This column highlights the life and contributions of an individual who I believe is ‘the mother of Newmarket history,’ Ethel Willson Trewhella. If you have followed my columns, presentations, or videos over the past 40 years, you know her work is the foundation on which I and other local historians have built our narratives. She,…
Tag: Oral History
Artist Dorothy Clark McClure Renowned As ‘Keeper of Our Past’
Our region’s history has a golden period that included a bevy of local artists. Among them were the likes of Isabel VanZant, George Luesby, Dorothy Clark McClure and many more. This column will focus on one of these artists from the golden age of local heritage art, the pride of Aurora, Dorothy Clark McClure. I both knew and admired…
The Avro Arrow and The Newmarket Area
This weekend on Newmarket Today we begin our much-awaited series of articles on the ‘Avro Arrow’ and its place in not only Canada’s aeronautical history but that of the world. Rather than jump into the story mid-stream, I have decided to examine the story right from the beginning. Over what I intend to be a…
Mills, Foundries Powered Early Newmarket
I am going to take the opportunity to answer some of the questions I have received from you, the readers. I have mentioned several of the earliest industries in Newmarket in my earlier columns, which are available at newmarkettoday.ca/remember-this. In today’s column, we shall examine early mills, foundries, cabinet manufacturers and the Canadian Family Sewing Machine Company….
Once Sleepy Newmarket Village Became Thriving Town
Anyone who has engaged in the pursuit of history, particularly our local history, will have quickly learned change, sometimes rapid, sometimes occurring over time, is inevitable. This column will look at some of the changes that took place in our business scene and the consequences they had on local employment. Change intially took place slowly in Newmarket,…
Bell’s Billiards Was Famed Newmarket Pool Hall
One of the pastimes of the past that resonates for many is the pool hall. Whether one played the game of billiards, pool or snooker, it was generally played in a parlour, room or club that was often referred to as a pool hall or billiards room. These establishments would commonly offer additional forms of entertainment such…
How Georgina Came To Be
My ongoing series on the hamlets of York Region has featured articles on the townships of East Gwillimbury, King, and Whitchurch-Stouffville. This column weekend focuses on Georgina. Georgina, although incorporated as a town, also operates as a township with the various communities in the area sharing a common administration. Located in the south-central area of Ontario,…
Newmarket Churches Fostered Connections With Friends
This column features some of the area churches that I may have missed in previous articles with a brief history. I am currently doing heritage walks of area churches and I thought it might be a perfect time to look at some of these churches. You can access my previous article featuring St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Trinity United…
St. Andrew’s College Remains True To Its Scottish Traditions
Just like our own Pickering College, Aurora’s St. Andrew’s College has a long and distinguished history. Both educational institutions decided to re-locate to our area in search of a home more in keeping with their educational ideals. St. Andrew’s College (SAC) was founded in September 1899 by Rev. Dr. George Bruce, the first headmaster, as a residential and…
Painter Made Mark On Canadian Arts Scene
This weekend on NewmarketToday, I will be featuring another prominent local artist who achieved worldwide acclaim within the art world. In past columns, I have featured several local artists including George W. Luesby and Dorothy Clarke McClure as well as the incomparable J.W. Jefferies, father of Canadian heritage art. This weekend, we shall examine the history…
