Birthday plans Carolyn Walker, president of the Historical Society of Toronto, left, and Linda McFerren, vice president, prepare for the 200th birthday celebration of the founding Toronto on July 7. Contributed

TORONTO — Officials with the Historical Society of Toronto are inviting everyone to the 200th birthday celebration of the founding of Newburgh, now known as Toronto, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 7 at the Main Street Museum.

Ice cream and cake will be provided and there will be giveaways with new memberships.

A special T-shirt was designed for the event and is being sold by the society at a cost of $15 each.

“We are telling the story of 200 years of growth in our community this year,” said Carolyn Walker, president of the historical society.

“From its early beginnings in 1818, when it was laid out as Newburgh by John DePuy and approved by the Jefferson County commissioners to the years following the arrival of the railroad (Sloane’s Station) to its incorporation as Toronto in 1881, and the large growth to our present city, everyone is invited to stop by the museum and check out our city’s history, portrayed in window displays of pictures and stories. Come inside and visit the exhibits and read about the people, their homes, businesses, schools, churches and industry,” she said.

“A city of our size, just over 5,000 people, is looking to the future with such positive things to come. The new junior/senior high school recently celebrated the 129th graduating class. Construction will start on a new elementary wing in the fall. Last year we saw the annexation of Wallace Heights, and now a new housing development is being designed in the south end with construction to begin later this year,” she said.

The museum is located at 210 Main Street. and is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 pm.

For information, contact Walker at (740) 632-6708.