Grey Roots

Today's featured community is Holstein, located in the former Egremont Township, now Township of Southgate. Early names for this village included “Hols-a-wood” or “Hole in the Woods”, and from its beginnings as a settlement in the early 1850s, Holstein would become a centre of activity for the surrounding Township. The post office in Holstein was first established on May 1, 1863, out of N.D. McKenzie’s general store. Holstein was incorporated as a Police Village in 1905, with the first meeting of Village Trustees in January 1906. Holstein was a station stop on the Grand Trunk Railway’s line from Palmerston to Durham, service beginning in November 1881, adding to its profile as a centre of commercial activity in Egremont Township. The station grounds were located at the north end of Holstein, and included a station and stock yards. The station closed in 1956.
Pictured here: Holstein as shown in the 1880 Belden Atlas; GF9S6F6I40 Holstein GTR Station Yard, 1918; PF240S1F1I16 Holstein Leader newspaper letterhead, 1905; Holstein Short Course Judging Horses WIF69-1-029-1 Notes with photo: "bay horse was Hubert McDougall's, white horse Dick Irwin's, Bud Rawn, Wally Adams, Doug Johnston, Alex Sim, Lorne Henderson, Glenn Holliday at end."

The Fall Lecture Series returns to Grey Roots Tuesdays at 1 PM from October 20 - November 10. These lectures are an excellent opportunity to learn something new and connect with like-minded people - bring a friend!

Lectures are included with regular admission, free for Grey Roots members, and include complimentary refreshments.

🦉Oct 20: The Adventures of Winter Birding with photographer David T. Chapman
🌅Oct 27: Swimming at the Confluence of Climate, Lakes, and Museums with ROM Curator of Climate Change, Dr. Soren Brothers
🎖️Nov 3: Lest We Forget: Remembering the African-Canadian Servicemen from Grey County with author and artist Bonita Johnson deMatteis
🍁Nov 10: Work Horse of the Canadian Army with historian and Grey Roots volunteer Dave Alexander

The Fall Lecture Series, presented by East Court Residences, is held in the Thomas Wheildon Theatre at Grey Roots.

Full details at greyroots.com/fall

Looking for something creative and crafty to do with the kiddo?
Come on out on Saturday Sept 12 for a seasonal activity just for kids.
The program runs 10 - 12 and again 2 - 4, so spend your morning or afternoon with us!
All included with regular admission and free for members. 🍎😃

Grey Roots is getting a new roof!

To safely complete this important project, Grey Roots Museum & Archives will be temporarily closed from September 15 to October 14, 2026. We will reopen on October 15, ready to welcome you back with our Fall Lecture Series, and the popular Living Histories: Grey County exhibit.

Prior to the closure, we are open this week Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 AM - 4 PM.

Find full details at grey.ca/news

Creativity continues at Grey Roots!

If you've joined us for Craftastic Saturdays in the past, you'll find that same creative spirit at the heart of Imagination Station. After a successful summer of making, moving, and imagining together, Imagination Station is continuing this fall.

We're grateful to Brynne for helping bring Imagination Station to life this summer, and we're excited to welcome Claire as she leads the next chapter of this creative Saturday experience.

Join us on Saturdays for:

📖 Storytime
🎵 Movement
🎨 Hands-on Crafts

🕙 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
🕑 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

📍 Grey Roots Museum & Archives

🪵 Wood Symposium 2026 is coming to Grey Roots!

We're excited to be the venue for Wood Symposium 2026, hosted by Intersections Wood Collaborative, October 16-18.

This unique event brings together an outstanding lineup of international speakers, demonstrations, exhibitions, workshops, and vendors, celebrating both traditional woodworking techniques and contemporary innovation. Whether you're an experienced craftsperson, or simply curious about the world of woodworking and woodturning, there's something to inspire you.

How cool is it to have an event of this calibre right here in Grey County?!

🎟️ Find more info, and registration links, at greyroots.com/wood

Please note: Grey Roots is the venue host only. All event registration, ticket sales, and inquiries are managed by Intersections Wood Collaborative.

Today, August 31, marks the final day of the 2026 season at Moreston Heritage Village.

It's been a wonderful season filled with stories, learning, and connections. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible volunteers who bring history to life through period-specific demonstrations, historical interpretation, and engaging interactions. Their dedication, passion, and generosity of time help create an unforgettable experience for visitors and make every visit memorable.

We also extend our sincere thanks to everyone who visited Moreston Heritage Village throughout July & August. Your support helps keep our local history alive and thriving.

We look forward to welcoming you back next season!

Join us this afternoon for a screening of Pixar's Hoppers!
Included with regular admission, the move starts at 2 PM, today, Thursday August 27.

Please join us to celebrate the launch of Community Canvas today from 2-3pm.

It has been an absolute joy watching this piece come together.

From day one it's been an example of what true collaboration and community looks like. Three artists, working together to create a sum greater than their individual parts, with public participation allowing grey County residents and visitors to leave their mark too. ❤️

We can't wait to share the result with you.

We're excited to host one final Train Day this Friday with the amazing Bluewater Railroaders.

If you or your little one love trains, this is the event for you! Enjoy a ride aboard our miniature train, check out G-scale model train demos, and chat with fellow train enthusiasts.

Train Day runs Friday August 28, from 12:30-3:30 PM - included with regular admission.

greyroots.com/trains