Past Activities

History of Glammis / Glamis Talk

At a meeting of the Bruce County Historical Society held on Wednesday September 14th, 2011 in Southampton at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre, the guest presenters were John Kaminski and Bob Wrightson, telling the 50-some attendees about their work with the Glamis Historical Researchers. The aim of this 8 member group is to collect as much information and data, and as many pictures and contacts as they can about Glammis from its founding days to present time. Their emphasis is on the properties, businesses, churches, schools and influential persons that made Glamis what it once was. And what a history that little village had! The hour-long presentation was only able to touch on some of the highlights. Since their inception in 2007, the group has collected almost a thousand pictures - congratulations on a job well done! But, according to the presenters, there are still lots of missing pieces and pictures, so if you could help them out in any way, please contact John by email (info@glammis.ca) or Joan Ferris by phone (519-353-5365). Check out their website www.glammis.ca to see what they have already done. And yes, there is still some controversy about the spelling of the hamlet’s name – one m or two?

 

Hampton Court Site of Bruce County Historical Society House Tour

Southampton, June, 2011 - On June 8th a group of keen historians from the Bruce County Historical Society gathered, despite unsettled weather, to learn more about one of our heritage buildings within Bruce County. Mary Stokes, Executive Director and Director of Care and her dedicated staff warmly welcomed us to Hampton Court, Retirement Living by Revera. Derek Wills, a Bowman family historian, was able to provide extensive family background which richly added to the tour of the residence. We were also pleased to welcome Mr. & Mrs. Lymburner, a nephew of a previous owner.

In 1902 Charles Martin Bowman built Hampton Villa, a magnificent three-story red brick house with a red conical roof made of brass, located at 49 Albert St. in Southampton.

Bowman's home included 12 bedrooms, five fireplaces (only one still in use), leaded glass lights, and twelve inch baseboards of maple and walnut, all hardwoods from a Bruce County forest which he owned. The curved bricks for the corners came from Scotland and stone corbelling (a projection of stone or wood from the face of a wall) lined the windows, each with a different sculpted design. Almost every window was adorned with stained glass design, still proudly viewed. The staircases were built with low rises, each with heavy-crafted banisters. The area below the conical roof was made into a beautiful veranda, now enclosed.

Over the years the house has been altered to suit the changing roles, but upon entering the building today one can see the historic architecture has been preserved.

This charming residence exudes warmth and comfort, where residents enjoy the beauty and tranquility. Hampton Court carries the same grandeur today as it did decades ago.

In the years to come the Historical Society will enjoy many more tours of our captivating heritage homes within the County.

 

Bruce County Crowd Visits Donnelly Museum

Huron County, May, 2011 - Cool, damp and windy weather did not dampen the spirits of Bruce County Historical Society members and friends who journeyed to the Lucan area to learn the tragic story of the Donnelly family during mid to late 1800s.

A twenty minute video introduced us to a complete account when we arrived at the Donnelly Museum, opened about two years ago on the main street in Lucan. We then examined much memorabilia of the family and area before exploring a replica of the original Donnelley log house. The log home, was originally from Bruce Township, was moved to the Lucan site. Beside the house was a shed that housed many small farm items including an egg grader and candler. These historic articles brought back many forgotten memories to the travelers.

After a sumptuous luncheon, we boarded the bus again accompanied by Donnelly historian, Harry, for a tour of the Roman Line. We stopped at the original Donnelly farm to hear a full account of the murders of five of the Donnelly family and the torching of their home. Mr. Robert Salts, who lives in the farm home built by a Donnelly son, enacted his version of the family murders right on the spot between the two huge Chestnut trees that had been planted by the Donnellys in memory of those murdered. Mr. Salts’ unequivocal soliloquy assured us of exactly how things happened besides telling of the ghosts that still inhabit his home!

Our next stop was at the Huron Historic Gaol in Goderich, built between 1839 and 1842, a tour we found quite fascinating. This included the attached Governor’s House, built 1901, restored to its former elegance. All this history has a connection to Bruce County, as at the time of construction Bruce was united with Huron and Perth counties. Here also, James Donnelly Sr. served time for murder.

Following a delicious dinner at the Candlelight Restaurant, we headed back to Bruce County, content with pleasant memories of good fellowship and new knowledge of the Donnelly saga.