Dereham Forge is the settlement that later became the Town of Tillsonburg.
TILLSONBURG - The Annandale National Historic Site is celebrating a big anniversary
Kathleen Watkins, the Culture and Heritage Program Coordinator for Tillsonburg, says George Tillson broke ground on the settlement of Dereham Forge on March 17th, 1825.
"George Tillson came to, what we call Tillsonburg today, to establish a foundry to smelt iron. He soon discovered they didn't have very much iron, so he decided to start a milling empire. That's what Tillsonburg became known for. It was in 1872 when the settlers decided to name the town Tillsonburg after George Tillson."
She says an open house today will kick off all of the bicentennial celebrations this year.
"We are asking people from the community to sign lincoln logs. We are then going to use them to build a model of what Tillsonburg would have looked like about twenty years after George Tillson founded it. The model will be built on October 18th, for the Founders Day festival in Memorial Park."
The open house will run from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and it is free to attend. There will also be cake and light refreshments.

WPS Briefs - Jan. 12th, 2026
Interview with Mayor Jerry Acchione - Jan. 12th 2026
News Poll: Winter Olympics 2026
Elimination Draw and Fish Fry Returns to Lions Auditorium
PJHL Recap - Jan 9th to Jan 11th
WITAAR Releases December Wrap Up
Cyclist Killed in Fail to Remain Crash
False Outbreak Posters Circulating SWPH Region
Ella Shelton Going to Italy
PJHL Preview - Jan. 9th - 11th, 2026
Play for Kids Sake Registration Open
Windy Forecast Sparks Special Weather Statement
Zero Waste Oxford Searching for Members
WPS to Host Women in Policing Information Session
Woodstock Tops CNOY Registration Across Canada
Fatal Crash Investigation in Norfolk
UTRCA Issues Statement Regarding Water Levels
School Buses Cancelled for Oxford County
Charity of Choice Deadline Approaching
Dangerous Driver Charged in Woodstock
Comments
Add a comment