The Oakville Historical Society is pleased to announce the speaker for our June 17th “Speaker Night”, presented by Henry Jelinek. Mr. Jelinek will tell the story of the cork business
of his ancestors, which began in 1855 in Austro-Hungary, recounting the many hardships they underwent, dealing with war, the Great Depression, Nazi occupation and communist nationalization.
Having lost everything, the family fled to Oakville in 1948, and rebuilt a thriving business that continues today, and spans across five generations – being one of Oakville’s oldest enterprises.

The talk also explores cork itself – its origins, unique properties and value as a sustainable natural material – and how it has grown to be used across various industries. Henry Jelinek has spent a lifetime working with and studying cork, and is a leading authority on cork and its many uses. A graduate of Marietta College in Ohio, he went on to earn his master’s degree from The New School for Social Research in New York City. He has spent months in various cork forests throughout the Mediterranean region, participating in numerous cork harvests. Jelinek is a strong advocate of using natural materials in responsible ways while ensuring their sustainability. He has spent over fifty years in the cork business. He has written numerous articles and several books. He and his wife Cathy reside in Oakville. Their three children are currently the fifth generation to lead Jelinek Cork Group.

Please join us on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 7:30 pm in the Coach House (right next door to the Oakville Historical Society), and learn more about this business and the industry, which for
over 75 years has grown alongside our community – and provided a family and business a strong foundation.

Hope to see you soon!