Town of Georgina
The Georgina Historical Society Marked its 25th Anniversary
It has been a quarter century of accomplishments and hard work by the volunteers.
Their biggest project by far is the establishment of the Georgina Village Museum, one of the finest in the province.
The inaugural meeting of the society was held on Wednesday, April 17, 1968 at the Sutton Curling Club. Robert Luke was chairman of the meeting.
The following is from the minutes of that first meeting which began at 9:00pm.
Mr. Luke read and everyone discussed the proposed constitution point by point. Changes were made where necessary. It was moved by Mrs. Burrows and seconded by Mrs. Seale to accept the revised constitution carried.
A name for the historical society was decided to adopt the name The Lake Simcoe South Shore Historical Society.
May 6, 1968 at 8:00pm was suggested for the first general meeting of the society. Those present suggested names of interested people to be mailed notices of the first meeting.
It was suggested that a nominating committee be formed to present a slate of officers for election on May 6.
It was moved by Mrs. Burrows and seconded by Mrs. H. Lyons that Mrs. Ken (Nena) Marsden be on the nominating committee.
It was moved by Mrs. D. Clark and seconded by Mrs. M. Gillian that Mrs. Burrows by on the committee.
It was moved by Mrs. M. Gilland and seconded by Mrs. D. Burrows that Mr. Doug Clark also be on the committee.
It was was moved by Mrs. H. Lyons and seconded by Mrs. O. Seale that nominations be closed. Carried.
Mr. Luke thanked Mrs. K. Marsden and Mrs. M. Gillan for their help in forming the historical society and expressed the hoped that the next meeting would be larger and that we all work to that end.
The meeting was adjourned. The First meeting of the Lake Simcoe South Shore Historical Society took place on Tuesday, May 6, 1968 at the Sutton Public School at 8:00pm with 24 in attendance. Mrs. M. Gillan chaired the meeting.
Minutes of the inaugural meeting were read by acting secretary A. Noble and approved.
Mrs. Gillan outlined the purpose of the inaugural meeting and called upon Mr Dough Clark, chairman of the nominations committee to present the slate of officers as follows: President - Mrs. K. Marsden, Vice President - Mr. Clare Morrison, Acting Secretary - Anne M. Noble, Treasurer - Mr. D. Clarke, Programme Chairman - Mrs. M. Burrows, Bulletin Chairman - Mr. Don Jonescu, Property Chairman to be filled at the meeting.
Mrs. Gillan thanked the nominations committee for their work and turned the meeting over to the elected president Mrs. K. (Nena) Marden. Mrs. Marsden was presented with a gavel of historical nature.
Mrs. Marsden thanked Mrs. Gillan for her assistance and welcomed her officers who had accepted positions.
Mrs. Marsden gave a résumé of work to be done by the following chairman and their committees.
Mrs. Marsden read a letter from the Ontario Historical Society and informed the meeting that a speaker would be obtained from the society for the next meeting.
Mrs. Marsden asked the chairman of the committees to interest people in 1) Preserving historical pieces of interest. 2) Get citizens to be come aware of what they have. 3) Get on tape memories of people around here some of our older citizens. 4) Ourselves do individual research.
Mrs. Marsden expressed the hope that some day they may eventually have a small museum in the area.
Mrs. Marsden mentioned that a meeting place was required by the society as well as a place to store things that we get. She asked members to be on the alert for such a place preferably one that would serve both as a meeting place and storage. In the meantime the school is available to hold our meetings.
A motion made by Vera Timmins and seconded by Gavin Rush that an antique shoe be held on August 8, 9, and 10 at the time of the Sutton Horse Show carried.
Mrs. Marsden gave a report on the antique show held in 1967 which netted $727.70 - half of which was given to the Sutton Centennial Library Fund. Balance now $350.00.
Mrs. D. Clarke was appointed convenor of the antique show with Merceille Burrows and Don Jonescu and Vera Timmins.
It was suggested that we have some of our historical buildings done in ink sketching to be sold as a money maker.
Mrs. Marsden announced that the library keeps all papers of the Lake Simcoe Advocate and has preserved copies of The Reporter as well.
Mr. Jonescu suggested that younger members of our area be incorporated in our work.
Mrs. Marsden had obtained a Globe dated 1854 and read some very interesting articles. A paper written by a student from the Sutton High School on the Howard family was also read and also proved to be very interesting.
Next meeting to be held at the school on Monday, June 10 at 8:00pm. All meetings to be held on the second Monday of each month.
Meeting adjourned by Mr. Burrows. Present at the first meeting were Don Jonescu, S. Knupp, Olive Holborn, Isabel Millar, Marion Gloster, Gorden Gloster, Dorothy Gloster, Edwina Ardill, Iona Stodgell, Georgia Lyons, Jack Deer, Audrey Clark, Aub Timmins, Vera Timmins, Douglas H. Clark, Estelle LeMaire, Helen Morrison, Gavin Rush, Merceille Burrows, Isobel Greer, Anne Noble, Nena Mardsen, Marian Gillan, and Marjorie Whitney.
In 1974 Georgina Township council, moved by John Hastings and seconded by Jean Noble endorsed a proposal by what is now called the Georgina Historical Society to establish a village museum on town lands beside the Civic Centre.
In 1975, the society moved the first building on the site and since then growth has never ceased.
The society also has in place archives located in the Georgina Public Library - Keswick Branch and people are welcome to use the material contained therein.
The society marked its 25th anniversary with a celebration Thanksgiving Weekend at the Village Museum. The historic Mann House was opened officially at that time as well.
Source: Georgina Advocate - Our History December 1992. Reproduced with permission