This house is located at 28 Letitia Street. The street was named after Letitia Magee, the founder of the original subdivision in Bradford in the 1830’s. The name was later changed to Frederick St. to avoid confusion during emergency calls.
Early research notes on this home from George Jackson lists the home as belonging to Jim McKinstry (Bob), a lumber mill worker before being the home of Henry Bell. The family of Mr. Bell has shared that the home was built by Mr. Bell in 1951, where he lived until his passing in 1987. The home was inhabited by the Bell family until 2000.
Digitized versions of old audio tapes, which include various interviews conducted with residents of Bradford West Gwillimbury. They are comprised of various interesting stories on everyday life in Bradford and surrounding areas over the past century.
Accompanying these recordings are written transcripts outlining each conversation in detail. Due to the age of the tapes, the sound quality of some may be a bit poor. These transcripts are provided to facilitate listening and complement the audio recording. All of these transcripts have been compiled into a book, which we have catalogued for anyone interested in reading them in a collected format.
A 1935 study of the 1852 survey of the Holland Marsh, written by Edward Cavell and published by the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors. The report is accompanied by a portrait and biography of Cavell, former President of the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors.
The first full survey of the Marsh was conducted due to the construction of the Northern Railway between Toronto and Barrie after 1852. The surveyor used tamarack poles hammered into the muck below the water.
Large Wesleyan Methodist Bible, printed in 1857, bound in a black embossed leather cover. A handwritten inscription inside reads "Presented by John Lancaster to the trustees of the Wesleyan Methodist Congregation Bradford on the occasion of the opening of their new Church" dated "Bradford January 18--" (corner is torn off). Inside is an insert noting an announcement from M. Rutherford and containing information on the Provincial Sunday School Convention. Another insert appears to be a handwritten programme of service. Some pencil markings inside, including Psalm 80:13 written in at the end of the Old Testament. Revelations is missing.
This was the Bible presented to the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Bradford (later the Bradford United Church) by local preacher John Lancaster at the opening and dedication of the Church on January 15, 1865.
Copy of the 1870 book "The Light in the East" by Rev. John Fleetwood, belonging to the Bradford United Church. Edited and compiled by Rev. Arthur P. Hayes (from what was initially printed via subscription). 200+ engraved illustrations inside. Bound in an elaborately embossed and gilded cover, with the text block decorated with gilt edges.
Copy of the Book of Psalms, containing a handwritten inscription written in pen at the front, reading: "Choir, Bradford Methodist Church." The book's cover is made of paper and cloth, with the title pressed into the front cover.
Copy of the Methodist Hymn and Tune Book, with the title pressed into the cover and gilded, with a decorative border surrounding the title also pressed into the cover. Contains inscriptions written in many hands, in both pencil and ink, at both the front and back of the book. One of the inscriptions is dated May 17, 1905. Many of the autographs are difficult to make out and have not yet been identified.
Framed photograph of Rev. Dan. Norman and his wife, Mrs. Norman. Rev. Norman was a missionary in Japan, whose missionary trips were funded in part by Methodist Congregations in Bradford. He sometimes sent letters or gave presentations in the area about his work in Japan.
Writing on the back of the frame in green is partially rubbed off, with the illegible words replaced in pencil. It reads: "Rev Mr. Norman visited Schomberg in 1924 and was entertained by Mr. + Mrs. Skinner. His last visit." Additional writing underneath in pencil reads: "PICTURE OF:- REV. DAN. NORMAN & HIS WIFE, MISSIONARY TO JAPAN. SUPPORTED BY THE EPWORTH LEAGUES OF THE BRADFORD DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH. (IN WHICH SCHOMBERG METHODIST CHURCH HAD A LARGE PART.)."
Copy of a Family Bible printed in 1880, with custom-ordered embossed leather binding, with gilt decoration on front. Pasted on the inside of the front cover is a leather book label with gilt lettering that reads: " Presented to the Mount Pleasant Branch of Christ Church by the junior members of the church as a token of affectionate remembrance of a dear friend". This is likely in reference to Ena Stoddart, who moved away from the area after her marriage in 1888. This is likely the Bible that was presented in her honour, as reported in The Witness. The book contains many engraved illustrations, including a coloured frontispiece. At the back there is a board for family portraits, decorated with illumination and with the portrait spots left empty. The edges of the text block are also gilded.
