200th Anniversary Celebrations
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Welcome to the Drummond/North Elmsley’s In 2016, The Township of Drummond/North Elmsley, along with Activities are slated to take place in all four municipalities from It promises to be a remarkable celebration of the area’s rich history
Why Celebrate? Through these celebrations we want to bring together new and long-time residents and visitors alike with the following goals in mind:
Events to celebrate in 2016 Drummond/North Elmsley’s 200th Anniversary Committee is planning a list of exciting events and projects to celebrate the Townships history and citizens... Historical Mapping Project - launch date January 8, 2016 Telling the story of the settling of the Perth Military Settlement consisting of the original townships of Bathurst, Drummond, Beckwith and the Town of Perth. Employing digital mapping technology and resurrected original maps of the survey of 1815, the project shows the settlement of the soldiers and settlers by individual lot, concession, names of the original and subsequent families and telling their stories for a lasting on-line legacy on the history of the current municipalities.
Pioneer Maple Days, April 2nd - 3rd, 2016 Drummond/North Elmsley maple syrup producers-Temples, Oliver’s Maple Works and Coutt’s Country Flavours will team up to offer a special Pioneer Maple Day on their properties where visitors can experience farm life on a rural property as it was 200 years earlier. Activities such as sheep shearing, wagon rides, maple syrup production and of course taffy on the snow will be available. Together with the open houses, Bethel United Church located at 1502 Rideau Ferry Road will host a pancake and maple syrup breakfast on April 2nd from 8 am to 1 pm. Tickets available at the door (Adults:$10,Children 6-12 years:$5 and under 6 years: free). The three sugar bushes are also offering a D/NE 200th Anniversary Commemorative bottle of Maple Syrup 500ml for $15; limited supply. Drummond/North Elmsley Heritage Day May 28th photos courtesy of Linda Van Alstine This is the Township’s signature event and will include an afternoon of entertainment and pioneer games as well as displays and booths that tell the story of Drummond/North Elmsley and its people. The event will be highlighted by a cedar rail fence demonstration by a prominent local craftsman and unveiling of an interpretive panel describing the importance of this local specialty. The free event will be hosted at the Municipal Office in Port Elmsley and will be fully accessible to all. Refreshments will be served. Celebrate Balderson, July 9th-10th The Celebrate Balderson weekend is a two day event promoting the dairy heritage of the area and Balderson’s most famous export. It will be highlighted by the display of a replica of the Mammoth cheese, which was a 22,000 pound curd produced from the milk of local farmers that originally traveled to the World’s Fair 1893 in Chicago. The celebration will be a locally and volunteer driven occasion put on with the help of the Lanark Milk Committee, local 4-H clubs, churches and residents. Discover Drummond Day, September 18 Discover Drummond Day is a road tour and social event organized by Drummond residents to celebrate the history and pride of the community. The first part of the day will be a road tour to visit historically significant places in the township including local farms, churches, hamlets and cemeteries. Maps will be provided and the self-guided tour will be over the course of the afternoon. Everyone is invited to a get together at the Ferguson Falls Hall afterwards for a meal and an evening of entertainment. There will be door prizes and a performance from the musical group Memory Lane. *Due to hall limitations, only 100 tickets available.
Two years ago, a group of four people volunteered to write a book about the township of North Elmsley. North Elmsley Township: Doorway to the Past is near completion!
Travel back in time to 1816 to discover who the first settlers were, and how they shaped the development of the township into the 1860’s, and beyond. Follow the historical, municipal and genealogical progression of the township, and be surprised and delighted by what you discover! Only a limited number of books will be printed at a cost of $30.00 each. Bridge support has been provided by Drummond/North Elmsley Township. Net proceeds will go to Archives Lanark for the unlimited use of their original material and resources, and to assist in furthering their mandate to preserve history. Book Launch to be held at the Township office on December 13th at 3pm
The Settler’s Trail project commemorates the route of the original trek by the pioneer settlers, War of 1812 veterans and others from Brockville to the Perth Military Settlement. The inauguration of the trail and unveiling of an interpretive panel will take place June 17th 2016 at the Rideau Ferry Dock Bridge, close to the actual embarkment. Signs will also be installed in strategic locations.
Legacy Farm Recognition
The legacy farms project recognizes farms in both Drummond/North Elmsley and Tay Valley. Eligible properties will be recognized with an interpretive plaque to be delivered in the fall of 2015 and a public recognition at the Heritage Day. To be considered for a Legacy Farm designation, a farm property must have remained in the same family to the present day. While the property does not need to be actively farmed, properties need to be a minimum of 50 acres in size and categories of 100 years, 150 years and 200 years will be recognized. Township History Drummond, North Elmsley, Bathurst, Beckwith and Goulbourn Townships, as well as the townsite of Perth, were surveyed at this time as the original Perth Military Settlement. This was intended to open up greater settlement in the interior (inland from the St. Lawrence River) following the War of 1812 and many of the settlers were veterans from that war and the Napoleonic Wars, as well as their families. Pioneers, coming from the south and east opened up homesteads and with the arrival of these settlers and continued settlement in North Elmsley Township, both Drummond and North Elmsley grew substantially. Along with this growth came farming, forestry and industry and our founding townships evolved into the dynamic rural communities they are today. Did you know? North Elmsley…
Drummond…
How you can help… Volunteer The 200th committee always welcomes community members to our meetings and volunteers for our events. No historical background or experience is necessary, except for an interest in the history of the township. We generally meet the 4th Thursday of the month, at the Township office in Port Elmsley. Contact Karl Grenke to confirm meeting schedule, and we hope to see you there. Donate Today Donations of time, supplies and money for our 200th program are greatly appreciated by our community partners. Contributions can be made to the Drummond/North Elmsley 200th celebrations specifically or to The Joint Committee between Townships where there will be promotional opportunities available across municipalities. Tax receipts will be available. Click here for our Sponsorship Page. Big thanks to our valuable sponsors who help make these events happen. Without their generosity some activities would not be able to occur.
For more information or to contribute please contact: Karl Grenke/Planner For those interested in contributing to the Joint Committee please contact Tay Valley Tel: 613-267-5353 |
Limited Edition
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For a list of all the events that are taking place across the four municipalities, please visit: 200th Anniversary event list or visit: Other participants: For more information on events or how to contribute please contact : Karl Grenke
Aubrey Churchill
Original North Elmsley Township Hall, built in 1854, was located on Hwy 43 near Station Rd.
Balderson: P.M Campbell with horses and his son Lindsay Campbell in the background-courtesy of Robert Campbell
Oliver's Ferry, August 30, 1830 by James Pattison Cockburn-courtesy of Library and Archives Canada, 1989-259-1
The Tay Canal was a huge venture for it's time, that brought many benefits to the surrounding area.
Balderson Cheese factory was established in 1881 by local dairy farmers of Lanark County.-courtesy of Archives Lanark
Threshing Bee at David McLean's farm on Con. 1 Drummond. c.1900-courtesy of Archives Lanark
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North Elmsley History Book 
