About Us

James Francis Williams was born in Dalston, Ontario (Simcoe County) on July 5, 1858 to Francis Williams and Olivia Grace Osborne both originally from England. James studied medicine at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec and served as a dresser with Field Hospital No. 2 Medical Staff out of Swift Current, Saskatchewan during the 1885 North-West Rebellion. In 1886, Dr. Williams continued his studies at hospitals in England before returning to Canada.

Gertrude Annie Bird was born in Barrie, Ontario on March 11, 1862 to Henry Bird and Elizabeth Montgomery both originally from Ireland. Dr. Williams and Miss Bird were married at the Collier Street Methodist Church in Barrie, Ontario on September 25, 1889. Their only child, Francis Bird Williams was born in Toronto Junction, Ontario (York County) on December 20, 1890. Unfortunately, due to a brief illness, Francis died on December 4, 1891.

After a few years in Gravenhurst and West Toronto, Dr. Williams moved to Bracebridge in 1895 and became one of three doctors practicing in Bracebridge at that time. He was faithful to his patients and would travel by horse and buggy into every corner of central Muskoka to tend to their needs. During WW1, Dr. Williams served overseas for two and a half years attending to the wounded.Dr. and Mrs. Williams were very community-minded people. Dr. Williams served Bracebridge as a Magistrate, was a member of the Patriotic Fund which provided for families of Canadian soldiers in WW1, a conservationist who planted over 50,000 red pines in Oakley Township, and President of the newly formed Children's Aid Society. 

Mrs. Williams was prominent in literary and church circles, a member of the Bracebridge United Church and played an active role with her husband in many charitable deeds.Dr. Williams established the J. Francis Williams Prize in Medicine and Clinical Medicine, a scholarship with the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University which is awarded to the student obtaining the highest standing in the Internal Medicine Clerkship of the medical curriculum. He also created a fund providing ongoing financial support to the Bracebridge United Church, as well as a trust fund, which still exists today, for the needy suffering from cancer and tuberculosis. Dr. Williams was a keen motorist and was the first citizen in Bracebridge to own an automobile. 

On September 5, 1926, the flags in Bracebridge were flown at half-mast and blinds were drawn in the windows of homes and businesses as a respectful acknowledgement of the passing of Dr. Williams. In the Bracebridge United Church, Mrs. Williams dedicated a memorial window to her husband which was installed on the day of her passing, August 11, 1928. "Consider the Lilies" sacred to the memory of James Francis Williams M.D., erected by his loving wife. 

Dr. Williams and his wife, Gertrude Annie Bird, were highly respected among the people of Bracebridge. They were generous, thoughtful and dedicated. They loved the outdoors, the land and all living things. In 1925, Dr. Williams purchased the 10-16 acres of land along the Muskoka River from the Beardmore Leather Company. In his will, he placed the riverside park property in trust with financial support later to be maintained in perpetuity as a park for public use. As a lasting tribute, Annie Williams Memorial Park, is named in honour after his wife. Dr. Williams, Annie and their son are buried in a small family cemetery in the centre of the Park, a reminder of their gift for future generations.

After Mrs. Williams passing, a trust company was set up to administer the estate in providing for the park's care. The Brobst Forestry Company was engaged by the trustees to perform caretaker duties from 1928 to 1964. In 1965, the Rotary Club of Bracebridge entered into an agreement with the trust company to establish a management committee who would supervise, maintain, operate, and develop the park. The Committee consisted of Rotary Club members, representatives of the Bracebridge and Monck Council's and soon to follow members of the Bracebridge Lions and Kinsmen Club.

The funds set aside in 1926 by Dr. Williams' estate to care for and manage the Park, may have seemed more than sufficient at the time but were in fact depleted by the year 2000. Since this period, the Rotary Club of Bracebridge, the Rotary Club of Bracebridge-Muskoka Lakes, the Lions Club of Bracebridge and Town of Bracebridge have been supporting the park financially.

In 2016, the Town of Bracebridge assumed full responsibility for the management, operation and maintenance of the park. As well, the Annie Williams Memorial Park Advisory Committee was established which comprises representation from the three service clubs (the Lion's Club of Bracebridge, the Rotary Club of Bracebridge and the Rotary Club of Bracebridge-Muskoka Lakes), one citizen member and Town staff. At the end of the 2018-2022 Term of Council, the Advisory Committee's four-year term was complete.