Welcome to the Port Burwell Historical Society webSITE

On Thursday, July 30, 2026, at a special meeting of Council, the Municipality of Bayham passed the following resolution:

THAT the Council of the Municipality of Bayham authorizes the Mayor and Clerk to execute all documents as may be necessary to provide for the transfer of real property described as PLAN 12 PT LOT 14, Municipality of Bayham, County of Elgin, to the Port Burwell Historical Society.

This transfer is the culmination of two years of negotiations with the Municipality with respect to our desire to restore the historic landmark.

On Friday, July 31, 2026 Mayor Ed Ketchabaw presented the symbolic key to the Lighthouse to Port Burwell Historical Society President Ken Kokko.

The Port Burwell Historical Society is now the official custodians and stewards of one of the oldest wooden lighthouses in Canada.

The Port Burwell Historical Society is committed to the restoration and conservation of this iconic structure and saving our lighthouse. 

Even unusually warm weather could not dampen the smiles of those who came out to celebrate this great nation of ours on July 1st.

From the parade through the streets of Port Burwell to the Harvard fly-past there was something for everyone to enjoy.

We were joined by Andrew Lawton, MP, Rob Flack, MPP,  Elgin County Warden Dominique Giguère, and Ed Ketchebaw, Mayor. As well,  Deputy Mayor Rainey Weisler,  Ward 1 Councillor Timothy Emerson and  Ward 3 Councillor Susan Chilcott turned out too. Not only did they walk in the Parade, but addressed the crowd and cut our Canada Day cake. Thanks to all our dignitaries for taking time to join us.

Hats off to the Marine Museum staff and Otter Valley Naturalists for organizing and running their children's activities. The bird craft was a hit.

We served 350 hot dogs, 200 cupcakes, one cake and about 40 litres of Gatorade and 200 bottles of water to our guests.

Thank you to Hog Wild for this year's entertainment.

Thank you to the groups who participated in our Community Information Village. I hope you were able to interact with the great people of our area.

And last, but not least, thank you to the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association for the flyover. It was too bad a low ceiling settled in just as your were approaching and obstructed some of the viewing.

Please check out to Canada Day page for more.

 Ken Kokko, PBHS President, made an excellent presentation on Thursday June 25th about our desire to assume stewardship from the Lighthouse from the Municipality of Bayham and launch a comprehensive restoration campaign. 

As highlighted during the presentation, many historic lighthouses across Canada and the United States are now successfully owned and managed by local historical societies.

The Port Burwell Lighthouse is more than just a landmark in Port Burwell—it is part of our Canadian heritage and a national treasure. It deserves to be preserved for future generations, and we should all do our part to support its restoration.

The Port Burwell Historical Society has the will, the commitment, the passion, and the vision to succeed with the restoration. With community support and municipal cooperation, we have an opportunity to preserve an irreplaceable piece of Canada's maritime history. 

The Port Burwell Historical Society was extremely proud to host Santa Claus in our Wheelhouse at the Marine Museum after the parade so he could spend time with the children who came to visit.

The Society provided hot chocolate and hot apple cider to all who came through our refurbished Wheelhouse.

A huge shout out to the Beachfest team for organizing the evening, to the Vienna Swans for supplying gift bags for all the kids after they had their time with Santa, and, of course to Santa himself for visiting our village.

President Bill Ball (middle) and Secretary/Treasurer Roy Sullivan (left) represented the PBHS at the Port Burwell Remembrance Service on Sunday, November 9th.

Bill and Roy laid a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of all the Society's members.

Thank you Rose Sofalvi Beuk for capturing the day's event.

This year's Kayak Fun Run was once again held as part of Port Burwell's Beachfest weekend activities.

We had a great turn out with 15 participants taking on the Big Otter. 

Afterwards they enjoyed some fellowship time at the Otter Creek Distilling facilities with free hot dogs and samplings.

In addition, we raised $375.00 for the historic Port Burwell Lighthouse.