The Ontario Historical Society 2012 Annual Report The Ontario Historical Society Annual Report 2012 © 2013 The Ontario Historical Society www.ontariohistoricalsociety.ca/ 34 Parkview Avenue, Willowdale, ON M2N 3Y2 facebook www.ontariohistoricalsociety.ca [email protected] @OntarioHistory 416.226.9011 | 1.866.955.2755 In 2012, under the editorship of Dr. Thorold In 1992, The Ontario Historical Society (OHS) Tronrud, the Society’s scholarly journal Ontario successfully led a campaign to save from demoli- History prepared a special double issue on the War tion the historic John McKenzie House, which was of 1812 in celebration of that conflict’s bicentenni- built in 1913 by a Willowdale pioneer and farmer. al anniversary. Published in Spring 2012 (Vol. CIV, The OHS signed a 25-year lease with the City of No. 1), the issue presents fresh new research and Toronto and is responsible for all restoration and scholarship from both emerging and established maintenance of the building and the adjacent scholars of the time period. Since the inception stable, coach house and milk house – all of the journal in 1899, there have been over 70 designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. Today, articles published on the topic, four of which have it serves as the OHS’s provincial headquarters, been selected and reprinted in this issue. To read and, in 2012, the house was a crucial part of the more about the journal’s efforts in 2012, please Society’s programmes and events (see page 8). In see page 10 of this report. For more information addition, ongoing repairs and maintenance were on the Society’s educational programmes in 2012 completed this past year, ensuring better preser- please see page 6. vation for current and future generations. 2012 Annual Report of The Ontario Historical Society Board of Directors 2012-2013 President’s Report 2 Brad Rudachyk President Barrie Executive Director’s Report 4 Joe Stafford First Vice President Kingston Treasurer’s Report 5 Caroline Di Cocco Second Vice President Bright’s Grove Museums Committee 5 Robert Leech Past President Toronto Public Outreach, Services and Naresh Khosla Programmes 6 Treasurer Toronto Ontario History 10 Linda Kelly Secretary Sheguiandah Pam Cain Director Neebing AffiliatedCommunications Societies 1112 John Carter Director East York Youth Initiatives 13 Serge Ducharme Director Field Honours and Awards 14 Carolyn King Cemetery Preservation 15 Director Hagersville Jim Leonard Membership/New Members 16 Director Brampton Alison Norman Donors and Sponsors 17 Director Toronto Ian Radforth Director Toronto corporation, registered charity, and publisher; a non-government group The Ontariobringing Historical together Society, people establishedof all ages, all in walks1888, ofis lifea non-profit and all cultural educational backgrounds interested in preserving some aspect of Ontario’s history. President’s Report Photo Andrea Izzo Andrea Photo Dr. B.E.S. (Brad) Rudachyk President he past year has been one of continuing growth and achievement for The Ontario Historical Society. Almost every category Tof measurement shows positive development: membership, Ontario History subscriptions, public outreach, services and programmes, and donations. Your Society now encompasses over 825 affiliated societies, member organizations, and member institutions throughout the province. Never has Matthew Fells Photo our scope been greater or of more importance. It In February 2012, OHS President Brad Rudachyk is a time to feel good about, and be proud of, the attended the official opening of the new expan- sion at the Simcoe County Archives. Pictured with Society and the fine work it is doing. Dr. Rudachyk is Ellen Millar, Assistant Archivist, From the standpoint of finance, like last year, I County of Simcoe. am pleased to report that your Society is sound, debt-free, and continues to operate with a surplus. 31 member organizations applied to the OHS That said, your board and staff are keenly aware of insurance programme in 2012. As of December 31, the limits to service imposed by our current 2012, a total 188 insurance policies have been un- financial regime. Your Society is most fortunate in derwritten for directors and officers liability, general the team that shepherds our finances. Thank you liability, or contents and property insurance through to Treasurer Naresh Khosla, accountant Sheila this vital programme. In terms of what the OHS Berzitis, and our independent auditing firm. Going does, this is value-added of the first order. forward, finding new ways of offering our services and developing new revenue streams are goals of Your Society continues its work in the preservation utmost importance. See also: Treasurer’s Report, pg 5. and promotion of our province’s cemeteries. The “Cemetery News” column continues to be an As in recent years, our umbrella of affiliated important and well-received part of the OHS societies continued to grow. This past year, OHS Bulletin. Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, funds incorporated twelve more not-for-profit historical from the OHS Cemetery Defense Fund, and our organizations; since 2007, your Society has incorpo- partnership with the Ontario Genealogical rated 61 province-wide. We are pleased and excited Society, your Society continues to offer outreach by the opportunity to assist all of our affiliates – new and information on issues surrounding both and old. See also: Affiliated Societies, pg 11. registered and unregistered cemeteries in Ontario. 2 Photo Andrea Izzo Andrea Photo Every February, the Society hosts its annual Heri- tage and Family Day Reception in recognition of its donors, partners, and volunteers. Pictured above at the historic John McKenzie House are Willowdale Izzo Andrea Photo MP Chungsen Leung (third from left) and MPP Representatives from the OHS, the Waterloo David Zimmer (second from right), joined by Historical Society, and Waterloo Region Museum representatives of The Ontario Historical Society, are pictured with keynote speakers during the North York Historical Society, and Dundurn. “2012 – A Year of History” Conference. The ongoing project, in partnership with the OGS, on the inspiring campus of Ontario’s largest to list all unregistered cemeteries in the province community museum. Thank you Waterloo. continues to make solid progress. See also: page 15. As always, one of the day’s highlights was the It was a banner year for our outstanding peer Honours and Awards Ceremony. It is right that reviewed journal Ontario History. Congratulations your Society recognize and celebrate the achieve- to Editor Dr. Tory Tronrud and Book Review ments of those who work diligently in sharing Editor Dr. Ron Stagg for a job exceptionally well and supporting the vibrant history and heritage of done. Ontario History is and remains one of our our province. Thanks to Dr. Ian Radforth for his Society’s foremost flagships. See also: page 10. fine work in coordinating this flagship endeavour. Thanks also to our nominators, nominees, and Your Society continued to reach out to Ontario’s judges. Let’s keep this great programme growing. youth through an expanded web presence, the See also: Honours and Awards, pg 14. “Youth Corner” in the OHS Bulletin, the outstanding Reading and Remembrance programme, and In closing, I would like to thank our outstanding by supporting the Ontario Regional Heritage Fairs. board of directors and all of our indefatigable In 2012, students participating in twenty regional volunteers for their ongoing dedication to the Heritage Fairs received certificates, ribbons of preservation and appreciation of Ontario’s history excellence, and book prizes. Thanks to First Vice and heritage. I would also like to thank our staff President Joe Stafford for his continuing leadership Rob Leverty, Christina Perfetto, Andrea Izzo, in this exciting area of growth. Going forward, our Heather Anderson, and summer students digitization initiatives will especially reach out to a Christopher Nitsopoulos and Elora Vink. new generation keenly interested in our province’s Each of you goes the extra kilometre – and then great history and heritage. See also: Youth, pg 13. some – each and every day. Your talents and enthu- siasm do you and our Society proud. Well done. Our 124th Annual General Meeting and Honours and Awards Ceremony were held in conjunction I will end where I began – 2012 was a very good with the 2012 – A Year of History Conference. The year for The Ontario Historical Society. It is a time day was as informative and enjoyable, as it was fast- to feel good about, and be proud of, the Society and paced. Our partners, the Waterloo Historical Society the fine work it is doing. That said, as we mark our and Waterloo Region Museum, were genial and 125th anniversary in 2013, let us not rest on our gracious hosts. Your Society was pleased to be able laurels. There remains much for us to do. Let us to share in and celebrate WHS’s 100th anniversary be up and doing. 3 Executive Director’s Report Rob Leverty “In 2012, the Society celebrated its 124th Executive Director year with unprecedented growth and diversification of its membership, resulting in both the expansion of the heritage he following reports speak well for the community, and our services to it.” diversity and significance of the Society’s work, its fiscal health, and its programmes Tdesigned to preserve and promote Ontario’s history. reviewers for their outstanding scholarly work. Membership Thank You In 2012, the Society celebrated its 124th year with In 2012, three partners generously