If you’ve ever wondered about the historical secrets your home and property could hold, a new workshop coming to Collingwood could help you explore it.
On April 8, the Collingwood Public Library will host Olivia White, digital preservation archivist from the Simcoe County Archives, to provide a talk on how to research the history of a home.
“We’re sort of a starting point for people who come in and have questions,” said White in an interview. “We’re a helpful resource to help people begin the process.”
As part of the workshop, White will explore with attendees how to conduct property research, highlighting records the archives currently has that can help anyone interested get started on their search.
She said attendees of the workshop will be able to see some archival records of Collingwood over the years.
“One of the important parts of getting started is thinking about the questions you want to be answering. What was the township your home was in before amalgamation? What buildings might have existed? Who has lived on the property before?” said White. “It can be helpful when thinking about what kinds of resources may be available.”
White says the Simcoe County Archive has helped lots of people over the years with similar research. She said it’s common for people who purchase heritage homes to find out the history so they can restore their home to how it used to look.
“We’ve been able to find pictures of the inside or outside of homes,” she said. “It can be really interesting.”
“It’s exciting to see how towns have changed over time,” said White.
While the Simcoe County Archives building in Midhurst is temporarily closed for renovations until June 30, White said archive staff can still assist with inquiries. For more information on the archives including how to reach out, click here.
Researching the History of Your Home will run at the Collingwood Public Library on April 8 from 10 to 11 a.m.
For more information or to reserve your spot, click here.