Born in Nova Scotia, Margaret Marshall Saunders (1861-1947) taught school briefly before starting her career as a novelist. Her second book, Beautiful Joe, achieved international recognition. Inspired during a visit to Meaford about 1892, it is based on the story of a dog rescued from a brutal master by a local miller, William Moore. This novel first published in 1894, appeared in several editions and enjoyed phenomenal success. It was printed in at least ten languages and seven million copies had been sold by 1939. Miss Saunders, who settled in Toronto in 1914 was awarded the C.B.E in 1934 in recognition of her contribution toward securing humane treatment for animals.

In 1994, the Beautiful Joe Heritage Society was formed to honor the life and story of Beautiful Joe and the literary and humane achievements of Margaret Marshall Saunders.

The Beautiful Joe Heritage Society has been working on an accessibility project for Beautiful Joe Park. To view the proposed project, please click here.

The Beautiful Joe Heritage Society has also been developing a proposal to the Municipality of Meaford for a leash-free area for exercising dogs. Please click here to view our Leash-free Dog Park proposal.

Your opinion is important to us. Please print a copy and take a few minutes to answer this 8-question survey below.

The purpose of this survey is get feedback on a series of recommendations developed by a community Advisory Committee regarding proposed changes for Beautiful Joe Park and Improved Accessibility. The purpose of the suggested changes are made to improve full access to people of all ages and abilities, to share in the heritage and history of Meaford, Beautiful Joe Park, M. M. Saunders and Beautiful Joe.

Contact the Beautiful Joe Heritage Society at: 519 538-5895

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