THE HISTORY OF THE WELLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY EDYTHE PHILLIPS

MARCH 2013

The Welland Historical Society was first formed on October 29 th , 1924 with Judge L.C.B. Livingston as President and Louis Blake Duff as Secretary. The group enjoyed many fine speakers and published several hard cover history books (local). The club languished in the 40 and 50s’ but came back to life again thanks to a local lawyer-Gerald Nash QC (Queens Council). Meetings were held in the Solomon Moore House on South Pelham St. which also became the first museum.

The Society flourished under many fine executives eg: Dr. Arnold Purdon, Wesley Laing, Dr. Arnold Paulson, George Foss, Wally Carruthers, Stuart Cumming, Gordon Brown, Mrs. Gordon Brown, Harold Fox. The Historical Society was instrumental in having a museum committee formed. The meeting were then held in old Queen St. School-the first floor became the second Museum Later the Museum was moved to the former library on King St. (old Carnegie Building).

My first meeting was a tour of historic buildings in Port Robinson plus the lock between the Welland canal between South Street South and South Street North to get to the Niagara River. In 1981 I became their Secretary. Over the years we enjoyed many fine speakers-Douglas Brown and Alison Brown of AP Brown jewelers on early jewelry; a talk on Early Funeral practices by JJ Patterson Funeral Home; the Neff Steam Buggy by Don Anger-Port Colborne Museum; Joseph Mocsan and Terry Hughes on Early Times in Welland; Brian Gerard-post cards.

We participated in many interesting tours-small cemeteries along the Welland River; visited local museums.

We joined in the Community affairs “Doors Open” in the Court House; Presbyterian Church, United Greek, Anglican etc. and the 150 th Anniversary of Welland.

In 1992 under the guidance of Dr. Arnold Purdon a plaque was placed on the Aqueduct of the second Welland Canal (later used as a swimming pool) in English and French.

Our 75 th Anniversary year was very special. Through several small fund raisers we were able to present $100 Bursaries to High School students planning on studying History in University. The Parks Board honored us with a flower bed on Niagara street, we entertained at a special luncheon in the Welland Club-corner of Griffith St. and King St.-Gerald Nash-QC was the keynote speaker and talked about Welland’s early industries.

We received a grant from the Trillium Foundation and commemorated the Junction Lock of the Feeder Canal at Broadway Ave. and West Side Road with a plaque on a large rock.

Under Edward Scott and many ‘resources’ a book was written on “The Origins of Welland Street Names” and sold 500 copies. With part of the profits we compiled another book-“Memories of Sunset Haven” and dedicated it to the memory of Dorothy (Forster) Male, a faithful member who worked as a Registered Nurse at Sunset Haven for many years, We sold about 300 copies.

We have enjoyed many other tours-“Nigh Agora”- Greek for “Nigh Family Home”-to view their extensive Museum; Peter Ferguson on the history of Tom Thomson and Algonquin Park; Hazel and Merritt Sauer-collection and history of bells.

George Foss was a capable President and after 15 years as Secretary I became the President in 1996, retiring in 2006-followed as President Shirley Jones and Arthur Groom, Kathleen Jones an able Secretary for many years; Margaret Whelan a fine Treasurer, Irene Lasovich as Membership, Nora Reid always ready to guide and advise; Life members-Dr. Purdon, Nora Reid and George Chipman.

2010-recently we received a Trillium Foundation Grant for the Celebration of the 200 th Anniversary of the War of 1812-1814.

1. A Peace Garden-$5000
2. Marking 200 year old trees in the Battle of Cooks Mills area-$2000
3. Planning a debate on who won the War of 1812-1814-$3000

The Historical Society joined the Committee set up by the city (Heritage Welland 1812 Bicentennial Committee-Chair Andre Ceci.