Events

Meetings & Lectures: In a volunteer organization such as the GHS, meetings are social, educational and a lot of fun. At every meeting, the Guelph Historical Society welcomes a guest to speak on an aspect of history. These lectures take place on the first Tuesday of October, November, December, February, March and April. Meetings are held in the hall of St. Andrew's Church, at the corner of Norfolk and Suffolk streets, at 7:30pm, and are followed by refreshments. All are welcome, although we do ask for a $5.00 donation from non-members.

2012-2013 Lecture Series

October 2, 2012 Lecture
"Sitting Pretty: The History of the Toilet"
Speaker: Bev Dietrich

Bev Dietrich is the Curator of Guelph Museums which includes the brand new Guelph Civic Museum and McCrae house, birthplace of WWI poet John McCrae of “In Flanders Fields” fame. Bev was the curator of the travelling exhibit “Sitting Pretty: The History of the Toilet” that travelled to museums across Canada and around Ontario for over eleven years. Bev has compiled the research and photographs, and developed an interesting and somewhat humorous talk about the history of not only the toilet, but outhouses, public washrooms, chamber pots and toilet paper.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012 - Annual Remembrance Day Lecture
"Commonwealth Cemeteries Across Europe"
Speaker: Gord Brown

Learn more about the final resting places of Canadian servicemen who fought and died across Europe during World War I and World War II, including that of John McCrae, who was laid to rest at Wimereux Communal Cemetery near Boulogne, France.

Raised in Fergus, Mr Brown joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1960. With Forces integration, he served in all three branches of the military. During his final tour of duty, he served as Chief of the Canadian National Liaison Staff to Headquarters, Allied Forces, Central Europe. He retired from the Canadian Forces in 1995, and now resides in Elora.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012
"Underground Streams of Guelph"
Speaker: Jeremy Shute

Have you ever wondered what happened to the many creeks and streams that feed the Speed and Eramosa Rivers? They are still there - some buried, some artificially channeled, and others still visible. Come and find out where and how our waterways functioned long ago.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013
"Empires of Food"
Speaker: Evan Fraser
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Evan Fraser, an Associate Professor of Geography at the University of Guelph, specializes in examining the relationship among economic forces, geography, and food systems in a rapidly changing world threatened by climatic change.

Tuesday March 5, 2013
Topic: "Heritage Trees of Guelph"
at St. Andrew's Church (Suffolk and Norfolk streets); starting at 7:30pm
Speaker: Dr. John Ambrose
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Dr. John Ambrose will discuss the Great Tree Hunt and give an overview of Guelph Urban Forest Friends (GUFF) and the direction the City is headed with a new urban forester.

Dr. Ambrose was Curator of the University of Guelph Arboretum 1974-1991 (as well as an associated member of the graduate faculty (Botany since 1988), and Curator of Botany and Manager of Horticulture at the Toronto Zoo (1991- 1999).

Tuesday, April 2, 2013
"Genealogy: Finding Your Ancestors"
Speaker: Susan Edwards

Susan Edwards of the Wellington County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society will discuss resources for researching family history.