Our Projects
In fulfilling its motto, "Explore, Preserve, Relate," the Society has been involved in many local activities. Guest speakers at monthly meetings have addressed a broad range of topics about Hamilton and its environs. Many of these past talks have been published in the Society's journal, Wentworth Bygones. The society has also sought to preserve and mark different historical figures, events and otherwise in Hamilton.
If you're interested in becoming involved there are several options that include:
- Serving as a board member
- Working on future Society publications
- Volunteering at the Society's book table at community events
- Working on special projects that the Society may undertake from time to time
Over the years, the Society has attempted to collect and preserve historical photographs of the area. This activity led to the publication of two popular volumes of local history: Around and About Hamilton, 1785-1985 and Hamilton: Panorama of Our Past. As well, the Society has sponsored several historical plaques, including one on the site of the King's Head Inn, Memorial School (Memorial Hall) and the T H & B (James Street South and Hunter St.) to commemorate important people and events in the Hamilton area.
In 1990, a Society-initiated project saw the historic 1890 City Hall clock and bell incorporated into the Hamilton Eaton Centre development. The Society's next project was even more ambitious: the restoration of the Gore Park Fountain. Society members and residents of the community-at-large joined together, under the auspices of the Fountain Foundation, an offshoot of the Society, to raise over $500,000. This enabled the Society to rebuild the fountain, which was a centrepiece of Gore Park and a kind of focal point for civic life in Hamilton until it was dismantled in 1959. The newly-restored fountain was turned on in October 1996, one of the major events in the city's sesquicentennial celebrations of that year.
Also, from its formation in 1944, members of the Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society frequently undertook “outings” to historical sites. One of the earliest of these ventures was a visit to Hamilton Cemetery. Through until the late 1990s numerous “June Outings” took place - many of them by chartered bus. Related information can be found in the Society’s minute books & possibly via other records within the Society’s archives at the library.
Below are several examples of notable past projects undertaken by the Society and its members.
The MacNab Monument
In 2003, the Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society received permission from the Keppel Society of England and the decendants of Sir Allan MacNab to erect a monument on the resting place of various members of the MacNab family ( Sir Allan's parents, his first wife and his son, his brother and two nephews) in Hamilton Cemetery. This site had been unmarked since 1909 when the remains of the family were removed from the family plot, Inchbuie, on the Dundurn Castle grounds, and were reinterred in Hamilton Cemetery. (Macnab and other family members were reinterred in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.)
On Saturday, May 15, 2004 at Hamilton Cemetery, The Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society, unveiled a monument to the MacNab family members.
The 1890 Clock and Bell
In 1990 a Society initiated project saw the historic 1890 City Hall clock and bell incorporated into the Hamilton Eaton Centre development.
Rev. Dr. T. Melville Bailey
T. Melville Bailey grew up in Hamilton’s closeknit west end community developing a fascination for Dundurn Castle & Sir Allan MacNab. His strong faith lead him to a career in the ministry of the Presbyterian Church of Canada. During the early 1950’s Rev. Bailey led the effort to establish The South Gate Presbyterian Church.
Mel Bailey was instrumental in the founding of both The Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society in 1944 and the Hamilton Mountain Heritage Society in 1996. He was also a long time member of the Hamilton Historical Board and authored numerous articles and books related to Hamilton History. Perhaps his most important contribution was the four volume work of: The Dictionary of Hamilton Biography. A truly inspirational leader in the ongoing task of exploring, preserving and relating our local history.
Gore Park Fountain
Society members, local businesses and corporations, and residents of the community-at-large joined together, under the auspices of the Fountain Foundation, an offshoot of the Society, to raise over $500,000 in order to rebuild the fountain, which was a centrepiece of Gore Park and a focal point for civic life in Hamilton until it was dismantled in 1959. The newly-restored fountain was turned on in October 1996, one of the major events in the city's sesquicentennial celebrations of that year.
The King's Head Inn Plaque
The King's Head Inn Plaque was unveiled on September 24, 1994.
Other Works
Plaques: We have sponsored several historical plaques to commemorate people and events in the Hamilton area. In this regard, we have worked in close conjunction with the former Joint Plaquing Committee of the Hamilton Historical Board.
Wentworth Bygones: The journal, Wentworth Bygones, was established and first published in 1958. Some hard copies are available for purchase. For more information, see our publications page.