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

New Meeting Venue

Hooray!  The schoolhouse has finally been approved for use.  We have been advised by the Town that we may hold our January ‘Bring and Brag’ meeting there.  Melissa Matt advises that she should have the requisite furnishings in place and ready for use.  Come early to...

We Need Your Help!

Our picture in the GHS calendar for the month of March, the last images of this building in our newsletter showed its demolition.  We are happy to announce that the adaptive reconstruction is almost complete and that the new schoolhouse is expected to be open to the...

GHS 2021 Calendar Sells Out!

The Georgina Historical Society in following its mandate to preserve, protect and promote history has undertaken to restore and refurbish the old 1912 CN caboose that has set neglected at the Pioneer Village for over 25 years. To help provide funds for this project...

Newsletters

Newsletter #2, Volume 6, February 2023

President's WelcomeAs we work our way through this dreary winter, it’s encouraging to note that April is only two months away. Starting off the new year we had a great January general meeting, with many interesting items showing up for our “Bring and Brag.” The...

Newsletter #1, Volume 6, January 2023

President's WelcomeWelcome to 2023. Another year is behind us and the pages of the calendar are flipping over, just like in the movies. Georgina’s fascinating history is still being discovered and explored, but we mustn’t forget that history is being made every day....

Newsletter #11, Volume 5, December 2022

President's WelcomeWelcome to the December newsletter of the Georgina Historical Society. I want to thank you for your support, and as your new GHS President, I hope that I can continue to move the Society forward. The last two and a half years of COVID have been very...