heritage Planner for the Town of Oakville. A Registered Professional Planner and Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners, Susan is also a professional member and past-president of the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals. She has extensive experience in researching and writing about cultural heritage value and is the author of the Town of Oakville’s Cultural Heritage Landscape (CHL) Strategy. Susan has defended cultural heritage landscape protection at the Ontario Land Tribunal and Superior Court of Ontario and in her spare time enjoys visiting historic cemeteries, walking her cats on leash and local craft beer.
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Captain Francis Brown
A recording of the event is on our video page.
Madison Carmichael, our returning intern will present Captain Francis Brown.
If you've wandered down Trafalgar Road, you've likely noticed this unusual house just south of Lawson Street. Built in 1874, this house – like many of the old houses in Oakville – has a history, and it's a fascinating one. It was first built and inhabited by Captain Francis J. Brown, who was many things throughout his storied life but was a master mariner most of all. During her internship with the OHS, Madison researched the far-flung life of Captain Brown as it took him along the Great Lakes, up the Niger River, and all over the Sea of Japan. in the late nineteenth century and worked to produce a video so as to share this interesting story with the wider community. Join Madison for some insight into the Captain’s travels as she takes you through the process of unearthing this interesting history and the making of a video on the topic (and for a little sneak peek, too!)
Madison Carmichael is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a Master of Museum Studies and holds both a B.Ed. and B.A.H from Queen’s University. She first stumbled into the world of heritage and museum work when she was sixteen and spent a summer as a co-op student in her local museum, and she never looked back. Madison has interned and volunteered with the OHS since 2020. She’s catalogued all manner of archival material, and she helped to produce the Second World War banners displayed last November at George’s Square; but this was her first crack at a video!
A recording of the event is on our video page.
Madison Carmichael, our returning intern will present Captain Francis Brown.
If you've wandered down Trafalgar Road, you've likely noticed this unusual house just south of Lawson Street. Built in 1874, this house – like many of the old houses in Oakville – has a history, and it's a fascinating one. It was first built and inhabited by Captain Francis J. Brown, who was many things throughout his storied life but was a master mariner most of all. During her internship with the OHS, Madison researched the far-flung life of Captain Brown as it took him along the Great Lakes, up the Niger River, and all over the Sea of Japan. in the late nineteenth century and worked to produce a video so as to share this interesting story with the wider community. Join Madison for some insight into the Captain’s travels as she takes you through the process of unearthing this interesting history and the making of a video on the topic (and for a little sneak peek, too!)
Madison Carmichael is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a Master of Museum Studies and holds both a B.Ed. and B.A.H from Queen’s University. She first stumbled into the world of heritage and museum work when she was sixteen and spent a summer as a co-op student in her local museum, and she never looked back. Madison has interned and volunteered with the OHS since 2020. She’s catalogued all manner of archival material, and she helped to produce the Second World War banners displayed last November at George’s Square; but this was her first crack at a video!
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Francis' son, Frank, had become a jeweller. The "Oriental Bazaar" was renamed "F. J. Brown and Son Jewellers". As of 2022, this family owned business continues.
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Wednesday, March 16th 2022. 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm.
The Duluth Ship Canal: 150 Years of Maritime Transits Scott Bjorklund, a Museum Technician/Park Ranger Lake Superior Marine Museum Association Map The canal dug through Minnesota Point 150 years ago made Duluth a world-class port. This presentation discusses what led to the canal's construction, the conflict that resulted with Superior, Wisconsin and how it led to today’s Duluth-Superior harbor. |
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Scott Bjorklund has been a Park Ranger and Museum Technician at the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center in Duluth for almost 5 years. He studied history and museums in college and have fallen in love with Great Lakes shipping. Besides his work at the museum, he is also an active photographer documenting the ships that visit the Twin Ports throughout the shipping season.
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Aerial Bridge with Roger Blough Arriving
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Many people expressed a desire to buy a copy. Normal cost is cost $69 ($49+$20 shipping charge). With an accumulated commitment from everyone for a total of 12 copies, the price would be $39 for delivery or pick up in Oakville. Let us know before Tuesday March 1.
If less than 10 copies are committed to, the $39 price will be higher. Steve will communicate with those that expressed an interest. |
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The book details everything about the girls' experiences during the war when they met the demand for labour shortages.
The Farmerettes joined a government-run program between 1941 and 1952. Over the course of 11 years, more than 20,000 girls aged 16 to 18 went to work.
Across Ontario, you could see posted advertisements showing men in uniform saying, “We Can't Fight If We Don't Eat.” The government sent representatives all over the province with flyers to hand out in classrooms and high schools. They also sponsored a radio show on CBC called “Help Wanted.”
See more details in our War area. Included is a link to magazine articles.
The Farmerettes joined a government-run program between 1941 and 1952. Over the course of 11 years, more than 20,000 girls aged 16 to 18 went to work.
Across Ontario, you could see posted advertisements showing men in uniform saying, “We Can't Fight If We Don't Eat.” The government sent representatives all over the province with flyers to hand out in classrooms and high schools. They also sponsored a radio show on CBC called “Help Wanted.”
See more details in our War area. Included is a link to magazine articles.
2021 Speakers
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Wednesday, November 17th, 2021. 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm.
Alanna Bray-Lougheed Olympian shares her journey and experiences with us. History of Burloak Canoe Club will also be discussed. Alanna Bray-Lougheed was named to the national team for the first time in 2015 after winning the K-2 200m and K-2 500m national titles Bray-Lougheed made her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 where she competed in the K-2 500m with Madeline Schmidt and in the K-4 500m. This will be an awesome opportunity to hear a current Olympian share her journey and experiences with us. Alanna is Burloak Canoe Clubs first female to become an Olympian. The History of Burloak Canoe Club in our town goes back through 3 generations of Olympians in the Oldershaw family. The History of Women in Olympic Sprint Canoe (as opposed to Sprint Kayak) is a fascinating story.These Tokyo Olympic Games were historic in that it was the first year for Women Sprint Canoe to be included at the Olympics. 
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Lougheed is third in the Canoe/Kayak - Sprint
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85201988960?pwd=QWtNZElqSTIzRFcyd3RCcGh3ZG9ZQT09 Meeting ID: 852 0198 8960 Passcode: 876953 Please feel free to share this invite with friends and family and of course invited/copied Historical Societies please share with your members. It should also be noted that our virtual OHS Speakers Night will be offered publicly via the OHS website and Facebook page - we suggest you log in early so as not to be disappointed as there will be a limit of 100 Zoom connections. |
Wednesday, February 16th, 2022
Bonnie Sitter - Farmerettes
She is the co-author of a number of books, including one on Farmerettes (which is the topic she will be speaking to us on).
Apparently one of our members is quoted in the book, June Hitchcox as she was a Farmerette.
Bonnie Sitter - Farmerettes
She is the co-author of a number of books, including one on Farmerettes (which is the topic she will be speaking to us on).
Apparently one of our members is quoted in the book, June Hitchcox as she was a Farmerette.
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Wednesday, September 15th, 2021 7:20 pm.–9:00 pm
Nick Howard presents Howard Iron Works Printing Museum After many years directly involved in the printing industry, Liana and Nick Howard set about to build a museum of printing history with focus on machinery from the 1830’s to 1950’s. This period was an exciting time for not only worldwide technology, but also improvements to the printing press. Unlike any other, printing has spurred man to great things. |
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Howard Iron Works is supported by world-class talent in order to restore and present equipment just as it would have been when leaving the original factories.
Virtually you may visit the museum now.
In person visits are by appointment and open to the public during special events.
This Oakville treasure is located at 800 Westgate Road. This is north of Wyecroft, east of Third Line.
Virtually you may visit the museum now.
In person visits are by appointment and open to the public during special events.
This Oakville treasure is located at 800 Westgate Road. This is north of Wyecroft, east of Third Line.
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Wednesday, August 18th, 2021. 7:20 pm. – 9:00 pm.
Retired Sgt Eleanor Clarke with The Memory Project "The evolution of Women in the Military" She will be speaking from from Nova Scotia! Sgt (retired) Eleanor Clarke will present a brief history of The Evolution of Women in the Canadian Military from WWI to Present. Among key facts Eleanor will speak on her personal experiences while in uniform. As Eleanor prepared to graduate from High School she decided to apply for the military more as an avoidance of further academics than a great desire to serve the country. Although excited to start a new adventure, Basic Training tested Eleanor as the physical exertion & discipline were more than expected. Nevertheless she persevered, graduated & moved on to the Canadian Forces Logistics Training Centre at CFB Borden where she learned the Supply trade. Throughout her service she travelled around Canada and after 30 years away Eleanor is grateful to be living in Nova Scotia once again In 2012 Eleanor retired from the uniform, but remained on the Supplementary Reserve list until age 55. She has become committed to honour the sacrifices made by others "In Service to Canada". Eleanor is married, has two children and is active outdoors and volunteering in her local community. |
Sgt Clarke 2012
Pte Eleanor in Dress uniform
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Wednesday January 27, 2021. Special Speaker's Night!
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm. Meredith Leonard and Clair Bennett present: “The Man and the Boy” a short film Meredith and Clair from Halton Regional Services will have a short presentation that accompanies the film itself and provides context. The film was produced by the predecessor to the Region’s Economic Development department, to showcase the wealth of possibilities available to young people in 1960s Halton Region (then County). |
Engineers of Ford Motor Company of Canada at Oakville, Ontario, look over plans of new cars.
Date September 1, 1967
Accession Number
NFB67-15125
Materials
Black and white negative
Photographer Ted Grant
Collection CMCP collection
Credit Line
© National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa
https://photostories.ca/explore/photostory-455b-making-nations-motor-vehicles
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he film follows a young man, who has just graduated from high school, through a variety of potential careers, while also looking back at his time growing up in the County.
The film was shot in Halton, so there is a good deal of local scenery on display throughout.
The film runs about 26 minutes.
Grimsby, Bronte and Trafalgar Township Historical Society members may join us.
he film follows a young man, who has just graduated from high school, through a variety of potential careers, while also looking back at his time growing up in the County.
The film was shot in Halton, so there is a good deal of local scenery on display throughout.
The film runs about 26 minutes.
Grimsby, Bronte and Trafalgar Township Historical Society members may join us.
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Wednesday Feb 17th 2021. 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm.
Michael Johnson “A History of Canadian Peacekeeping”
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Wednesday, April 14, 2021. 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm.
Abbey Stansfield "Sail through History: the archaeology of the Great Lakes" Sail Through History: Archaeology of the Great Lakes presents the history of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes and how the treasure they possess is not monetary but knowledge. This knowledge represents the people who lived and made their living from the great lakes and shows the danger such a life could possess to the average mariner.
Abbey Stansfield is a graduate of Queen’s University with a BA in Classical History and Archaeology and an MA from the University of Leicester in Museum Studies. She began her career as a historical interpreter at the Laura Secord Homestead where she spent nine years in a living history setting discussing civilian life during the War of 1812. In 2015 she joined the Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum as the Education Programmer where she developed an interest in marine heritage. Her interest has led to a lot of research into shipwrecks and marine archaeology. |
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Wednesday, April 21, 2021. 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm.
Kim Fullerton “Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Treaties” See his presentation on our website. A different version is on our YouTube Channel. Kim is a lawyer for Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. He will give a presentation on the Treaties that cover Oakville and the surrounding territory. Kim was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1982. His practice is restricted to representing First Nations and organizations as legal counsel primarily in land claims against Canada and Ontario. To date he has been legal counsel on fifteen settled land claims in Ontario with a total value of hundreds of million dollars and tens of thousands of acres of reserve land. Those settlements include both the largest and second largest Specific Claim Settlements for a single First Nation in the history of claims in Canada. |
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Kim has drafted eleven separate First Nation Trust Agreements, has been retained to redraft several existing First Nation Trust Agreements and has been an appointed Trustee on three separate First Nation Trusts.
From 1993 to 1996 he was Chief Counsel for the Indian Claims Commission. Previously, Kim acted as Senior Solicitor-Native Affairs with Ontario Hydro. Prior to that, Mr. Fullerton acted as Counsel to the Indian Commission of Ontario.
For more information, see Kim’s resume.
From 1993 to 1996 he was Chief Counsel for the Indian Claims Commission. Previously, Kim acted as Senior Solicitor-Native Affairs with Ontario Hydro. Prior to that, Mr. Fullerton acted as Counsel to the Indian Commission of Ontario.
For more information, see Kim’s resume.
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Wednesday May 19, 2021. 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm.
Michelle Vosburgh "Resilient Community: Disease, Epidemics and Pandemics in Port Colborne's past" Oakville and many places across North America had similar challenges to keep people healthy. It wasn't so very long ago that epidemics and even pandemics were a part of everyday life. Port Colborne and North America experiences from the cholera epidemics of the 1830s to the Spanish flu, and beyond is just one example of how many local communities worked together to cope with, and attempt to stop the spread of deadly contagious diseases. Measures like quarantines, isolation, lockdowns and closures were nothing new to them, and were often the most effective way to protect themselves. Michelle Vosburgh works as the Archivist at the L.R. Wilson Archives at the Port Colborne Museum. She is a graduate of McMaster University, where she completed both an M.A. and Ph.D. in History, after undergraduate studies at Brock University. In addition to her work at the archives, she teaches as a part-time professor at Brock in History and Canadian Studies. Her research interests include pre-Confederation Ontario land settlement and agricultural development, and the history of Niagara. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, bike rides and fibre arts. |
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Wednesday, June 16, 2021. 7:20 pm. – 9:00 pm.
David Cowan, President, Friends of Beaverdams Church Be a Historial Society Member (by joining now). "Beaverdams Church Restoration" Beaverdams church was opened in 1832. Beaverdams was a bustling community until the second Welland Canal was built, around 1880. A large upper area had been cealed off for 140 years. There were many interesting finds. There were nails created from a black smith shop. Some nails were stampled out of cast iron. Another find was a pump organ built in Ontario. It is tough to find replacement parts, eaten by mice.
The foundation was replaced, along with roof and siding. There were many fascinating finds. |
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David Cowan's biography.
- Started as an English teacher at the old Niagara Falls Collegiate and eventually spent 18 years as a Head of Guidance at two of the Niagara South Board of Education's high schools.
- Organist and was Director of Music at First United Church in St. Catharines for 25 years, retiring in 2001.
- Spent 10 years on the National Council of the Royal Canadian College of Organists as Chair of the Competitions Committee.
- Fifth generation Thorold resident.
- Belonged to the Friends of the Beaverdams Church since 2011 and have been President since 2014.
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Wednesday, July 28th, 2021. 7:20 pm. – 9:00 pm.
Jim Hill—Senior Manager of Heritage Niagara Parks "Forts in the Niagara area" Jim’s responsibilities include the supervision of historic sites like the Laura Secord Homestead, the Mackenzie Printery, Old Fort Erie, McFarland House and over 100 plaques, markers and monuments along the Niagara River. He is the former Battery Commander of the 10th Field Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery. He lives in Niagara Falls with his wife Jeannie and their children Jack and Emilia. |
Old Fort Erie
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Speakers from previous years
“THE DAMBUSTERS - May 1943”
Tim Speed
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.
"The Road to Marylake”
Kelly Mathews
Polar Explorers
Ray Peacock
The Battle of Quebec September 13, 1759 - Thirty Minutes & Two Dead Generals and the fate of North America Changed
Alan Ellis
The Forgotten Squadron – the Royal Navy on Lake Ontario, during the war of 1812
Gurth M. Pretty
HMS Psyche Canadian Maritime Heritage Society
OH CANADA! Our Home and Inventive Land!
Professor Mark Rector
Professor of Electronics Engineering
Folly or Fabulous Restoring an 1830s home
Shannon Kyles
www.ontarioarchitecture.com
An Approach to Heritage Retrofitting & Restoration
Ms. Geri Tino
ATA Architects, Oakville
Eaton Hall: Pride of King Township
Kelly Mathews
Opening Up Halton County - Mails and posts of Halton from 1775 to 1918”
Mr. David Hobden
They Left Us Everything, a touching story of loss and legacies in Oakville.
Plum Johnson
In the Footsteps of the Group of Seven
Jim & Sue Waddington
Preserving your or your family’s memories
Dr. Dustin Galer
Association of Personal Historians
A history of North American Indigenous
Paul Racher
Ontario Archaeological Society
“THE DAMBUSTERS - May 1943”
Tim Speed
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.
"The Road to Marylake”
Kelly Mathews
Polar Explorers
Ray Peacock
The Battle of Quebec September 13, 1759 - Thirty Minutes & Two Dead Generals and the fate of North America Changed
Alan Ellis
The Forgotten Squadron – the Royal Navy on Lake Ontario, during the war of 1812
Gurth M. Pretty
HMS Psyche Canadian Maritime Heritage Society
OH CANADA! Our Home and Inventive Land!
Professor Mark Rector
Professor of Electronics Engineering
Folly or Fabulous Restoring an 1830s home
Shannon Kyles
www.ontarioarchitecture.com
An Approach to Heritage Retrofitting & Restoration
Ms. Geri Tino
ATA Architects, Oakville
Eaton Hall: Pride of King Township
Kelly Mathews
Opening Up Halton County - Mails and posts of Halton from 1775 to 1918”
Mr. David Hobden
They Left Us Everything, a touching story of loss and legacies in Oakville.
Plum Johnson
In the Footsteps of the Group of Seven
Jim & Sue Waddington
Preserving your or your family’s memories
Dr. Dustin Galer
Association of Personal Historians
A history of North American Indigenous
Paul Racher
Ontario Archaeological Society