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New Note Cards
From a new painting prepared and donated by Murray F. Pipher
A Conestoga Wagon drawn by four horses
coming to Canada in the 1800's
The “note card” is available for purchase from each Chapter.
Contact a Chapter officer or attend at Chapter events.
Note Card and covering sleeve – 5 in a package, $10.
Can also be purchased individually for $2.50
From a new painting prepared and donated by Murray F. Pipher
A Conestoga Wagon drawn by four horses
coming to Canada in the 1800's
The “note card” is available for purchase from each Chapter.
Contact a Chapter officer or attend at Chapter events.
Note Card and covering sleeve – 5 in a package, $10.
Can also be purchased individually for $2.50
| Waterloo Area Chapter |
| Pennsylvania German Folklore Society of Ontario |
| The History and the Activities of the Waterloo Area Chapter. |
Our Purpose:
The Waterloo Area Chapter is part of the Pennsylvania German Folklore Society of Ontario. The
purpose of a Folklore or Historical Society is to explore and research the past, bring interesting
information to light, and to give it prominence and publicity. Such research may involve people,
places, culture and events. There is a particular interest in researching the contribution of the early
Pennsylvania-German settler families who settled in the middle Grand River area of Upper Canada
beginning in 1800. Later, families from many other cultural backgrounds joined them in the
development and expansion of today’s mid-Western Ontario communities.
“It was given to one generation in Canada to migrate and pioneer, another to build and expand,
another to purify and develop. This (present day) generation is given the task of surveying the past
and preserving it”. Dr. Arthur Graeff.
The Waterloo Area Chapter is part of the Pennsylvania German Folklore Society of Ontario. The
purpose of a Folklore or Historical Society is to explore and research the past, bring interesting
information to light, and to give it prominence and publicity. Such research may involve people,
places, culture and events. There is a particular interest in researching the contribution of the early
Pennsylvania-German settler families who settled in the middle Grand River area of Upper Canada
beginning in 1800. Later, families from many other cultural backgrounds joined them in the
development and expansion of today’s mid-Western Ontario communities.
“It was given to one generation in Canada to migrate and pioneer, another to build and expand,
another to purify and develop. This (present day) generation is given the task of surveying the past
and preserving it”. Dr. Arthur Graeff.
Membership:
We welcome new members. Our fees are $13.00 single and $20.00 family. You do not have to be a
descendant of a Pennsylvania German settler to be a member. All members receive a copy of the
Spring and Fall Newsletters.
Inquire: Marilyn Sararus, 519-696-3061 msararus@sympatico.ca
PIONEER MEMORIAL TOWER - NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, Kitchener
We chose the Pioneer Memorial Tower as our Chapter’s Logo because it is unique to, and is
representative of the historical and cultural beginnings in the Waterloo area.
We welcome new members. Our fees are $13.00 single and $20.00 family. You do not have to be a
descendant of a Pennsylvania German settler to be a member. All members receive a copy of the
Spring and Fall Newsletters.
Inquire: Marilyn Sararus, 519-696-3061 msararus@sympatico.ca
PIONEER MEMORIAL TOWER - NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, Kitchener
We chose the Pioneer Memorial Tower as our Chapter’s Logo because it is unique to, and is
representative of the historical and cultural beginnings in the Waterloo area.
Pioneer Tower History:
The Waterloo County Pioneers’ Memorial Association was formed in 1923. This group included
many descendants of the original families in the area, and Interested members of the Waterloo
Historical Society. They wished to honour the first pioneers and decided to construct a monument.
About $5,000.00 was raised through municipal and private donations, and an acre of land located
on the old Sam Betzner Sr. Homestead (ACT #12) was purchased.
The property included the graves of several original family members. Construction began and in
August 1926 the tower was proudly dedicated. The monument has many interesting architectural
features. It is constructed of fieldstone, the material that provided long hours of back breaking
labour for those first clearing their land. The distinctively Swiss look of the tower spire was
incorporated because many of the original Mennonite settlers had Swiss backgrounds.
Finally, It is said that the view from the observation platform, directly above the highest window,
overlooks the route taken by adventurous settlers on their perilous journey from Franklin County,
PA. Thus, the tower is a fitting tribute to the industrious spirit of the pioneers who first settled
Waterloo County.
• Parks Canada brochure
The Waterloo County Pioneers’ Memorial Association was formed in 1923. This group included
many descendants of the original families in the area, and Interested members of the Waterloo
Historical Society. They wished to honour the first pioneers and decided to construct a monument.
About $5,000.00 was raised through municipal and private donations, and an acre of land located
on the old Sam Betzner Sr. Homestead (ACT #12) was purchased.
The property included the graves of several original family members. Construction began and in
August 1926 the tower was proudly dedicated. The monument has many interesting architectural
features. It is constructed of fieldstone, the material that provided long hours of back breaking
labour for those first clearing their land. The distinctively Swiss look of the tower spire was
incorporated because many of the original Mennonite settlers had Swiss backgrounds.
Finally, It is said that the view from the observation platform, directly above the highest window,
overlooks the route taken by adventurous settlers on their perilous journey from Franklin County,
PA. Thus, the tower is a fitting tribute to the industrious spirit of the pioneers who first settled
Waterloo County.
• Parks Canada brochure
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