Scrapbooks
Len Coles Scrapbooks (1946-1987)
Also known as Mr. Oxford County, Len Cole was a well-loved member of the community. He Served as the County Clerk and Treasurer for several years. While in this position, he belonged to a number of other committees throughout Oxford County. Len Coles had love history and wrote and researched all things Oxford County related. These scrapbooks and the additional information in the Archives' collection reflects just how passionate Mr. Coles was about ensure the preservation of Oxford County history.
Learn more about Len Coles and view his scrapbooks here
Byron Garfield Jenvey
Regarded by many as Ingersoll's Town Historian, Byron Jenvey served as the Clerk and Treasurer for West Oxford Township for a decade. He created the first life size paper-mache replica of the Springbank Snow Countess before the legendary monument was erected in Woodstock. Mr. Jenvey had a passion for his community and served on over 60 boards, executives, councils, and committees over the course of his life. He was well versed in the history of Ingersoll and shared it with everyone.
Learn more about Byron Garfield Jenvey and view his scrapbooks here
Zenda Scrapbook
A quaint little hamlet in south-west Oxford took on the name Zenda in 1895. Despite wanting to be known as Bowell, the residents agreed to the name when Charles Banbury, the first postmaster, suggested it. He had thought of the name after reading Anthony Hope’s 1894 novel The Prisoner of Zenda. Unbeknownst to inhabitant, this name taken from an imaginary place would lead them to real fame.
In 1937, the motion picture, The Prisoner of Zenda hit the big screen. As part of a publicity stunt concocted by the producers almost the entire hamlet of Zenda was whisked away by plane to the brightly coloured world of New York City.
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