About the Hamilton Association

What is the Hamilton Association?

The Hamilton Association is one of Canada's oldest independent, not-for-profit, cultural organizations. It has its origins in the Hamilton Scientific Association, founded in 1857, and counts among its founding members Dr. John Rae, Arctic explorer and physician, who served as the Association's first Vice-President and second President.

Many prominent Hamilton and area educational and cultural organizations had their beginnings in, or received early support and encouragement from, the Hamilton Association, including the Hamilton Public Library, the Art Gallery of Hamilton, the Royal Botanical Gardens, and McMaster University.

What does the Association do?

The Association's principal activity is the presentation each year of eight free public lectures which are open to anyone interested in attending. One of the public talks, named in recognition of Dr. John Rae, honours Rae's connection to the Canadian landscape by focussing on a topic related to the Canadian North or the spirit of exploration.

From time to time the Association sponsors a special event, tour or lecture in addition to its regular scheduled events. Such events will be posted on our Special Events page and announced at our talks.

A brief general meeting of members is held annually at the close of one of the Fall lectures. The date will be announced on our Lectures page.

What is a “member” of the Association?

A member is someone who has paid either our annual membership fee or our one-time-only life membership fee.

For information about membership fees and other ways of contributing financially to the Association go to our Become a Member page. There you will also find a link to a Membership Application form which you can print and mail to us along with your payment.

Membership Application forms are also available at our public lectures and are distributed with our annual brochure.

Do I have to be a “member” to attend Association activities?

What is a “friend” of the Association?

A friend is someone who, although not a member (see above), wants to be kept informed about upcoming lectures and other HA activities and/or makes a special financial contribution to the Association.

You'll get the same mailings as HA members but you won't have the personal satisfaction that comes with having contributed financially to our educational efforts or awards. For instructions on how to add your name to our list of Assocation friends, go to our Become a Friend page.

Is the Association a registered charity?

The Association is recognized as a charitable organization by the Canada Revenue Agency. Our Charitable Business Number is 11923-6651. You will find annual financial and other information about us on the CRA's Charities Directorate website.

All contributions for charitable purposes are tax deductible. Donors who change their address after donating should be sure to inform our Treasurer of their new address.

When does the Association issue tax receipts to its donors?

Receipts for income tax purposes are prepared at the beginning of January for donations received during the previous calendar year. They are available for pick-up at our January, February and March lectures. Receipts not picked up by the close of the March meeting will be mailed to donors via Canada Post. After 1 January, donors who require a receipt prior to mid-March and who are unable to attend any of the above lectures should ask the Treasurer to mail their receipt without further delay.

Hamilton Association Executive Council

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