A bold new look for Simcoe County's historical archives
A look back into the history of Simcoe County starts in the archives.
Among the treasures preserved in the Simcoe County Archives are the first known butter tart recipe published in a cookbook (1900) and one of the earliest photographs of a Canadian women's hockey team (1896).
There's also documentation of local involvement in the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837 and newspapers dating back to 1847.
Originally constructed in two phases in 1979 and again 1992, the facility had seen minimal structural changes until this recent year's renovations.
After eight months of revitalization, the doors are once more open to the public.
Key improvements include
Revitalized Reading Room : Designed to be more welcoming and accessible, the updated space now features a small multi-purpose room and a self-serve reference library and microfilm area. These changes will streamline service delivery and improve the research experience.
: Designed to be more welcoming and accessible, the updated space now features a small multi-purpose room and a self-serve reference library and microfilm area. These changes will streamline service delivery and improve the research experience. Enhanced Staff Workspace : The staff area has been expanded and tailored to support the efficient processing of archival records. Additional shelving in the Receiving Room will further expedite record handling.
: The staff area has been expanded and tailored to support the efficient processing of archival records. Additional shelving in the Receiving Room will further expedite record handling. New Digitization Area : A dedicated space has been created for scanning and digitizing archival materials, supporting long-term preservation and improved access.
: A dedicated space has been created for scanning and digitizing archival materials, supporting long-term preservation and improved access. Sustainable Flooring: Eco-friendly cork and marmoleum flooring have been installed throughout the facility, aligning with the County's commitment to sustainability.
These renovations improve the physical infrastructure but also enhance workflow efficiency, enabling staff to make the archival material more readily available to researchers.
In all, the Simcoe County Archives houses municipal records from the County of Simcoe, all 16 lower-tier municipalities, and Barrie, along with documents from over 30 historic townships, towns, and villages.
The archival holdings take up 3.5 kilometres of shelving.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
The final matchup for the Search for B.C.'s Best Symbol: Totem Pole vs. Orca
We're close to finding out what British Columbians think B.C.'s best symbol is. The current favourites: the Totem Pole and the Orca. CBC's bracket master Justin McElroy has more on those two symbols.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
‘This is a Godsend to us': Southern Manitoba community gets grant to reduce wildfire threat
Fighting fire with fire—that's what a group of residents in the RM of Stuartburn is planning to do to protect their community from wildfire. New funding will help them do it. On Tuesday, the Stuartburn Prescribed Burn Association along with the RM of Stuartburn was handed $116,500 through Intact Insurance's Municipal Climate Resiliency Grant. 'It is such a blessing to get that money,' said Laura Reeves, the vice-president of the association. The group, made up of volunteers, aims to stop wildfires before they can even begin. To do that, they plan to conduct prescribed burns to remove dead or dried vegetation and brush. 'The idea is that we will be reducing the fuel load, if not eliminating it, so there will be nothing for a wildfire to catch,' Reeves said. She said the grant money from Intact will fully equip the prescribed burn team with gear and training. This includes the purchase of a UTV, fire skid, water tank and sprayer, along with personal protective equipment for a 12-member team. 'Everything you could possibly need,' said Reeves. The plan will be to conduct at least five prescribed burns across 100 acres. Stuartburn is the only municipality in Manitoba to receive the grant, which was awarded to just 19 communities across Canada. 'This is a Godsend to us,' said area-Reeve Michelle Gawronsky. 'When we look around at the rest of the province, we look around at other provinces across the country, and the wildfires that are destroying so much of our lands, the RM of Stuartburn has lived through that.' Gawronsky said in 2012 a major fire tore through the community, destroying a bridge and two homes. Just a few months ago, hundreds of residents in Stuartburn's neighbouring municipality of Piney were forced to flee due to an out-of-control blaze. It was the beginning of what has become the worst wildfire season in the last 30 years for Manitoba. Gawronsky believes initiatives like this could make all the difference for municipalities facing wildfire threats. 'I absolutely believe that this is the future, the way municipalities are going to have to move forward in having the fire protection that we are going to need,' she said. Gawronsky said an official launch for the Stuartburn Prescribed Burn Association is being planned in September.
CTV News
3 hours ago
- CTV News
Northerner wins $60K in Sault hospital draw
Gus Muto of Sault Ste. Marie won $60,000 in the Sault Area Hospital Foundation's July 50/50 draw. Gus's parents won the same draw just a year ago.
