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Heritage Day 2024

We are showcasing the “Agricultural History of Trafalgar Township“ on our Heritage Day, 28 September 2024 10am to 3pm at the restored heritage Palermo schoolhouse in Oakville.

The World of Bees

A great chance for kids to get close to bees and how they impact agriculture.

Talk to the Beekeeper: Ask questions about such things as: how long do bees live? how do they pollinate? how do you find the queen bee? do beekeepers get stung by bees? and many more questions you have.

See Inside a BackedbyBees Real Beehive: Get a close-up look at the inner workings of a beehive with an observation hive.

Try the Honey made by the Bees: Don’t miss the chance to sample delicious, locally produced honey and honey products.

More details, click here.

Live Farm Animals

This is an opportunity for kids to get up close to animals from the farm.

There will be several types of farm animals located behind the Palermo heritage schoolhouse in the yard that you will be able to get up close.

Ask questions of the farm animal handler about the types of animals that you would typically find on a farm in Trafalgar Township.

More details, click here.

Photo with the Head Teacher

Kids will be able to ring the hand bell to call students to class and pose with the Head Teacher at his desk at the front of the schoolroom. Perhaps they will also be able to drop off an apple for the teacher and get a few candies from the teacher’s candy jar on his desk.

The heritage schoolroom has been restored by the Trafalgar Township Historical Society. The schoolroom has the original chalk boards and many of the school texts that were used form the 1890’s to the 1960’s.

Life on the Farm

In the early 20th century, family life on the farm was a mix of hard work and simple pleasures. Each day began at dawn, with every family member playing a vital role. Fathers and sons worked the fields, while mothers and daughters managed the household and tended gardens. Despite the chores, there was plenty of fun to be had.

Sundays were special, reserved for church services, picnics, and community gatherings. Special occasions like weddings and barn raisings were grand events.

Kids will have the chance to “milk” the cow to experience what it would like to do one the many daily chores on the farm.

More details, click here

Old Palermo Country Store

The Palermo General Store was the heart of the community housing the Post Office and the telephone and telegraph.

Shelves were lined with glass jars containing colorful candies and treats that delighted local children. In one corner, there might be a display of sturdy work boots and tools, essential for the farmers and craftsmen of the area.

The store was a social gathering point where residents exchanged news, stories, and advice. It was where the community spirit thrived, fostering a sense of togetherness and mutual support.

More details, click here.

The Heritage One-Room Palermo Schoolhouse

Inside, rows of wooden desks faced chalkboards, shelves filled with old books. The iconic handbell called students to class, signaling the start of a day filled with knowledge.

  • Ring the teachers bell!
  • Enjoy the schoolhouse with our schoolteacher, do your alphabet on the chalkboards and test your knowledge of old-time items
  • Write a letter to a friend – sit in our one room schoolhouse at a wooden desk and use an ink dip pen to write a note.
  • Parents and grandparents can find their old school readers and share stories with their children
  • More details, click here.

Families and Local History

Uncover the stories in your family tree right here in Palermo. Or find your home on a map and see who the original settlers were.

Explore the Pioneer Palermo Cemetery. Learn about those who shaped our community. All cemetery transcriptions for Trafalgar will be available!

Explore free access to TTHS Archives and other online resources https://tths.ca/our-images of Trafalgar Township Historical Society!

Local Indigenous History. How do present-day roads relate to original trails?

More details, click here.

Palermo Walking Tours

We will provide guides for 2 walking tours of Palermo. Walking Tours of Palermo. It’s Palermo History as it is today and was in the past.

The first walking tour is the historic buildings of Palermo, including the 212 year-old Palermo United Church, formerly a Methodist church, started by Lawrence Hagar. Mr. Hagar founded “Hagartown” until it was changed in 1836 after Horatio Nelson. By the 1870s, the village had two stores, a hotel, wagon shop, blacksmith shop, harness shop, a school house, churches, a telegraph office and drill shed. The main businesses were run and owned by the Hagar family in the 1800’s. 

The second walking tour is the historic Palermo Pioneer Cemetery. It was established in 1818 and a log church was built in 1812 on the land where the cemetery now is. The earliest two listed entries for Alexander Rose died Sept 27, 1813, and Elizabeth Hager, died Feb 12, 1815. To date, there are 725 memorials in the Cemetery.

More details, click here.

Directions & Parking – Palermo schoolhouse is located on the north side of Dundas just east of old Bronte Road, access by car is by WESTBOUND traffic only. There are 3 Parking Locations as follows:

  • the Palermo Heritage Schoolhouse
  • ÉSC Sainte-Trinité 2600 Grand Oak Trail (about 180m) on the south side of Dundas from the schoolhouse, (there is a well-marked pedestrian crossing to cross Dundas from the school)
  • Palermo United Church about 300m west of the Palermo schoolhouse. we are located on the north side of Dundas just east of old Bronte Road.

If you are travelling eastbound, you have 2 options: (1) you can park in the ÉSC Sainte-Trinité, your best option or (2) you will need to U-turn at the lights at Palermo Way, just east to the schoolhouse. Parking is at the schoolhouse or at the Palermo United Church. The U-turn and parking location are shown on the map below in yellow.