Vintage Acton

09/10/2026

A reminder to mark your calendar for Saturday, September 26th for the Halton Hills History Fair!

Step back in time and discover the stories, people, and places that have shaped Halton Hills into the vibrant community it is today!

Vintage Acton is proud to partner with the Town of Halton Hills to present the Halton Hills History Fair. This special event offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich and diverse history of the entire municipality, from its earliest beginnings to the thriving communities we know today. Join us in the Sisnett Lobby, the Local History Room, and the John Elliott Theatre.

See more details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1596192281898351

09/09/2026

A great event, hosted by Credit Valley Conservation in partnership with the Town of Halton Hills, is happening September 24th! See details in attached post.

Bring the family and discover how to identify phragmites, understand its impacts on wetlands and wildlife, and learn what is being done to manage its spread. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast…

09/09/2026

As part of back to school week, Vintage Acton is profiling Acton's elementary schools and here is a brief history on McKenzie-Smith Bennett Public School.

With a record-breaking enrolment of 693 elementary-aged students in September, 1955, it became apparent that additional accommodation would be necessary.

The public school board decided to erect a new six-room school on Acton Boulevard, just north of Acton High School. Tenders were awarded to J.B. Mackenzie & Son, who had submitted a bid of $115,495. The school was to be called M.Z. Bennet Public School, named after long-time Acton educator Miss Minnie Zimmerman Bennett.

Following the fire that destroyed the old brick two-storey structure at Acton Public School (Robert Little) in October 1956, the public school board immediately decided to increase the number of classrooms in the new M.Z. Bennett school from six to 12 rooms to alleviate the situation of a sudden classroom shortage. The reworking of construction plans for the new school ran at an additional cost of $90,000, bringing the total construction cost to over $205,000.

In September, 1957, M.Z. Bennett Public School opened its doors to 359 pupils, with an official "grand opening" in January of 1958.

M.Z. Bennett would serve as a school for grades kindergarten to 8, with various additions added, until the fall of 1977 when Acton High School moved to Cedar Road and the grades 6 to 8 moved into the old high school, leading to the formation of McKenzie-Smith Middle School. This middle school was named after educators Pat McKenzie and Elmer Smith.

M.Z. Bennett Public School and McKenzie-Smith Middle School would continue to operate separately until the fall of 1996 when they were merged together with a physical "link" and renamed McKenzie-Smith Bennett Public School, serving grades kindergarten to 8.

It would be in September 2021 when grades 7 and 8 would move to facilities on Cedar Road, renaming Acton District High School to Acton District School.

Photo and History Credit: Dills Collection / Vintage Acton

09/07/2026

This week is back to school and Vintage Acton will be providing posts with a brief history on Acton's elementary schools. The first of the series is Robert Little Public School.

The school known today as Robert Little Public School, located on School Lane, dates back to 1860 when it was first called Acton Public School. It was operated by the Acton Board of Education.

In 1863, with a reputation of successful teaching, Robert Little was appointed Principal of the school.

In 1871, Little was appointed as Halton County School Inspector and later had an influence on what would become the current Ontario Public School System. Little died at the age of 50 in 1885, after an attack of typhoid; he was buried in Fairview cemetery.

In the 1890s the school was expanded upon with the addition of a brick building at the front. Later on, in 1952, a new building replaced the 1860 structure. The brick building at front burned down on October 2nd, 1956 but the 1952 addition was spared.

The year following the fire, in 1957, the school was renamed Robert Little Public School after the longtime Principal.

It would be in late 1959 when the school saw a replacement for the destroyed structure, providing the current entrance and classrooms seen at the front of the school today.

Photo and History Credit: Dills Collection / Vintage Acton

09/06/2026

It was another great day today, September 6th, to see what was going on in the historical neighbourhood by taking a visit to the Steam - Era / Ontario Steam and Antique Preservers Association and watching the antique steam engines and associated farm equipment at work and on display!

The Steam Era continues until tomorrow, September 7th, at Humes Auction Farm on the Fourth Line of rural Halton Hills.

Photo Credit: Scott Brooks / Vintage Acton

09/06/2026

Vintage Acton - along with these fellow businesses, organizations and individuals - is a proud sponsor of the 113th Annual Acton Fall Fair!

Please show your support for this annual event, organized by the dedicated members and volunteers of the Acton Agricultural Society, by attending the 113th Annual Acton Fall Fair this September 18th, 19th and 20th, 2026 at Prospect Park.

For more info and details for this year's Acton Fall Fair, visit https://www.actonagriculturalsociety.ca/

09/05/2026

This month, marks 40 years (September 12th, 1986) since the closure of the Beardmore Tannery. In honour of this anniversary, September's photo gallery takes a look back at the tannery that once was known as the largest in all the British Commonwealth.

View the entire photo gallery here: https://www.vintageacton.com/photo-gallery

09/04/2026

Featured on this day, 30 years ago, in The Acton Tanner...

"Neat Crafts! Shawna Luedee, 10, and mom Peggy check out Fern Arseneau's crafts at Saturday's Trunk Sale."

Excerpt from The Acton Tanner; Wednesday, September 4th, 1996

Photo Credit: Eve Martin - The Acton Tanner / HHPL

09/03/2026

Vintage Acton will be at the Downtown Acton Outdoor Market, today (September 3rd) from 4-7 PM, at Prospect Park!

Today's display will be 'Back to School', featuring photos of school days of Acton's past! Be sure to come by to say 'Hi!' and support the market!