From political gatherings, local and travelling entertainment and farmers markets, to civic meetings and court trials, Market Square and the Town Hall at the centre of Newmarket's downtown have long played a key role in the lives of our townspeople.
Newmarket's History Hound, Richard MacLeod, invites you to learn more the history of the Old Town Hall and Market Square at this heritage lecture Thursday, Feb. 21 at the Old Town Hall itself from 7 to 8 p.m.
The presentation starts with the Town Hall's much celebrated opening in 1883 as a part of the Newmarket farmers market — its lower floor was dedicated to food produce stalls and its upper floor designated a venue for public meetings — and ends with its function today as a cultural centre, the longtime local historian said.
"This building has had more lives than a cat," he added.
The presentation, which will include historical photographs, will focus on three main topics regarding the Old Town Hall: its history as the centre of community events since the late 1800s; its remarkable ability to re-invent itself over the last 135 years; and its place in the middle of so many public disputes involving town planning since its inception, MacLeod said.
The cost of the presentation is $5 per person, with the proceeds going to the Newmarket Historical Society.
This is the third in a series of heritage lectures, MacLeod said, with other topics including the Metropolitan Electric Railway and the art of reading tombstone inscriptions.
"I always enjoy returning to the Town Hall once a year as part of my ongoing series of heritage lectures, which take place monthly around town, the Newmarket Library being my home away from home at least once a month," he said.
He also offers customized heritage presentations to local groups.
Register online for Richard MacLeod: History of Old Town Hall at play.newmarket.ca (course code 116563).
The Newmarket Old Town Hall is located at 460 Botsford St.
