Pursuing Play: Women’s Leisure in Small-Town Ontario, 1870-1914!

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Hello Everyone,

Please see this guest post from the Annandale NHS:

Annandale NHS is excited to announce that we are now selling copies of Pursuing Play: Women’s Leisure in Small-Town Ontario, 1870–1914 (University of Manitoba Press), by Rebecca Beausaert. Rebecca Beausaert is an adjunct professor in the Department of History, University of Guelph, and co-founder and co-director of the “What Canada Ate” website. She was also Annandale House’s summer research assistant from 2003-2006.

Life in the Canadian countryside at the turn of the twentieth century is often generalized as insular, backwards, and arduous. These assumptions are redressed in Rebecca Beausaert’s Pursuing Play, which highlights the complexity of small-town culture through a lively examination of women’s efforts to negotiate space for themselves and their leisure pursuits. Amply illustrated, Pursuing Play draws on diaries, letters, and newspapers to investigate women’s recreational activities—including sports, “armchair travelling,” gambling, and Spinster Conventions—in Dresden, Tillsonburg, and Elora between 1870–1914.

                Copies are $35.00 (taxes included)!

For information about this purchasing the book, contact the Annandale NHS at 519-842-2294.

If you would like your event or article published (relating to Oxford County ON or South-Western ON), on the Society’s blog please email us at info@oxhs.ca

The OxHS is now on Facebook and Instagram, to like us search: OxfordHistoricalSociety1897
Or click on the FB or Instagram symbol on the right hand side of our website!

Deadly Swindle: An 1890 Murder in Backwoods Ontario that Gripped the World!

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Hello Everyone,

Please see this guest post from the Woodstock Public Library:

Woodstock Public Library is excited to be hosting the following Local History author book talk event on Thursday, January 9, 2025 from 6:30pm until 8:00pm.  It is a registered program event. Join author Ian Radforth, writer of the recent non-fiction boo; “Deadly Swindle: An 1890 Murder in Backwoods Ontario that Gripped the World” for a fascinating discussion about one of Canada’s most sensational murder cases and how the regional and international press ran with it.

This is an RSVP event, please use this link to register: https://woodstock.bibliocommons.com/events/672a71e98fc0a328000b3110

For information about this event, contact the Woodstock Public Library at 519-539-4801.

If you would like your event or article published (relating to Oxford County ON or South-Western ON), on the Society’s blog please email us at info@oxhs.ca

The OxHS is now on Facebook and Instagram, to like us search: OxfordHistoricalSociety1897
Or click on the FB or Instagram symbol on the right hand side of our website!

OxHS 2025 AGM!

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Wednesday, January 29, 2025: AGM & Presentation

Please join us for the Society’s AGM, which will be held at the Woodstock Museum, NHS, meeting will begin at 6:45pm.

At this meeting the 2025 Executive will be voted in, all paying members will have a chance to vote. 

The following positions available for the 2025 Executive:

Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Membership, Director

If you wish to become a member of the Executive, submit your name and the position you desire by Sunday, January 12, 2025, to info@oxhs.ca

Membership fees are due at the AGM. 
Annual memberships run from January to December. 
Memberships are $10.00
Membership can be paid by cash or cheque to the Oxford Historical Society, or by eTransfer to purchases@oxhs.ca
To become a member complete this form: 2025 Membership Form 
Email the completed form to info@oxhs.ca
Mail the completed form to:
Oxford Historical Society
PO Box 20091
Woodstock ON N4S 8X8

Elaine Becker presenting To Be Continued: The Story of the Salvation Army in Woodstock
From Elaine: “In January 1884 the Salvation Army came to Woodstock Ontario led by a group of Salvationists from Ingersoll Ontario. The organization had only begun in London England in 1865 under the Leadership of William and Catherine Booth. Who are these people and how did this organization spread so quickly as an international movement?

Learn the origins and the motivation of this organization that still keep it moving forward today. In how many countries does it operate?  Perhaps the more important question for the local residents will be the progress of the Army here in Woodstock. You will be introduced to some of the colourful characters. Bring any questions you may have about this group of people and Elaine will endeavour  to answer them.”

If you would like your event or article published (relating to Oxford County ON or South-Western ON), on the Society’s blog please email us at info@oxhs.ca

The OxHS is now on Facebook and Instagram, to like us search: OxfordHistoricalSociety1897
Or click on the FB or Instagram symbol on the right hand side of our website!

St. Andrew’s Night Banquet -Saturday, November 30, 2024!

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Hello Everyone,

Please see this guest post from the Zorra Caledonian Society:

St. Andrews Night Banquet & Celtic Rock Concert on Saturday November 30th, 2024 at the Embro Community Centre, starting at 6pm

Get ready for an evening full of Scottish fun and tradition as we celebrate the 86th St. Andrew’s Night Banquet!
Dust off your tartan, don your plaid and join us for a wee dram or libation from the bar as we enjoy dinner and some entertainment from Ingersoll Pipe Band, Sim School of Highland Dance and a Celtic Rock Concert with the fabulous group Steerage!

$60.00 Dinner, Entertainment & Concert – Doors Open 6.00pm
$25.00 Concert Only – Doors Open 9.00pm
Embro Zorra Community Centre
Dinner by Janice’s Fine Country Catering
Tickets in advance only at: www.embrohighlandgames.ca

St. Andrew’s Night Banquet Poster

Details can also be found on our website at: Zorra Caledonian Society

If you would like your event or article published (relating to Oxford County ON or South-Western ON), on the Society’s blog please email us at info@oxhs.ca

The OxHS is now on Facebook and Instagram, to like us search: OxfordHistoricalSociety1897
Or click on the FB or Instagram symbol on the right hand side of our website!

TDHS Upcoming Events November & December 2024!

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Hello Everyone,

please see this guest post from the Tillsonburg & District Historical Society (TDHS):

The Society’s General Meeting on Monday November 18th will feature Dr. Jason Pankratz making a presentation on the History of Varnavair, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 153 at 7 p.m. at Annandale House NHS. 

The official grand opening of “Christmas at Annandale NHS” will happen with our annual “Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Lawn” on Friday, November 22nd, 2024 at 7 p.m. Following the lighting, everyone is invited inside for light refreshments and the official opening of both the Christmas exhibit, “Faux Christmas Tree”, and Annandale House decorated for the season. Admission to the Museum throughout the weekend is by donation. 

The Christmas Open House hours are:
Friday, November 22nd: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, November 23rd: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.***
Sunday, November 24th: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

*** The Museum will be open late on Saturday evening as we have been asked by the Tillsonburg Craft Guild to be a stop on their Christmas tour of homes. Tickets for the tour are $10.00 pre-event and $12.00 at the door. You can pick one up at the Station Arts Centre.

Saturday, December 7th at 7 p.m. is the Christmas Dance with Back to the 50’s Band at Branch # 153, Royal Canadian Legion, 16 Durham Street, Tillsonburg. Advance Tickets are $20 available and are Annandale NHS, Royal Canadian Legion, Station Arts Centre, and Sharon Brinn (519-842-6301). Tickets are $25 at the door. There will be a cash bar, and snacks provided.

Monday, December 9th is the Society’s Annual Potluck Christmas Dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. Bring your favourite main course or dessert as well as eating utensils and dishes. This is always a fun event.

To learn more abut TDHS our June issue of The Society Pages is available for download!

If you would like your event or article published (relating to Oxford County ON or South-Western ON), on the Society’s blog please email us at info@oxhs.ca

The OxHS is now on Facebook and Instagram, to like us search: OxfordHistoricalSociety1897
Or click on the FB or Instagram symbol on the right hand side of our website!