Dundas Valley Historical Society
Ontario, Canada
Windows on our past—
Reflecting on our future
Reflecting on our future
|
Dundas Valley Historical Society
Ontario, Canada
|
|
Windows on our past—
Reflecting on our future |
Details of this season's presentations will by published as they become available. Listed by date of presentation.
Videos of many of our previous Speaker Series presentations (most of them in DVD format) are available from the Dundas Museum & Archives. Click here for a list of available titles. (pdf, 2 pages)
September 14, 2011
Robin McKee is passionate about Canadian history, and especially Hamilton's history.
He is a graduate of both McMaster University, with a BA in History, and Mohawk College, with a certificate in Broadcast Television. He has also completed the Ontario Museum Association certificate courses and is a qualified museum worker.
Robin has lived in Hamilton since 1971 and has worked at CH-TV since 1978 as an on-air audio man.
Robin began his active journey in history at Ruthven Park, Cayuga. In 1992, he was a founding member of the Lower Grand River Land Trust, Inc., which was successful in acquiring the property. He set up the archives, researched the Thompson family, and sat on the board for 7 years. He was also Haldimand's LACAC Chairman for 6 years.
Robin is a member of the Head of the Lake Historical Society, the Mountain Heritage Society, the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO-Hamilton), and the Beach Lighthouse Group. He also serves on the Hamilton Historical Board, Doors Open Hamilton, and Community Heritage Ontario (CHO).
Historical Perceptions is a company which Robin has created. Under its auspices he hosts walking tours at the historic Hamilton Cemetery on York Boulevard, makes presentations and delivers lectures on Hamilton's history and heritage, collects photographs documenting area history and conducts ongoing historical research.
Robin is also a contributing author to: "The Hamiltonians", "Vanished Hamilton" and "Vanished Hamilton II" and a single dad for his 13-year old son, Spencer.
Robin’s presentation will deal with the basic history of the War of 1812 in the Hamilton area up to the Battle of Stoney Creek in the spring of 1813.
October 12, 2011
Dr. Mary J. Anderson holds a PhD from McMaster in English and is a published writer and playwright. Her second book, which launched on April 9, 2011 at the Hamilton Public Library is: Tragedy & Triumph: Ruby & Thomas B. McQuesten. Mary directs the web site: www.whitehern.ca which contains nearly 4000 letters, photos and documents from Whitehern Museum, all dealing with three generations of the McQuesten Family. For the web site, she has partnered with the Hamilton Public Library, McMaster University, and Whitehern Museum. Mary is a regular speaker for various heritage groups and is a member of the Hamilton Historical Board.
The Hamilton Historical Board has named 2011 as “McQuesten Year”, so her presentation will be based on her book, Tragedy & Triumph: Ruby & Thomas B. McQuesten.
The McQuesten family of Hamilton, from 1835 to 1968, represents three generations of advancement, in Hamilton and throughout Ontario in industry, education, politics, commerce, roads, bridges, culture, museums, parks, tourism, art and beautification.
Dr. Calvin McQuesten (1801–1885) opened Hamilton’s first foundry in 1835 at James and Merrick Streets, and from that humble beginning Hamilton became known as “The Birmingham of Canada.” The McQuesten story is a saga in three generations, Dr. Calvin earned the fortune; his son Isaac lost the fortune to bankruptcy and died suddenly at the age of 40, leaving a wife impoverished with six children between the ages of 14 and 2. Hon. Thomas Baker McQuesten restored the family.
Ruby Baker McQuesten (1879–1911) became a teacher to provide the funds for Tom’s education so that Tom could graduate in law and enter politics. She was a fine artist and was Tom’s mentor, but just as he graduated, she fell ill and died of tuberculosis at the age of 31. Then she was forgotten. She is the Tragic Victorian Heroine of the story. We are planning a showing of her paintings and pyrography between August 27 and November 13, 2011 at the Hamilton Art Gallery.
November 9, 2011
Currently President of the Dundas Valley Historical Society, Ray Hobbs was born in Wales, and received his university education at the University of London, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree and PhD, and the University of Zurich. His fields of interest and study are Biblical Studies and History. In 1969, he emigrated to Canada to take up a position at McMaster, where he stayed until 1995. He then taught for three years in Prague, and retired from full-time teaching in 1998. He continues to lecture at McMaster on occasion and writes articles, mainly in the field of ancient military history. He has a passion for the history and heritage of the War of 1812, and, as well as being a re-enactor, he has written and lectured on the topic for more than ten years.
January 11, 2012
This presentation is the first of the year, the bicentennial of the War of 1812!
Craig Williams is an artist, historian and re-enactor who has often served as a historical consultant for the movie and television industry. He is a founding member of the Canadian Military History Society and, as a member of such, was involved with the first War of 1812 re-enactments at Old Fort Erie and the recreation of the 49th Regiment of Foot. Through his work at Fort York, Craig was instrumental in the organizing of the very first battle re-enactment at Stoney Creek in 1979.
Craig will discuss the 49th Regiment's involvement during the War of 1812 and, in particular, the famed Lieutenant James FitzGibbon, who served in the Regiment under Isaac Brock. During the War, Lt. FitzGibbon formed a hand-picked corps to deal with American raiders along the Niagara River. They were nicknamed the 'Green Tigers' or the 'Bloody Boys' due to their exceptional courage, fierceness in fighting and the colour of their uniforms. James FitzGibbon, himself a brilliant tactician and immensely popular leader, became a hero in Upper Canada, where he lived for many years after the conclusion of the War of 1812.
February 8, 2012
John Bryden was the Liberal Member of Parliament for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Aldershot from 1993 to early 2004. From 1969 to 1989, Mr. Bryden held a number of positions as a journalist at several Canadian newspapers including the Hamilton Spectator, The Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star. John is also an avid historian and thorough researcher, and has previously delivered exciting presentations on local history and heritage to the Dundas Valley Historical Society and the Giant's Rib Discovery Centre.
Mr. Bryden will present the results of his research into existing War of 1812 landmarks in the Hamilton area.
March 14, 2012
Rob Kristofferson is an Associate Professor of History and Contemporary Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University.
He is the author of Craft Capitalism: Craftsworkers and Industrialization in Hamilton, Ontario, 1840–1872 (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007), winner of the Canadian Historical Association 2008 Clio Award (Ontario).
His latest book, More of a Man: Diaries of a Scottish Craftsworker in Mid-Nineteenth Century North America, co-authored with Andrew C. Holman, will be the focus of his presentation to the Dundas Valley Historical Society.
April 11, 2012
The “do-it-yourself” restoration of a Victorian home. A case study that combines facts and anecdotes to discuss the structure of the Victorian home; restoration techniques and the day to day struggle to breathe new life into “Robada Cottage”.
Videos of many of our previous Speaker Series presentations (most of them in DVD format) are available from the Dundas Museum & Archives. Click here for a list of available titles. (pdf, 2 pages)
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