Herbert Milnes: Author, Artist, Historian, Naturalist

Local historian and naturalist Herbert Milnes sketched and painted flowers, plants, and the local creatures of Oxford County.

By Liz Dommasch, County Archivist

The Oxford County Archives has a number of fonds (archival term for a collection of records) consisting of the personal papers of Oxford County residents. Once such collection relates to Herbert Milnes. Born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, Herbert Milnes arrived in Canada in 1928. He worked at La France Textiles for more than 40 years until his retirement in 1970, when he became curator of the Oxford Museum. As a lover of history, Herbert Milnes was a former President of the Oxford Museum before becoming its curator. Over the years he published several local history books including: A story of the Oxford Rifles, 1798-1954 and The Beginnings of LaFrance Textiles (Canada) Limited.

An avid naturalist, in 1934, he helped found the Woodstock Field Naturalist Society (whose records the Archives also holds) and was elected its first President along with Ed Dutton, Vice President and George Nutt, Secretary. The group was quickly affiliated with the Federation of Ontario Naturalists and they held their first regional gathering in 1937 at Downey Wood and Sweaburg Swamp Area. His wife Doris (nee Crossley) was also an active member of the society and was elected President in 1957. Throughout his lifetime he passionately wrote observational field notes on the flora and fauna (specifically birds, snakes, and turtles) in and around Oxford County. He also captured their images in beautiful lifelike water colour and pen and ink sketches which were often exhibited at the Museum and elsewhere. The sketches and paintings are now housed at the Archives as part of his fonds.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                "Cranberry tree - Guelder Rose" - Sweaburg Swamp, 20 Aug. 1943. (left) By Herbert Milnes

"Yellow Lady Slipper Orchid" - Blenheim Swamp, 9 June, 1940. (right) By Herbert Milnes

                                                                                                                                                              In addition to his keen interest in nature, Herbert Milnes was also a long-time scouting enthusiast. Upon arriving in Woodstock he started one Cub troop at New St. Paul’s which was later formed into the First Scout Group and in 1930 the first Rover group. He would soon after organize a Second Scout Troop at Old St. Paul’s and would later act as honorary District Commissioner for the Woodstock and District Boy Scout Association. In 1970 he was awarded the Silver Acorn, the highest award for scouting in the province, during an international jamboree at Camp Shegardaynou, near Princeton. A building donated by Canada Cement when the camp was open in 1958 was affectionately named “Milnes Lodge” and the name was later transferred to a new structure in 1971.

Herbert Milnes was also a member of the Philatelic Society of Woodstock. He passed away in 1980 at the age of 74.

For those wishing to learn more about the Herbert Milnes fonds and/or the Woodstock Field Naturalist Society fonds, please visit the Archives’ website.

Likewise, the Oxford County Archives has a firm commitment to preserving and making available the County’s total archival heritage. We encourage and welcome those that wish to donate their own personal records. Please contact Archives staff for more information or visit our website.