Ancaster Township Historical Society

07/26/2026

Jerseyville United Church. 1801-2026.

When United Empire Loyalists entered Southern and Western Ontario, they were followed by itinerant Methodist preachers. From 1801 to 1873, Jerseyville-Zion Hill was part of Longpoint, Ancaster, Hamilton and, finally, Dundas circuits. Among the Jerseyville Church leaders of those years were Hendershots, Millers, Fongers, Hornings and Howells.

In May of 1861, the present beautiful white brick building was dedicated. In 1884, the Methodist Episcopals United with the Wesleyan Methodists and their Church, situated directly across the street, was sold to become a dwelling. The boundaries of the charge were extended in 1916 to include trinity, formerly on the Onondaga circuit. Thus, by Church Union in 1925, they were a three point charge within The United Church of Canada.
On July 31st, Jerseyville United Church is due to close its doors. Having just observed its 225 anniversary as a congregation on May 31st, 2026.

06/01/2026

The ATHS is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend Raymond Wilson. Raymond was a longtime member of our organization and dutifully served as treasurer for many years. We remember fondly his encyclopedic knowledge of Ancaster history, his tremendous sense of humour, and his easy going manner.
He will be greatly missed.

04/26/2026

Ancaster Township Historical Society 2026-2027 Speaker’s Program.

Friday October 30th 2026.
Speaker: Robin McKee, Hamilton Historian and Author
Topic: "Cemeteries of Ancaster”.

Friday November 27th 2026.
Speaker: David Beland, researcher.
Topic: “Escandia Pottery Works, and Wedgewood of Canada”

Friday January 27th 2027.
Speaker: Ben Dyment, Archivist and Researcher
Topic: “The Archives of The Hamilton Wentworth District School Board”.

Friday February 26th 2027.
Speaker: Roger Zsiros Westry, Author and Historian
Topic: On his book “Ancaster’s Early Settlers”

Friday March 26th 2027.
Speaker: Dr. Laura Smith, Author and Historian
Topic: “1847: THe Great Irish Famine and Hamilton, Canada West”

Friday April 30th 2027.
Annual General Meeting.
Members Only Event.

*Note. All regular meetings to tentatively take place at Ancaster Old Townhall 310 Wilson Street East. Any change of venue will be announced and advertised with appropriate notice to both members and the general public.

04/26/2026

Salute to our Past!
In 1951, at Memorial School, The Ancaster Township Historical Society became live.
We salute the following for their wisdom and foresight 75 years ago!

Honorary President - Dr. J. Howard Holbrook
President - Lawrence R. Greene.
Vice Presidents - William C. Whitfield and Mrs. John G. McMurray
Secretary - Ms. Fannie Postans
Treasurer - Russel Brown.
Custodian - Dr. A.L. Speers.
Publication Editor - Bert Lewis
Councillors - Roy Moffat, John W. Sturrock, Alex Klim, Stewart Smith, and Sanford Bonham
Honorary Member - T. Roy Woodhouse

Together, along with others, they researched and wrote " Ancaster's Heritage"

04/26/2026

Congratulations to our Hamilton Wentworth Heritage Association Volunteer Award recipients for 2026: The Rev. Canon Robert "Bob" Brownlie, and Mr. Emannuel Franca.

11/23/2021

As a result of city staffing restrictions with respect to the screening for Covid 19 at Ancaster Townhall (a city owned property), and the unavailability of an alternate venue, the decision has regretfully been made to cancel the ATHS meeting scheduled for Friday, November 26th.

08/31/2021

Photo Cred: Dave Puskas.

08/31/2021

Monarch Butterfly, Fieldcote Gardens. [Photo Cred: Dave Puskas]

08/30/2021

08/30/2021

I have 5 gliclee prints made of my painting Ancaster 1970. They can be purchased, signed and numbered for $150.00 each, with $50.00 going to the Ancaster Township Historical Society. The original goes for $250.00 with the entire amount given to the Society.