Oxford County

Zorra Heritage Committee – Harrington Grist Mill Gathering – Wednesday, May 1 at 7pm!

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Hello Everyone,

Please see this guest post from the Zorra Heritage Committee:

The Zorra Heritage Committee (ZHC) invites everyone to join them in exploring the Harrington Grist Mill on Wednesday, May 1 at 7pm. You do not need to be a member of ZHC to attend. This is a free meeting and is open to the public.

The mill, while owned by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, is operated by the Harrington & Area Community Association (HACA). HACA has been actively working for over two decades to preserve the mill. Two knowledgeable “millers” will be present to speak to the history of this mill and to the significance of mills in the development of early settlements throughout Oxford County in the 19th century.

The Zorra Heritage Committee (ZHC) is open to anyone interested in identifying and preserving heritage within the Township of Zorra. The committee seeks to uncover historical resources related to the Township’s past and to participate in activities and events that make these histories accessible to the public. ZHC is a committee of the Beachville District Historical Society and meets monthly, usually at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month except July and August.  We alternate, one month with a business meeting and the following month with an activity related to our heritage.

You are welcome to join ZHC, whether or not you live in Zorra. Begin by taking out a membership at https://beachvilledistrictmuseum.com/membership/bdm-membership

The OxHS now has a Facebook page, to like us search: Oxford Historical Society 1897
Or click on the FB symbol on the top right of our website!

If you have an event, pictures and articles concerning the history of Oxford County that you would like published on the Society’s blog please email us at info@oxhs.ca

National Tartan Day Saturday April 6, 2024!

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Hello Everyone,

Please see this guest post from the Zorra Caledonian Society:

The Zorra Caledonian Society would like you to join us for a “Pub Night” with live music & a wee bit of Scottish fun on Saturday, April 6th, 2024, as we celebrate National Tartan Day!

Join us as we listen to the Paddy Stones, win prizes & enjoy some traditional Scottish “nibbles”….. everything from ‘Haggis Balls with whiskey sauce’ to ‘Dundee cake’!

When: Saturday, April 6th, 2024
Where: Embro Legion
When: 7pm to 11pm
Cost: $25.00
Tickets Available online at: www.zorracaledoniansociety.ca
or at door subject to availability (please note numbers are limited)

Feel free to print and share this poster: National Tartan Day April 6, 2024

For questions contact the Zorra Caledonian Society

If you have an event, pictures and articles concerning the history of Oxford County that you would like published on the Society’s blog please email us at info@oxhs.ca

Zorra Heritage Committee Meeting – Wednesday, March 6 at 7pm!

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Hello Everyone,

Please see this guest post from the Zorra Heritage Committee:

The Zorra Heritage Committee (ZHC) is exploring the stories behind those “Historically…”signs you see to mark the forgotten places throughout Zorra.

We are gathering this information to:
1. Prepare an exhibit for Oxford Local History Day (Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the Ingersoll Library)
2. Develop a website explaining the signs and encouraging people to see them all and consider Zorra’s interesting history
3. Enrich our own knowledge of Zorra’s history

Here is the history behind Holiday:
‘The Crossroads, now known as Holiday, at the town line between East Nissouri at the former West Zorra TownshipRoad 78, has historically been known by many names. According to W.J Winterberg, the hamlet was known as Nissouri since 1853. In 1880, Holiday was known as McBrayne’s Corners. The hamlet boasted a school, blacksmithshop, and a general store. The population was 25 individuals, and mail was delivered daily. Mr. McBrayne owned a hotel, and general store on the south west corner of the farm at Lot 11 Con 1 West Zorra. The hotel was also home to a local post office. Before the CPR was established through Thamesford, mail was delivered via stage from Ingersoll. According to post office records, the town name was officially changed from Nissouri to Holiday in October 1894. By 1902, the population of Holiday had risen to nearly 50 people. There was a spring that carried throughout all of the citizens farms and eventually branched into the Thames River. This spring proved greatly important during the depression, as it allowed families to easily access water, as well as give the children a place to play. The community in Holiday, was very close, and held many events together.’

Click on this link to read about other Zorra Historic Rural Communities!

There are many Historical Communities to research, contact ZHC for the complete list of communities.

The next meeting of the ZHC will be on Wednesday, March 6th at 7pm at the Beachville District Museum. The meeting is free and open to the public.

If you wish to attend the meeting or participate in the research contact Sam Coghlan:

Sam Coghlan,
Secretary ZHC
(519) 475-4097
sam@oxford.net

If you have an event, pictures and articles concerning the history of Oxford County that you would like published on the Society’s blog please email us at info@oxhs.ca

Beachville District Historical Society Presentation – Tuesday, February 13 at 7pm!

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Beachville District Museum

Hello Everyone,

Please see this guest post from the Beachville District Historical Society (BDHS):

Speaker Series: Zorra Farmer to Canadian Icon – The Bob Hayward Journey

Hear the story of this Embro-area farmer and mechanical genius. He was a pathfinder in racecar development and later became a national hero when piloting one of the world’s fastest raceboats, Miss Supertest III. 

He fuelled national pride by defeating the best the U.S. had, winning the international Harmsworth trophy three years in a row and giving Canadians a boost during concerns about a lagging economy, unemployment and U.S. influence.  

When: Tuesday, February 13th at 7pm
Where: Beachville District Museum, 584371 Beachville Rd, Beachville ON N0J 1A0 (west end of the village)

For more information contact the Beachville District Museum, or by phone at 519-423-6497

This is a free event and all are welcome!

If you have an event, pictures and articles concerning the history of Oxford County that you would like published on the Society’s blog please email us at info@oxhs.ca

Ontario Ancestors Present – Stone Houses of Zorra – Monday, January 8th at 7pm!

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Hello Everyone,

Please see this guest post from the Oxford Branch of Ontario Ancestors:

Please join us at our next virtual meeting on Monday, January 8th at 7:00 pm where Vicki Brenner of the Oxford County Library will present “Stone Houses of Zorra”. There will be a short business meeting and Annual General Meeting prior to Vicki’s presentation. 

Please visit our website at https://oxford.ogs.on.ca and click on the link “Register Here” for the zoom meeting.  The meeting is free and we welcome everyone.

Liz Buchanan
Oxford Branch Publicity Coordinator
Ontario Ancestors

From the Oxford County Library: “The Stone Houses of Zorra Project is an effort to document pioneer field stone farm houses in Zorra Township, Oxford County.  Gathering information from published local history books, newspapers, land records and present day owner interviews, this work hopes to consolidate the chronicles of stone houses in one place.  With new photography, combined with historical imagery, a visual path to the past is established.  These stone structures are a part of our cultural heritage and the rural Oxford County landscape.”

If you have an event, pictures and articles concerning the history of Oxford County that you would like published on the Society’s blog please email us at info@oxhs.ca