Bayfield: Celebrating 150 Years

Julia Armstrong, a board member and archivist for the Bayfield Historical Society, is leading a special project to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Bayfield’s incorporation as a village. While the area was settled earlier, the 150-year milestone marks its official status as a village, which is now part of the Municipality of Bluewater.

To mark the occasion, the Society launched the "Bayfield Story Project," a digital scrapbook inviting residents and visitors to contribute memories. Whether it’s stories of growing up in the village, running a local business, or spending summers as a student or cottager, the project aims to capture cherished traditions and what people value most about Bayfield. Contributors are encouraged to submit two or three paragraphs and an image via bayfieldhistorical.ca. This initiative will serve as a permanent archive on their website.

Another highlight of the celebration is a new coffee table book titled Images of Bayfield. Produced by the Photo Club of Bayfield and the Historical Society with support from the Bayfield Lions Club, the book features contemporary photography alongside archival images to provide a "then and now" perspective of the community.

Additionally, local historian Dave Gillian is spearheading an updated edition of the book originally released for Bayfield’s centennial. Since the limited-edition 100th-anniversary book is no longer available, this revised version will be offered for sale as part of the 150th-anniversary festivities.

Armstrong notes that the village’s vibrant community spirit is reflected in its approximately twenty different organizations. These include the Photo Club, the Unukalhai Society, the Garden Club, the Bayfield Art Club, the Optimist Club, and the Lions Club—a remarkable variety for such a unique village.

The Historical Society has also expanded its presence on Main Street. The former Archives and Heritage Centre is now the Archives, Heritage, and Visitor Centre. This transformation was made possible through a collaboration with the Bayfield and Area Chamber of Commerce. The partnership is a practical solution to better serve the community: because Society staff were already frequently answering tourist inquiries due to their central location, it made sense to establish a formal welcome desk. The centre will be open full-time throughout the summer to assist visitors. www.bayfieldhistorical.ca  20 Bayfield Main St N, Bayfield