Banner Image: Dining Room at American Hotel circa 1910, 2013.72.90, Guelph Museums

Step out of the darkness and into the light! On this episode of It Happened Here with Education Coordinator Ken Irvine, we’re illuminating the history of gas and electricity in Guelph, Ontario.

“Guelph’s town council was very eager to find some way to bring light and potential prosperity to the city. In the 1860’s, 25 kerosene streetlamps were erected at a cost of $5.75 each, to bring some light to the downtown. To save money they were only lit when the moon was not out. The town hall caretaker, Mr. William Edwards, was given the job of lighting the streetlamps. With his ladder and small 2 wheeled cart he was out every evening to light the lamps and every morning to put the lights out, fill them with kerosene, trim the wicks and clean the glass.”

This episode will premiere Thursday, October 6, at 7 pm on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Tune in to learn more.