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"Bradford's Sesquicentennial celebration has received the endorsement of Committee of the Whole, and a recommendation that Council pre-approve up to $15 000 in advance of the 2007 budget for its promotion..."

The annual Meeting of the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association will be held in the Compton Room of the Bradford Public Library on Saturday, December 8th, 1:30 p.m. The BWG Local History Association was formed 17 years ago, in the spring of 1990, and has retrieved and documented many of the details of the history of this area, supported the Local History Room in the Library, and recently, published the 2-volume book, "Governor Simcoe Slept Here." The Association is now taking on new responsibility as the umbrella organization for other history-related groups in the community - The Gwillim Group, which has brought the statue of Elizabeth Gwillim Simcoe to Bradford; the Scotch Settlement Historical Association; and the WEGWHIST Group. The arrangement will provide an affiliation with the Ontario Historical Association that will open the door for sponsorship and fundraising in support of the Town's historical features. The Association has been involved in book writing, editing and sales for the past 4 years; now that Governor Simcoe Slept Here has been completed, the focus is returning to researching and recording local history, and there are opportunities for residents to get involved. Are you interested in history? Do you have time to research on line, index and file, or set up and explore your own special local history project? Come to the meeting to discuss the opportunities.

Commemorative statue of Elizabeth Gwillim, the woman whom the region of Bradford West Gwillimbury was named after. This statue was erected by the Gwillim Group, with help from sculptor Brenda Wainman Goulet, on the corner of John and Barrie Streets in Bradford.

Detail of the meeting between Great Sail (holding baby Francis Simcoe) and Lt.-Gov. Simcoe

Detail of Elizabeth Gwillim Simcoe front view of statue and her plaque in the background

This commemorative plaque stands beside the Elizabeth Simcoe Statue, erected by the Gwillim Group with help from sculptor Brenda Wainman Goulet on the corner of John and Barrie Streets in Bradford.

Nina Burnham, an Elder of the Six Nations blessing the commemorative statue of Elizabeth Gwillim Simcoe at the official unveiling ceremony in Bradford West Gwillimbury.

Plaque displayed at the Elizabeth Gwillim Statue, on the corner of John and Barrie Streets in Bradford, giving recognition to all those who helped to fund the project.

On August 24, 1793 the cannons were fired and Toronto renamed York to recognize the victory by the Duke of York over the French in Europe. Elizabeth Gwillim Simcoe's note reads: "There were a party of Ojibway Indians here, who appeared much pleased with the firing. One of them names "Great Sail" took Francis in his arms and was much please to find that the child was not afraid, but delighted with the sound."
This painting was done by C.W. Jeffreys from Imperial Oil Ltd.

"As part of Bradford's Sesquicentennial celebration, a new group has been formed. The Gwillim group - many of the same people who have been involved in the town's Downtown Revitalization, Communities in Bloom and local history - is dedicated to introducing a more cultural element to the community..."