Dear Members,
As President of the Oxford Historical Society, I would like to introduce the Executive Board for 2021:
- President: Kathie Richards
- Vice President: Vacant
- Treasurer: Elaine Becker
- Secretary: Laura Centore
- Membership: Judy Klages
- Archives: Eleanor Gardhouse
- Communications: Laura Centore
- Members at Large: Don Wilson & Jim Groulx
- Museum Liaison: Karen Houston
These are the same people who served in 2020 with the same vacancy in the Vice President’s position. We do encourage members to nominate someone who would be willing to serve on the Board.
While 2020 was a difficult year due to Covid-19, we are hoping for a better 2021.
Since we are unable to hold in person meetings at this time, your board is working towards offering presenters via Zoom. We hope to have the first of many public meetings in March.
Even though the Society had to scale back operations, we were able to respond to numerous research questions, produce 4 Pattullo Press newsletters, and keep in touch with our members through our blog. We will continue to do so during 2021.
In 2021 we hope to publish a new book and possibly republish an old favourite! In keeping with the modern times, we are looking at offering some of our publications as eBooks.
It was decided that over the next few years we will look at digitizing our collection and allocate the holdings to other appropriate organizations, with the goal of eliminating the Resource Centre. This decision was based on several factors – not enough volunteers to staff the centre, the expense of maintaining the centre (in excess of $6000.00 annually between rent and insurance), and there are now other organizations better suited to maintaining an archival collection like the Woodstock Museum, NHS and the Oxford County Archives.
Even without the Resource Centre the Society will still participate in events like the Spirit of Christmas Tour of Homes, publish member’s works, organize speaking events, publish the Pattullo Press, respond to inquiries and perform many other functions as we do now.
The Society is continuing to research grant and funding opportunities. In the past we have received grants from the City of Woodstock, the Federal government, and Oxford Community Foundation.
We will keep you informed. Do keep in touch with us and other Historical Society members.
Kathie Richards