The first record of local participation in agriculture and horticulture was at the first Fair of the Northumberland County Agricultural Society held in Colborne in 1829. Horticultural Societies were very closely associated with Agricultural Societies until 1854 when Agricultural Societies were organized provincially. Horticultural Societies were organized provincially in 1906 and the Colborne Horticultural Society was created.

The Secretary and Treasurer were each paid up to $100 in the early years to organize the annual fair competitions on lands near the site of today’s Keeler Centre. Monetary prizes were established for categories such as dairy products, grain & seeds, roots, orchard & garden, “ladies work” and school children.  In 1923 “fine arts” were expanded to include oil painting, pyrography (burning designs on wood and leather), pierced brass, basket weaving, pies, jams and jellies.

In 1930, financial problems began with prize money cut in half. Deficits began to show. In 1936, the Fair was cancelled. Re-organization as the Colborne and District Horticultural Society occurred in 1965 as a result of meetings by the local Centennial Planning Committee. In 2008, we changed our name to the Cramahe Horticultural Society to recognize amalgamation of our area.   We are also known as the Apple Country Garden Club.