Ramara Historical Society - Yesteryears July 26, 2025
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Be a part of Yesteryears 2025!

Do you have a collection of antique items, a vintage mode of transportation, agricultural equipment, knowledge of local history or a skill to share with our visitors at Yesteryears?  It's not too late, contact us today!

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Be sure to see our NEW additions to entertain you! 

Contact Us

 Yesteryears can attribute its success to our countless participants, exhibitors and demonstrators.  Have a look at our 2017 participants.

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​Tent Showcase
​Be sure to spend some time in our portable museum. Members will share their private collections and items donated to the Society by local residents. Check out our new Canadian Inventions display. We are sure you will learn something new. Imagine sailing the waters of Lake Simcoe in a 1909 Canoe, see a World War II minister's organ that travelled the battlefields in Europe, get a work out at our laundry display. There is so much to see! 

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​Take a stroll down memory lane with John Gardner as he shares stories, maps and photographs on Brechin of Yore. 

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NEW!
Watch Terry Dyball as he demonstrates blacksmithing techniques over his portable coal forge. See the tools that turn metal rods into functional items necessary for daily life in days gone by and unique creations today. ​

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​Its time to celebrate the more than 100 years of heritage of the Ontario Provincial Police with the Friends of The O.P.P. Museum. Children can try on uniforms, make buttons and learn about the exhibits within the museum located just minutes away.

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​           Rural churches were an important community base for religious activities, social events, family celebrations and aspects of the daily lives of their congregations. Join parishioners from the variety of churches across Ramara as they share historical documents, artefacts and church information.

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Visit with members of the Coldwater Canadiana Heritage Museum as they share information about the artefacts they have brought with them from their designated historic site including a Leatherdale Carriage built in Coldwater. Learn about the activities available at the Woodrow homestead built in the 1840s and rural life in Simcoe County.

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With each patch of material and hand stitch, quilts connect the past with the present and the future . Friendships were sewn around the quilting frame one stitch at a time, as the women of Ramara turned bits and pieces of fabric into works of art. These traditions continue today as the Ramara Library Quilting Club demonstrates quilting techniques, the tools and a display of assorted quilted items.


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You won't be able to keep your feet still as you listen to the local musical talent that will perform from the main stage behind the church.
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NEW!
​Travel back in time to the Civil War with re-enactors Kyle & Mitchell as they share their knowledge of daily camp life for soldiers, meals, leisure activities, officer's quarters, military tactics and advancement.

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 NEW!
Margaret Pomeroy
​Don't miss this display of vintage quilts, blankets and coverlets that showcase the talented handiwork of the ladies who spent countless hours with a needle in hand. ​

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Members of the St. Columbkille Parish will lead tours of the church. Hear their ghost stories and the history of this local church. Enjoy sandwiches, a slice of homemade pie or barbecued food throughout the day. 

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As a fundamental practice for survival in Canada, fur trapping became an integral way of life for local Aboriginals and early settlers providing food, clothing, shelter and income as furs were sold to the European market. Visit with local trapper Dale Black as he displays a variety of furs and traps.


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Put some muscle into it as you work with a partner to make your own multi-purpose rope the old fashioned way.

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Meet representatives from the Ramara Public Library and explore the array of historical reference material and resources available in the library's collection at its various branches.

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​Brechin and Beyond
​If you are enjoying the bikes on display throughout Brechin then be sure to stop by and tell these volunteers. Find out about their next project that is around the corner. 

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Join members of SALT - Seniors and Law Enforcement Together as they provide information on crime prevention and the issues seniors in our community face on a daily basis.

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Ramara Fire and Rescue Services will be on site with their vintage pumper and modern equipment to demonstrate and provide information on fire prevention and emergency planning.

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Home
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Returning 
 Ever since a magician turned  a newspaper into a live rabbit in his own hands at the young age of 3, Gary Austin has been bitten by the magic bug and has been hooked on magic ever since. Combining his love of magic with his wild sense of humour, quick wit, balloon, twisting and a little juggling, Gary has become a well-known entertainer throughout Simcoe County. Leaving his audiences with a sense of wonder and smiles on their faces, entertainment by Gary is sure to be "A Magically Funny Good Time". Catch Gary's show each hour or as he wanders the grounds and challenges you to believe in magic.

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​Returning 
​Spot our comic-juggler and unicyclist, Johnny Toronto throughout the day as he makes our visitors laugh with his antics. Perhaps we can convince him to trade his unicycle in for something a little more appropriate for Yesteryears, come and see.

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 As the western gateway to Ramara Township, Atherley is well known for its location at the Narrows, historical establishments and community connections. Browse through old aerial photographs of the area, postcards and more with Ted Duncan.

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Connect with the Ontario Genealogical Society's local branch and its representatives who can assist you in documenting your family heritage. Browse through OGS promotional material and learn how to research, record and preserve your ancestral history.

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 Beaverton Thorah Eldon Historical Society will join us with a display of barn images throughout Thorah and Eldon Townships, information on their museum and events.

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NEW!
​Visit with our local Chamber and find out how they support and promote businesses in Ramara to enhance our economic and community prosperity.  Don't forget to pick up your township map and brochures. 



​Vintage Vehicles                                                                       

1914 Model T Ford
​1914 Model T Ford
1919 Model T Roadster

1921 Model T Ford Truck 
​1923 La France Fire Truck (Orillia's first gas operated fire truck) Orillia Heritage Centre

​​1927 McLaughlin Buick
​1927 Model T Ford

1927 Ford Pick-Up Truck
1928 Durant Depot Hack
1929 Ford Model A Autotrac
​1930 Model A Coupe

1938 Plymouth Coupe
1949 Chevrolet

1952 Chevy 2 DR Post
1955 Chevy 210 Sedan  
1956 Ford Crown Victoria
1963 Studebaker Pick-Up Truck
1964 Chev
​1965 Dodge Pick-Up Truck

1968 Pontiac Bonneville
1969 Mercury Cyclone
​1970 GMC Pick-Up Truck
​1978 Monte Carlo

​1992 Buick Roadmaster 
​1993 Cadillac Allante

Vintage Construction Equipment & Engines

1940’s Homemade Road Grader
Homemade ATV
Stationary Engine - 3/4 HP with water pump
Hit & Miss Motors
Steam Engine
To Scale Working Models of Gas Engines
Antique Gas Engines & Water Pumps & Pump Jacks & Old Cordless Drills
​Miller Paving Vintage Tandem Axel Truck


Vintage Tractors & Farm Equipment

1937 Silver King
1938 Co-op
Miniature 1/3 scale Cockshutt 30
1939 General

1948 Gibson
102 Junior Massey Harris
1941 Ford 9N 'Backwards Tractor'
1941 Farmall BN

1943 - 102 Senior Massey Harris
​1946 Farmall A

​1948 McCormick Deering WD9
1948 Waterloo Bronco
1948 John Deere Model D
​1949 Farmall Club
​1949 Waterloo Bronco
​1949 John Deere AW

1949 John Deere M **first tractor sold from Byers dealership
1949 McCormick IH W4 
​1949 Oliver 77 Standard 
​1950 22 Massey Harris
​1950 McCormick W4 ** formerly owned by Joe Heitzner of Brechin

1951 John Deere AR 
1951 Farmall IHC
1952 Farmall Super MD
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1952 Model A John Deere
1952 Allis Chalmer 1B
​1954 John Deere 50
1954 McCormick Super W
​1955 Allis Chalmer CA
​Model M John Deere - first tractor sold at Allan Byers to local farmer
W4 International
Oliver Tractor
​1965 Allis Chalmer Big 10 Riding Lawn Tractor
​1968 Allis Chalmer B112 Riding Lawn Tractor
​Massey Harris 201
​Massey Harris 333 Row Crop
​#44 Massey Harris
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​Vintage Wheel Horses Garden Tractors

1946 Little Beaver Grain Grinder
Rope Making Machine
Threshing Machine
Wooden Seed Drill
Bailer
Grain Fanning Mill
Scythe mower
Horse drawn wagons, buggies and sleighs
​Walk behind plow
​Shingle Mill
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