Oxford County

06/07/2026

The Oxford County Archives is sharing another interesting find from Oxford County’s history.

Canadian Armed Forces Day is observed annually on the first Sunday in June to honour the brave members—past and present—of the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force.

Established in 2002, this day recognizes their contributions to national sovereignty, international peace, disaster relief, and search and rescue.
Oxford County has a rich military history dating back to the late 1700s with the formation of local militia units.

Visit Oxford County Archives website for more information on the County’s military past: https://archives.oxfordcounty.ca/online-records/military-records/

Image credit: Nurse and Soldiers at Plattsville – 11 August 1919 (OCA photograph collection)

06/05/2026

As National AccessAbility Week wraps up, Oxford County’s Accessibility Advisory Committee is recognizing the achievements of Canadians with disabilities and the ongoing work to build a more accessible and inclusive community.

Oxford County Councillors and Accessibility Advisory Committee members are wearing red in these photos for the National Day of Action for Accessibility and Inclusion to show their support and commitment to a barrier-free community.

National AccessAbility Week, from May 31 to June 6, is a time to celebrate progress, raise awareness, and reaffirm our commitment to removing barriers so everyone can participate fully.

Learn more about National AccessAbility Week and this year’s theme, “Building a Strong, Accessible Canada,” at www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/campaigns/national-accessability-week.html

06/05/2026

On June 4, Oxford County alongside Afro-Caribbean Business Network celebrated the groundbreaking of a new affordable housing development at 175 Springbank Ave. N. in Woodstock.

The 45-unit residential apartment building will include 23 affordable housing units.

The project is another important step toward increasing access to safe, affordable housing and addressing local housing needs across Oxford County and is a direct outcome of Oxford County’s Housing for All Plan.

Local leaders, project partners, media, and staff and congregants of Bethany Lutheran Church, gathered to celebrate the start of this new housing development.

Occupancy is anticipated to begin in Spring/Summer 2028.

06/04/2026

Today, the Oxford County Archives is exploring a unique piece of Oxford’s heritage.

188 years ago, on June 4, 1838, two teams from Oxford and Zorra townships played a game of baseball in Beachville, Ontario, now recognized as the first documented game in North American history.

It was Dr. Adam Ford, a former resident of St. Mary’s, ON, who later recounted details of this contest in a letter published in the May 5, 1886, issue of Sporting Life magazine.

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of this game, in 1988, a ball game was held in Beachville between the Leatherstocking Baseball Club, of Cooperstown, New York, and the Beachville Cornstalks.

Although the score of the original game is unknown, the Leatherstockings defeated Beachville 21-0 in this recreation match.

According to the 1838 rules, a game was said to last six or nine innings, or until one team reached 18 or 21 runs. Players were out if caught on a fly ball, or the first bounce. They could also be “plugged” – hit by a thrown ball – while they ran between bases.

Image credit: Woodstock Sentinel-Review – 6 June 1988

06/03/2026

Today is World Bicycle Day, and the Archives is highlighting the history of this day.

Established in 2018, by the United Nations, World Bicycle Day recognizes the bicycle as a simple, affordable, and sustainable means of transportation that promotes physical and mental health.

The surge in bicycle popularity occurred primarily in the 1890s, during a period known as the “golden age” or “bicycle craze”, driven by the invention of the safer, more accessible, safety bicycle.

The penny-farthing or “high-wheeler” pictured, was a popular 1870s-1880s bicycle featuring a massive front wheel and small rear wheel. This design allowed for high speeds (over 45 kph) though riders often faced safety challenges with a high centre of gravity.

Image credit: COA236-4 Woodstock Bicycle Club – 1880s - 1890s

06/03/2026

Reminder: Oxford County is hosting a second public meeting to discuss design improvements on Oxford Road 2 (Dundas Street) in Thamesford in the Township of Zorra.

Members of the public who would like to learn more can visit the Public Information Centre on Monday, June 8, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. A formal presentation will be delivered at 5:15 p.m. followed by a question and answer period. The meeting will be held at the Thamesford Recreation Centre (large hall). Public Works Engineering staff and the consultant design team will be available to discuss the project and answer questions.

Learn more at www.speakup.oxfordcounty.ca/thamesford-corridor-improvements

06/03/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻: 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴 𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

I was deeply saddened to learn of the recent vandalism involving a Pride flag in Norwich Township.

While a flag can be replaced, the message behind an act like this cannot be ignored. It was an attempt to intimidate and exclude people for simply being themselves, and that message has no place in Oxford County.

Just days ago, communities across Oxford County came together to mark the beginning of Pride Month. As we raised Pride flags, we spoke about the importance of belonging — of being able to live openly, safely and authentically in your own community.

Incidents like this remind us why that conversation matters, particularly for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community who continue to experience acts of exclusion and discrimination.

The new Safe and Well Oxford Plan identifies "people and belonging" as one of six priority areas because a sense of belonging matters. It matters to individual well-being and to the strength of our communities. Acts of exclusion and intimidation do more than target individuals. They send a message that belonging is conditional, and that some people are less welcome than others.

I do not believe this incident reflects who we are as a community. Nor does it outweigh the actions of the many residents, families, neighbours, volunteers and community organizations who continue to choose kindness and inclusion every day.

That gives me hope.

The answer to acts of exclusion is not silence. It is the everyday courage to choose compassion over division and love over fear.

06/02/2026

Big congratulations to John from Tillsonburg, the winner of our Waterline feedback form contest!

John took home a rain barrel after completing the online feedback form featured in the latest Waterline newsletter. Delivered to homes earlier this year, Waterline shares updates and helpful information about Oxford County’s municipal water and wastewater systems. Learn more at www.oxfordcounty.ca/water-wastewater.

Natural rainwater is a low-cost, sustainable option for watering your plants. Rain barrels collect water for your grass and garden, and they can be used in spring, summer, and fall. We are currently sold out of rain barrels but anticipate a new shipment soon. Once they have arrived, we will post an update on social media so you can purchase a rain barrel for $65 from Oxford County by calling Customer Services at 519-539-9800 or toll-free at 1-866-537-7778.

06/01/2026

Oxford County’s goal of “Housing for all” is taking a major step forward with a new Homelessness Support Centre in Woodstock that will offer emergency shelter alongside other services that help transition people out of homelessness and into stable housing.

Oxford County’s purchase of the property at 808 Dundas Street in Woodstock, the former YMCA building, officially closed on May 29, 2026. The County now begins the process of consulting with residents and businesses in the area; working with the City of Woodstock and other community partners to plan how the new facility will operate; and tendering for renovations and building system upgrades at the site.

The support centre, expected to open in spring 2028, will work in partnership with Woodstock’s new Homelessness and Addictions Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub/Wellness Centre to serve residents from across Oxford County who are unhoused or at the risk of becoming homeless. It will offer a single-location 24/7 emergency shelter model offering 55 beds, meal areas, safe storage for personal belongings, on-site laundry, day programs, and on-site security.

It will also offer on-site professional staff to help unhoused people find employment, mental health and addictions support, permanent housing, and other types of support. Office space will also be made available to other community agencies.

Read the full announcement here: https://www.oxfordcounty.ca/news/posts/new-homelessness-support-centre-in-woodstock-marks-next-step-toward-housing-for-all/

Watch the video statement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp8L6hcne3Q

Opening in 2028, the new centre will offer emergency shelter alongs...

06/01/2026

This morning, Oxford County Pride, Warden Marcus Ryan, members of County Council and local residents gathered at the Oxford County Administration Building to raise the Pride flag and mark the beginning of Pride Month.

Thank you to everyone who attended today’s ceremony and to all those helping make Oxford County a more welcoming and inclusive place for all.

Learn more about how Oxford County is celebrating Pride Month at https://www.oxfordcounty.ca/news/posts/oxford-county-celebrates-2026-pride-month/