Our Mission Statement
The Hastings County Historical Society was established in 1957 and continues to focus on researching and sharing the history of Hastings County. This is achieved through educational programs, assisting in the research and production of local publications, and promoting activities related to the history and culture of the people of Hastings County. The Historical Society is a partner in the Community Archives of Belleville and Hastings County and encourages the donation of historically significant documents and photos.
Our Organization
A key goal of our team of devoted volunteers is to develop a modern, active, 21st century Historical Society as a dynamic vehicle to bring to all the people of Hastings County the amazing and colourful stories of the events and people who, over the past 200 years, made this county what it is today. To achieve this, we rely on a wide range of programs delivered by traditional written and in-person events plus on-line presentations, supported and delivered by our network of social media platforms.
We feel strongly that local history is totally relevant to our lives today as both we and our communities have been built on the experiences of the past. When our history is brought to us by informative and entertaining programs, it takes on a vibrant life and forms a link from those who have gone before us to our current daily lives.
As we look forward, we see new challenges to face the fast-changing styles of daily life. Our heritage must be passed to students, to young families as well as to the growing numbers of seniors in a language that each understands and adopts as their own. I am confident that the 21st Century Hastings County Historical Society is responding to all of these demands and will continue to grow and adapt to keep local history a hot topic on all of our agendas.
Gary Nicoll
President
Officers:
Directors at large:
Ted Bradford
Connie Carson
Michelle Hutchison
Stanley Jones
Jim Kennelly
Trevor Parsons
Steve Young
Ex Officio:
Richard Hughes (Past President)
Amanda Hill (Archivist)
The Board of Directors is elected each year at the Annual General Meeting of the Society, in accordance with the Society’s bylaws. Any member in good standing is eligible to stand for election and vote at the AGM. A minimum of five and a maximum of thirteen directors can stand for election each year. Vacancies may be filled by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Members of the Hastings County Historical Society are appointed in January each year by the Board of Directors to fill positions beneficial to the overall operation of the Society. Our 2024 committees and members include:
Outlook Newsletter Production
Donna Fano (layout)
Laurel Bishop (editor)
Outlook Newsletter distribution
Michelle Hutchison
Richard Hughes
Programs/Speakers
Jim Kennelly
Trevor Parsons
Membership
Amanda Hill
Bus Tours
Dan Atkinson
Richard Hughes
Michelle Hutchison
Gary Nicoll
Exhibits/Displays/Events
Stanley Jones
Archivist
Amanda Hill
Coordinator – Other Historical Societies
Gary Nicoll
Publications for Sale
Michelle Hutchison
Social Media
Amanda Hill
Gerry Boyce Award
Dan Atkinson
Jim Kennelly
Gary Nicoll
Website Content & Maintenance
Amanda Hill