Martin Hofton, long-time resident of Hudson and amateur historian, who has spoken at previous events (e.g. The Dragon Explosion, Hudson Hosiery, Pine Lake history), will recount the tragic sinking of the SS Atlantic near Halifax in 1873.
Hudson Historical Society Marks 100 Years of Ferry Service to Oka - Martin Smith writes:
One of the favourite tourist features of Hudson is the Oka Ferry. As I mow my lawn on Saturday mornings, I am regularly asked by passersby where the ferry is located (along with requests for directions to Finnigans, and the Willow Inn). Over the years, the unique tug and barge system kept us fascinated, and in awe of the skill of the crews to perform the docking procedure (you know what I mean)!
I have been a regular user of this service since university days. My first experience was as part of a car rally, but have since regularly used it while cycling. The ferry also gives me a practical short cut when driving to visit my parents in the Lanaudiere. I am a regular.
This year marks 100 years of operation of this service. On Monday April 13th, Claude Desjardins will share stories and photos from over the years. From its humble beginnings to today's modern and unobtrusive self-propelled units, the story of le Traversier Oka should be one to enjoy. The presentation will be bilingual, and Claude will answer questions in either language.
Please join us at St. James Church Hall at 7:30 PM on Monday April 13th to enjoy this visit with our past, and perhaps our future.
Les relations entre Amérindiens et Européens, aux XVIIe et XIXe siècles
par MARC RIOPEL
La rivière des Outaouais est au coeur de l’histoire que nous allons vous raconter au fil de ce texte. Formée à la suite du retrait du glacier sur le territoire du nord-est de l’Amérique du Nord, il y a environ 12 000 ans, la rivière des Outaouais s’impose rapidement comme voie de communication centrale qui permet l’accès à l’ensemble du Canada. Ainsi, en suivant son cours, le canotier peut atteindre l’intérieur du territoire du Québec par le biais de ses tributaires, se rendre vers la baie d’Hudson ou encore poursuivre sa route vers les Grands Lacs et l’Ouest du Canada. Les Amérindiens ont rapidement découvert son potentiel et en ont fait un réseau de communication et d’échanges réunissant les tribus amérindiennes de l’ensemble du continent. Cela s’est mis en place, il y a environ 5 000 ans. C’est d’ailleurs ce réseau de communication qui permet la rencontre des Européens et des Amérindiens, au début du XVIIe siècle, objet central de cette histoire.
7.30pm St. James Anglican Church, 642 Main Road, Hudson
In the early 1990s an uncle in England contacted Hudson resident Martin Hofton about an obscure link in their family’s history. Did Martin know anything about John and Sarah Jones and their sons John and Arthur?