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X-WR-CALNAME:Heritage Port Stanley
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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Heritage Port Stanley
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260528T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260528T170000
DTSTAMP:20260827T071912
CREATED:20260316T133832Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260616T130716Z
UID:103779-1779975000-1779987600@heritageportstanley.ca
SUMMARY:History of the Mill
DESCRIPTION:Heritage Port Stanley\nMeeting MinutesDate: Thursday\, May 28\, 2026Time: 1:30 PMLocation: The Mill\, 181 BraysideAttendance: 31 (29 members\, 2 guests) \n1. Call to Order\nChair David Russell opened the meeting at 1:30 PM and welcomed everyone. Nora Sanders shared the land acknowledgement. \n2. Adoption of Minutes\nThe minutes of the April 23\, 2026 meeting were approved as circulated. Motion moved by Laurie Nagge and seconded by Richard Haddow. Carried. \n3. Treasurer’s Report\n\n\n\n\n\nAccount\nAmount\n\n\n\n\nGeneral Account Balance\n$3\,409.99\n\n\nGICs\n2 × $4\,000\n\n\nGICs\n3 × $1\,000\n\n\n\n\n\nAnne Kent presented the Treasurer’s Report. \n4. Executive Update\nDavid Russell provided an update on the incline railway cars. \nNora Sanders reported that the $1\,800 grant will help fund publication of the walking tour brochure\, the Oneida sign\, and additional editing of Heritage videos. \nAnne Kent noted that the brochures are complete and ready to go to print. She also read the new addition regarding the Barry House. \n5. June 27 Walking Tours\nSally Martyn reported that six tour guides are confirmed\, covering the three routes and the starting point at the Kettle Creek Inn. \nSally will remain at the Inn to describe the routes and share the history of Port Stanley and Christ Church while groups wait for their chosen tours. The event will run from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Posters will be distributed shortly. \n6. Heritage Question of the Month\nQuestion: What is the name of the road on which the original Selborne Mill sat? \nAnswer: Thomas Street. \nOnly John Smith and Craig Cole correctly answered the question. John Smith received the final Heritage Port Stanley mug. \n7. Future Meetings\n\n\n\n\n\nDate\nLocation\nTopic\nSpeaker\n\n\n\n\nJune 25\nMitchell House\nHistory of the Mitchells\nJoan Clayton\n\n\nJuly 29 (Wednesday)\nPSTR Ride and Picnic\n—\n—\n\n\nSeptember 24\n190 Cornell\nHillcrest\nSally Martyn\n\n\n\n\n\n8. Heritage Announcements\nSally Martyn reminded members about the Historical High Tea and Fashion Show in Sparta on June 6 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Only a few tickets remain available. \n9. Feature Presentation\nPresenter: John SmithTopic: The Mill \nJohn Smith shared the history of The Mill\, originally built in 1831 and weighing approximately 130 tons. \nJohn explained that his father\, Teskey Smith\, had been searching for a unique building to convert into a cottage. Initially considering a barn\, he was encouraged to look at the Selborne Mill\, which was for sale. Teskey purchased the mill for $1\,000\, and Clifford Gillard dismantled and reassembled it at the far end of Harrison Place on Lawrence Street in 1949. \nBy 1954\, shoreline erosion made another move necessary. Norman Brookes of Aylmer relocated the structure during winter months over the course of two winters. During the first winter\, vandals entered the building\, damaged artifacts\, and spread Teskey’s oil paints across the floor. \nJohn noted that twelve doors and all the windows were salvaged from Toronto buildings demolished during subway construction. \nIn 1972\, Teskey gifted the mill to his four children. Coordinating usage among the families became difficult\, leading John to purchase his sisters’ shares under agreed conditions. Later\, the building required fumigation due to powder post beetle infestation. \nJohn and his wife Lois gifted the property to their daughter in 2024 and purchased a farm for their son. \nAs the family expanded\, Teskey sought a quieter retreat and purchased a log cabin in Tavistock for $100\, primarily for its logs. The logs were carefully marked\, transported\, and reassembled west of the mill in 1962 during a community cabin-raising event. \nTeskey later expanded the cabin with an addition\, creating a small home for himself and Teen. After retirement\, he purchased a three-story log cabin for $500 and hired two Amish craftsmen\, Eldi and Sivana Schautz\, to extend the addition and reconstruct the larger cabin. During construction\, the craftsmen lived in the original cabin and ate their meals at the Lakeside. \n10. Adjournment\nDavid Russell thanked John Smith for his fascinating presentation on the historic building and its many antiques. The meeting adjourned at 2:30 PM\, followed by a tour of the building. \nNext Meeting\nThe next meeting will be held on June 25 at 1:30 PM at Mitchell House on George Street. \nJoan Clayton noted that following the presentation and meeting\, she will be hosting a party. \nSecretary: Sally MartynChair: David Russell
URL:https://heritageportstanley.ca/event/history-of-the-mill/
LOCATION:181 Brayside St\, 181 Brayside St\, Port Stanley\, ON N5L 1A2\, Canada\, London\, Ontario\, ON N5L 1A2\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Heritage Talks & Meetings
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://heritageportstanley.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/history-of-the-mill.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260625T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260625T170000
DTSTAMP:20260827T071912
CREATED:20260316T140938Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260707T010845Z
UID:103782-1782394200-1782406800@heritageportstanley.ca
SUMMARY:History of the Mitchells
DESCRIPTION:Heritage Port Stanley\nMeeting MinutesDate: Thursday\, June 25\, 2026Time: 1:30 PMLocation: Mitchell House\, George Street \nAttendance: 39 (26 members\, 13 guests) \n1. Call to Order\nChair David Russell opened the meeting at 1:30 PM and welcomed everyone. Nora Sanders shared the land acknowledgement. \n2. Adoption of Minutes\nThe minutes of the May 28\, 2026 meeting were approved as circulated. Motion moved by Richard Haddow and seconded by Janice Mann. Carried. \n3. Treasurer’s Report\n\n\n\n\n\nAccount\nAmount\n\n\n\n\nGeneral Account Balance\n$2\,510.39\n\n\nGICs\n2 × $4\,000\n\n\nGICs\n3 × $1\,000\n\n\n\n\n\nAnne Kent presented the Treasurer’s Report. \n4. Executive Update\nDavid Russell provided an update on the incline railway cars. \nNora Sanders spoke about the heritage display at the library this summer. Mike Baker is preparing a display on the Oneida people in recognition of the October celebration marking their arrival. Nora also invited suggestions for future presentation topics. \nShe highlighted several new additions to the Heritage Port Stanley library located in Telegraph House. The library is located at the top of the front staircase\, and the building access code is 0205. \n5. Walking Tour Brochure\nAnne Kent reported that the new walking tour brochures have been completed and distributed to everyone in attendance. Members expressed appreciation for the updated brochure\, particularly the new illustrations. \n6. June 27 Walking Tours\nSally Martyn reported that posters have been distributed and encouraged everyone to participate in one or more of the three walking tours. \nDue to a funeral\, Anne Kent will welcome visitors at the Kettle Creek Inn\, provide an overview of the tour routes\, and share some of Port Stanley’s history. \n7. Heritage Question of the Month\nQuestion: McKenzie Street was renamed about six years ago. What was it previously called\, and why? \nNo one knew the answer. The street was formerly known as Edith Street\, named after one of the Mitchell children. \nAs Sarah Hutchinson\, the last living descendant of the Mitchell family\, was present\, she was presented with a copy of Hills of Gold and Silver. \n8. Future Meetings\n\n\n\n\n\nDate\nLocation\nTopic\nSpeaker\n\n\n\n\nJuly 22 (Wednesday)\nPSTR Ride and Picnic\nFond Picnic Memories\n—\n\n\nSeptember 24\n190 Cornell\nThe Settlement of Hillcrest\nSally Martyn\n\n\n\n\n\n9. Heritage Announcements\nThere were no heritage announcements. \n10. Heritage Presentation\nPresenter: Dr. Joan ClaytonTopic: The Mitchell Family \nDr. Joan Clayton began by sharing the known history of the Mitchell family. The family arrived in Port Stanley in 1850 after leaving Ireland during the potato famine. Tragically\, one of their ten children died during the Atlantic crossing at the age of ten. \nTheir son\, John Mitchell\, married Mary Payne\, sister of Manuel Payne. In 1867\, John built the Mitchell House for Mary. The couple had five children\, although their daughter Charlotte died in 1870 and is believed to be buried on the property. \nJohn and Mary both passed away in the 1920s. In 1921\, John sold land\, now the location of Skip Taylor’s residence\, for $325. Their son Walter later built the large brick house on the corner of William and Bridge Streets. Sharon Hutchinson\, a direct descendant of the Mitchell family\, was present at the meeting. \nJoan described Port Stanley’s golden years between 1880 and 1940\, when the Mitchell family lived in the community. She spoke about the enormous picnics held on Picnic Hill\, which often attracted thousands of visitors. One popular food served at these gatherings was bloater sandwiches\, made from chubs that required puncturing before cooking due to trapped air. \nShe also shared a letter from a nearby farmer complaining about picnic visitors picking apples from his orchard. \nJoan highlighted several important landmarks in Port Stanley’s history\, including: \n\nFraser House\, built in 1871\, which featured what was believed to be the longest bar in Canada and hosted many notable guests.\nFraser’s construction of the incline railway and a watchtower.\nMackie’s\, built in 1911.\nThe L&PS Dance Pavilion\, built in 1926 and renamed the Stork Club in 1952.\nThe lift bridge\, completed in 1939\, following the collapse of the coffer dam during construction in December 1938.\n\nJoan then spoke about her personal connection to Mitchell House and the spiritual experiences she has encountered there. She read excerpts from Maggie O’Farrell’s book Land and shared memories of a theatrical production staged at the house. \nSeveral cast members attended the presentation\, including Mary\, who played violin throughout portions of the talk\, and members of the singing ensemble. The presentation concluded with the actors gathering on the porch to recite the play’s closing lines. \n11. Adjournment\nDavid Russell thanked Dr. Joan Clayton for her engaging presentation on the Mitchell family. A tour of the house and a social gathering followed. \nThe meeting adjourned at 3:00 PM. \nNext Meeting\nThe next meeting will be held on Wednesday\, July 22\, beginning at 11:00 AM\, with a train ride on the PSTR. \nSecretary: Sally MartynChair: David Russell
URL:https://heritageportstanley.ca/event/history-of-the-mitchells/
LOCATION:Mitchell Home\, 320 George St\, Port Stanley\, ON N5L 1C5\, Canada\, London\, Ontario\, ON N5L 1C5\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Heritage Talks & Meetings
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://heritageportstanley.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20260625_141623.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260627T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260627T150000
DTSTAMP:20260827T071912
CREATED:20260604T162340Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260817T125508Z
UID:103929-1782556200-1782572400@heritageportstanley.ca
SUMMARY:Guided Walking Tours of Historic Port Stanley
DESCRIPTION:Explore the charm and history of Port Stanley on our guided walking tours taking place on Saturday\, June 27. Enjoy a 20-minute guided experience along one of three unique tour routes\, each offering a different perspective of the village’s rich heritage\, architecture\, and local stories. \nTours depart continuously from the Kettle Creek Inn\, 216 Joseph Street between 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM. Whether you’re a visitor or a local resident\, this is a great opportunity to discover more about Port Stanley at a relaxed walking pace. \nAll are welcome!
URL:https://heritageportstanley.ca/event/guided-walking-tours-of-historic-port-stanley/
LOCATION:Kettle Creek Inn\, 216 Joseph St\, Port Stanley\, ON N5L 1C4\, Canada\, London\, Ontario\, N5L 1C4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Tour
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://heritageportstanley.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Green-and-White-Minimalist-Annual-Fest-Event-Planner-Presentation.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260722
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260723
DTSTAMP:20260827T071912
CREATED:20260722T005209Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260818T011953Z
UID:104046-1784678400-1784764799@heritageportstanley.ca
SUMMARY:Fond Picnic Memories
DESCRIPTION:Heritage Port StanleyDate: Wednesday\, July 22\, 2026Location: PSTR Ride and Picnic \nJoin us for an engaging gathering at the PSTR Ride and Picnic as we celebrate the joy of shared outdoor experiences and cherished picnic traditions. This session invites participants to reflect on memorable moments\, connect with fellow attendees\, and enjoy a day filled with community spirit\, conversation\, and recreation.
URL:https://heritageportstanley.ca/event/fond-picnic-memories/
LOCATION:PSTR Ride and Picnic\, Port Stanley\, Ontario\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Heritage Talks & Meetings
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://heritageportstanley.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/20260722_115834.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260924T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260924T170000
DTSTAMP:20260827T071912
CREATED:20260722T010656Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260724T001807Z
UID:104050-1790256600-1790269200@heritageportstanley.ca
SUMMARY:The Settlement of Hillcrest
DESCRIPTION:Heritage Port StanleyDate: September 24\, 2026Location: 190 Cornell \nJoin Sally Martyn for an engaging presentation on the history and development of Hillcrest. Discover the people\, events\, and milestones that shaped this unique community\, and gain insight into its lasting impact on the local area. \nThe session will be held at 190 Cornell on September 24 and is ideal for local history enthusiasts\, community members\, and anyone interested in learning more about Hillcrest’s rich heritage. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the stories that helped shape the community we know today.
URL:https://heritageportstanley.ca/event/the-settlement-of-hillcrest/
LOCATION:190 Cornell\, 190 Cornell Dr\, Port Stanley\, ON N5L 1C4\, Canada\, Port Stanley\, Ontario\, ON N5L 1C4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Heritage Talks & Meetings
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://heritageportstanley.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/The-Settlement-of-Hillcrest.png
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