Oakville Historical Society

Type: Historical Society

This society preserves and promotes Oakville’s history through its preservation of historical buildings, museums and its own archives.

Programming:

Conservation/Preservation:

Archives / Library

  • Archival collections include Trafalgar County census records, newspapers, maps, letters, diaries, photographs, and ephemera documenting Oakville’s built history and community life since the mid-nineteenth century.
  • The Reference Library contains over 1500 works dealing with arts and crafts, costumes, Oakville history, family histories and genealogies, municipal directories, cookbooks,Trafalgar Township and numerous others. A separate section includes aids to genealogical research.
  • The R.W. (Bob) Davis Marine Library contains an extensive collection of works covering  Canadian and world history and technical books related to ships and sailing.

Public Programming:

Exhibitions

  • This society preserves the original home of the Merrick Thomas family. This home, built in 1829, is furnished and presented as a pioneer home of the 1830 – 1840’s, with many original family items. The Thomas House was moved to its present location in Lakeside Park in 1955
  • The Society also preserves The Old Post Office. Oakville’s first post office (1835 to 1856) stands beside the Thomas House and is operated by the Oakville Museum.

Tours

Guided Tours of the Thomas House and First Post Office are offered, particularly during the summer months.

Digital

The Online Memories Project (found as a link on their website);

Volunteer/Internship/Placement Opportunities:

Volunteers and Students are welcome to participate in the preservation of the society’s extensive archival collection and tours within the various Museums it preserves.

Address & Contact Information:

Mailing Address

Oakville Historical Society
109 Thomas St.
Box 69501
Oakville, ON
L6J 3A7

Office and Archival Reference Centre

110 King St.
Oakville, ON

Phone: 905-844-2695
Email: info@oakvillehistory.org
Website: http://www.oakvillehistory.org/

Hours of Operation:

Office Hours: 1:00 – 4:30 pm Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, year round.

Key Words: architecture, household