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Both native to Prince Edward Island, Elaine Hughes (nee Corr) and Bernie Hughes left the province and moved to Hamilton, Ontario. At the age of 18, Elaine moved to Hamilton and began attending the P.E.I. Country Club on the corner of Bay and King Sts, where she later met Bernie Hughes. Bernie Hughes started his country music career in Hamilton on CHCH TV’s Saturday Night Jamboree, playing with a band called the Rhythmaires. He later formed a band of his own called the Mountain City Playboys and frequently performed at the Jockey Club in Hamilton, Merritt Hall in Ancaster, along with other venues in the area, and a featured performance and the Grand Ole Opry in 1961.

Elaine Hughes used to work for the Mountain City Playboys by copying out music for the band, ordering uniforms and performing general management duties. In 1971, Bernie & Elaine Hughes released their first album together, and they ran a live radio broadcast from the Saddle Room at the Jockey Club for 17 years.

Bernie Hughes was a respected member of the Hamilton Musicians’ Guild and was considered by the music community as one of the “fathers of country music” in Hamilton. In 1981, Bernie died after a long battle with cancer. Elaine Hughes continued to sing and play music after his death and formed a musical partnership with Smiling Bill McCormack. Elaine continues to play country music with friends at the Veteran’s Service League in Hamilton.

The Ancient Order United Workmen began in the United States in 1868 and was the first fraternal benefit society to offer financial insurance to its members. Providing insurance for workingmen during the 1860s was a novel idea, but the A.O.U.W believed that its fraternal structure and its low overhead costs made it more likely to succeed compared to commercial life insurance firms that often went bankrupt. Working class men had to apply for membership and if accepted, had to pay a $1.00 initiation fee. When a member died, his dependents would receive a $2,000 payout. After the death of a member, each remaining member in the association would be required to pay another $1.00 to replenish the fund. The popularity of the association resulted in many branches being established throughout the United States and even in Canada. The Grand Lodge of Ontario A.O.U.W. chapter was established in 1880 and had 226 lodges in the province, including the Hamilton Lodge No.49, which was established that same year with 500 initial members. The Hamilton Lodge was similar to the parent association in that it was a fraternal benevolent organization providing social and financial support to its members and their dependents by visiting the sick, assisting the poor, and caring for the orphans and widows of deceased members. The association also promoted the establishment of libraries and reading rooms to further education and learning, as well as advocated for apprenticeship opportunities. The association was incorporated by the Ancient Order of Independent Foresters in 1926.

The Ancient Order United Workmen began in the United States in 1868 and was the first fraternal benefit society to offer financial insurance to its members. Providing insurance for workingmen during the 1860s was a novel idea, but the A.O.U.W believed that its fraternal structure and its low overhead costs made it more likely to succeed compared to commercial life insurance firms that often went bankrupt. Working class men had to apply for membership and if accepted, had to pay a $1.00 initiation fee. When a member died, his dependents would receive a $2,000 payout. After the death of a member, each remaining member in the association would be required to pay another $1.00 to replenish the fund. The popularity of the association resulted in many branches being established throughout the United States and even in Canada. The Grand Lodge of Ontario A.O.U.W. chapter was established in 1880 and had 226 lodges in the province, including the Hamilton Lodge No.49, which was established that same year with 500 initial members. The Hamilton Lodge was similar to the parent association in that it was a fraternal benevolent organization providing social and financial support to its members and their dependents by visiting the sick, assisting the poor, and caring for the orphans and widows of deceased members. The association also promoted the establishment of libraries and reading rooms to further education and learning, as well as advocated for apprenticeship opportunities. The association was incorporated by the Ancient Order of Independent Foresters in 1926.

In 1886, Charles S. Cochran (1854-1933) opened a photographic studio in association with Alexander M. Cunningham (1863-1926). In 1902, Cochran left and the studio was renamed the A.M. Cunningham Studio. After his son Charles H. Cunningham joined the business the name changed to A.M. Cunningham & Son. When Alexander died, Charles continued the business, which was known in later years as the Cunningham Studio. In 1955, Charles retired and sold his interest in the firm. From 1967 to 1968 the business was known as the Reid Studio. In 1969, the photographic studio closed because the building was set to be demolished for a downtown urban renewal project.

The Alumnae Association of the Wesleyan Ladies' College, established in June 1868, supported the continued intellectual engagement of graduates of Wesleyan Ladies' College. Their motto was "Vita sine literis mors est" (Life without literature is death). The Alumnae Association's Literary Club was primarily composed of Wesleyan alumnae, but accepted some non-alumnae as well as daughters and grand-daughters of original graduate-members, and continued to do so after the college ceased to exist. The Literary Club, sometimes referred to as the Ladies' Literary Club or Hamilton Ladies Literary Club, was also affiliated with the Royal Society of Canada. The club met on a biweekly basis from October to May, and held an annual meeting in June. In the 1957-1958 season, they started to meet once a month. The Literary Club remained active until ca.1966.

Gray graduated from the University of Toronto in metallurgy at the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, 1930-1934. Upon his graduation, he began a 39 year career as an engineer at Stelco in Hamilton, Ontario.

Donald William Adams was born June 4, 1922 in Louth Township to Stanley William Adams and Dorothy Serena (Kerr) Adams. The family moved to Hamilton a few years later. They lived with Charles Staple Kerr and Mary Alberta (Knight) Kerr, his maternal grandparents. C.S. Kerr was a high school teacher employed at Central Collegiate Institute. They lived at 92 Blake Street until about 1938 then moved to 36 Maple Avenue. Don Adams attended Hamilton Technical School and was then employed by the Bell Telephone Company. He was a member of the Cedar Springs Ski Club and the Model Engineer's Club. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in about 1942 and became a Pilot Officer with the Atlantic Transport Group. While at the Ellenburg Depot in New York State he was killed in a flying accident on June 22, 1944 along with three other men. He is buried in Woodland Cemetery.

The Hamilton Active Service Canteen was established on May 2, 1941, by the volunteers of the Hamilton Citizens’ Committee for War Services, with the purpose of supporting and entertaining military service personnel stationed in Hamilton during World War Two. After a meeting to discuss the logistics of operation, the Active Service Canteen opened its doors on May 17, 1941. The building was located right downtown at 20 King Street East, just east of James Street, occupying the entire second floor of the building. In the early days of the canteen, attendance was low, so financing came from various sources including donations from local clubs. After a year in operation with over 160,000 visitors, the canteen became self-sufficient and even opened another location specifically geared to female service members at 10 James Street North.

The Hamilton Active Service Canteen was staffed entirely by volunteers, many of whom were women, who served in the kitchen, the games room, and as dancing partners for the servicemen. The canteen served light refreshments with a menu including salads, soups, sandwiches, bread, pies, ice cream, coffee and cokes, all at reasonable prices. Entertainment included weekly Saturday night dances, as well as a games room with card tables, ping pong tables and a billiards table, along with a few pianos. There was also a reading room that was stocked with books, magazines and local newspapers, as well as notepads for writing home to family and friends. When the war in Europe ended, the canteen was no longer needed, so it closed its doors on November 17, 1945. Over the 5 years the canteen was in operation, it served close to 1 million service members, and provided a comfortable, sociable and entertaining home away from home for those who served their country during the war.

The Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society was established in 1944, when Lieutenant Colonel Charles R. McCullough convened a meeting of historically-minded residents of Hamilton to discuss the establishment of a new local history society to replace the former Wentworth Historical Society (1889-1925). The Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society exists to promote Hamilton’s history through its motto: Explore, Preserve, Relate. The Society holds regular meetings and annual Heritage Day dinner celebrations, as well as outreach activities such as lectures and day outings to local historical sites. The Society has collected and preserved historical photographs of the Hamilton area, many of which have been included in its publications on Hamilton history. In partnership with the Hamilton Historical Board, the Society has sponsored several historical plaques to commemorate important people and events in the city of Hamilton and the surrounding region. The Society has also been actively involved in restoring important historical landmarks such as the incorporation of the Old City Hall clock into the Hamilton Eaton’s Centre, and the Gore Park Fountain in downtown Hamilton.

The Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society was established in 1944, when Lieutenant Colonel Charles R. McCullough convened a meeting of historically-minded residents of Hamilton to discuss the establishment of a new local history society to replace the former Wentworth Historical Society (1889-1925). The Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society exists to promote Hamilton’s history through its motto: Explore, Preserve, Relate. The Society holds regular meetings and annual Heritage Day dinner celebrations, as well as outreach activities such as lectures and day outings to local historical sites. The Society has collected and preserved historical photographs of the Hamilton area, many of which have been included in its publications on Hamilton history. In partnership with the Hamilton Historical Board, the Society has sponsored several historical plaques to commemorate important people and events in the city of Hamilton and the surrounding region. The Society has also been actively involved in restoring important historical landmarks such as the incorporation of the Old City Hall clock into the Hamilton Eaton’s Centre, and the Gore Park Fountain in downtown Hamilton.

The Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society was established in 1944, when Lieutenant Colonel Charles R. McCullough convened a meeting of historically-minded residents of Hamilton to discuss the establishment of a new local history society to replace the former Wentworth Historical Society (1889-1925). The Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society exists to promote Hamilton’s history through its motto: Explore, Preserve, Relate. The Society holds regular meetings and annual Heritage Day dinner celebrations, as well as outreach activities such as lectures and day outings to local historical sites. The Society has collected and preserved historical photographs of the Hamilton area, many of which have been included in its publications on Hamilton history. In partnership with the Hamilton Historical Board, the Society has sponsored several historical plaques to commemorate important people and events in the city of Hamilton and the surrounding region. The Society has also been actively involved in restoring important historical landmarks such as the incorporation of the Old City Hall clock into the Hamilton Eaton’s Centre, and the Gore Park Fountain in downtown Hamilton.