Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society fonds
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Fonds
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Physical description area
Physical description
3.41 m of textual, graphic and audio material.
1,598 photographs: 996 col., 531 b&w, 1 framed, 19 sepia tone, 52 contact sheets.
4,123 negatives: 55 glass plate.
51 audio cassettes.
6 video cassettes.
3 objects.
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Administrative history
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.
Custodial history
The material was donated to the Hamilton Public Library, Local History & Archives Department (date unknown), by the Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society and was received in several accruals.
Scope and content
The fonds consists of predominantly textual and graphic materials pertaining to the organization’s exploration, preservation and promotion of local Hamilton history, restoration projects, events, promotional materials and publications. The fonds contains ten series including, administrative records, financial records, committee records, correspondence, restoration projects, programs and events, awards and recognition, promotional materials and publications, publicity, and photographs and negatives. The fonds contains audio and video cassettes featuring lectures and presentations on various historical topics, as well as recordings and publicity for special events.
Notes area
Physical condition
Good condition with a few damaged negatives. Gloves are to be worn when handling the photographs and negatives.
Immediate source of acquisition
Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society
Arrangement
The arrangement of the photographs and negatives is by date, with various subjects identified where possible. The original photographs and negatives were given an unexplained code or number by members of the Society, which was left on the material and has no relevance to the arrangement.
Language of material
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
No
Restrictions on access
The collection is open to researchers. There are no restrictions on access.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Copyright held by the creator. Many of the photographs and negatives in the collection were donated and at the time of donation, copyright was transferred to the Society. Many of these images were used by the Society for publications. Permission to use these images must be obtained from the Society. Preferred citation: Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society fonds, 00166, Hamilton Public Library, Hamilton, Ontario.
Finding aids
File list available.
Associated materials
Associated materials: The following related material can be found in the Local History & Archives (LH&A) department at Hamilton Public Library pertaining to the Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society fonds.
Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society. Around and About Hamilton, 1785-1985. Hamilton: W.L. Griffin Printing Limited, 1985. – Library Call Number: 971.352 ARO
Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society. Downtown Hamilton: The Heart of it All. Hamilton: Seldon Printing Limited, 1995. – Library Call Number: 971.352 DOW
Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society. Hamilton: Panorama of our Past. Hamilton: Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society, 1994. – Library Call Number: 971. 352 HAM
Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society. Wentworth Bygones: From the Papers and Records of the Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society, volumes 1-8. Hamilton: Walsh Printing Service, 1958-1967. – Library Call Number: 971.352 HEA
Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society Newsletter, Issues No.1-30, (1978-1983), missing No.7 and No.10
Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society: The Herald (Newsletter), No. 1-77, (1983-2010), missing No.73
Wentworth Historical Society. Journal and Transactions of the Wentworth Historical Society, volume 1. Hamilton: Spectator Printing Company, 1892. – Library Call Number: 971.351 WEN
Wentworth Historical Society. Journal and Transactions of the Wentworth Historical Society, volumes 2-5. Hamilton: The Griffin & Kidner Co. Ltd, 1899-1905. – Library Call Number:971.351 WEN
Wentworth Historical Society. Papers and Records of the Wentworth Historical Society, volumes 6-11. Hamilton: The Griffin & Richmond Co. Ltd, 1915-1924. – Library Call Number: 971.351 WEN
Wentworth Historical Society fonds (Accession #00571)
One framed pencil sketch of the Stoney Creek Battlefield House Monument by J.G. Smith (1946), presented to the Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society, September 1946 – see Local History & Archives Art Inventory – Stoney Creek Monument – Code #00166
Accruals
An accrual of material was donated to the Hamilton Public Library, Local History and Archives department by member Murray Aikman, November 12, 2020. This material was processed into the original fonds in 2024, which was revised and updated. The accrual material consisted of a number of photographs, a photograph album and some negatives of various Hamilton landmarks, buildings, companies, etc., collected or taken by members of the Society, as well as Society newsletters, newspaper clippings, promotional materials, photographs of various events, and information on Thomas Melville Bailey, a long-time volunteer and founding member of the Society. The material also included items that were not directly related to the Society, but pertain to Hamilton history including various publications, pamphlets and programs, as well as advertisements, bills and receipts from various companies. This material was added to the Hamilton book collection and the artificial collection of materials within the department. The newsletters donated with this accrual were added to the Society newsletters located in the periodical collection. The photograph album containing 93 images had adhesive backing and plastic covering, which is not ideal for preservation purposes. The photographs were removed from the album and placed into acid-free envelopes, which were labeled, transcribed and dated.
Further accruals of material are possible.
General note
Title is based on the contents of the Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society fonds.
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Status
Final
Level of detail
Full
Dates of creation, revision and deletion
The fonds was processed in 2018 by Archives Technician Kelly Bucci. The fonds was revised in 2024 to include the material from the accrual.
Language of description
Script of description
Sources
Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society. "Welcome to the Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society." Accessed January 16, 2018. https://www.headofthelake.ca/history.html.