The Georgina Historical Society, as a not-for-profit organization, collects, preserves, promotes and interprets the rich history and heritage of all communities now known as the Town of Georgina.

Events Overview

The Georgina Historical Society participates in a number of events throughout the year. Some events are undertaken in cooperation with the Town of Georgina, and others are stand alone celebrations promoted by the Georgina Historical Society.

If you wish to volunteer at any of these special events, please do not hesitate to contact us at georginahistoricalsociety@outlook.ca.


Monthly Recurring Meetings

Times and locations to be announced for upcoming meetings in the GHS monthly newsletter:

  • Board Meetings – held the first Monday of every month
  • General Meetings – held the second Tuesday of every month

Second Thursday and Friday in May – Rise to Rebellion (R2R)

This is one of the first events of the summer season at the Georgina Pioneer Village. Done in partnership with the Georgina Pioneer Village & Archives and the Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada (or IMUC), this event is geared towards grade 7 and 8 students in the York Region District School board. It showcases a dramatic re-enactment of the 1837 Rebellion of Upper Canada. Georgina Historical Society volunteers lead the children through different education stations as docents; participants learn about the social context of this rebellion, learn about what happened before and after the rebellion, and participate in a mock battle between the Loyalists and the Rebels. Over this two-day period, history is experienced first hand by adults and teens alike.

July 1st – Canada Day

Come celebrate at the Village like it is 1867! Volunteers from the Georgina Historical Society dress in period attire and inform visitors about the history of the buildings on site. All of the buildings at the Georgina Pioneer Village & Archives are open for the public to view. Kids will enjoy our crafts tent and play with some old-fashioned toys and games, and adults will enjoy learning about the history of Georgina by exploring the different buildings.

Third Saturday in September: Harvest Day

Rejoice in the pleasure of nature’s bounty! All of the buildings are decorated for the season to celebrate the arrival of autumn. Come to the Village to purchase handmade goods from local vendors, take in musical acts on the Bandstand, and see some classic cars (or possibly even a Bonnie Boat)!

Last Saturday in November – Old Fashioned Christmas

Revel in the sights and sounds of a Victorian Christmas season! The buildings in the Village are all decked out in their finery and everyone is moved by the Christmas spirit. Have cookies with hot apple cider, hear carolers sing Christmas songs in the Free Methodist Church, and maybe you will get a visit from Santa Claus himself in the Smallwood Log Cabin.

The Georgina Historical Society also offers monthly general meetings on topics of historical interest. For more information, please read our newsletter page to learn about our current and future guest speakers.

News

On May 16th Allan Morton Will Be Our Guest Speaker

 Gavin Morton will be the subject of this talk about the origins of the Georgina Pioneer Village. Gavin Morton worked with Nena Marsden and others in the early 1970’s to bring some historic structures – destined for demolition – to the Civic Centre in order to...

Volunteers Wanted!!!

Volunteers are needed to come out to the Georgina Pioneer Village as a work crew, probably Tuesday mornings, to rehab the gardens and refinish the Quilters Cabin for use as the GHS office. Give any one of the board members a call if you are interested in getting...

Cemetary Solutions?

Our President, Paul Brady, has reached out to other historical societies to learn how they have dealt with the issue of neglected early cemeteries in their municipalities, an issue we have raised in the past.  We have received a response from Janine Harris-Wheatley,...

Newsletters

Newsletter #5, Volume 6, May 2023

President’s Message They say that April showers bring May flowers, but the showers won’t go away. Oh well, we’ll be complaining soon that it’s too hot and sunny, so let’s make the best of this wet stuff and get on with our lives. As the gardens are starting to wake...

Newsletter #4, Volume 6, April 2023 

President's WelcomeApril is flying by, the ice is slowly going away on Lake Simcoe, and we’ll soon be complaining that it’s too hot! It’s been a strange winter for the ice on the lake, with the ice coming in late after an exceptionally warm fall, then hanging on...

Newsletter #3, Volume 6, March 2023 

President's WelcomeAnother month is past and we’re well into March. The sun has a little more warmth every day, and it won’t be long before we’re complaining that it it’s too hot! With the warm weather comes the flowers and shrubs, and the Georgina Historical Society...