PRHS Administration

The list of members of PRHS and their roles and responsibilities:

Officers and Board of Directors Appointed July 2017

This item is the activities associated with the planning and development of news release documents related to PRHS activities and events:

Join the discussion on News Releases

This is the activities associated with planning and implementing the advertising and promotion campaign such as radio, TV, newspapers.

The activities associated with the development and application of the website in the planning, promotion, and conduct of the PRHS website

We are expanding the scope of the PRHS website to make it a Portland Community website.  The strategy for that is create multiple avenues for our residents to get engaged in the community and through that to develop greater awareness of our historical foundation:  In other words, using history as a springboard for tomorrow.  Along those lines we will be discussing transforming from "Canada 150" short term celebratory events to "Canada 150 and Beyond"  a longer term strategic plan that connects to economic development.

new portland website.

Comments of the website?

Plans and provisions for PRHS Membership.

PRHS Application Form 13Jul 2016

Join the discussion:

Current Bank Transactions and bank balance: 01 June, $1,916.75

PRHS FY 2017 Financial Statements 27 Mar 2018

PRHS FY 2016 Financial Statements 20 Mar 2017

PRHS CONSTITUTION 12 Jan 2009

From: Wendy Alford <[email protected]>
Sent: October-03-16 9:31 AM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Rideau Lakes Doors Open 2017

Hi Larry - I am coordinating the Rideau Lakes Doors Open 2017 and Diane Haskins directed me to you and the Portland Historical Society since we feel that Portland has so much to offer in terms of what may be possible next year in highlighting Rideau Lakes.  I know you are aware of Doors Open but I will give you just a little background by way of explanation of the vision for it in 2017.

Doors Open Ontario is a province-wide celebration of community heritage sponsored by the Ontario Heritage Trust.  It is designed to create access, awareness and excitement about our heritage and the theme for Doors Open 2017 is “Our Identity”.  Doors Open provides residents and visitors with a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy the sometimes hidden and always interesting places in Ontario’s cities, towns, villages and countryside.

The Rideau Lakes Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee is preparing for Doors Open 2017.  As next year is Canada’s 150^th anniversary, we are endeavouring to make 2017 an outstanding celebration of not only Canada’s history but also of the rich heritage, culture and identity of Rideau Lakes Township.

We have been researching and visiting prospective sites in our Township over the past few weeks to determine which sites best fit next year’s theme and we are extending an invitation to the Portland Historical Society to be one of the participants in Rideau Lakes Doors Open 2017.  The date for our Doors Open next year is August 19 and 20, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and it is our goal to highlight those places and spaces that reflect the diverse identity of our Township.  We sincerely hope you will accept our invitation to be a participant in Rideau Lakes Doors Open 2107 and there are several benefits that we hope you will consider.

Ontario Heritage Trust co-ordinates the province-wide program and provides community resource materials, colourful Doors Open property identification signs for each participating site and province-wide promotion and media relations (print, television and radio) for Doors Open 2017.  In addition the Trust provides an event page on the Doors Open Ontario website that features a full listing of participating sites, including a photo gallery and written description of the site’s significance which in 2015 resulted in 158,000 visitors to the Doors Open Ontario website.  Each community/community cluster participating in Doors Open Ontario is also highlighted in the province-wide brochure that is produced by the Trust and in 2016 approximately 1.3 million printed units were distributed throughout Ontario, Canada and abroad.

In addition, participating sites will be detailed in a brochure produced and distributed by the Rideau Lakes Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee as well as accessing local media including social media to promote the 2017 event.  While admission to each site is to be free there are no restrictions with regard to the sale of goods and services. We are hopeful that business and community groups surrounding the participating sites will take the opportunity to capture the attention of visitors to Rideau Lakes Doors Open 2017 so that we can showcase our Township and give residents and visitors “An Experience to Remember”!

Certainly Portland figures prominently in the history of Rideau Lakes and since the theme is "Our Identity", one of the thoughts was the rich boating history in and around Portland and how we might highlight that history.  I would welcome an opportunity, at your convenience, to meet with you and your Committee to further discuss how best to involve Portland in Doors Open 2017.  Please don't hesitate to contact me via e-mail or my cell 613-207-0877 so that we may set something up.

Wendy Alford

Co-ordinator, Rideau Lakes

Doors Open 2017

The initial component in support of the Township initiative "Doors Open" is a  brief paragraph which succinctly desctibes the theme for the activities in Portland for the weekend of 19-20 August 2017 in concert with the other communities.  It is agreed that Portland will focus on its heritage in the boating and boat-building centered on Big Rideau Lake.  The draft input from Tohmas Sled is as follows:

PORTLAND ON THE RIDEAU HISTORICAL SOCIETY    (PRHS)

"The quiet hamlet of Portland is the Gem of the Rideau Canal Waterway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located on the south shore of the Big Rideau Lake, the breathtaking view from Hanna Park is a 10 kilometer stretch of clear blue water, dotted with small islands and is truly beautiful.  Portland’s history dates back to 1801 when American and European immigrants and later Empire Loyalists were opening up Eastern Ontario. One of the colourful industries of those early days was boat building.  Excelling in this craft were such notable builders as Wykes and Dowset, names associated with quality boats. Doors Open 2017, in conjunction with the Portland on the Rideau Historical Society, (PRHS) will be featuring tales from this era with townsfolk in costume, social events representing the period and that captivating view of the Big Rideau Lake.  The PRHS will also feature historical and geological boat tours of the lake, and wagon tours of the town, all in keeping with our celebration of 150 years of Canadian history and this small town that helped make it happen."

Monday, 28 Nov:   following a roundtable discussion, Tom edited the above paragraph to shorten to meeting the max allowable to 50 words as follows:

Portland, Gem of the Rideau, is displaying vintage boats at it’s breathtaking Hanna Park during Doors Open. Once a hub for boat building on the Rideau, Portland on the Rideau Historical Society (PRHS) is proudly showcasing boats of the era with village wagon tours, lake boat tours and refreshments in period costume.

Thanks, Tom