ABOUT
The North Grenville Historical Society, founded in 2001, stands in a long line of community historical organizations in the former townships of Oxford-on-Rideau, and South Gower, and the village--later town--of Kemptville. In 1957, the centennial of the incorporation of the village of Kemptville, a Centennial Committee of citizens organized a week of celebrations to mark this significant milestone and published an Historical Review of Kemptville and District, which updated the only previous historical publication on the town, Kemptville Past and Present, by J. Carr Anderson, which appeared in 1903. Despite gaps and the occasional inaccuracy, these two books have provided a wealth of information that might otherwise have been lost and contributed substantially to the ongoing writing of the highly significant history of the northern half of Grenville County.
Although of relatively recent formation, the present historical society seeks to build on the base of its predecessors, the Oxford-on-Rideau and Kemptville Historical Societies, both of which have blazed a trail for us into our local past. Their publication projects have illuminated many areas of our collective history--often from irreplaceable oral sources--and their collecting zeal has preserved both the documentary record and many historical artifacts that would otherwise have been lost. We are constantly reminded that we are the grateful beneficiaries of their efforts at stimulating local interest in history. The generosity of local residents in entrusting their valued heirlooms and written records to the Archives has been a testimony both to the high value they set on the preservation of history and a measure of their trust in the Society as a guardian and steward of local history for future generations. We are greatly indebted to those who have gone before us to light the way.
Although of relatively recent formation, the present historical society seeks to build on the base of its predecessors, the Oxford-on-Rideau and Kemptville Historical Societies, both of which have blazed a trail for us into our local past. Their publication projects have illuminated many areas of our collective history--often from irreplaceable oral sources--and their collecting zeal has preserved both the documentary record and many historical artifacts that would otherwise have been lost. We are constantly reminded that we are the grateful beneficiaries of their efforts at stimulating local interest in history. The generosity of local residents in entrusting their valued heirlooms and written records to the Archives has been a testimony both to the high value they set on the preservation of history and a measure of their trust in the Society as a guardian and steward of local history for future generations. We are greatly indebted to those who have gone before us to light the way.