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.

2011-2012 Lecture Series

Lectures 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 donation from non-members.

October 4, 2011: Lecture
"Symbolism and Design in the Cemetery - Then and Now"
Speaker: Franceska Brennan

Ceska is the Cemetery Counselor and Memorialist at Woodlawn Memorial Park. She was one of the organizers and tour guides of the popular Spirit Walks, a 10 year on-site theatre / history project held in Woodlawn, and she is the creator of the events held in the cemetery throughout the year. Ceska is a writer, artist, celebrant and officiant.
more information / event poster

Tuesday November 1, 2011: Remembrance Lecture
"My Great Uncle and the Great War"
Speaker: Ken Irvine

Ken Irvine, Education and Events Programmer at Guelph Civic Museums, has an extensive knowledge of the "Great War" (WWI) through his many years of organizing and leading activities and education programs at McCrae House. In 2007 Ken accompanied a group of Guelph schoolchildren to Vimy Ridge for the re- dedication ceremony attended by the Prime Minister and Her Majesty the Queen.
more information / event poster

Tuesday December 6, 2011 … at Norfolk Street United Church
"Canada's Forgotten National Project"
Speaker: Marc Boileau

Dr Boileau teaches biology at the University of Guelph. His illustrated presentation is based on his book, “Towers of Time: Ontario” (published by Looking Back Press). The book examines the post-Confederation inventory of post office buildings in Ontario. The architectural style of these buildings varies but they reflect some common themes. Area post offices featured include the two Guelph post offices prior to the current one, as well as those in Galt, Preston, Hespeler, Kitchener, Waterloo, and others in Ontario and provinces beyond.
more information / event poster

Dr Boileau’s book which contains about 200 pictures and vignettes of Ontario post office clock towers will be available at the lecture for $24.00, tax included.

THERE IS NO LECTURE IN JANUARY 2012.

Tuesday February 7, 2012: University of Guelph Lecture
"Fair Weather Cometh Out of the North": wind, rain and dour Scots
Speaker: Graeme Morton

It was not controversial for the Enlightenment thinkers David Hume and Adam Ferguson to argue that Europe's temperate climate was one reason behind that region's lead in the path of civilisation. Doubt, however, remained for their contemporary John Miller that the national characteristics of the Scots, the English and the Irish could be explained by weather patterns that, to him at least, seemed too similar to be of great influence. And while the seasonal changes in daylight and in wind, rain and sun, were associated with Scottish national characteristics ranging from a dour demeanour that matched the clouds above, the development of muscle and sinew from long summer evenings of athletic activity, or a heavy use of alcohol once the sun set early in winter, the nation's climate remained embedded in worldwide weather patterns. The weather of others affected our weather, yet contemporary Scots were at first sceptical that outsiders could offer insight into their national climate. For many, still the best guess to the seasonal changes the weather would bring for the farmer or seafarer was to follow rhymes and prognostics passed down through experience and the trained eye, to trust indigenous knowledge. Even after British national weather forecasts came to Scottish newspapers in 1862, the use of science to describe let alone predict the weather was not always adjudged an improvement upon local knowledge.

By noting that weather always comes 'second-hand' this talk explores the relationship between Scotland's earliest weather forecasts and the characteristics of these northern people.

Dr. Morton, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh, is Chair of the Scottish Studies Foundation at the University of Guelph. He is a published author and an entertaining lecturer on all things Scottish. Dr. Morton delivered the GHS's 2011 Kirking address.

Tuesday March 6, 2012
"Kingsmill House"
Speaker: Frank Valeriote, MP (if the House of Commons is not sitting)

Frank Valeriote, MP for Guelph, is an enthusiastic supporter of local architectural heritage, as evidenced by the careful and passionate stewardship of his own home, "Woodycrest", formerly the home of Admiral Sir Charles Edmund Kingsmill.

Tuesday April 3, 2012
"Guelph's Underground Streams"
Speaker: Jeremy Shute

Hidden beneath the hills and streets of Guelph is a network of underground streams. Jeremy Schubert has mapped them all using historical and engineering sources. Mr. Shute is a community engagement specialist with AECOM, holds an M.A. (Geography), and is owner of Cardinal Maps.

(event calendar last updated: November 11, 2011)