About the Port Burwell Historical Society

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The Port Burwell Historical Society started as a small group of friends, working hand in hand with the Town of Port Burwell, to preserve the history of Port Burwell and our connection to Lake Erie and the Great Lakes. 

Our goal was to raise funds, through various volunteer activities, for the operation and maintenance of The Port Burwell Marine Museum and The Historic 1840 Lighthouse.

After the amalgamation of the Town of Port Burwell into the Municipality of Bayham on January 1st, 1998, our focus shifted to the acquisition of artifacts for the Museum. 

The Port Burwell Historical Society meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month from September through to June at the Port Burwell Marine Museum, 20 Pitt Street, Port Burwell, ON. If you are interested to attend a meeting, please contact us so we can forward the Agenda to you.

The Port Burwell Historical Society is a Registered Charity with the Charities Directorate of the Government of Canada

(a) The Port Burwell Historical Society will promote and foster Community interest in Heritage and Historical preservation, development of Educational Programs and Activities in and around the Port Burwell area. 

(b) The Port Burwell Historical Society will raise funds through various volunteer activities and seek donations for the operation and maintenance of The Port Burwell Marine Museum, the Historic 1840 Port Burwell Lighthouse, acquisition of artifacts, and other Historical issues within the community.

(c) The Port Burwell Historical Society will initiate and provide funding, as may be financially permissible,

 for the development of heritage preservation, educational programs and activities, for the benefit of the Residents, of the Port Burwell area, Tourists, and Citizens of Ontario.

(d) The Port Burwell Historical Society will review activities and participate, as Volunteers, in the operation, preservation, and maintenance, of The Port Burwell Marine Museum, The Historic 1840 Port Burwell Lighthouse, and in other areas of the Community as a “Non-profit Charitable Organization”.

The work of our Port Burwell Historical Society is guided by a set of core values, including integrity, respect and collaboration. We believe that by upholding and applying the principles of conservation, preservation and restoration, we can provide meaningful and sustainable value within our community.

Lighthouse Restoration Fund 

GoFundMe Donations

The Port Burwell Historical Society would like to clarify a point that was raised at the November 2nd Council meeting.

Mayor Ed Ketchabaw and Treasurer Lorne James stated that donations made to the restoration of the Lighthouse through the Society's GoFundMe page would not be eligible for tax receipts. To clarify -  donations made through the Society's GoFundMe page will not be eligible for tax receipts issued by the Municipality.

To Confirm, donations over $25.00 made to the Port Burwell Historical Society Lighthouse Restoration Fund via GoFundMe will receive tax receipts issued by the Port Burwell Historical Society, as will donations to the fund made directly to the Society by cheque.

The Port Burwell Historical Society is a registered charity and is recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency. We are in good standing with the Charities Directorate.

  Today, thanks to our volunteers’ efforts, the Port Burwell Marine Museum has one of the largest collections of Lighthouse Lenses in Canada, as well as numerous other lighthouse and nautical artifacts.

Going forward, we are engaged in the preservation of the historic Port Burwell Lighthouse, the restoration of the wheelhouse from the SS Fernglen, a Great Lakes Freighter, and the conservation of the lifeboat artifact from the SS Henry Steinbrenner. 

Two of our Executives, Ron Bradfield and Roy Sullivan, are members of the Municipality's Museum Advisory Committee, making recommendations to Council in regards to the operation of the Marine Museum and the Lighthouse.

In addition, we are proud organizers and presenters of our Town's Canada Day Festivities and the annual Kayak Fun Run.

Port Burwell Historical Society Executives

President – William (Bill) Ball

Secretary/Treasurer – Roy Sullivan