Series APL 19 - Ayr Local History Reference

• Textual record
• Graphic material

4.9 cm of textual records
1 sound recording
21 books
34 b&w photographs

This collection was held by the Ayr Branch of the Region of Waterloo Library until it was transferred to the Region of Waterloo archives in 2017.

This series contains material relating to the history of the village of Ayr, collected by the Ayr Branch of the Region of Waterloo Library. The material include primary documents from the early years of Ayr, as well as a number of secondary sources written by Ayr locals about their history. The series also contains copies of "The Village Beautiful", a periodic publication of the Village of Ayr, as well as historical newspaper clippings about Ayr and historical photographs of Ayr and its citizens. There is also a copy of "Homespun H'Ayr'itage" a play about Ayr's history written for their 150th Anniversary in 1974. Series is arranged chronologically. The primary sources collection is extremely eclectic, and includes a ledger from the old Ayr Rink, a passport from an Ayr resident during the First World War, a sound recording of the Ayr-Paris Kinsman Band, a reporduction of a letter from an Ayr settler circa 1841, a contract of indenture, a poem celebrating how the men of Ayr purchased a piano, programmes from the 1925 Historical Pageant of Ayr, and many other historical pieces, including souvenirs from various celebrations, openigns and elections through Ayr's history. "Ayr, The Village Beautiful" is a booklet published periodically that acts as a guide to the town's businesses, clubs, local history and points of interest. Originally published by the "Ayr Booster's Association", it is now published by the "Ayr Business Improvement Association". The secondary sources consists of written histories of Ayr, a number of documents related to the historical designation of Ayr Properties, a history of the rebuilding of the Ayr Ice Rink in the 1970s, and various brochures and pamphlets about history in the Ayr area. The newspapers consist of both full newspapers and clippings of articles dealing with events in Ayr through the Nineteenth and Twentieth Century. The newspapers include a pre-Confederation copy and a Confederation day copy of the Ayr Herald, a 1903 copy of the very rare Ayr Gun, and a story about Ayr from the 1889 Globe and Mail. There is also a large collection of newspaper clippings. The Photographs are an assortment of images of Ayr from the late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries, showing many views of different Ayr buildings, as well as historical persons from Ayr's past. The play "Homespun H'Ayr'itage was performed in 1974 for the 150th Anniversary of the founding of Ayr. The play, written by Helen E "Terry" Buck and Bob Boyd, features the ghosts of Abel and Maggie Mudge, the Village's founders, reminiscing about the history of Ayr.