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Authority record
Corporate body · 1925-1938

Loyal Orange Lodge #2991 was a branch of the Orange Association located in Bury, and they were active at least between 1925 and 1938.

Corporate body · 1953-1971

Loyal Orange Lodge # 3231 was organized on July 4, 1953 in Richmond, after a French Protestant group under Reverend Jacques Smith received a charter from the Grand Orange Lodge of Quebec. This was the second French Orange Lodge instituted in Quebec. They held monthly meetings in which they discussed lodge activities, membership, and fund allocation, and they hosted an annual Orange parade. Lodge #3231 was active at least until 1971.

Corporate body · 1926-1984

Loyal Orange Lodge in Sherbrooke County was a branch of the Orange Association, and they were active at least between 1926 and 1984. During their monthly meetings, they discussed lodge activities, membership, and fund allocation.

Corporate body · 1890-1992

Loyal Orange Lodge # 1591, the Lord Erne Lodge, was organized on May 21, 1890 by members of the Orange Order and Protestants. Leonard Van Luven worked towards the opening of the Lord Erne Lodge with charter members Geo. Gardiner, James Rooney, James Lytle, Thomas Armstrong, James Campbell, Charles House, Geo. Flangers, F. Lewis, and John Johnson. In March 1896, the Grand Lodge of Quebec met in Waterville for the first time. Among other activities, L.O.L. 1591 oragnized yearly picnics, parades, and entertainment at the Gertrude Scott grove on July 12th for Orangemen’s Day, and were joined by members of the Orange Order and families from many districts in Quebec, Ontario, and the United Staes. They also hosted an annual oyster supper on November 5th.

Corporate body · 1890-1995

Loyal Orange Lodge #1308 was incorporated on May 1, 1890 by an Act of the Parliament of Canada, and received a warrant establishing the lodge on May 23, 1890. During their monthly meetings held at 7:30 p.m. Fridays on or before the full moon from at least from 1879 to 1885, they discussed membership, allocation of funds, such as donations to both public institutions and members, and other lodge activities. They also held church parades and annual oyster suppers, and attended July 12th celebrations. Lodge #1308 was active at least until December 31, 1995.

Corporate body

The Orange Order was established in Canada in 1830. Earlier members were mostly Irish, but later English and Scottish. It was founded in Canada for Protestants and to safeguard the English language in the country. The order was also established to help the community by organizing benevolent activities.

Corporate body · 1925-2002

The Ladies Orange Benevolent Association #689, Maple Leaf Lodge, was organized on November 2, 1925 in Sawyerville. Sister F. Pink, the provincial organizer, was assisted by 20 sisters from L.O.B.A #668 to open the lodge. At the start, three candidates joined by certificate and twelve were initiated, after which they elected officers. They began meeting on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m, and in their meetings discussed lodge activities, membership, and allocation of lodge funds. They donated funds to their members in need and community alike. The Maple Leaf Lodge also hosted church services and parades, and provided catering at events. They had an annual tea and sale table. L.O.B.A #689 was active at least until June 2002, when they sponsored a 500 card party at the Bulwer Community Centre.

Office du tourisme de Granby
Corporate body · 1966-1991

En 1966, les autorités municipales de Granby décident de prendre en main l'accueil touristique. L'Office du tourisme de Granby, administré par un conseil de six membres et présidé par Léon Robert, entreprend aussitôt ses activités en confiant à chacun la responsabilité d'un comité : la publicité, les finances, l'accueil des visiteurs, les relations publiques, le secrétariat et l'embellissement et la promotion. Le premier geste que pose l'Office de tourisme est la création d'une structure d'accueil, nommé Accommodation Granby 67, pour les visiteurs de la future exposition universelle de Montréal. Après s'être assurés d'un budget de fonctionnement, les administrateurs engagent du personnel (le premier directeur général est engagé en 1971) pour recevoir les touristes aux deux kiosques d'information et entreprennent une étude statistique sur le nombre et la provenance des visiteurs. En décembre 1979, pour mieux refléter la mission de sollicitation de congrès, l'organisme change de nom pour celui de Bureau du tourisme et des congrès de Granby (BTCG). En 1985, le BTCG vit une période difficile, au cours de laquelle la ville de Granby cesse de le financer et ses bureaux sont déplacés à l'hôtel de ville. Au printemps de la même année, le BTCG est en mesure de réintégrer ses locaux situés au 650, rue Principale, mais il dépendra désormais du Centre de coordination économique de Granby. Lorsque ce dernier sera démantelé en octobre 1992, la tâche de promouvoir le tourisme à Granby reviendra à un autre organisme.

Corporate body · 1953-

C'est le 7 juillet 1953 qu'un groupe d'hommes d'affaires de Granby fonde la Société zoologique de Granby, un organisme sans but lucratif dont le mandat est de prendre en charge le Zoo de Granby. Ce dernier avait été établi en 1945 par le maire de Granby, Pierre-Horace Boivin, avec l'appui de la Chambre de commerce des jeunes qui, dès 1946, mettait sur pied le Comité du zoo, sous la présidence de Roger Leroux. En 1955, le gouverneur général du Canada, Vincent Massey, accompagné du maire de Granby, Pierre-Horace Boivin, procédait à l'inauguration d'un nouveau site, en remplacement des anciennes installations du parc Avery. La collection d'animaux se constitue au fil des ans, en grande partie grâce aux démarches du maire Boivin qui profite de ses voyages en Europe pour obtenir des dons ou effectuer des échanges avec d'autres jardins zoologiques. Le financement des opérations du Zoo provient, en grande partie, des frais d'entrée des visiteurs qui, en moyenne, sont 450 000 par année. En 1993, des hommes d'affaires et d'anciens présidents mettent sur pied la Fondation du Jardin zoologique de Granby pour amasser des fonds pour la construction de nouveaux pavillons thématiques et appuyer les demandes de subventions faites auprès des instances gouvernementales. Le Zoo de Granby compte alors quelque 225 espèces animales, totalisant plus d'un millier de spécimens.

La vocation du Jardin zoologique s'est transformée depuis son ouverture. Ainsi, de simple parc d'attractions à ses débuts, ce dernier s'est transformé en organisme de conservation pour les espèces exotiques menacées d'extinction et en lieu de stage pour les étudiants en médecine vétérinaire. Aujourd'hui, le Jardin zoologique participe à divers types d'événements nationaux et internationaux. Il est membre de plusieurs associations professionnelles, comme l'Association canadienne des zoos et aquariums. Il contribue à la conservation des espèces par le biais de la politique d'hébergement d'animaux. En 2023, la Société zoologique de Granby a fêté son soixante-dixième anniversaire de fondation.

Corporate body · 1887-1900

L’arpentage de la région de Barford se fait en 1792. En 1801, on divise le comté en 11 concessions de 17 lots chacun. Les colons viennent rapidement s’y installer. En 1823, le gouvernement provincial crée le comté de Stanstead, dont fait partie le canton de Barford. À cette époque, les colons de Barford se spécialisent dans la culture des pommes de terre qu’ils transportent à une distillerie de whisky à Coaticook. Le premier conseil municipal a lieu en 1860. En 1867, le canton de Barford compte huit écoles élémentaires pour 139 élèves au total. C’est en 1879 que la municipalité est incorporée et qu’elle reçoit ses lettres patentes provinciales.

Coaticook Water Company
Corporate body · 1883-1929

En 1874, le premier système d’eau pour la ville de Coaticook est la propriété de Louis Sleeper et de N. C. Baldwin et porte le nom «Belmont Water Company. En 1882, la compagnie est renommée la Coaticook Water Company, puis Coaticook River Water Power Company en 1890. Afin de régulariser le débit de la rivière, la nouvelle compagnie fait l’acquisition des barrages et des droits d’inondation des lacs Averill et Norton. Au début du 20e siècle, la compagnie porte le nom Coaticook Water Company puis change pour City Water Company en 1920. En 1921, la ville de Coaticook achète 37 ½ % des actions de la compagnie. En 1925, la ville acquière tous les barrages sur la rivière sauf celui de la Penman’s Limited. La municipalisation du réseau d’aqueduc se fait en 1927 par la City Water Co. En 1969, les actionnaires de la compagnie sont Penman’s Ltd., la ville de Coaticook, Hydro-Québec, la ville de Waterville et la ville de Sherbrooke.

Corporate body · 1973-

In 1973, soon after the inauguration of the Robert Fournier arena, the Club de Patinage Artistique d'East Angus (Les Lames Magiques) was founded in East Angus by Denis Martin, the East Angus recreation director, alongside Mrs. Isabelle Dugal and Mrs. Micheline Bouchard. The club operates out of the Robert Fournier Arena and is a non-profit organization whose mission is to teach the basics of skating to anyone at any age. The club was first sponsored by the Filles d'Isabelle and was first chaired by Micheline Bouchard. During the first couple of years, skating lessons were given by Madame Fernande Fraser, a professional and ex-skater from the Holiday on Ice troupe. The leadership of its first administrators (Isabelle Dugal, Madelaine Cathcart, Shirley Hawkes, Lucette Dion, Denise Roy, Jean-Paul Dionne, Jacqueline Munkittrick, Madeleine Legault, Laurence Trépanier and Nicole Bergeron) and the work of volunteers allowed the club to progress. On November 13, 1975, the club joined the East-Angus Sports and Recreation Coordinating Committee, and on March 28, 1977, the club obtained its charter of incorporation. From then on, the club was affiliated with the Regional Association, the Quebec Figure Skating Federation, and eventually became a member of the Canadian Figure Skating Association, now known as Skate Canada. The club offers many different programs such as Patinage Plus, Patinage STAR, Patinage Adulte, and many more, which allow for the development of figure skating in the region. Every year, the club organizes various regional competitions such as the Suzanne Cathcart competitions and the Programme Court competitions, and at the end of each season, the skaters put on a show suitable for any age.

Corporate body · 1985-1986

The Joujouthèque de Coaticook Inc. was founded in 1985 by Alain Lefevre, Monique Lemelin-Dupont and Louise Boily with the purpose of providing a toy borrowing service. It operated out of the Coaticook Library building. The organization was dissolved in 1986.

Corporate body · 1837-

The congregation of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church was established in 1837. In 1839, it united with the Melbourne Congregational Church under the name United Presbyterian and Congregational Church of Melbourne. This union was abolished the next year. From 1886 to 1993, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Melbourne was united with Chalmers Presbyterian Church in Richmond. When the United Church of Canada was established in 1925, St. Andrew's Church remained Presbyterian. In 1997, St. Paul's Presbyterian Church in Melbourne was amalgamated with St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church also in Melbourne. St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church is under the jurisdiction of the Presbytery of Quebec of the Synod of Quebec and Eastern Ontario of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. The Church is governed by the congregation and the Church Courts (Board of Managers and Session) in co-operation with committees, societies, and organizations within the Church, such as the Sunday School and the Women's Missionary Society.

Elmwood Sherbrooke Inc.
Corporate body · 1890 -

Elmwood Sherbrooke Incorporated is a private non-profit non-denominational cemetery that is managed by a board of directors. It has been a registered charity since 1983. The organization prides itself on a system of perpetual care for graves, which guarantees that no graves are reused or abandoned. Elmwood also maintains a searchable grave index which is regularly updated and accessible on their website.

The history of Elmwood Sherbrooke Incorporated dates back to 1849 with the purchase of land for the Union Cemetery, a burial ground for Protestant and Congregational communities. Member of Parliament, Samuel Brooks, was the first person to be buried in this cemetery.

In the 1890s, concern began to grow over the lack of maintenance and misuse of the Union Cemetery, which launched a movement amongst the Trustees of Congregational Church to purchase land for a new burial ground, and the Elmwood Cemetery Incorporated was formed. The money was raised via the issuing of bonds valued at one hundred dollars each, with a total of 4400$ being raised for the purchase of land on Hyatt Street. In March 1890, records indicate that John Woodward was the first to be buried at Elmwood Cemetery. In the summer of that year, the Lord Bishop of Quebec consecrated the land for burials.

By 1907, Trustees of the Congregational Church began to discuss moving those buried in Union to the Elmwood Cemetery, in order to sell the land for commercial use. At this point, it was estimated that there were 1500 burials in the Union Cemetery and the cost for moving them would be 13,200$. However, it was only in 1918 that the final decision to move the burials was made, with a total of 895 bodies and 116 headstones being transferred to Elmwood Cemetery at a total cost of 21,096.15$. The cemetery has since erected a marker to commemorate the transfer of remains.

In 1910, as the Elmwood Cemetery became the main place of burial for Sherbrooke’s Protestant and Congregational Communities, the Trustees decided to purchase an adjacent piece of land. A ravine initially divided these two portions, however, in 1916 a bridge was built to connect the different sections.

Bataillon des Cadets
CAMAR P090 · Corporate body · 1888-1938

Le 15 novembre 1883, tel que mentionné dans les chroniques étudiantes, les "Volontaires du Séminaire" tiennent un exercice militaire. À l'automne 1897, une "Compagnie militaire au Séminaire" est officiellement constituée sous la direction du capitaine Alexandre Rhéaume. L'année scolaire 1907-1908 voit la compagnie changer de nom pour "Bataillon des Cadets" qui devient en 1915-1916 "Bataillon des Cadets (c.c. no 37)". Après 1928, on ne trouve plus trace de ce bataillon au Séminaire.

CAMAR P091 · Corporate body · 1893-2012

C'est à Saint-Joseph de Memramcook, Nouveau-Brunswick (près de Moncton) que naquit l'Institut des Petites Soeurs de la Sainte-Famille. Le 1er octobre 1874, Soeur Marie-Léonie Paradis, des Soeurs de Sainte-Croix, arriva, de Notre-Dame en Indiana, au Collège Saint-Joseph (cité plus haut) «par obéissance», dit-elle plus tard. Elle y rencontra le Père Camille Lefebvre, c.s.c., provincial des Pères de Sainte-Croix. Elle était restée fidèle «à son unique désir de travailler à l'ombre du sacerdoce». Elle reçut comme postulantes, pour les Soeurs de Sainte-Croix, des jeunes filles en service au Collège Saint-Joseph. Le 19 mars 1875, le Père Lefebvre présida la première prise d'habit dans l'église paroissiale de Memramcook. Saint Joseph bénit, en ce jour, le «berceau» de la nouvelle congrégation, l'humble Institut des Petites Soeurs. Cette même année 1875, Soeur Marie-Léonie fit un voyage à Notre-Dame, en Indiana. Chemin faisant, elle rencontra Mgr Édouard-Charles Fabre, évêque de Montréal. Elle proposa à ce dernier d'avoir des Soeurs de Sainte-Croix au Collège de Montréal. Mgr Fabre de lui répondre : «Pourquoi ne feriez-vous pas une communauté pour ces collèges?» En 1880, le Père Lefebvre se rendit au Chapitre général de sa Communauté, en France. «Le susdit chapitre permit l'existence d'une Congrégation sous le nom de Petites Soeurs de la Sainte-Famille, vouées au service des Maisons de Sainte-Croix». Mère Léonie continua à se dévouer à son oeuvre, à réaliser «son désir de travailler pour le Sacerdoce». Le 28 janvier 1895, décéda subitement le Père Camille Lefebvre, le jour même de la fête de la Sainte-Famille. Le diocèse de Moncton refusa pendant vingt ans l'approbation canonique du nouvel Institut. Mère Léonie se tourna vers le beau pays du Québec pour y repérer un évêque qui donnerait à son Institut un statut régulier dans l'Église. Cette même année 1895, Mgr Paul LaRocque, évêque de Sherbrooke, apprit la situation de la Fondatrice. «Depuis plusieurs années, je demandais à Dieu de m'envoyer à Sherbrooke une communauté religieuse de femmes dont le but serait le soin matériel des séminaires, collèges, etc. J'ouvre toutes grandes les portes de mon diocèse à votre Communauté, Noviciat et Maison-Mère». Le 1er août 1895, cinq religieuses arrivaient à l'évêché de Sherbrooke pour prendre charge du service ménager de cette maison. Le 5 octobre suivant, les Soeurs se logeaient au numéro 10 de la rue Peel. Elles reçurent l'approbation canonique le 26 janvier 1896. Dans notre diocèse, elles ont oeuvré au Séminaire de Sherbrooke, à l'Archevêché et dans quelques presbytères. Elles ont également oeuvré durant plus de 30 ans au Grand Séminaire des Saints-Apôtres, 500, rue Murray, Sherbrooke.

Corporate body · 1983-

The Coaticook youth centre, Maison des jeunes de Coaticook, was founded in 1983 for the primary purposes of encouraging the autonomy of adolescents (ages 12-17), to provide a location for youth to gather together, to provide youth with activities that respond to their interests, and to prevent problems specific among youth. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors with various committees to support its activities. Initially, the Maison de jeunes de Coaticook rented space from the high school école Polyvalente La Frontalière but later on was able to secure their own space on Laurence Street. Also known as La Mayz de Coaticook, the organization celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2003. The Maison de jeunes de Coaticook continues to be active as it pursues objectives similar to those established in 1983.

Canadian Celanese. Coaticook
Corporate body · 1956-1985

The Coaticook factory that would eventually become the Canadian Celanese had its earliest beginnings in 1872 with the purchase of water rights from Levi Baldwin to Thomas McDuffee. They would then be acquired by Frederick Cross for the establishment of a rake factory. The factory went through a series of changes in ownership and purpose until it was acquired by Trenholme and Armitage in 1889 and became the Coaticook Woolen Mills. The factory was destroyed by fire in June 1889 and was rebuilt, continuing operations until 1919 when it was sold to Walter Blue. The factory again underwent multiple transactions until 1944, when it was acquired by Coaticook Textiles Limited. Under this ownership, the factory was expanded and by 1954 it employed 125 workers.

The Canadian Celanese was established in Coaticook in 1956 with the purchase of Coaticook Textiles Ltd’s building and equipment. In 1963, the Canadian Celanese Company merged with the Canadian Chemical Company to become a division of Chemcell Limited. In 1972, its corporate name was changed again to Celanese Canada. In 1980, the principal activity of the Celanese was the manufacture of acetate lining and texturized polyester fabrics. At this time, 80 per cent of their production went to Drummondville for dying and dressing.

In 1984 and 1985, Canadian Celanese’s plant in Coaticook was purchased by Produits Cellulaires Waterville. The company subsequently closed the plant, transferring Coaticook employees to Waterville.

Massawippi Union Church
Corporate body

The Massawippi Union Church, built in the New England style in 1861, stands to this day as a reminder of the village’s American roots. Though it is now seldom used, the church is still occasionally opened for services and other community events.

Corporate body

The Women's Canadian Club of the Eastern Townships was formed in 1949, its mandate like other Canadian clubs was "having for its objects the encouragement of the study of the history, literature, and resources of Canada" and engaged in joint activities occasionally. The Women's Canadian Club of Eastern Townships was governed by a board of executive directors. In 2014, the Club members voted to dissolve because of a decreasing membership.

Corporate body · 1979-1991

The Coalition of Conservationists of the Eastern Townships (CCC) began in the late 1970s by Brian Olding, Richard (a.k.a. Crick) Glass, and Alex Bowie and was driven by concerns regarding the water quality of the Massawippi River, which was being contaminated by industries situated along the river, in particular Scott Paper Limited in Lennoxville. A water quality sampling program was undertaken to identify the pollutants present in the Massawippi River. As support and interest in the group’s work continued to grow, it was incorporated the 14 June 1979 as the Coalition pour la Conservation de l’Environnement dans les Cantons Inc. with the objectives of protecting and improving the natural environment for the good of the general public, which was to be achieved through the promotion of scientific research and projects, raising public awareness of environmental concerns, and supporting the creation of laws to protect the environment. The first directors were Richard Côté, Vincent Cuddihy, Stephen Monty, Sonya Nigam, Charles Simpkin, and Ann Tippet. In 1979, the CCC applied for government funding for a project to complete an analysis of the Massawippi River basin but the project was not funded.

Following a decade-long period of inactivity, the members of the CCC voted to dissolve the organization in 1991. The funds remaining following dissolution were donated to the Sentiers Massawippi Trail.

Matrix
Corporate body · 1975-

Matrix is a literary magazine founded in 1975 by members of the English Department at Champlain Regional College – Lennoxville, QC. The magazine publishes literary and artistic submissions, with a focus on showcasing new Canadian talent – especially English writers in the Eastern Townships and Montreal. At its founding, it consisted of an editorial board (staffed by the Champlain English Department) headed by Editor-in-chief Philip Lanthier. In 1988, the team at Champlain College (consisting at that time of Lanthier and his colleagues: Michael Benazon, Marjorie Retzleff, Vivenne Allen, and Rina Kampeas) could not maintain their commitment to the magazine, so the publication was moved to the English Department of John Abbott College in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC. It is presently published through the English Department at Concordia University in Montreal, QC.

While publishing out of Lennoxville, Matrix experienced a great deal of accomplishments: launching the literary careers of writers such as W.P. Kinsella and Joan Fern Shaw, and winning a National Magazine Award for featuring the work of Joyce Marshall, to name a few. During its early years, Matrix was funded entirely by CRC-Lennoxville; when most of the funding from the College was cut, the magazine turned to subscriptions and grant funding through the Canada Council for the Arts. Matrix experienced a financial crisis for the majority of 1982, facing near-extinction, but regained its stability in the following years. It is presently funded by the following bodies: Conseil des arts de la communauté urbaine de Montréal, Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, Canada Council for the Arts, the English Department and Faculty of Arts at Concordia, and the federal government through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF). It was previously published semiannually and is now published three times per year.

Corporate body · 1993-

The Sherbrooke and District University Women’s Scholarship Foundation was founded in 1993 by the Sherbrooke & District University Women’s Club for the purpose of granting scholarships, bursaries, and prizes to students and recent graduates based on academic achievements, accomplishments, or financial need. Their principal objective is to support the education of women in the community and to encourage the continuation of their studies. The Foundation raises funds for the scholarship programs through fundraising and donations. In 2008, as part of a broader effort to gain more publicity and generate more interest for the Foundation, the Scholarship Foundation chose to change its name and logo to something shorter and easier for the community to remember and recognize. In 2009, the Advisory Committee selected the Lampe Foundation for the new name and the Scholarship Foundation was officially changed to the Lampe Foundation in 2010.

Corporate body · 1934-[196-?]

The Business and Professional Women’s Club of Sherbrooke was founded in July 1934 by a group of fifteen women. Jean Kinkead was elected as their first president. The Club was organized with members, all of whom had to be gainfully employed women, and an elected president. In 1935, the Sherbrooke club became a chapter of the Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs. In 1937, the Sherbrooke club was instrumental in the establishment of the Border Business and Professional Women’s Club in Rock Island.

Initially the Club focused on bringing professional women together and on highlighting women active in the professional or political spheres through hosting special speakers, among which included Nellie McClung in 1939. During the war, the Club’s activities largely focused on war work. In 1945, the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Sherbrooke established a public speaking contest for girls from Sherbrooke and Lennoxville High Schools.

Later on, the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Sherbrooke’s primary aim was to provide friendship and fellowship for working women. It is likely that the Club disbanded in the late 1960s.

Wilkinson Brothers Studio
Corporate body · 1892-[194-?]

The Wilkinson Brothers Studio opened in the spring of 1892. John Wilkinson (b. March 9, 1862 in Scotland, d. 1946) and his brother, Alfred Wilkinson (b. December 14, 1867 in Belgium) bought the studio of H.H. Weeden in Cookshire and reopened it under its new name. John had visited Canada and the United States from 1884 to 1885, and after completing his studies at the London Polytechnic School of Photography, he had returned (in 1891) to settle in Cookshire with his brother Alfred. The Wilkinson Brothers were known to photograph both the upper and lower classes of the region, and also contributed to the illustration of L.S. Channell’s work, “History of Compton County,” published in 1896. John Wilkinson married Millicent Botterill. Alfred Wilkinson married Ethel Bigland and together they had a son, Gerald (b. 1897). Records suggest Alfred left the photographic studio and served as headmaster at Bishop's College School in Lennoxville from 1911 to 1931. John continued to operate the photograph studio without his brother into the 1930s. John died in Cookshire in 1946.

Brae Manor Players
Corporate body · 1935-ca. 1964

The Brae Manor Players was established under the direction of Filmore Sadler, director, in 1935. The theatre troupe often performed in Knowlton (at the Brae Manor) and in North Hatley. A void in theatrical productions was felt in the Townships after the Brae Manor Players ceased their activities. This lack was partially answered by the establishment of the Piggery Theatre in 1965.

Corporate body · 1992-

The Megantic-Compton Cemetery and Church Association was founded on May 21st, 1992. Its mission was to offer assistance in the maintenance and preservation of Protestant churches and cemeteries in the Megantic-Compton electoral riding. It was originally known under the title of “Megantic-Compton Heritage Trust,” but appears to have adopted the title of “Megantic-Compton Cemetery and Church Association” within the first few months of its incorporation. It was comprised of a Board of Directors of twelve members elected annually (for one- or two-year terms, with possibility of re-election). Annual General Meetings were held once per year, along with Special Meetings as necessary, and meetings of the Board of Directors were held multiple times per year as necessary. The Board of Directors included four officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The first President of the Association was Mr. J. Allen Martin (known as “Allen”), who held the position until his death in 2001, at which point Vice-President Orvil Anderson took over. Ms. Ethel Martin was Treasurer from 1992 to 2001, at which point she and longtime Secretary Ms. Violet Main resigned, and both were replaced by Mr. William (Bill) Cloutier as Secretary-Treasurer. General membership ranged from about twenty-five to fifty members throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. As of 2013, the Association was still meeting regularly.

The Association preoccupied itself throughout most of the 1990s with preparing cemetery listings for the Protestant cemeteries within the Megantic-Compton electoral riding. The research for these cemetery listings was carried out by paid employees (many of whom were students) and volunteers. A separate but related research project involved the compilation of Protestant Church registers of baptisms, marriages, and burials from the Megantic-Compton electoral riding. They also commemorated some neglected cemeteries with monuments acknowledging the first settlers of the area whose remains were buried in those areas. Funding for the Association’s activities came from federal and provincial grants as well as individual and corporate donations and fundraising activities. Individual donations were encouraged through the Association’s carefully curated mailing list.

Potton
Corporate body