Annual Report 2015

Glengarry Historical Society Moves Forward

Elizabeth Cook – Glengarry History Benefactor

Earlier this year, the Society was informed it was the beneficiary of a legacy of $10,000 from the estate Elizabeth Ann Cook, who died in June 2011.

She was born in Montreal, educated in Toronto, and her formative years were spent near Midland, Ontario in the house of Group of Seven member Frank Johnson. Following several years as assistant to the Chief Archaeologist at the University of Western Ontario, she attended the Ontario College of Art. From there her career took her to Parks Canada.

Miss Cook was travelling assistant to Marion MacRae during the time of writing of Hallowed Walls: Church Architecture in Upper Canada (Toronto: Clarke, Irwin & Co. 1975). During this period, she fondly recalled spending time in Williamstown with Miss MacRae and Anthony Adamson as well as visiting and assisting the Nor’Wester’s and Loyalist Museum in its infancy in 1967. She subsequently became a life member of the GHS.

A particular point of pride was her old log cabin near Penetanguishene, as it was the very structure that hosted Bishop Alexander Macdonell on the occasion of his first mass in the Midland area.

She was outspoken and never hesitated to voice her dissatisfaction with those who, without thought, desecrated heritage buildings in Ontario and elsewhere in the world. Elizabeth Cook was one of a valiant band of antiquarians, who during their active life bequeathed so much of historic value to posterity.

The Society is very grateful for this generous legacy.

Information – Just a Click Away – @ www.glengarryhistory.ca

Just a click away for members, AND for interested parties all around the world, are the following:

• Electronic versions of the ever popular Glengarry Life.
• Plethora of additional articles and feedback on incidents and persons in Glengarry history from both local sources and those further away with a Glengarry connection.
• GHS records and by-laws, and, for the first time, GHS current year end financial records.
• A brand new innovation – the full recording (with slides) of Dane Lanken’s excellent presentation on the Alexandria carriage manufacturer, Munro and Mackintosh.  It is hoped that more audio/visual presentations will be added in future.

The Society is enormously indebted to John Woodrow for maintaining the website from wherever he happens to be in the world.

Successful 2015 Glengarry History Lecture Series

During 2015, Glengarry History’s Lecture Series continued to be very popular with members of both the Society and the general community. The acquisition of a large video screen and computer enhanced the presentations, and regular advertising encouraged attendance by the larger community.

The Society’s thanks are due to the following for the amount of time and effort they put into research and preparation for eight excellent lectures.

The Society’s thanks are also due to Suzanne Bujold, Carol MacMillan and Lorraine Cameron who organized refreshments for the post-lecture social time.

Thanks to our Membership Secretary, Bruce MacPherson, for maintain contact with members.

Records of GHS Lodged in Glengarry County Archives

During 2015, a complete record of the Glengarry Historical Society has been assembled, and is securely lodged in the Glengarry County Archives for easy access and reference.

• The GHS Collection includes:
• Pre-incorporation meetings as early as 1958.
• All early legal documents (including the charter and first by-laws).
• Documents relating to the purchase of the “Star Inn” to establish the Dunvegan Museum.
• Records pertaining to the GHS Centennial Project to create the Nor’Wester’s and Loyalist Museum in Williamstown.
• Documents (including Board minutes) relating to discussions connected to the foundation of a GHS Archive.
• Documents recording the events leading up to, and the funding of, the Glengarry County Archives.
• Detailed documents related to the recent reorganization of the GHS during the years 2011 – 2014.
• GHS minutes and financial reports are available for every year.

In addition, ALL hard copy editions of Glengarry Life are lodged in the Archives, and members should be aware that many editions of old Newsletters contained the annual financial report of the Society.

Education and Scholarship

The GHS Board continues to explore and experiment with ways to encourage students to delve into the rich history of Glengarry.

Currently, consideration is being given to establishing a new scholarship program for secondary school students, based upon academic achievement.

Unfortunately, a History Fair for elementary and secondary students, held in February, did not attract a large enough number of participants to warrant continuing the concept. However, the Society would like to thank Frances Fraser, Allan J. MacDonald and Penny Bateman for acting as judges.

GHS 2015-2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

History is alive and well in Glengarry, and members of the 2015–2016 GHS Board of Directors represent the geographic diversity of the County.

In addition, the Society maintains active links with other organizations preserving and promoting the history of Glengarry – Glengarry County Archives, Dalkeith Historical Society, Glengarry Nor’Wester’s & Loyalist Museum, Sir John Johnson Manor House, Bethune-Thompson House, St. Raphael’s Ruins. The Bishop’s House, and The Glengarry Pioneer Museum.