The Southampton 150th Anniversary Legacy Fund has thrown its support behind the project to renovate the Southampton Cenotaph.
Speaking for the Legacy Fund committee at the Saugeen Shores council meeting on January 5, 2026, Joanne Robbins said, “We are very pleased to present this cheque for $91,300 to the Cenotaph renovation. It is a truly worthy project which so beautifully meets our criteria”.
To be eligible for the 150th Legacy Fund a project had to be located in Southampton, have a component celebrating Southampton history, and have a permanent presence which can be enjoyed by all Southamptonites.
The Legacy Fund arose from the Southampton 150th Anniversary celebrations in 2008, which ended well in the black. At the time treasurer Tim Andersen said, “The final surplus of $73,000 shows what we always knew: Southampton is absolutely tops in community pride and participation.” The fund has since grown to $91,300.
In its final report on June 22, 2009, the 150th Anniversary Committee announced that the surplus would go toward Southampton community projects, such as Town Hall renovation and Streetscape lighting.
Legacy Fund secretary Robin Hilborn explained that over the years the committee has considered funding several worthy projects which did not, however, come to fruition. The committee looked at supporting the town’s project to unite the Town Hall with the library, creating an indoor plaza, but town council postponed it in favour of other projects. The Marine Heritage Society proposed to develop a park at Scubby’s Point but did not pursue the project.
The Legacy Fund has funded two period lamp posts, with plaques, on High Street, as part of Streetscape. With this donation to the Cenotaph the 150th Legacy Fund will be winding up its affairs.
The 150th Legacy Fund Committee comprises alumni of the 150th Anniversary celebrations: Tim Andersen, Connie Barker, Robin Hilborn and Joanne Robbins. Along the way the committee sadly lost one of its key members: Dunc McCallum died on April 17, 2024.
In 2008, the federal Department of Canadian Heritage granted $94,800 to the Southampton 150th Anniversary Celebrations under its Community Historical Anniversaries program, which supports artists, musicians, and heritage and historical projects. An Employment Ontario contribution of $26,640 paid for the position of Special Events Coordinator.
In addition to grants, many local sponsors stepped up generously to support the celebrations. In the category of sponsorship over $5,000 were the Town of Saugeen Shores, Bruce Telecom, Burke’s Foodland, Chippewa Golf and Country Club, Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce, Southampton Residents Association and Steelback Brewery.
Connie Barker noted that the surplus would not have been possible without the enthusiastic participation of the whole community. Working hard on the celebrations was a 20-member steering committee, 25 event committees and scores of volunteers.
Past anniversaries of the founding of Southampton similarly created funds for local projects. Proceeds from the 125th anniversary went for commemorative benches and for wood-clad garbage containers which are set out in summer. The surplus from the 135th anniversary funded the 135-foot flag pole at the foot of High Street.
