The Settler's Dream... 40 Years On

Event Details

Event type: All Ages / Licensed

The Settler’s Dream... 40 Years On

The well-known 1984 book, The Settler’s Dream, describes more than three hundred of the County’s significant heritage buildings.  This book was created by Tom Cruickshank from his in-depth research of more than 4,000 properties for the Historical Architectural Survey of Prince Edward (HASPE), with editing and contributions by heritage architect Peter Stokes. This remarkable book project was undertaken by the Corporation of the County of Prince Edward to commemorate the Bicentennial of the Province of Ontario in 1984.

Now, 40 years on, the Prince Edward County branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario invites you to celebrate the legacy of The Settler's Dream as Tom Cruickshank returns to the County on Saturday, November 2, to discuss local building traditions, examine the fate of some of his favourite buildings, share some “before” and “after” views of buildings saved and buildings lost, and recount his adventures canvassing Prince Edward from Carrying Place to Long Point. It promises to be a lively talk.

This 40th Anniversary Event will launch a community-wide initiative to digitize the valuable HASPE Collection, which contains thousands of photographs and written material assembled by Tom Cruickshank while compiling the heritage survey of County buildings in 1981.  Digitizing the collection will preserve it and make it more accessible to County residents, historians, genealogists, planners and consultants.  All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Prince Edward County Archives for this digitizing project.

The event will also feature brief presentations on aspects of the County’s cultural heritage as well as a discussion of the importance of the Archive’s HASPE Collection. In addition, copies of The Settler’s Dream will be available for purchase and can be signed by the author, and sample binders of material from the HASPE Collection, representing the County’s townships, will be available for viewing. 

A reception follows the presentations. Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine and refreshments, meet the author, buy copies of the book and participate in the silent auction featuring heritage-themed items.

The morning walking tour of Picton with Tom Cruickshank is now SOLD OUT.

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WHEN:  Saturday, November 2, 2024

• Afternoon Presentations + Reception  
$40 (plus ticketing service fee) 2:00pm

  St. Andrew's Church, 31 King St., Picton — Doors open at 1:30pm

• Morning Heritage Walking Tour + Afternoon Presentations + Reception
 $60 (plus ticketing service fee)
   The walking tour is now sold out.  Tickets are still available for the Afternoon Presentations + Reception.
   Starting point of the walking tour will be emailed to participants.

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 For more information, contact Marc Seguin.  phone: 613-391-1818    email: marc@ontariohistory.ca