Legacy Projects

The Township is pleased that the spirit of the celebration will continue through our Legacy Projects:

1. At Home in Tay Valley book celebrating the Township's history
2. History Scholarship
3. Oral Histories Collection
4. Community and Cultural Mapping
5. Recognition of Legacy Farms and Legacy Trees
6. Lanark County Greening Apple Reintroduction
7. Settlers' Trail along the Scotch Line

At Home in Tay Valley Book

At Home in Tay Valley weaves together the history of the Algonquin, the arrival and settlement of the first Europeans in the 19^th century, both military and civilian, the growth of cottagers and other recreational users in the early 20^th century, and the back-to-the-land movement of the 1970s.

The result: a fascinating and diverse anthology comprising old tales, rich history, special memories, and seemingly countless visuals, all told by those who know it best--the people of Tay Valley.

Order Form

History Scholarship

Proceeds from the sale of At Home in Tay Valley support a History Scholarship to be granted annually to a student graduating from Perth & District Collegiate Institute or from St. John Catholic High School who has been accepted into an apprenticeship, college, or university program and who has demonstrated a keen interest in history. Those interested in supporting the scholarship are welcome to make additional donations. Tax receipts will be issued for all donations of $20 or more.

Community and Culture Map

While researching the 200th Anniversary of the European settlement of Tay Valley
Township, more than 200 historic, cultural, and/or archeological sites and/or
events were mapped and posted on the Community and Culture Map, along with a short description. Residents and tourists can learn more about the Township by visiting the sites identified. If you have a suggestion for a site you think is important and want to have it added to the map, please contact the Municipal Office.

Legacy Farms

Farms in the Township that were in the same family for 100, 150 or 200 years (as of 2016) were eligible for designation under this program as Legacy Farms. In total, fifty farm properties in the Township were approved with an official certificate recognizing the award, and, optionally, a sign (see photo).  A complete list of the designated properties is found in the brochure of Legacy Farm names. Some of these farms are identified on the Community and Culture Map.  Tay Valley Township partnered with the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley on this project. 

Legacy Trees

The Legacy Tree Program recognizes the role that trees, forestry and milling played in this area's early development, by designating trees that have unique value, because of age, size, or significant historical or social importance to the community.  In this ongoing program, approved trees are recognized with a plaque, and the property owner receives a certificate attesting to the award. 

Selected legacy trees have been listed on the Community and Culture Map.

Legacy trees recognized to date:

1. The Woolham Trees, a group of sugar maples, recognised for their prominence (four trees of this windbreak ranged from 75 - 140 years; the largest 8' circumference and 70' in height) (Photo: David Taylor)

2. The Ross Tree, a white elm, recognized for its size and prominence (10' circumference; 71' height) (Photo: Peter Fischl)

3. The Nelson Trees, a group of several species, recognised for their prominence (8' circumference; 70' height) (Photo: David Taylor)

4. The Maberly Tree, an Eastern Cottonwood, located at the Maberly hamlet Tennis Court, is recognised for its historical importance and species rarity (23' circumference; 132' height) (Photo: David Zimmerly)

5. The Jordan Trees, a group of sugar maples, recognised for their age and prominence.  The oldest of three trees in this remnant forest was estimated at 285 years (15' circumference; 54' height) (Photo: Peter Fischl)

6. The Comeau Tree, a white oak, recognised for its prominence (10' circumference; 71' height) (Photo: Peter Fischl)

7. A Burgesswood Tree, a red oak, recognised for its age, estimated at 220 years, and community prominence (16' circumference; 65' height; a "Den Tree" for wildlife, and prominent locally) (Photo: Peter Fischl)

Lanark Greening Apple

The Lanark Greening Apple project aims to revive, and eventually make available to the community, a classic apple variety that was developed and distributed by one of Fallbrook's early settlers and well-known orchard owner. In the late 1800s, Robert Anderson, a farmer from Fallbrook, cultivated the Lanark Greening Apple, a fine, hard, cooking apple particularly popular because of its longevity and cider making qualities. The search for remaining local trees is ongoing, with the eventual aim of making cuttings available.

Settlers Trail

The Settlers' Trail Program recognized the historic route by which the European settlers arrived at the Perth Military Settlement from 1816. There are now road signs along the Scotch Line in Tay Valley Township, and on the Rideau Ferry Road in Drummond/North Elmsley Township.  An interpretive panel at the Rideau Ferry Dock marks the location at which this heritage route crossed the Rideau River (at the point originally known as Oliver's Ferry) and provides the history of the trail and a map tracing its path from Brockville to Perth, and on to where the European settlers received their land grants in Tay Valley's earlier townships of Bathurst, North Burgess and South Sherbrooke.