Bolton gearing up for Bicentennial after COVID delay

May 18, 2022 · 0 Comments

By Zachary Roman

Bolton is a village that predates Canada’s confederation in 1867.

It was established in 1821 by a man named George Bolton, and the Bolton Bicentennial Committee and Albion Bolton Historical Society (ABHS) want Bolton residents to know about the origins of the place they live.

Valerie Mackie is part of the bicentennial committee, which was started by the ABHS, with which she is also involved. She spoke to The Citizen about why the bicentennial is so important to her, the bicentennial committee, and the ABHS. She also shared details about upcoming events being held to celebrate Bolton’s bicentennial.

Mackie has lived in Bolton for 38 years but still doesn’t call herself a local, as she knows folks who have lived in Bolton for 80 years-plus. “I didn’t grow up in this community, but I’ve grown with the community and love it,” she said.

She’s always loved history, and fell in love with the history of Bolton. Her neighbours living on either side of her were involved with the ABHS and encouraged Mackie to get involved too.

“We live in the valley and we’re part of Lot Nine, Concession Seven, which is the land that George Bolton originally purchased, so it’s really a personal interest,” said Mackie.

For the bicentennial, Mackie said a large boulder and plaque are going to be placed in Bolton Mill Park by where George Bolton’s dam used to be. Bolton built the first mill in the area and served surrounding farmers; the mill and the land around it was the beginning of the village of Bolton.

Mackie said the boulder and plaque will provide an opportunity for people to have a visual they can connect with George Bolton.

On Saturday, June 4, and Sunday, June 5, Mackie said what’s essentially a community birthday party for Bolton will be held.

On June 4, the day will be opened by Caledon’s official Town Crier at 10 a.m. and there will be music from Humberview and St. Michael Catholic secondary schools’ concert bands. Humberview students will play after the event opens at 10 a.m., with St. Michael students playing at 12 p.m.

The courtyard in Bolton will be converted into an artisan market and place for volunteer organizations and groups to set up booths. There will be more music throughout the day from local musicians and members of the Caledon Concert Band. There will be activities, games and crafts for kids, walking tours, special cookies, donuts, and a bicentennial birthday cake.

On June 5, the day George Bolton purchased the land that’s now Bolton, the day will be commemorated by Caledon Mayor Allan Thompson and begin at 1 p.m. at Founders Park. The Town Crier will again be in attendance, as well as the Sandhill Pipes and Drums.

“We’re hoping that people will… follow the pipers across the new berm from Founders Park back across to Queen Street where the mayor will unveil the bicentennial plaque,” said Mackie.

“The events will be taking place right in the bend of Mill Street up on the berm, and so from that vantage point, the mayor will be able to reference the new boulder… and also recognise the bicentennial and various other elements of what is part of a bicentennial celebration — a tribute to George Bolton.”

Mackie said she thinks George Bolton would be blown away by what Bolton has become, and that there’s still buildings standing that he’d recognize. She said Bolton residents are incredibly lucky to have the number of pre-confederation buildings they do.

Mackie added if everything was converted to modern architecture, it would all look the same and there’s be no sense of what the community’s past looked like.

The ABHS has launched a website for the bicentennial, which contains a wealth of information about Bolton’s founding and founder.

People are encouraged to visit boltonbicentennial.com or boltonhistory.com to learn more ahead of the village’s 200th birthday celebrations. Bolton officially turned 200 in 2021, however celebrations had to be postponed due to the pandemic.