Canadian Friends Historical Association

The mission of the Canadian Friends Historical Association is the preservation and communication of the on-going history and faith of Friends (Quakers) in Canada and their contribution to the Canadian Experience.

The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) arose in England in the 17th century, inspired by the message of George Fox. Early Friends immigrated to America during this period. The first Quakers to settle in Canada came from the United States during the American War of Independence. Friends were early pioneers in frontier areas of Upper Canada, including York, Prince Edward, Grey and Elgin Counties.

The Quakers came to what is now Canada with a strong sense of religious guidance; they provided for their community by building schools, Meeting Houses and Burying Grounds. They contributed in many ways to the religious and social life of the communities in which they lived. Though small in numbers today, the Religious Society of Friends is an active faith community in Canada.

Created in 1972, the work of the Canadian Friends Historical Association includes support for the preservation of Quaker records in the Canadian Quaker Archives in Newmarket, encouragement of the research, study and writing of Quaker history, action to document and preserve Quaker Meeting Houses, Burial Grounds and other sites of significant Quaker heritage, promotion of the significant contributions of Quakers, and the publication of the Canadian Quaker History Journal and the Canadian Friends Historical Association Newsletter.

Managed by an Executive Board that includes university professors, educators, researchers and archivists, the Canadian Friends Historical Association also hosts an annual spring conference, an annual general meeting and conference in the fall, and other special events related to the faith and on-going history of Quakers in Canada.

For more information, please contact Gordon Thompson, the Chairman of the Canadian Friends Historical Association.