The following notes on the history of this bible were written by George Jackson in 2008:
"The Gardener Bible In the winter of 2008 this bible was offered to the BWG Local HIstory Room as a memento of the Gardener family who lives at Steele's Corners, the 14th line of West Gwillimbury. The bible came to us through the auspices of Mrs. Kay Boer of Stroud. Her family home had been near the Gardeners and it was through her efforts that the connections were made to have the Bible come to our Library. In this case there were two Bible's involved in this story which goes something like this. The lady who found theses Bibles worked at the Barrie landfill. She noticed these two Bibles when they were brought to the "dump" on top of a load of articles that appeared to come from a home that was being cleaned out. She retrieved them. The one Bible she has retained and the other one is here..... As I mentioned there were two Bibles. This Bible does not have any marking to identify it with the family. We assume it was in the Gardener family because it was associated with the other Bible that had the births marriages and deaths associated with thte Gardener family inscribed in the centre pages...."
The following notes on the history of this bible were written by George Jackson in 2008:
"The Gardener Bible In the winter of 2008 this bible was offered to the BWG Local HIstory Room as a memento of the Gardener family who lives at Steele's Corners, the 14th line of West Gwillimbury. The bible came to us through the auspices of Mrs. Kay Boer of Stroud. Her family home had been near the Gardeners and it was through her efforts that the connections were made to have the Bible come to our Library. In this case there were two Bible's involved in this story which goes something like this. The lady who found theses Bibles worked at the Barrie landfill. She noticed these two Bibles when they were brought to the "dump" on top of a load of articles that appeared to come from a home that was being cleaned out. She retrieved them. The one Bible she has retained and the other one is here..... As I mentioned there were two Bibles. This Bible does not have any marking to identify it with the family. We assume it was in the Gardener family because it was associated with the other Bible that had the births marriages and deaths associated with thte Gardener family inscribed in the centre pages...."
On August 20, 1923 Annie Velma Stewart was born to William (Casey) & Annie (nee Harman) Stewart in Bradford, Ontario. This gown was worn by her for her baptism on June 26, 1924 in Bradford, Ontario.
Located on the corner of Church and James Street. This church was built in 1900 after the original church was destroyed by fire. The first church was built in 1851 and burned down in April 1900. Rev. G.B. Morley was the first minister in the new church. It is built in early English Style and used Milton Pressed Brick, a high quality and expensive brick.
The Church was built in 1893 on the corner of Church and John Street, during the pastorade of Rev. F. Smith. It replaced a frame structure that was sold to the Anglican Church to be used for a parish hall in 1893, it was demolished in 1953. The Stonework is by George McDonald, a stonemason. The original name was Bradford Presbyterian Church but was later renamed St. John's Presbyterian Church in 1966. The seating capacity is 350, and the tower stands 65 feet high.
The barn located on the east side of Essa St. (south of Frederick St.) belonged to the former Anglican Manse. The Manse was located at 81 Frederick St. (1, 2)
The former Anglican Church Manse is located at 81 Frederick St. (on the northeast corner of Church and Frederick Streets). The structure was built around 1880 in the Eclectic Neoclassical style. The two-storey, rectangular building has a medium-pitched, hip roof. The line at the front façade suggesting that the building originally had a full-width, front porch is another Regency Revival feature. The symmetrical window openings (with high floor to ceiling heights), a centre hall plan, and a wide entrance with sidelights and a transom are neoclassical features. Dichromatic brickwork at the quoins and window labels, as well as the ‘droopy’ label stops at the windows are Gothic Revival features. The house has solid, brick construction and a stone foundation. According to the 2000 inventory, the existing porch and entrance motif are unsympathetic with the original design. It also notes that, unlike the originals, the replacement windows have no muntins. (1, 2, 3)
The Old Presbyterian Manse is located at 129 James St. (on the northeast corner of James and Essa Streets). It was built around 1875 in the Neoclassical style. It was being used as a manse at the turn of the century and has since been converted into duplex units. The two-storey, rectangular building has a symmetrical façade, a centre hall plan and a medium-pitched, gable roof. It has large window openings, high floor to ceiling heights, and large, 6/6, double-hung windows. The original entrance probably had sidelights and a transom. There appears to have been a broad verandah at the front entrance and identical chimneys at both ends of the gable roof at one time. The building has sculptured, curvilinear, soffit brackets, solid brick construction (Flemish bond), and an exposed, stone foundation. According to the 2000 inventory, the existing entrance and many windows and doors do not reflect the original design intent. It also notes that the existing duplex unit arrangement suggests major interior modifications. (1, 3)
