Woodstock Ontario

Join the OxHS for Tonight’s Presentation: The Big World of Joe Boyle!

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Joe Boyle’s Machine Gun Brigade

Hello Everyone,

It has been a 100 years since Joe Boyle’s Repatriation and Brian ‘Chip’ Martin has prepared a special presentation honouring this event!
Please join the Oxford Historical Society and Chip Martin on Wednesday, April 26 at 6:30pm at the Woodstock Museum, NHS for his presentation: The Big World of Joe Boyle!

He grew up in Woodstock, made millions in the Klondike, challenged for hockey supremacy with miners from there, contributed to the First World war in unconventional ways and hobnobbed with European royalty.

Along the way, Joe Boyle was dubbed the “King of the Klondike,” and “Saviour of Romania.” It was quite the life for an Ontario boy whose efforts saw him decorated by Great Britain, France, Russia and Romania, but was considered persona non-grata by officials in his own country. He became so close to the queen of Romania that was he was forced to leave the country whose Crown jewels, reserves and archives he managed to rescue at the risk of his life.

Boyle caused fits to the Canadian government because he acted as a soldier of fortune and would not follow orders or explain his wartime activities. In the end, he depleted his own fortune and the Queen of Romania stepped in to provide suitable markers for his gravesite following his untimely death in London, England exactly 100 years ago. And it wasn’t until 40 years ago that his remains were brought to Woodstock with the help of the Canadian armed forces that had considered him a rogue pariah when he was alive

Joe Boyle is a figure not unlike Gravenhurst medical doctor Norman Bethune, who was considered a hero in a faraway land, but virtually unknown at home. Boyle’s story is of epic proportions.

From Chip Martin – The Big World of Joe Boyle

Chip Martin’s latest work – From Underground Railroad to Rebel Refuge: Canada and the Civil War; will be available for purchase, $25.00, cash only. For more information about this book go to: OxHS Upcoming Events

This presentation will take place at the Woodstock Museum, NHS. Doors open at 6:30pm and the meeting will start at 6:45pm. This is a free public meeting, all are welcome to attend.

OxHS Upcoming Presentation on Wednesday, April 26, 2023: The Big World of Joe Boyle!

by
Joe Boyle’s Machine Gun Brigade

Hello Everyone,

It has been a 100 years since Joe Boyle’s Repatriation and Brian ‘Chip’ Martin has prepared a special presentation honouring this event!
Please join the Oxford Historical Society and Chip Martin on Wednesday, April 26 at 6:30pm at the Woodstock Museum, NHS for his presentation: The Big World of Joe Boyle!

He grew up in Woodstock, made millions in the Klondike, challenged for hockey supremacy with miners from there, contributed to the First World war in unconventional ways and hobnobbed with European royalty.

Along the way, Joe Boyle was dubbed the “King of the Klondike,” and “Saviour of Romania.” It was quite the life for an Ontario boy whose efforts saw him decorated by Great Britain, France, Russia and Romania, but was considered persona non-grata by officials in his own country. He became so close to the queen of Romania that was he was forced to leave the country whose Crown jewels, reserves and archives he managed to rescue at the risk of his life.

Boyle caused fits to the Canadian government because he acted as a soldier of fortune and would not follow orders or explain his wartime activities. In the end, he depleted his own fortune and the Queen of Romania stepped in to provide suitable markers for his gravesite following his untimely death in London, England exactly 100 years ago. And it wasn’t until 40 years ago that his remains were brought to Woodstock with the help of the Canadian armed forces that had considered him a rogue pariah when he was alive

Joe Boyle is a figure not unlike Gravenhurst medical doctor Norman Bethune, who was considered a hero in a faraway land, but virtually unknown at home. Boyle’s story is of epic proportions.

From Chip Martin – The Big World of Joe Boyle

Chip Martin’s latest work – From Underground Railroad to Rebel Refuge: Canada and the Civil War; will be available for purchase, $25.00, cash only. For more information about this book go to: OxHS Upcoming Events

This presentation will take place at the Woodstock Museum, NHS. Doors open at 6:30pm and the meeting will start at 6:45pm. This is a free public meeting, all are welcome to attend.

OxHS Free Public Presentation on Wednesday, March 29, 2023: Virsa/Sikh Heritage Through My Family Presentation!

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The Saran Siblings, photo provided by Savrup Kaur Saran

Hello Everyone,

Please join the Oxford Historical Society for a special presentation celebrating Sikh Heritage Month on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at the Woodstock Museum, NHS. Doors open at 6:30pm. This is a free public event open to everyone.

Tonight’s presenter will be Savrup Kaur Saran, a former co-op student at the Woodstock Museum. During her placement Savrup had the opportunity to research Sikh heritage:

“To see the Sikh community represented through the Museum was nice and then connecting that with my own life was really cool,” she said. “I know a lot about Sikh heritage in general from my parents, but not as much about Canadian Sikh history, so it was really interesting to learn more about that.”

During her presentation Savrup will not only focus on her own family’s history, but that of the Sikh’s in Canada:

“I wanted to focus on that common immigrant Sikh story. There’s so much heritage and so many stories,” she said. “Sikh heritage is different for each family, but in my family, it goes back so far and in so many different locations from India to Fiji to Canada, and that same heritage lives through me and my brother today.”

This presentation will take place at the Woodstock Museum, NHS. Doors open at 6:30pm and the meeting will start at 6:45pm. This is a free public meeting, all are welcome to attend.

The month of April was proclaimed as Sikh Heritage Month by the Ontario government in 2013, as April is when the Sikh community celebrates Vaisakhi, a spring festival that also marks important events in the religion’s history.

As part of Sikh Heritage Month, the United Sikhs invite you to their open celebration in Museum Square on Saturday, April 1, 2023 from 1-3pm.

During the month of April the Woodstock Museum, NHS’s exhibit Sikhs in Canada, will be on display!

Information for this blog post was provided by the Woodstock Museum, NHS.

Virsa/Sikh Heritage Through My Family Presentation: Wednesday, March 29, 2023!

by
The Saran Siblings, photo provided by Savrup Kaur Saran

Hello Everyone,

Please join the Oxford Historical Society for a special presentation celebrating Sikh Heritage Month on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at the Woodstock Museum, NHS. Doors open at 6:30pm. This is a free public event open to everyone.

Tonight’s presenter will be Savrup Kaur Saran, a former co-op student at the Woodstock Museum. During her placement Savrup had the opportunity to research Sikh heritage:

“To see the Sikh community represented through the Museum was nice and then connecting that with my own life was really cool,” she said. “I know a lot about Sikh heritage in general from my parents, but not as much about Canadian Sikh history, so it was really interesting to learn more about that.”

The month of April was proclaimed as Sikh Heritage Month by the Ontario government in 2013, as April is when the Sikh community celebrates Vaisakhi, a spring festival that also marks important events in the religion’s history.

During her presentation Savrup will not only focus on her own family’s history, but that of the Sikh’s in Canada:

“I wanted to focus on that common immigrant Sikh story. There’s so much heritage and so many stories,” she said. “Sikh heritage is different for each family, but in my family, it goes back so far and in so many different locations from India to Fiji to Canada, and that same heritage lives through me and my brother today.”

This presentation will take place at the Woodstock Museum, NHS. Doors open at 6:30pm and the meeting will start at 6:45pm. This is a free public meeting, all are welcome to attend.

Information for this blog post was provided by the Woodstock Museum, NHS.

Holiday Book Sale!

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Hello Everyone,

Looking for a great holiday gift? No need to look any further!

The Oxford Historical Society, the Oxford County Archives and the Ingersoll & District Historical Society will be selling local publications on:

Wednesday, December 14, 2022 from 10am to 4pm at the Oxford County Administration Building (OCAB) foyer, located at 21 Reeve St., Woodstock ON N4S 3G1

Cash or cheque only!

Visit the Society’s Publication page to see some of our offerings!

The following poster can be printed and shared: Holiday Book Sale!

For more information contact the Society at info@oxhs.ca, 226-242-4774; or the Oxford County Archives at archives@oxfordcounty.ca, 519-539-9800 ext. 3070

Presentation Tonight: Wednesday, November 30, 2022 – Life on Board a Lancaster Bomber in WWII!

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WWII Lancaster Bomber, picture from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

Hello Everyone,

Please join us on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 to hear John Bullen’s presentation. His topic will be: For RCAF Crew: Life On Board A Lancaster Bomber in WWII.

John Bullen, is a member and volunteer Tour Guide with the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. He is also a member of their Speaker Panel.

His interest in the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum was inspired by his late Uncle who was a Harvard flight instructor during WWII, and was based out of the Kingston, ON airport.

John will be discussing a brief overview of the Lancaster, the crews, the conditions they endured, the challenges and threats, the keys to survival and Canada’s contribution.

This presentation will take place on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at the Woodstock Museum, NHS. Doors open at 6:30pm and the meeting will start at 6:45pm. 
This is a free public meeting, all are welcome to attend.

The following poster can be printed if you wish to advertise this event: Life On Board A Lancaster Bomber in WWII!

Upcoming Presentation: Wednesday, November 30, 2022 – Life on Board a Lancaster Bomber in WWII!

by
WWII Lancaster Bomber, picture from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

Hello Everyone,

Please join us on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 to hear John Bullen’s presentation. His topic will be: For RCAF Crew: Life On Board A Lancaster Bomber in WWII.

John Bullen, is a member and volunteer Tour Guide with the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. He is also a member of their Speaker Panel.

His interest in the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum was inspired by his late Uncle who was a Harvard flight instructor during WWII, and was based out of the Kingston, ON airport.

John will be discussing a brief overview of the Lancaster, the crews, the conditions they endured, the challenges and threats, the keys to survival and Canada’s contribution.

The following poster can be printed if you wish to advertise this event: Life On Board A Lancaster Bomber in WWII

This presentation will take place on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at the Woodstock Museum, NHS. Doors open at 6:30pm and the meeting will start at 6:45pm. 
This is a free public meeting, all are welcome to attend.

Presentation Tonight – Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at 6:30pm: Doris Weir – Cold Springs Farm in Thamesford!

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Mr. Harvey Beaty (photo provided by Doris Weir)

Hello Everyone,

Please join us on Wednesday, October 26 at 6:30pm to hear Doris Weir’s presentation on the Cold Spring’s Farm in Thamesford. The presentation will be held at the Woodstock Museum, NHS.

From Doris Weir:

“Mr. Harvey Beaty was a huge employer and contributor to the town of Thamesford and surrounding areas.  He started Cold Springs Farm in 1949 and up to his death in 1994 he created a business with over 100 farms, processing plants and was starting to build a mini town in Florida. 

When I received his memoirs I wanted to ensure everyone knew who he was and what he had done for Thamesford, Oxford County and many other areas in Ontario, Michigan and Florida so I digitized the memoirs and created a book for everyone to read and enjoy.

I will be talking about Mr. Beaty’s memoirs book, his upbringing, how he crippled himself (his word) and how he started in to the poultry and feedmill business and more.”

This presentation will take place at the Woodstock Museum, NHS. Doors open at 6:30pm and the meeting will start at 6:45pm. This is a free public meeting, all are welcome to attend.

Upcoming Presentation Wednesday, October 26, 2022: Doris Weir – Cold Springs Farm in Thamesford!

by
Mr. Harvey Beaty (photo provided by Doris Weir)

Hello Everyone,

Please join us on Wednesday, October 26 at 6:30pm to hear Doris Weir’s presentation on the Cold Spring’s Farm in Thamesford. The presentation will be held at the Woodstock Museum, NHS.

From Doris Weir:

“Mr. Harvey Beaty was a huge employer and contributor to the town of Thamesford and surrounding areas.  He started Cold Springs Farm in 1949 and up to his death in 1994 he created a business with over 100 farms, processing plants and was starting to build a mini town in Florida. 

When I received his memoirs I wanted to ensure everyone knew who he was and what he had done for Thamesford, Oxford County and many other areas in Ontario, Michigan and Florida so I digitized the memoirs and created a book for everyone to read and enjoy.

I will be talking about Mr. Beaty’s memoirs book, his upbringing, how he crippled himself (his word) and how he started in to the poultry and feedmill business and more.”

OxHS Presentation Tonight Sept 28 @ 6:30pm: Women’s Institute Celebrating 125 Years!

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Women’s Institute Constitution 1897

Hello Everyone,

Please join us tonight Wednesday, September 28 at 6:30pm at the Woodstock Museum, NHS to hear Laura Green’s presentation on the Women’s Institute’s 125th Anniversary!

Laura Green is the Provincial Board Director representing then Southern Area. She has been a member of the Women’s Institute (W.I.) for 44 years and belongs to the Braemar W.I. branch in the Oxford District.

Laura will discuss such topics as the history of the W.I., the Tweedsmuir histories/virtual archives, and landmarks in their history. She will also look at what the Women’s Institute is doing to celebrate this special anniversary at the Provincial and District levels, what the W.I. means today and its world wide growth.

This presentation will take place at the Woodstock Museum, NHS. Doors open at 6:30pm and the meeting will start at 6:45pm. This is a free public meeting, all are welcome to attend.