DID YOU KNOW?
On August 2, 2010, The City of Hamilton officially proclaimed the August Civic Holiday in Hamilton to be named George Hamilton Day in recognition of the city’s founder.
OUR HISTORY
George Hamilton (1788–1836) was a Captain with the Niagara Light Dragoons during the War of 1812. Later a merchant and politician, Hamilton created the town, laying out the street grid and assigning lot sizes. A market square, called The Gore, was also donated by Hamilton who recognized the colony’s possibilities at an early date and encouraged immigration to Canada. He helped set up a canal to link Hamilton harbour to Lake Ontario and worked to secure funding for the court house and jail.
LONG WEEKEND IDEAS….
FESTIVALS — Ice Cream Festival
Westfield Heritage Village — Sunday, August 5, 10am to 4pm
Do you like ice cream? Experience the fun and nostalgia of ice cream in pioneer times. Live music, horse and wagon rides, games and living history make the perfect topping for this delicious family outing. For more information, call 1.800.883.0104, or visit www.westfieldheritage.ca.
ART — Hamilton Port Authority: A Century in Pictures @ The AGH
Take in this new exhibition celebrating the Hamilton Port Authority’s 100th anniversary marking a century of maritime commerce in the city. The HPA holds an extensive archive of photographs, collected since its early days. On view until October 14, 2012 in the Jean and Ross Fischer Gallery. For more information, call 905.527.6610, or visit www.artgalleryofhamilton.com.
CULINARY — Sunday Brunch at the Ancaster Mill
Enjoy an exquisite Sunday brunch at the beautiful Ancaster Mill. Built over a waterfall-fed creek that gushes down from the Niagara escarpment, the Ancaster Mill creates earth-to-table cuisine sourcing impeccable local, seasonal ingredients from near-by farms and food artisans. This results in seasonally changing menus of fresh, local ingredients. For more information, call 905.648.1828, or visit www.ancastermill.ca.
MUSEUMS — Brock’s Walk
Dundurn National Historic Site — Tuesday, August 7, 10am to 2pm
Dundurn National Historic Site will host a free day of festivities to commemorate Major General Sir Isaac Brock’s famous journey from York (Toronto) to stop the American invasion into Upper Canada from Detroit. Have your cameras ready for the kick off at 10:30am as ‘Sir Isaac Brock’ addresses the crowd. During the event there will be free self-guided tours of the Hamilton Military Museum, Dundurn Castle’s main floor, and basement containing the War of 1812 military features incorporated into the Castle. Enjoy live music with Ian Bell, talks by author and historian David Beasley and much more including a dress-up station, military drills for kids of all ages, as well as grounds and garden tours. For more information, visit www.westerncooridor1812.com.
