Be Part of the Big Picture August 9

Harrington's big picture, a 5 1/2 foot long photo portraying almost 500 people, hangs on the wall of Harrington Hall. The panoramic photo was taken in our village on Pitt's Hill on Labour Day, 1925, in celebration of the Old Boys and Girls Reunion, an event that attracted over 1,000 celebrants at the time, when Harrington's population was around 400.

Panoramic photo taken at the corner of Road 96/County Road 28 and 31st Line

The Great War and the Spanish Flu had just ended. Great sacrifices had been made and hardships endured. Our ancestors were likely celebrating the fact that they were still here, proud to be from this place, and full of optimism for a better future.

We face different challenges today, including the removal of Pitt's Hill by a gravel company, but we remain proud of our history and will be celebrating the centennial of that exuberant weekend by welcoming all who hold some affection and/or attachment for this historic, picturesque village.

Join us on August 9th, 2025. We're going to recreate that big picture with a 2025 version, and we invite you to be part of it!

Picture time will be at 2:30 pm, but there will be a wealth of activities available at various sites around the village from 11 am to 2 pm.

• visit what is now the historic Harrington Grist Mill, which was just a part of daily life back then

• tour the Harrington Community Centre in what was then the school, S.S.#4, West Zorra - the building still retains many of the original architectural features

• examine a variety of displays in Harrington Hall, previously Broadview United Church, which in 1925 was transitioning from Harrington Methodist Church - historical memorabilia will be for sale

• bring YOUR heritage to Harrington Hall - items and documents you have related to the history of Harrington and area. Professional staff from the Beachville District Museum will be available to provide practical tips on preserving family treasures at home. From photographs to textiles, learn simple and effective ways to care for your keepsakes and ensure they last for generations to come

• study the school-related displays in the 1869 stone schoolhouse

• participate in the Little Hobby Hill Farm petting zoo provided by Oxford County Library

• check out the library itself - now a branch of Oxford County Library, but back then, the Harrington Library was in the librarian's home

• enjoy good food from The Sunset Shack - the yummy food truck from the Sunset Diner in St. Marys

• catch Ox on the Run, Oxford County Library's mobile library project

• accept the challenge of the scavenger hunt around the pond and conservation area, organized by the Coyote Nature School.

• walk around and explore the history of Harrington by reading the signs in front of selected properties explaining what activities used to occur there

Activities will end at 2:00 p.m. as a pair of pipers from the Ingersoll Pipe Band call everybody to assemble for the Big Picture. Photographer Doris Weir, on behalf of the Zorra Heritage Committee, will take a panoramic photograph of all present. A copy of the photo will be emailed to everyone who provides an address.

2:30 pm - EVERYBODY IS WELCOME! Anybody who feels some connection to Harrington and the area, whether from being born here, having lived here, partied here, fished in the pond or even just passing through and thinking what a beautiful spot it is. This will be our challenge to the future, to protect and celebrate the heritage and the community values that make

Harrington special.

Harrington Centennial Homecoming is being organized by HACA (Harrington & Area Community Association) in collaboration with (in alphabetical order):

• Beachville District Museum

• Oxford County Archives

• Coyote Nature School

• Harrington Community Centre

• Ingersoll Pipe Band

• Knox Presbyterian Harrington

• Oxford County Library

• Oxford Historical Society

• Zorra Heritage Committee of the Beachville District Historical Society

Contacts:

Michael Kukhta. HACA Chair michael.kukhta@qmail.com

(905) 599-2151 (mobile)

Harry Jongerden, HACA Vice-Chair hjongerden@gmail.com

(416) 833-4045 (mobile)