Esquesing Historical Society

Esquesing Historical Society

• Historical Society

The Esquesing Historical Society was founded on January 1, 1975, and is named after the geographical township called Esquesing, most of which encompasses the Corporation of the now Town of Halton Hills. The township was surveyed in 1818 by Charles Kennedy and Richard Bristol, into 11 concessions, each containing 32 lots. The first settlers are thought to have been James Hume and Ronald MacDonald.

We collect, preserve and publicize the history of Esquesing Township, Halton County, Ontario. We also have items from neighbouring townships of Trafalgar, Chinguacousy, Caledon, Erin, Eramosa and Nassageweya. Sometimes items related to an Esquesing citizen is from further afield.
The communities we cover are Stewarttown, Georgetown, Acton, the Scotch Block, which included the villages of Mansewood, Peru and Speyside. Norval was known as McNabsville. Limehouse, Ashgrove, Terra Cotta, Glen Williams, Ballinafad, Milton Heights; Dublin; Churchill; Glen Lawson; Dolly Varden; Silver Creek; Hornby, east and west; Whaley’s Corners; and Farlton round out the communities.

The Esquesing Historical Society was founded on 1 January, 1975 in Georgetown, Ontario, to collect, preserve, research, publish, educate and disseminate information about the history of the geographical township of Esquesing in Halton Region. The Esquesing Historical Society Archives were established in 1982 in cooperation with the Georgetown Branch of the Halton Hills Libraries at 9 Church Street, Georgetown.

We collect, preserve and publicize the history of Esquesing Township, Halton County, Ontario. We also have items from neighbouring townships of Trafalgar, Chinguacousy, Caledon, Erin, Eramosa and Nassageweya. Sometimes items related to an Esquesing citizen is from further afield. We collect photographs and paper records related to the Township and its citizens.

The Esquesing Historical Society Archives are located in the Halton Hills Public Library, Georgetown Branch at 9 Church Street, Georgetown.

The Archives can be consulted during regular Library hours up to 30 minutes before closing time. Library hours are: Monday 1-8:30 p.m.; Tuesday -Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Friday & Saturday 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Sunday (only Sept. to June) 1-5 p.m.

Records can be requested of Library staff by citing the file number. The files will be given one at a time. They must be consulted in the History Room or a location acceptable to Library staff. Records can be photocopied, photographed or scanned after consultation with staff. Archival gloves will be provided and only pencils are to be used in proximity to the documents. Photographs and some files are only available upon application to the EHS Archivist, by e-mail.

The Halton Hills Public Library and by association the EHS Archives are fully accessible.

Library staff will provide reference services as they are capable. Specific questions can be e-mailed to the Esquesing Historical Society. The EHS does not provide research services but can suggest a professional researcher.
The EHS Photograph Collection can be searched on request by the EHS Archiist. A selection of EHS photographs can be viewed at Halton Images. http://images.halinet.on.ca/search

Halton Hills Public Library provides pay as you go photocopy services and free scanners, as long as you bring your own USB. Items can be reproduced upon application to the Library staff. Some items cannot be copied.
Digital copies of EHS photographs can be ordered from the EHS Archivist by e-mail. Payment can be made to the Halton Hills Library Staff or by cheque sent to the EHS post box.

The History Room provides a quiet space where requested archive material can be viewed. The room also contains a framed copy of the 1858 Tremaine Map of Halton and the Library’s local history collection – publications and microfilm. The Archive storage area is off-limits to the public.