brenda boswell

OxHS Meeting – Tuesday, September 24, 2024!

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Mel’s Fish n Chips
360 Dundas St.
Woodstock ON N4S 1B7

Dinner off the menu, reservations required, starting at 5pm

Meeting at 6:45pm

Presented by Brenda Boswell, Secretary, Oxford Historical Society,
 who started washing dishes at Baird’s Fish & Chips at age 12!

Fish & Chips wrapped in newspaper and the smell of vinegar and frying oil evokes warm memories for most people who have ever lived in Woodstock. 

See the original custom art deco fryer imported from Great Britain, hear the history of fish and chips in Woodstock and view the Eric Dwyer original nautical themed paintings gracing the walls for over 50 years.  Of course, there will be lots of behind-the-scenes stories about the longest running restaurant in Woodstock.

For guaranteed seating, make a reservation and come for dinner. 
There is a limit of 50 seats available.  Ordering will be off the menu.

Walk-ins at 6:30 are welcome, depending on seating availability.  

For dinner reservations starting at 5:00, contact Kathie Richards by email:  Kathie@bell.net.

Poster for sharing: Mom & Dad and Little Nippers

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!

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

Oxford Historical Society AGM – Tonight – Wednesday, February 23, 2022!

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Gordon Stanley Boswell stacking wheat.
Photo courtesy of Brenda Boswell

Please join us tonight on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 for our Annual General Meeting, via Zoom at 6:30pm. Here is the Zoom information:

At this meeting all paying members will have a chance to vote for this year’s Executive. If you would like to serve on this year’s board or if you are not able to attend tonight’s meeting and you wish to place your vote, the Society can be reached by email at: info@oxhs.ca

The following lists the current board members:

President: Kathie Richards
Past President: Jim Groulx
Vice President: Vacant
Treasurer/Research: Dr. Elaine Becker
Secretary: Laura Centore
Communications and Newsletter: Laura Centore
Membership: Judy Klages
Archives/Architecture: Eleanor Gardhouse
Board Members at Large: Jim Groulx, Don Wilson
Museum Liaison: Karen Houston

Our speaker for tonight will be Brenda Boswell, presenting
Harvest Excursions: Featuring the Story of Gordon Stanley Boswell

This excerpt is from Brenda’s presentation:

‘Between the 1890’s and 1930 thousands of men participated in the fall wheat harvest in Western Canada.  Organized by the CPR and local government, call outs were made annually to Eastern Canada, the northern United States and Britain.  Tens of thousands of men would converge in Winnipeg over a 2 week period answering the call.

The stories of the Harvest Excursions stories vary between a crusade, an adventure, a binge, hard work, good money, hooliganism and violence.  The excursions were a noisy, colourful and important part of Canada’s history, but little was recorded at the time.  Gordon Stanley Boswell joined the excursion in 1923 with other members of his Woodstock baseball team Snowy’s Snowbirds.    His daughter Brenda Boswell recorded his story for a Canadian history project in 1972 and is proud to share it with the Historical Society.’

2022 Membership fees are due. If you have not already paid please do so. Membership fees are $25.00 for an individual and $30.00 for a family membership.

Fees can be paid by cheque to the Oxford Historical Society, or by e-Transfer to purchases@oxhs.ca.

If paying by e-Transfer please send you membership form in a separate email.

Click here to download the 2022 OxHS Membership Form and include it with your payment.

Our mailing address is:

Oxford Historical Society
PO Box 20091
Woodstock ON N4S 8X8