Contains news clippings and articles on Holland Marsh

Contains news clippings and articles on Holland Marsh

Contains news clippings and articles on the Scotch Settlement

History Group is Established

An historical society for the Scotch Settlement was established last week at Fred C. Cook Senior Public School.

Mrs. Eleanor Reid, of Lefroy, a descendant of one of the Scotch settlers, was named the president of the group, and Dave Sheppard, was named secretary.

The group will gather historical data pertaining to the history of the settlers, from their tragic exile from Scotland to their settlement on the lands in this area.

The most important priority for the group now is to collect all of the information concerning the Scotch Settlement that they can.

Mr. Sheppard said it was crucial that the information was gathered soon, because much of it is in the minds of elderly people in the community, and if they fail to pass it on, it could be lost forever.

Mrs. Reid said she was "really quite pleased with the turnout last week and the interest and enthusiasm shown."

She said the Scotch Settlement was one of Ontario's most important historical sites, and the story of the hardships of the settlers is not only historically interesting, but also romantic.

Many descendants of the settlers still live in the area, and former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker also traces his family back to the Scotch settlers.

The historical society is appealing to anyone who has information, photos or other memorabilia, to contact Mrs. Reid at Box 148, Lefroy.

The next meeting of the society will be held in the Scotch Settlement church June 10.

Plaque by the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association:

"This cast iron base and impeller were components of one of the two original water pumps installed in the 1928 Holland Marsh Drainage Scheme. The pumps would lower the water level by four to five feet thereby draining the water out of the marsh and allowing the marsh lands to be dried and cultivated. The two pumps could each lift 20 000 gallons per minute from the reservoir over the dam.
The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury assisted in developing the water fountain. George Holancin, local metal sculptor, created the winged blue heron. This piece won Top Honours for Floral Displays as part of the Communities in Bloom Ontario 2006 program."

Plaque by the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association:

"This cast iron base and impeller were components of one of the two original water pumps installed in the 1928 Holland Marsh Drainage Scheme. The pumps would lower the water level by four to five feet thereby draining the water out of the marsh and allowing the marsh lands to be dried and cultivated. The two pumps could each lift 20 000 gallons per minute from the reservoir over the dam.
The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury assisted in developing the water fountain. George Holancin, local metal sculptor, created the winged blue heron. This piece won Top Honours for Floral Displays as part of the Communities in Bloom Ontario 2006 program."

Plaque by the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association:

"This cast iron base and impeller were components of one of the two original water pumps installed in the 1928 Holland Marsh Drainage Scheme. The pumps would lower the water level by four to five feet thereby draining the water out of the marsh and allowing the marsh lands to be dried and cultivated. The two pumps could each lift 20 000 gallons per minute from the reservoir over the dam.
The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury assisted in developing the water fountain. George Holancin, local metal sculptor, created the winged blue heron. This piece won Top Honours for Floral Displays as part of the Communities in Bloom Ontario 2006 program."

"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..."

"One of the groups celebrating Bradford's 150th Anniversary is the Gwillim Group - a group of history buffs, under the aegis of the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association, that is turning the spotlight on Upper Canada's First Lady.
Elizabeth Posthuma Gwillim was not only the wife of Lieut.-Governor John Graves Simcoe, she was an ardent traveller, and exceptional hostess and an accomplished artist. The Gwillim Group has commissioned a bronze and rock sculpture, by artist Brenda Wainman Goulet, to be placed in the parkette beside the Post Office.
To raise funds, the Group has planned an evening of Dinner Theatre, in partnership with the Bradford District High School Drama Club. On June 8 and 9, the students will present "Bradford in 1857" - actually a history of Bradford, from the early days before incorporation, "to the present day - a fun celebratory tongue-in-cheek look at Bradford," says author and drama teacher Steve Bainborough.
The Gwillim Group will serve up a Spaghetti Dinner with Strawberry Shortcake for dessert, and there will be a Silent Auction; items include an original painting by artist Kathryn Bury."

Part 1 of a three part short series on the life of Elizabeth (Gwillim) Simcoe, wife of Lieut-Governor John Graves Simcoe of Upper Canada.