Historic society launches guide on historical past of Elora

WELLINGTON COUNTY – The Wellington County Historic Society has introduced the publication of the late Stephen Thorning’s long-awaited historical past of Elora, The Mannequin Village and the Battle for Success.
Thorning lived his complete life in Elora. He was fascinated with remnants of the early days of Elora such because the mill in Aboyne and different derelict buildings in Elora and Salem. Nonetheless, after learning English Literature at college, he launched into a profession in banking. The decision of the previous was robust, and after a decade in finance, he earned a PhD in historical past in 1994. He’s greatest identified for his weekly newspaper column Valuing our Historical past, revealed in native papers for 25 years.
After Thorning’s premature demise in 2015, a meticulously-researched, however incomplete manuscript was found. The Wellington County Historic Society took on the duty of seeing this manuscript to publication.
Elysia DeLaurentis, an area historic researcher and author, accomplished the manuscript. In addition to filling within the gaps, she has added a preface, an afterword, and illustrations, together with a whole lot of photographs, many by no means revealed earlier than.
The Mannequin Village touches on many elements of village life whereas providing an in depth account of the political machinations and industrial aspirations that formed Elora throughout its first century of existence.
“The guide examines the interconnectedness of politics, business and economics within the evolution of a small village,” stated DeLaurentis including, “It reveals how world occasions and egos propelled and at occasions thwarted the event of Elora.”
The guide is hardbound and almost 600 pages with a complete index. The spectacular quantity will add to the understanding and improvement of Elora. The guide launch will happen on Could 8, from 6 to 8pm, on the Elora Centre for the Arts. Copies are actually obtainable for pre-purchase at Magic Pebble Books, 153 Geddes Road, Elora or [email protected] or 226.383.3855.
Based in 1928, the Wellington County Historic Society’s mandate is to foster public consciousness of the wealthy historical past of Wellington County. The society’s actions embrace: sponsoring public lectures on historic topics, publishing an annual journal of Wellington County historical past and, on occasion, publishing books on the historical past of Wellington County.