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A group photo of the West Gwillimbury History Project (WEGWHIST) group during the assembly of the Governor Simcoe Slept Here: The Legacy of West Gwillimbury book.

Description : It was a magnificent effort: for 4 years, volunteers with the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association and the community at large worked together as the "WEGWHIST" team, putting together a History of West Gwillimbury. The result was a 2-volume set, Governor Simcoe Slept Here: The Legacy of West Gwillimbury, containing the stories, records and photographs of the families that settled the Township. MP Peter Van Loan flew in to attend, and praised the book as a "remarkable and strong community project - a gift from older generations to younger generations. I commend you all, and I congratulate you all." The book was published by Friesens Corporation of Altona, Manitoba, thanks to seed money provided by the Municipal council, an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant, and contributions from Patrons. George Jackson, who chaired, co-ordinated and drove the process from the beginning thanked a long list of those involved.

"Demolition of the old convent on Barrie Street was scheduled to begin this week. The site, north of Frederick Street, will be the home of a new multi-service facility. When it's done in March 1995, it will be 15,000 square feet in size and will accommodate a child-care facility for 150 children. Bill Bowden, property manager for the Barrie and District Association for People with Special Needs and project manager for the new building, indicated the old convent has been totally trashed and nothing remains of any salvageable value. And as yet, there's no official name. "The Common Roof was the local name for the group attempting to get this project under way. It sort of stuck, I doubt if that will be the final, official name of the building," he said. Bowden said the new structure will house a number of agencies providing child-care services such as a daycare, a nursery, PALS resource centre and a number of other social service agencies for the child and family in the Bradford area. The new building will cost in the neighbourhood of $1.5 million. Bowden said the centre will "service in the neighborhood of 150 children each day. Children will be coming and going. Some will be there all day. Some will be there only in the morning and some only in the afternoon." The demolition work marks the end of a lengthy process. The Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association is working with the architect for the new building to include part of the old convent building in the new structure.

Description : In the recently published book, "Governor Simcoe Slept Here: A legacy of West Gwillimbury," there is an error on page 792. Part way down the first paragraph, the text should read: "Beatrice was born September 25, 1910, and died November 17, 1992. Evelyn was born March 14, 1917, and married Bob Stafford on August 17, 1940. They had two children, Jean and Don. Evelyn died April 6, 1991." Apologies to Marion West, who submitted this story, and to the West family for the typing error that occurred when transferring the story to the computer.

WEGWHIST (the West Gwillimbury History Project) book, Governor Simcoe Slept Here: The Legacy of West Gwillimbury, is now at the printer. The project needs a volunteer who can help develop a marketing plan and sales program for this unique chronicle, which captures the stories of the families who settled and built the Township. The book could be available as early as December.

Description : The WEGWHIST West Gwillimbury History Project is now completing its book, Governor Simcoe Slept Here: The Legacy of West Gwillimbury. To help defray the cost of publication, a Patrons' Page has been established. Donors will be recognized in print in this wonderful book, to be published some time this year.

Description : The reprint of the magnificent 2-volume local history book, Governor Simcoe Slept Here: The Legacy of West Gwillimbury is now available. Those who wish to mail out a copy as a Christmas gift should call Bill Marks or George Jackson.

Description : As we approach the end of the writing and editing, we are faced with the challenge of marketing our product, the book. We need someone who can help us develop a marketing plan and execute it. We offer the same pay and benefits that we all enjoy as volunteers - an interesting project, good fellowship, positive enthusiasm and the real feeling of accomplishment. Governor Simcoe Slept Here: The Legacy of West Gwillimbury is the book being written by the volunteers of the WEGWHIST project. To help pay for publication costs, a Patrons Page has been established. Donors will be recognized in print, in this wonderful book that will be published this year, and hopefully available by December.

Description : The West Gwillimbury History project (WEGWHIST for short) is gathering information and interest, pursuing the many aspects of Who, What, Where, When and How of the historic Township. The story begins about the time that the Township was surveyed in 1819, 183 years ago. The record-keeping of those days was not too detailed, but it is surprising the records that are available, and the story that they tell. All are welcome to come to the meeting and hear about WEGWHIST. A number of items need to be researched, such as old mills, post offices, meeting halls and fraternal societies. Pen, paper and an inquisitive mind will qualify you as a researcher.