Photograph of Lieut-Gov. David Onley and his wife, Ruth Ann Onley, on the corner of John St. East and Barrie St. for the unveiling of the Elizabeth Gwillim Simcoe statue.

The WEGWHIST team has bowed to public demand, and will reprint Governor Simcoe Slept Here, the Legacy of West Gwillimbury. The reprint of the 2-volume set should be available mid-August, 2006. Some factual errors in the first edition will be printed in an addendum to be included with the reprint, and available to all who have already purchased a book. Pre-publication sale of the reprint is underway. The pre-publication price will be $5, the post-publication price $75.

Canadian Forester's Band - photo in the newspaper in 1937. It was taken on July 12, 1911.
Front Row l-r: George Manton, Ed. Callendar, Harry Hammell, Lorenzo Harvey, Eldon Waldruff, Tom Bachelor
Centre l-r: Fred Hill, William Sutton, Wm. Watson, Dave Sutherland, Walter Dewar, Wm. Stewart.
Back l-r: George Simpkin, Jack Armstrong, Walter Moore, Les Ellerby, Norman Hand, Frank Hammell, Bandmaster - Dave Sutherland.

"The first major steps to preserve the heritage of the Scotch Settlement and area were taken last week when about 20 people officially founded a historical society. Known as the Scotch Settlement and District Historical Society, it will seek to preserve the historical record of not only the struggles of the Scottish settlers but those of Bradford and West Gwillimbury as well. Phillip Baker, a representative of the Ministry of Culture and Recreation was on hand to describe the procedure in setting up a historical society, the grant structure, and the initial problems that will have to be faced..."

Article about the history of the Phillips-Stoddart mud brick house, built circa 1837.

Newspaper article expressing interest in renaming streets to honour Bradford's history, and including plaques at the roadsides to explain the significance.

"The Stickwood Walker heritage farmstead is about to salute the past. At a cost of about $300,000, Newmarket council has given the go-ahead to transform 3.5-acre homestead on Mulock Drive into a meeting place for quilting, embroidery and tea parties. While the plan includes major renovation and landscaping, the barn, destroyed by fire in April, will not be rebuilt. Instead, remaining footprint of the barn will be used for parking or returned to greenspace. Meanwhile, land just west of the homestead will be used for outdoor soccer pitches. Once complete, the main floor's restored interior will be home to new period programs, such as quilting, embroidery and community tea parties, the mayor said. Up to 50 per cent of the cost of the project, or $150,000, will come from funding through potential partnerships and other sources, said Crystal Moss of the town's communications department."

Description : On the north side of the 7th Line, about 1 km. west of Bond Head, there is a metre-high cairn in the fence line, that marks the location of the home and church built by the Rev. Featherstone Osler in the late 1830s. The frame church, that would become Trinity Anglican Church in Bond Head, was initially planned a lecture base for divinity students, church school, and centre for baptisms and marriages. It was during this time, that four sons were born to the Oslers - Feathersone, Britton, Edmund and William. The two elder sons became lawyers of note, Edmund a banker, and William, a doctor who was knighted for his service to his fellow man, and whose work changed the nature of medical practice and diagnosis. A number of medical facilities in Ontario have been named in honour of Sir William Osler, and at Trinity Anglican Church today, a memorial window and brass plaque are of great interest to the members of the medical profession who come from all over the world to visit the birthplace of this leader of their chosen profession. The Osler timber-frame country church, with its stucco coating, was moved in September of 1885 from the 7th Line to the top of the hill, at the northwest corner of Bond Head. It was rollered down the rural road in sections, reassembled, then given a veneer of brick and a new steeple. New oak pews were installed, and the interior was trimmed in oak. Much of the original interior and exterior still survive, including items used by Rev. Osler himself. On December 20th, 1885, Rev. Osler travelled from his Dundas charge to officially open the renovated church in its new location. Recently, Dr. Watters, a local resident and retired surgeon, speaking to the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association, stated, "The old Osler church built and preached in by the Reverend Featherstone Osler, home to his astonishing family, is a piece of Canadian history of interest around the world. We must find some way to preserve the Osler church as part of that character, and as a reminder of the kind of people who began it."