Meetings are held at Heart Lake Presbyterian Church
On the 3rd Thursday of every month
September to June, except December
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
CONTACT US TO BECOME A BHS MEMBER - JOIN NOW!
(Annual Membership $25.00 and Guests $5.00)
Next Meeting:
June 15, 2023 7PM
Member Show & Tell
Brampton Historical Society
UPCOMING 2023 SPEAKER WEBINARS:
June 15, 2023 - Members Show & Tell, Join us for a fun-filled evening with a variety of interesting artifacts, stories, photos etc. Everyone is encouraged to participate!
July and August - No Meetings
September 21, 2023 - Ted Barris - Details to follow
October 19, 2023 - TBA
November 16, 2023 - Jonathan Scotland, BHS Member - What was the life expectancy of Canada’s Great War veterans? A seemingly simple but important question – especially given the need to understand the long-term effects of war and conflict on Canada’s former soldiers – it has gone unanswered since 1918. Jonathan's latest research, soon to be published in Canada’s Military History, suggests we may finally have an answer.
December - No Meeting
2023 PAST SPEAKERS:
January 19, 2023 - J.M. Doucette, "Toronto's Lost Golf Courses" VIA ZOOM. Join us for this fascinating online presentation that explores how the game of golf shaped Toronto from 1869 to 1919.
March 16, 2023 - AGM General Meeting - City of Brampton Heritage Update and State of the Nation Presentation!
April 20, 2023 - Astrid Peters author of "Sibylla, One Story at a Time" Astrid Peters is the youngest daughter of Frans Sr. and Sybilla Janssen-Peters. Sibylla Janssen-Peters was born in the Netherlands in 1918 and lived there until 1948. Then love changed her life. She married at age twenty-nine, and with her husband, Frans, immigrated to Canada, where she lived until age ninety-two. In her stories, a spirited Sibylla recaptures her upbringing, her life during and immediately following World War II, her initial impressions of her new home in a foreign country, and the trials and errors of establishing a successful nursery business, Humber Nurseries Ltd. of Brampton. Books will be available for sale, $20 cash.
May 18, 2023 - Dan O'Reilly, BHS Member on Wildfield. Located at the intersection of Mayfield and Gore Roads, Wildfield is one of the most historical communities in Peel Region. Join us for a presentation On Wildfield that discusses St. Patrick's Church, St. Patrick's School and the site of the Marysfield subdivision, one of the first housing cooperatives in Ontario.
2022 PAST SPEAKERS:
January 20, 2022 - Aidan Nault, Student and 2021 BHS Paul Hunt Bursary Award Winner, will be giving a wonderful and unique presentation on the "History of Hockey in Brampton and Bramalea." Come join us as Aidan shares many exciting facts about hockey in our area!
February 17, 2022 - Lynne Golding, Lawyer and Author, Join us for an exciting and fun presentation on Canada in the Roaring 20's!
March 17, 2022 - AGM General Meeting, City of Brampton Heritage Update and State of the Nation Presentation! (Feel free to join the meeting with a "Green" Theme in mind...Happy St. Patrick's Day!)
April 21, 2022 - Victoria MacPhail, Ecologist and Co-Founder of Pollination Park, Join us for this exciting and interesting presentation on "Guelph's Pollinator Park" which is a completely volunteer-run, federally incorporated charitable organization formed in August 2008. Learn how a former dump has been transformed into a pollinator paradise! Come "Bee" with us!
May 19, 2022 - Alison Gammage, Student and 2021 BHS Paul Hunt Bursary Award Winner, Join us for this extraordinary on-line presentation given by Alison, one of the 2021 recipients of the BHS Paul Hunt Bursary Award - Alison will be describing some of the battles that took place during the war of 1812, specifically in the Niagara region and plans to add a personal touch by discussing how her family’s ancestors were involved in the war.
June 16, 2022 - Lynne Golding, Lawyer and Author, will be giving an extraordinary presentation on her third book "The Mending" in her Beneath the Alders series. It tells the story of Jesse Stephens, a young Canadian girl coming of age in a time of war. This historical fiction series is based on stories relayed to and gathered by Lynne Golding who was born and raised in Brampton. Come join us for this special presentation!
July and August - No Meetings
September 15, 2022 - Jonathan Scotland, Historian/Editor/Writer, Come join us for a this fascinating presentation about the "The Dictionary of Canadian Biography." Jonathan will talk about the history and objectives of this long-running and influential heritage source. He'll share stories of favorite biographies, discuss the dictionary's editorial process, and generally pull back the curtain a little on what makes the DCB one of the historical community's leading biographical dictionaries.
October 20, 2022 - Members Show & Tell, Join us for a fun-filled evening with a variety of interesting artifacts, stories, photos etc. Everyone is encouraged to participate!
November 17, 2022 - Randy Barber, Historian & Collector, Join us for this fascinating on-line presentation. Randy Barber has been speaking on Sir Winston Churchill all over North America for more than 25 years. He will outline the life and accomplishments of Winston Churchill - a true Renaissance Man, from his birth in 1874 to his death in 1965.
December - No Meeting
2021 PAST SPEAKERS:
December 2021 – No monthly meeting – Enjoy the Holiday Season!
November 18, 2021 - Members Show & Tell VIA ZOOM, Join us for a fun-filled evening with a variety of interesting artifacts, stories, photos etc. Everyone is encouraged to participate. Come join us and share something of interest with our members!
October 21, 2021 - Randy Barber, Historian & Collector, will be presenting a fascinating history of barbering and shaving which goes back at least 5000 years. He will sprinkle his talk with examples of Barberiana from his collection of almost 3000 items dating back to 400AD. Please join us for this interesting and exciting presentation!
September 16, 2021 - Professor Mark Rector, Author / Public Speaker / Educator, will be giving an inspiring talk about Canadian Women Inventors taken from the pages of his best selling book "OH CANADA! Our Home and Inventive Land!" Professor Rector will make you proud of our women's achievements, amazed at the talent, skill and bravery of their accomplishments and having you laughing in the aisles at some downright funny anecdotes. Join us and don't miss his presentation, "Eureaka!!! She's done it EH!"
July and August - No meetings
June 17, 2021 - Annual General Meeting and a STATE OF THE NATION City of Brampton Heritage Update
May 20, 2021 - Lynne Golding, Lawyer and Author, will be giving an extraordinary online presentation on her second book "The Beleaguered" in her Beneath the Alders series. It tells the story of Jesse Stephens, a young Canadian girl coming of age in a time of war. This historical fiction series is based on stories relayed to and gathered by Lynne Golding who was born and raised in Brampton. Come join us for this special presentation!
April 15, 2021 - Professor Mark Rector, Author / Public Speaker / Educator, will be giving an inspiring celebratory talk celebrating Victory in Europe (May 8th) day with a focus on Canada’s Military triumphs and military inventions! From the Avro Arrow to the gas mask invented by a Doctor from Newfoundland that saved 100,000s of lives in WWI, and Sir Fredrick Banting whose research after insulin, helped win the war AND made it possible for NASA astronauts to fly in space!
March 18, 2021 - Marc Tomei, BHS Member, come join Brampton Historical Society Board member Marc Tomei for PART 2 OF 2 of a unique exploration of Brampton and surrounding regions presented online in aerial archival photographs. Marc will share his many insights on how you can explore aerial photography from the 40’s, 50’s 60’s and more. Fasten your seat belts and join us as we discover Brampton of the past from the air!
February 18, 2021 - Marc Tomei, BHS Member, come join Brampton Historical Society Board member Marc Tomei for PART 1 OF 2 of a unique exploration of Brampton and surrounding regions presented online in aerial archival photographs. Marc will share his many insights on how you can explore aerial photography from the 40’s, 50’s 60’s and more. Fasten your seat belts and join us as we discover Brampton of the past from the air!
January 2021 - Professor Mark Rector, Author / Public Speaker / Educator, will be giving an exciting on-line presentation on his recent book, "OH CANADA! Our Home and Inventive Land." Come join us for this inspiring presentation about Canadian inventors and some of the greatest inventions of all time! The presentation has been seen across the country and garnered standing ovations. The book is a smash bestseller now in its 4th printing with over 1800 copies sold. Books may be purchased by contacting Professor Rector at: mark@professormarkrector.com (Signed copies also available for Christmas!)
2020 PAST SPEAKERS:
January 16, 2020 – Members Show & Tell, Join us for a fun-filled evening with a variety of interesting artifacts, stories, photos etc. Everyone is encouraged to participate!
February 20, 2020 - Monica Polley, BHS Member, will be giving a special PowerPoint presentation on historic photos provided by our members. The collection of local photos will include a brief description and/or some interesting facts. Come join us for this "One-of-a-Kind" presentation!
March - June 2020 - MEETINGS POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19
July and August 2020 - No Meetings
Oct 22, 2020 – 1st Zoom Annual General Meeting (AGM) and City of Brampton "State of the Nation" Heritage Update. Join us for our first ever BHS virtual member meeting and fantastic City Heritage update. No masks required for this one! Every member should have received an email with the information package and documents. Pre-registration necessary. Sign in for meeting at 7:00 p.m. online. Please email us at calc90@hotmail.com if you need assistance!
November and December 2020 - No Monthly Meetings - Enjoy the Holiday Season!
2019 PAST SPEAKERS:
December 2019 – No monthly meeting – Enjoy the Holiday Season!
November 21, 2019 - Saul Svirplys, Architectural Historian/Suburban Geographer, will be giving a special presentation on the History of Bramalea, Canada's first suburban satellite city. Saul Svirplys has a passion for suburban housing design and grew up in Bramalea/Brampton. Come join us as Saul shares some astonishing archival images and documents he has gathered over the years.
October 17, 2019 - Glenn McFarlane, Musician/Songwriter and Multi-Instrumentalist, will be presenting an extraordinary and musical presentation about his family's 200-year history in New Brunswick. Glenn, the President and co-founder of the Brampton Folk Club, will be sharing songs from his new CD "Bayside," which is a chronicle of six generations in a rural community. Come join us for this entertaining presentation!
September 19, 2019 - David Neelands, Dean Emeritus of Divinity, will be giving a PowerPoint presentation entitled, "In Search of a Better Life: the Graham-Reed Settlements from New York City to Peel County in 1819." Dr. Neelands grew up in Peel County and is the great-great-great grandson of Joseph and Mary Graham, leaders of the settlement. Come join us for the fascinating presentation!
July and August - No meetings
June 20, 2019 – Dave Patterson, Inspirational Speaker and Author, will be giving an astonishing presentation on, "The Extraordinary Number of Indian Gifts to the World." Author of the book entitled, "500 Years of Lies: Discover the Extraordinary Number of Native Indian Gifts to the World." Come join us for an evening filled with fascinating true accounts of where things stood prior to the arrival of Columbus! Books for sale.
May 16, 2019 – Geoff Acheson, Historian, will be giving a unique presentation on "Lighting of the Past" featuring his very own collection of historic lamps dating all the way back to the early 1800's. Come and learn about the history of early lighting.
April 18, 2019 – Lynne Golding, Lawyer and Author, will be giving an extraordinary presentation on her book "The Innocent - Beneath the Alders Series." A historical fiction based on stories relayed to and gathered by Lynne Golding who was born and raised in Brampton. Come join us for this special presentation!
March 21, 2019 – Annual General Meeting – City of Brampton Heritage Update
February 21, 2019 – Paul Willoughby, Historian and BHS Board Member, will be giving an outstanding PowerPoint presentation on the "History of the Haggert Family & the Haggert Brothers Manufacturing Company." Learn about John Haggert who came to Brampton Upper Canada and learn about the largest business in Brampton that existed for many years!
January 17, 2019 – Members Show & Tell, Join us for a fun-filled evening with a variety of interesting items, stories, photos etc. Everyone is encouraged to participate!
December 2018 – No monthly meeting – Enjoy the Holiday Season!
2018 PAST SPEAKERS:
November 15, 2018 - Martin Howard, Collector and Historian, will be giving a PowerPoint presentation on typewriters from the very beginning of the typewriter industry (1880s & 1890s). The collection contains many rare and historically important typewriters, showing the remarkable diversity and beauty of the world's first typing machines.
July and August - No meetings
October 18, 2018 - Sandra McNamara, Historian, will be giving a presentation on the "Life and Times of the United Empire Loyalists." Discover the plight and circumstances which the Empire Loyalists endured in their lifetime. Learn about who they were and how they suffered for their loyalty to the Crown.
September 20, 2018 – Paul Racher, Archaeologist and Historian, will be giving an informative and revealing presentation on The final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) which offered chilling evidence that Canada’s history has not been as heroic as we might have wished in this 151 years since Confederation. Come join us and learn about the 94 Calls to Action proposed in its final report, along with the recently-accepted United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) which propose some serious changes to how archaeology and heritage is “done” in Canada!
June 21, 2018 - Jim Leonard, Regional Archivist and Supervisor of Archives at PAMA, will be giving a PowerPoint presentation on the extraordinary and unique Brampton Films produced by local photographer, Cecil Chinn. Come join us, you don't want to miss the added footage from the early 1960's!
May 17, 2018 - Jean Robinson, Author Historian, will be giving a PowerPoint presentation on early one-room schoolhouses in Peel County. Learn about these rural schoolhouses, their location, a brief timeline of their existence and an interesting historical gem about each. Books for sale!
April 19, 2018 - Dr. Arne Kislenko, Historian and Professor, will be giving an extraordinary presentation on the 19th and 20th Century International Relations, emphasizing on, "The History of Espionage and Intelligence Services." Come join us and learn about international history!
March 15, 2018 - Annual General Meeting - City of Brampton Heritage Report
February 15, 2018 - Catherine Carreiro, BHS Board Member, Brampton Library Community Engagement Co-ordinator will be giving a wonderful presentation entitled "Brampton Library 101" and explain about the types of genealogical and other resources available to you. Find out about projects the library has worked on to bring history alive directly from the people who lived it !
January 18, 2018- Members Show & Tell Join us for a fun filled evening with a variety of interesting items, stories and photos etc.
2017 PAST SPEAKERS:
November 16, 2017 - Linda Granfield, Historian and Author, will be giving a power point presentation on the beloved poem “In Flanders Fields” written by Canadian poet and doctor, John McCrae. Come learn about the poet’s life, the war on the battlefield and how it led to the poppy tradition on Remembrance Day. Books for sale!
October 19, 2017 – Barbara Dickson, Historian and Author, will be disook “Bomb Girls: Trading Aprons for Ammo,” the historical record of Canada’s biggest WWII munitions plant, General Engineering Company Canada Limited near Scarborough Auditor. Books for sale!
September 21, 2017 – Debra Porter and Claire Cooper, Historians, will be giving a unique power point presentation on the “History of Grace United Church.” Come join us at Grace United Church and celebrate the 150th year of the Sanctuary! Refreshments and tours will be available.
July and August - No Meetings
June 22, 2017 – Chris Raible, Retired Minister, Museum Historic Interpreter and Writer, will be giving a presentation on the “Life and Times of William Lyon Mackenzie and the 1837 Rebellion” – discover his hiding and being helped in the Brampton area.
May 18, 2017 – Sandra Joyce, Journalist/Publicist, Teacher, Storyteller, will be giving a power point presentation entitled, “Finding Family at the Tower of London,” based on the true story of her discovery of her father’s past. Books will be on sale!
April 20, 2017 – John McDonald, Historian, will be giving a power point presentation on the creation of the Halton/Peel County after the War of 1812 and the man behind the name “Halton.”
March 16, 2017 – Annual General Meeting - City of Brampton Heritage Report
February 16, 2017 – Steve Collie, Historian and BHS Member - Come learn about “Hauntings” and about the research being done by Steve. Also learn about one of the three paranormal tour companies in the GTA Area called “After Dark Tours” and join us for a fun-filled evening!
January 19, 2017 - Members Show and Tell - Join us for a fun-filled evening with a variety of interesting Canadian themed items, stories, photos etc. Everyone is encouraged to participate!
2016 PAST SPEAKERS:
November 17, 2016 - Craig Heron, Professor of History at York University, Author, will be giving a thoroughly enjoyable presentation on his book, "Booze: A Distilled History." Come learn about the history of Canadian drink and drinking from the European conquest to the present! Books for sale too!
October 20, 2016 - Jim Leonard, Regional Archivist and Supervisor of Archives at Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives (PAMA) will be giving a presentation on a variety of interesting historic artifacts - come join us and be prepared to learn all about these treasures!
September 15, 2016 - Andrew Welch, Actor, Improvisor, Designer, Director, Town Crier for Caledon and Erin, will be discussing the role of the Town Crier. Come learn all about this honourable and extraordinary profession which dates back hundreds of years!
July and August - No Meetings
June 16, 2016 - Karen Millyard, Social Dance Historian, Consultant, Workshop Leader - Learn all about the history of social dancing in early Canada and be prepared to learn a simple dance as volunteers will be needed - members are invited to wear their favourite vintage dance clothing!
May 19, 2016 - Diane Reid and Sarah Walker, Historians - Come learn about "Getting Dressed in 1885" and join us for a fun-filled evening with different costumes and collections of vintage garments for women, men and children. Members are encouraged to proudly show off their favourite vintage clothing!