Wentworth Historical Society

Instelling

Wentworth Historical Society

1889-1925

The Wentworth Historical Society was originally established in 1889 as the Wentworth Pioneer and Historical Society. The membership consisted of a number of prominent Hamiltonians including former mayors Charles McGill and Alexander McKay, as well as notable residents whose ancestors were early settlers to this region, such as Thomas Beasley, Colonel John Land, John H. Land, and George H. Mills, the Society’s first President. Other notable members included businessmen Joseph Lister, William Eli Sanford and Thomas C. Watkins. The objective of the Society was to stimulate interest in and promote the study of history, archaeology and genealogy around the Hamilton region, and to collect and preserve that history. Some of the original members had personally witnessed historical events or heard memories of the events from their pioneer ancestors, and could recount the details for lectures and publications, including 11 volumes of the Papers and Records of the Wentworth Historical Society, published from 1892 to 1924. During its 36-year existence, the Wentworth Historical Society collected many books, papers and artifacts of historic value, some of which were housed at Dundurn Castle, as the Society did not have its own building. The organization was also instrumental in marking historic sites in the Hamilton area, as well as preserving several historic landmarks, particularly the site of the Battle of Stoney Creek. The Wentworth Historical Society was determined to have a monument constructed at Smith’s Knoll in Stoney Creek, which was generally accepted as the centre of the conflict, and where the remains of soldiers are buried. The monument was constructed in 1908 as a memorial to those who fought and died during the War of 1812. The Society also desired to construct a museum building for the public, as well as to house its growing collection of artifacts and documents.

The Wentworth Historical Society was the first historical society in Canada to admit women to its membership with the creation of the Ladies’ Committee on May 21, 1895. The Ladies’ Committee was organized to assist with the establishment of the proposed historical museum at Harvey Park near Dundurn Castle. The women organized and held a successful event that raised funds for this building. After the money was raised, some members of the Ladies’ Committee, including Sara Calder, granddaughter of James and Mary Davis Gage who had owned the Gage homestead and property (currently Battlefield House Museum and Park), felt that the choice of locations for the museum near Dundurn Castle and for a monument at Smith’s Knoll in Stoney Creek, were not appropriate, instead preferring the Gage homestead and grounds. The disagreement between these members of the Ladies’ Committee and other members of the Wentworth Historical Society, led to some of the women breaking away and forming the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society in 1899, with Sara Calder as the first President. Years later, the money raised by the Ladies’ Committee of the Wentworth Historical Society would be the subject of a legal dispute between the two groups that would see the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society triumph. Although both organizations were eventually successful in getting their separate monuments built, the dispute over site locations, the protracted legal case over money, along with declining membership and finances, forced the Wentworth Historical Society and the remainder of the Ladies’ Committee to dissolve in 1925. The books, papers and records of the Wentworth Historical Society were placed in storage with the hope that one day the organization would be able to revive itself again. That time came in 1944 when the Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society was formed and took possession of the records. This new generation of historical enthusiasts helped to breathe new life into the study, promotion and preservation of Hamilton’s history, and continues the dedication and work of its predecessor to the present day.

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Historical Society - Promotion and preservation of historical people, places and events.

Author Unknown. "The Wentworth Historical Society," Tinsley Scrapbook, Vol. 4, p. 71-74. Originally from the Hamilton Herald, December 20, 1905. Library Call No. – R971.351 T497

Author Unknown. The Wentworth Historical Society: Papers from 1889 to 1951. (October 1960). Local History and Archives Department, Hamilton Public Library.

Farmer, Mary H. Wentworth Historical Society: Fred Hamilton Papers, 1920-1925. (October 1966). Local History and Archives Department, Hamilton Public Library.

Griffin, Justus A. "Monument Sites: With Correspondence and Papers Relating Thereto, " In Journal and Transactions of the Wentworth Historical Society, no.3, published by the Wentworth Historical Society, p.91-101. Griffin & Kidner, Printers, Hamilton, Ontario, 1902.

Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society. "Welcome to the Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society." Accessed June 16, 2025. https://www.headofthelake.ca/history.html.

Wentworth Historical Society Collection material.