Welcome to the Bruce County Historical Society

The Bruce County Historical Society was first organized in 1901 and was active until World War I. In 1957 the society was re-established. We publish a yearbook, Historical Notes, as well as a twice annual newsletter. We meet several times during the year, including for an annual bus tour in the spring and an annual dinner meeting in the fall. The society published its first book, The History of the County of Bruce by Norman Robertson, in 1906, and we continue to provide publications about Bruce County's history. The annual membership fee of $20 includes the yearbook and newsletter, and members receive a 25% discount on our publications.

Our society's goals and objectives are to research, document, collect, preserve and edit material pertaining to the history of Bruce County and its people; to actively promote and encourage public awareness and interest in our local history; to publish new and reprint publications of significance to the history of Bruce County; to disseminate and arouse public interest in Bruce County historical and heritage information by organizing and featuring programmes and promoting discussion at regular meetings; to encourage the preservation and protection of buildings and structures of historical and architectural significance and the protection of our unique natural landscapes; and to mark historic sites, structures, trails, etc..

Bruce County Military Project

Sergeant W. Merideth Reany on his horse "Bill" during W.W.I. Sergeant Reany, born in Saugeen Township, was with the 18th Battalion, 4th Canadian Machine Gun Company, and was awarded the following medals: The Military Medal; the 1914-15 Star; The British War Medal; and the Victory Medal.

The Bruce County Historical Society, with the assistance of the Bruce County Museum, is embarking on an ambitious project to compile information on the armed forces members and veterans of Bruce County. For more information, and to get a copy of the Military Project Sheet, please go to the Bruce County Military Project page.

Bruce County Barn Project

The Bruce County Historical Society has started a project to photograph the barns of Bruce County. For more information please go to the Bruce County Barn Project page.

Upcoming Activities

August 11, 2014 - Local Authors Night - 7 PM at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre. Authors Dianne J Ferris, John Kaminski and Ruth Mittelholtz.

October 25, 2014 - Annual General Meeting - at the Port Elgin Legion. Speaker will be Mr. Alan Bartley who will speak on the 160th Bruce Battalion. Theme will be the 100th anniversary of World War I.

For the latest updates please visit us on Facebook

Do you have an old item in your home that you can’t identify? Want to know more about when a photograph was taken? Maybe we could help. Feel free to share your family heirlooms, pictures or mementos at one of our gatherings.

Recent Activities

Krug Estate Donation

On Thursday April 10th, 2014, the Bruce County Historical Society made the official donation of the Bruce A. Krug Estate Material to the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre. Emceed by Cathy McGirr, Acting Director-Curator of the Museum, speakers included John Close, Bruce County Warden, Paul Eagleson, Mayor Arran-Elderslie and Museum Committee Chair, and our Historical Society President, Ross Lamont. The museum’s archivists (Anne-Marie Collins, Sue Schlorff, Deb Sturdevant) had set up a sample of the items purchased. These included postcards, period photos, voters' lists, etc..

Mr. Krug was an avid collector of historical items and a great supporter of our Museum (as well as many other community organizations). For example the Krug brothers supported the expansion of the Museum in 1976 when the the Krug wing was opened. Having these items housed and being cared for by the museum for future generations will be a fitting legacy to the Krug brothers' memory.

Looking over a selection of items — at Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre.

Thousands of Bruce County Postcards are part of the Krug items — at Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre.

Voters' lists, etc. — at Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre.

Photo albums, death cards, etc. — at Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre.

The Krug brothers also supported the Bruce Trail — at Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre.

Cathy McGirr was emcee, acting Director-Curator of the Museum — at Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre.

John Close, Bruce County Warden — at Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre.

Paul Eagleson, Museum Committee Chair — at Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre.

Ross Lamont, President, Bruce County Historical Society — at Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre.

Past Activities

See more of our past activities here.

Publications News

Not Wolf, Nor Dog by Wilmer F Nadjiwon of Cape Croker can now be ordered from our Publications page.

 We've recently added the following to our publications: 

Historical Plaques and Cairns in Bruce County

Postcard History of Bruce County

Affiliated with the Ontario Historical Society

We thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for a grant received in 2012 to publish and distribute three history books that document the heritage of the county and its people.

Supported by the Government of Ontario through the Heritage Organizations Development Grant Program

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