by Monica | Nov 24, 2021 | History, Publications
A Tom Thomson Mystery By Fred Blair If you found the name “Tom Thomson” on the back of a landscape painting, would you think of the Group of Seven? This is a wandering tale about a painting and the possible connections between four landscape painters and Stephen...
by Monica | Nov 9, 2021 | History, NEWS, Publications, Uncategorized
Private Raymond John Gagnon By Mary Ann Grant The son of Aimee and Emile Gagnon came to Rathburn, Ontario (Monck Road) from Alberta as a boy. The family operated a small strawberry farm on the 12th Concession of Mara Township. A happy-go-lucky lad, Gagnon enjoyed...
by Monica | Oct 13, 2021 | History, NEWS, Publications
Trish Crowe-Grande It is that time of year when the leaves change colour, pumpkins and fall mums appear on porches and there is a crisp coolness in the air. If you have taken any walks in your local neighbourhood or drives around town, you may have noticed...
by Monica | Sep 29, 2021 | History, NEWS, Publications
By Chris Johnstone OPP Museum Curator Robert George Beatty was born on July 18, 1904. At the age of 23, he decided to embark on a career in policing after his work as a Provincial Officer under the Ontario Temperance Act came to an end. He joined the OPP as a regular...
by Monica | Sep 15, 2021 | History, NEWS, Publications
Marian Keith was the pen name for Mrs. Esther MacGregor nee Miller. She was born in 1874 In the village of Rugby, Oro Township (now Oro-Medonte), to parents who instilled in her the value of education, a keen interest in learning, a love of good literature and a...
by Monica | Aug 31, 2021 | History, NEWS, Publications
Premier of Ontario 1949-1961 By John Merritt, Simcoe County Historical Association September 20, 2020 marked the 125th anniversary of the birth of Orillia native and former Ontario premier Leslie Frost. Frost was born in Orillia on September 20, 1895 to William...
