Overview of the Interpretive Centre

885 Highway #24
(corner of Forestry Farm Road, Reg. Rd. #16 & Hwy. 24 )
St. Williams, ON, Canada N0E 1P0

	History Our pioneer forefathers were faced with deeply forested, impenetrable bush land when they arrived in this area. By law they had to clear their free land and farm it. The sandy topsoil of this region blew away in the wind without plant or forest cover. Within 50 years, parts of Norfolk County were desert. Learn about the Neutrals who occupied the lush forests and about the roles that Lt. Gov. John Graves Simcoe, Lt. Col. Arthur C. Pratt, Dr. Edmund J. Zavitz, Walter F. McCall played in the development of Canada's First Forestry Station. Workers Canada's First Forestry Station was a major plus for the area. Under the leadership of Frank Newman, the St. Williams Forestry Station became the model reforestation and tree seedling production site in the province. It became a showcase and teaching facility as well as a 4,000 acre demonstration forest. From 1909 to 1990 there were 10 different superintendents. Nursery Operation A number of forestry related tools were invented at this, Canada's First Forestry Station. See the Artifacts Read the Ledgers Learn from displays including: • Seed Collection and Extraction • First Planting at St. Williams • Seedlings Require Attention • Transplanting • Inventory and Shipping • Marketing St. Williams Nursery & Ecology Centre This privately owned company leases the Ministry land that was once Canada's First Forestry Station. To order trees call St. Williams Nursery & Ecology Centre 519-586-9116 ext. 4000 The Port Rowan/South Walsingham Heritage Association in partnership with St. Williams Nursery & Ecology Centre and with funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation has created this Interpretive Centre.

History

Our pioneer forefathers were faced with deeply forested, impenetrable bush land when they arrived in this area. By law they had to clear their free land and farm it. The sandy topsoil of this region blew away in the wind without plant or forest cover. Within 50 years, parts of Norfolk County were desert.

Learn about the Neutrals who occupied the lush forests and about the roles that Lt. Gov. John Graves Simcoe, Lt. Col. Arthur C. Pratt, Dr. Edmund J. Zavitz, Walter F. McCall played in the development of Canada's First Forestry Station.

Workers

Canada's First Forestry Station was a major plus for the area.

Under the leadership of Frank Newman, the St. Williams Forestry Station became the model reforestation and tree seedling production site in the province. It became a showcase and teaching facility as well as a 4,000 acre demonstration forest. From 1909 to 1990 there were 10 different superintendents.

Nursery Operation

A number of forestry related tools were invented at this, Canada's First Forestry Station.
See the Artifacts
Read the Ledgers

Learn from displays including:

• Seed Collection and Extraction
• First Planting at St. Williams
• Seedlings Require Attention
• Transplanting
• Inventory and Shipping
• Marketing

St. Williams Nursery & Ecology Centre

This privately owned company leases the Ministry land that was once Canada's First Forestry Station. To order trees call St. Williams Nursery & Ecology Centre 519-586-9116
ext. 4000

The Port Rowan/South Walsingham Heritage Association in partnership with St. Williams Nursery & Ecology Centre and with funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation has created this Interpretive Centre.