From the Archives
Thornhill Village Festival
The City of Vaughan’s archives house more than 600 collections dating from the early 1700s to the present day. Within these files are the stories of how Vaughan evolved from the traditional territories of the First Peoples of Turtle Island to the bustling city it is today.
Let’s look back at our history and share the stories of the people, places and moments that helped shape our community over time. This month’s feature highlights the Thornhill Village Festival.
The Thornhill Village Festival was a cherished annual community event that celebrated the rich history, heritage and spirit of Thornhill. Established in 1977 by the Society for the Preservation of Historic Thornhill, the festival became a longstanding tradition, attracting residents and visitors alike for 41 years. Held each year on the third Saturday of September, it brought the community together to honour Thornhill’s past while fostering a strong sense of local pride and connection.
The festival offered visitors a chance to explore Thornhill’s past through curated exhibits, historical walking tours and open houses at landmarks such as the MacDonald and Armstrong Houses. These activities highlighted the stories of early settlers and the evolution of the village over time.
The festival also featured a lively street fair held in the heart of Thornhill, along Yonge Street between Centre and John Streets. Visitors could browse craft and commercial booths, community displays and a marketplace featuring artisanal goods and international cuisine, while enjoying live entertainment throughout the day.
Children’s activities were an important part of the festival, with games, crafts and interactive learning stations that introduced younger generations to Thornhill’s history. The festival also supported the Society for the Preservation of Historic Thornhill’s work to preserve the community’s historic landmarks through fundraising for preservation projects and educational programs.
Despite its popularity, the festival faced operational challenges and was cancelled in 2019, marking the end of a 41-year tradition. While the festival is no longer held, the organization continues to preserve and promote Thornhill’s history through other initiatives, including helping develop historical plaques for local buildings, leading walking tours and offering educational programming focused on Thornhill’s past.
VIEW VAUGHAN'S ARCHIVES ONLINE!
Looking for more information about the history of Vaughan? The City's Archival Collection is on digital display for all to explore! The following galleries are available in the City's online gallery on Flickr:
From Township to City: The Evolution of Vaughan
Historical Families of Vaughan
Historical Photography
Past Mayors of Vaughan
Prohibition in Vaughan
Recollections of Rural Vaughan
The Great Depression in Vaughan
The Mary Wood Collection
The Way We Were: Representations of Vaughan's Past
Vaughan’s Forgotten Heroes
Vaughan Lodge Fonds
Vaughan Working Environments
Vaughan Through the Ages: Medicine, Music and Sports and Recreation
and more!
A personal Flickr account is not required to access the City's online gallery, which contains only a small selection of the full archives collection. If you are looking for a particular image, original file, primary source record or more, please visit the Archival Database or contact the City by calling 905-832-2281 or emailing archives@vaughan.ca.
By managing and preserving both City and community records, the City’s Enterprise Information Management Services team ensures that Vaughan's rich and varied history will continue to be available for future generations. Learn more at vaughan.ca/archives.
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