Tillsonburg celebrates 200 years at Founder’s Festival

Although Tillsonburg was founded as a forge, hence its original name of Dereham Forge, lumber was a large part of early industry with a saw mill following after the forge. The Great Canadian Lumberjack show displayed some of the skills early settlers in Ontario would have used on a daily basis, such as log rolling pictured here, as entertainment at the free-of-charge event on Saturday in Memorial Park. The event featured much more as the bicentennial of the founding of the town was celebrated. (Jeff Helsdon Photo).

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Tillsonburg residents came out to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the founding of the town at the Founder’s Festival on Saturday in Memorial Park.

The event provided a wide array of entertainment with a historical flair from the crowd-pleasing Great Canadian Lumberjack show, to pipers, booths displaying both historical and modern wares, souvenirs, and a chance to talk to members of the town’s founding family. All, save the souvenir clothing, was free of charge.

About 2,500 people turned out for the event. Kate Bakos, Cultural Heritage Manager/Curator, said the event was possible due to the Founder’s Day sub-committee, town staff, volunteers, and community members.

“It was an incredible day at Founder's Festival, celebrating 200 years of Tillsonburg,” she said on Monday. “Our history is rich because of the people who continue to care for it, and it’s been an honour to share this milestone with all of you.”

The day started with opening ceremonies led by Carrie Lewis, chair of the town’s Museum, Culture, Heritage and Special Awards Sub-Committee. She paid tribute to committee members Penny Esseltine, Doug Cooper, Rosemary Dean, Michelle Wegg, and Joan Weston for their support.

Lewis said Tillson arrived to the area with a dream that has flourished into a town.

Oxford MP Arpan Khanna, MPP Ernie Hardeman, Oxford Warden Marcus Ryan, and Mayor Deb Gilvesy brought greetings.

“It’s from his (Tillson’s) vision, his values, that we have such a beautiful town of Tillsonburg,” Khanna said.

Gilvesy paid tribute to Tillson’s vision and ambition.

“He faced hardships, braved uncertainty, and worked tirelessly to create a settlement that would endure,” she said. “Together with his wife, Nancy, they raised nine children, though tragically only three survived into adulthood—a reminder of the rugged, often unforgiving realities of pioneer life.”

The mayor spoke highly of the town’s first official mayor, E.D. Tillson, who was George’s son, and how he built the town’s early industries.

“From those humble beginnings, our community has witnessed remarkable progress and transformation,” she said. “Mills and factories gave way to new industries, farms flourished into neighborhoods, and small shops grew into thriving businesses. Yet through all this change, we have never lost sight of the values that define us: hard work, strong families, and neighbors who care deeply for one another. Our schools, businesses, churches, and homes stand as living reminders of the perseverance and vision of those who came before us.”

Tamsen Tillson, great-great-great granddaughter of George Tillson, talked about the challenges facing George’s wife Nancy as she walked 43 kilometers through the wilderness for three days with an oxen and cart. In the early days, there were only six families in the town, and the nearest neighbour was five miles away.

Their son, E.D., then built a lumber mill, a cereal mill, and launched Tillson's Pan Dried Oats, before constructing Annandale House.

“By the time of his death in 1902, E.D. Tillson had transformed Tillsonburg into the thriving town it is today,” she said.

Before the Ingersoll Pipe Band’s performance, Lewis spoke of the significance of the piper to Tillsonburg. More than a century ago, E.D. changed the oat-drying process, launching his revolutionary pan-dried oats. Tillson’s Pan-Dried Oats were a national and international success before Quaker Oats bought the company. A piper graced the box of Pan-Dried Oats as part of an advertising campaign.

“It was a tremendous success, earning the campaign a national award,” Lewis said, adding the piper stayed after the campaign was complete.

The day ended with fireworks at the fairgrounds.