User:MemberOxHS/sandbox/Oxford Historical Society, Ontario Canada

Oxford Historical Society, Ontario, Canada new article content ...

The Oxford Historical Society was founded in 1897 by Andrew Pattullo, in order to preserve and promote the history of Oxford County, in south-west Ontario by recording oral histories and interviews with knowledgeable Oxford County residents. For the past 100 years, the Oxford Historical Society has worked to further public interest in the history of the county and to maintain records for future generations.

Andrew Pattullo was a local business man who came to Woodstock in 1875 as a junior partner of the Sentinel newspaper. In 1880 he bought out his brother's interest in the Sentinel and merged it with the rival Review newspaper to form the Sentinel-Review, which is the current newspaper of Woodstock. He was the president of the Canadian Press Association from 1890 to 1892, the founder of the Ontario Good Roads Association and served as MPP for North Oxford in 1886, 1892 and 1902.

In honour of his memory the Pattullo fountain, known as the Maid of the Mist, was erected in downtown Woodstock. The fountain was officially opened on May 29, 1917 and can still be seen today.

The Oxford Historical Society is here to:


 * Promote - the preservation and maintenance of historic private and municipal buildings
 * Develop - brochures for walking tours of Woodstock, driving tours of Oxford County
 * Prepare - photographic exhibits of buildings and sites in Woodstock and Oxford County
 * Maintain - an archival collection of material about Woodstock and Oxford County
 * Assist - visitors and students researching local Oxford County history
 * Publish - a quarterly newsletter in January, April, July and October; books and brochures

In order to meet its objectives the Oxford Historical Society maintains a Resource Centre, which is located in the ground floor of the what is now known as the Governor's House, originally part of the Old Oxford County Jail, just north of the Oxford County Court House building. The Resource Centre also shares its offices with the Oxford County Archives, and with the Oxford County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society.