Preserving Heritage
About Us
In the year of 1964, the Historical Society was formed by volunteer prophets who saw the need to preserve our history before it was lost. It was a difficult struggle, sometimes barely understood by onlookers.
It was called the East Durham Historical Society. East Durham was an ancient area which consisted of the town of Port Hope (now Ward 1), the township of Hope Township (now Ward 2), part of Cavan Township (now part of Peterborough County) and part of Clarke Township (now part of Clarington).
In spite of a modest beginning, much has been accomplished over the years: collecting artifacts, recording artifacts, preserving pure history and folk memories, arranging for the erection of historic plaques, publishing books and operating a museum.
Along the way, there were devoted volunteers to serve and strong leadership to manage and point the way, and we are truly grateful for their legacy.
Presently, we are a group of likeminded people who consider it an honour to reminisce about the past, preserve what we can, learn lessons, and embark upon the future, being ever mindful of the struggles our forebears endured to bring us to the present.
Today, we cover the Municipality of Port Hope, which includes the town and the township of Hope.
Port Hope & District Historical Society Presidents
| *Mr Michael Wladyka | 1964-1965 |
| *Mrs Gwen Wilkinson | 1966-1967 |
| *Mrs Edna Barrowclough | 1968-1970 |
| *Dr O B Dickinson | 1971-1972 |
| *Miss Anna Retallick | 1973-1974 |
| *Mrs Kay VanCamp | 1975-1976 |
| *Mr Max Wilson | 1977-1978 |
| *Mr Clare Kappler | 1979-1980 |
| *Mrs Kay VanCamp | 1981 |
| *Mr Frank Melvanin | 1982-1983 |
| *Mr Norman Strong | 1984-1985 |
| Mr Ron Good | 1986-1987 |
| *Mr Jackson Peacock | 1988-1990 |
| *Mrs Marjorie Kenton | 1990-1992 |
| *Mr Milford White | 1992-1994 |
| Dr Richard Gardiner | 1994-1996 |
| *Mr Sanford Haskill | 1996-1997 |
| Mr Brian Hart | 1997-1999 |
| Mr John van de Wall | 1999-2001 |
| Mr Roger Wilson | 2002 |
| Mr Tim Strong | 2002 |
| Mr Mark Peacock | 2003 – 2005 |
| Mrs. Joan Smith | 2005 – 2008 |
| Mr. Ron Getz | 2008 – 2009 |
| Mrs. Joan Parrott | 2010 – 2017 |
| Mr. Tim Austin | 2017 – 2023 |