Orangeville: The Heart of Dufferin County

The Town of Orangeville has a colourful, exciting past -- a history being documented in book form for the first time. From the early days of the Irish pioneers escaping the political problems of Ireland to the present influx of new residents fleeing the pressures of cities, Orangeville has been a town that has adapted well to change, always ready for new ideas. The strength of the community has been the people who have chosen to live there and who have left us interesting traces of their lives and the times. Much of the material used to research this book comes from newspapers, diaries, letters and other first-person documents, and archival photographs. Wherever possible, original quotes and stories in the language of the residents of the town appear throughout this history.

The story of Orangeville and its surrounding area starts with the story of the Credit River, which rises within the town limits and maintains its presence as the town enters the 21st century. Brimming with stories never before heard, the pages are filled with humour, sadness and the range of emotions characteristic of a small Ontario town. For some the book will awaken memories; for others, it will introduce them to the community where they have chosen to live.

Wayne Townsend was born in Dufferin County in East Luther township. A lifelong collector, Wayne purchased his first antique, a Benningtonware bowl, at age 12. Wayne has been involved in several restorations of historic buildings in Orangeville, including the Opera House and Market and the Dufferin County Courthouse, as well as actively participating in numerous community historic organizations. After an 18-year career in Graphic Art, Wayne Townsend became the curator of the Dufferin County Museum & Archives in 1988 and opened their new facility in 1994. Since then, he has focused on building the collection of artifacts and archival material for the facility. In the last two years, since discovering the Dufferin County connection to W. J. Hughes Corn Flower, the museum has collected over 500 pieces of Corn Flower and catalogued the archival materials of the company. Wayne is an advocate of local Canadian heroes being celebrated in their communities.