Peterborough Blogs
Lang Pioneer Village Celebrates Applefest Held On Oct. 1
/Celebrate apples and the harvest season as Lang Pioneer Village is hosting Applefest running on Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A scavenger hunt and horse-drawn wagon rides will be available as visitors can learn about how settlers preserved the fall harvest and prepared for the long cold winter.
Several historic demonstrations are throughout the village including natural dyeing, chair caning, flour grinding at the Lang Grist Mill, cider pressing at the Cider Mill, broom making, log hand-hewing, sheep shearing, woodturning by the Peterborough Artisan Centre Wood Turners and more.
An antique clock and timepiece are being put on display brought by the Quinte Timekeepers. The Ayotte Cabin has historic reenactors, the 41st Battalion of Brockville Rifles, 1st Company, performing drills and demonstrating military marching. The Horse Barn is also hosting a threshing demonstration in the morning only.
The Marie Dressler Foundation display will teach everyone more about their upcoming Vintage Film Festival.
The Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building is selling chili and buns in the outdoor courtyard with Harvest dances performed by the Peterborough Scottish Country Dancers. An apple pie eating contest will test the stomachs and speed of patrons at 2 p.m. on the Village Green.
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Canadian Canoe Museum Set to Open In of Winter Next Year
/The Canadian Canoe Museum (CCM) is planning to open in the winter of next year, followed by a grand opening celebration in May announced on Wednesday morning.
The new museum's unveiling — which was to take place this fall — has been delayed due to nationwide construction industry issues according to a press release.
Once the facility opens, the museum will officially celebrate after the ice melts by launching canoes into the water.
“I am thrilled to announce that we will welcome our supporters to the new museum and campus the weekend of May 11th for our grand opening celebrations,” said Carolyn Hyslop, CCM executive director. “While the pandemic and its impacts on the construction industry have affected our timeline, it has not affected the spirit and enthusiasm for this project. It will be worth the wait when visitors can explore this beautiful facility and our many new offerings and then continue to the lakefront for a memorable paddling experience.”
The weekend of May 11th will have donors, partners, members, volunteers and dignitaries gather to celebrate the grand opening of the new museum and Lang Lakefront Campus which coincides with the start of the paddling season. The day also marks the launch of the CCM’s full visitor experience with on-water activities to honour Canada’s enduring paddling legacy as stated by CCM. A schedule of events will be released closer to the date.
The new museum will have 20,000 square feet of new exhibits featuring stories from around the world at their own pace or on a guided tour, Collection Hall, artisan workshops and food and drink from the Silver Bean Café.
A multipurpose room is available to rent for community and corporate meetings, conferences, events and weddings.
During the spring, the Lang Lakefront Campus will have space for on-water programming. There will be daily 90-minute Voyageur canoe tours that will offer a group paddling experience, while canoe and kayak rentals will be available for self-guided adventures. Children’s day camps, adult paddling courses and backcountry canoe trips will also run throughout the summer months.
There are 100 canoes and kayaks being moved into the new Exhibition Hall.
“Moving this first portion of the collection into its new home was an incredible moment in this organization’s history,” said Jeremy Ward, CCM Curator. “This collection is unlike any other worldwide and has been recognized for its national significance to this country. Now, it finally has a home befitting it. It was certainly an emotional moment for myself and our team.”
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, granted patronage to the CCM last year. In 2013, the Senate declared the CCM and its collection a cultural asset of national significance.
The remaining 500 watercraft are being moved to the new museum over the next two to three months.
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Trent Valley Archives Hosting Inaugural Tour of Little Lake Cemetery On Aug. 31
/Trent Valley Archives is providing a special tour of Little Lake Cemetery for the first time scheduled for Aug. 31 at 3 p.m. announced on Tuesday.
George Morrow and Fanny McLeod, portrayed in the first person by historians Dennis and Karen Carter-Edwards will share stories of their fellow residents in this historic ‘City of the Dead.’
Stories of wealthy merchants, politicians, clergy and athletes or Civil War vets, leading ladies and ordinary folk who have been laid to rest at Little Lake Cemetary will be told during the tour.
This tastefully designed landscape which is home to many fascinating personalities is the final resting place to many of Peterborough’s former citizens and provides a beautiful backdrop to many interesting tales of the local area and beyond according to a press release.
This tour runs rain or shine. Tickets are available online, by calling the office at 705-745-4404 or by emailing admin@trentvalleyarchives.com. The cost is $20 per person and registration and payment in advance is required.
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Peterborough Museum & Archives Tourism Named Award Finalist For Tourism
/The Peterborough Museum & Archives (PMA) is a finalist in the “Tourism” category for the 2023 Business Excellence Awards, organized annually through the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce announced on Friday.
The Business Excellence Awards promote the advancement of responsible business leadership and prosperity within the community in categories such as: Entrepreneurial Spirit, Local Focus, and Green Initiatives.
The Tourism category recognizes organizations with a demonstrated commitment to excellence in attracting tourists to the Peterborough and Kawarthas area according to The City of Peterborough. Considerations include guest services, marketing and unique promotions, quality of facilities, signage, and staff and volunteer knowledge.
“There are many reasons why the Peterborough Museum & Archives is worthy of this distinction,” says Dustin McIlwain, PMC visitor experience coordinator. “Naturally, tourists to the area might want to learn more about the place they are visiting, and the PMA is a great place to acquire those stories. However, the PMA takes it a step further by offering interesting programming and events, engaging exhibitions and gallery spaces that are welcoming to all.”
The PMA’s current exhibition, “To Honour and Respect: Gifts from the Michi Saagiig Women to the Prince of Wales, 1860” has been a significant attraction from a tourism perspective according to McIlwain.
“Extensive work went into creating this important exhibition, including contributions from the six Mississauga Nations, the Royal Collection Trust in England, and the Department of Canadian Heritage to name a few,” he said. “Together, we’re reconnecting a piece of tangible cultural heritage to the descendants of those who created them. It has produced multiple opportunities for learning and relationship-building which will have a positive impact on our community long after the exhibition comes to end. For now, we will continue to welcome visitors from near and far to see these gifts.”
The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for Oct. 18 at The Venue.
Admission to the Peterborough Museum & Archives is by donation.
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Lang Pioneer Village to Hold Corn Roast On Aug. 27.
/Join the harvest season as the Corn Roast at Lang Pioneer Village Museum is happening on Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The family-friendly day has historic demonstrations, live music, and plenty of fire-cooked corn. Tour with a free horse-drawn wagon ride and tour the historic village.
The village will teach visitors how corn was used back then with examples such as corn bread, popcorn, dried corn, corn soups, and corn relish in the Fitzpatrick House, and sample some Johnny cake with maple syrup in the Milburn House.
The village will have demonstrations including threshing, bagging, fanning mill and corn grinding.
Traditional music is being performed by Lotus and Luke from the Weaver Shop porch.
A corn-on-the-cob eating contest taking place on the Village Green. Corn crafts and corn hole by the Ayotte Cabin are some activities that will be run.
Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors (60+), $7 for youths (ages 5-14) and free for children under five. Family admission is also available for $40 and includes two adults and up to four youths (ages 5-14). Visitors may purchase admission in advance via the Museum’s online shop but advance purchase is not required.
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Indigenous Gifts to Prince of Wales Being On Display For Peterborough Museum & Archives Exbibit Beginning Friday
/Indigenous birch bark baskets are returning to ancestral lands of Michi Saagiig territory as a new temporary exhibit being featured at Peterborough Museum & Archives announced on Tuesday morning.
The 13 birch bark baskets, also known as quilled wiigwaasii makakoons (weeg-wah-see mah-ka-coons) go on display to the public beginning Saturday to Nov. 19.
They were made by Michi Saagiig women and gifted to Prince of Wales on Sep. 7, 1860 when he stopped at Rice Lake village (Hiawatha First Nation) as part of a cross-Canada Royal tour.
The exhibition is called “To Honour and Respect: Gifts from the Michi Saagiig Women to the Prince of Wales, 1860,” and explores the cultural knowledge, love, respect and diplomacy that went into the makakoons.
“Hiawatha First Nation and the Mississauga Nation communities are coming together to welcome these Ancestors home for a visit,” said Chief Laurie Carr of Hiawatha First Nation. “We know that the makakoons have the names of women makers attached and there are descendants of these women in our First Nations.
Since 1860, the makakoons have been part of the Royal Trust Collection and housed at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. They are on loan for exhibition by His Majesty King Charles III. The “To Honour and Respect” curators and the Planning Committee have worked closely with the Royal Collection Trust to facilitate the unique loan.
“Royal Collection Trust is delighted to exhibit this group of gifts presented to the future King Edward VII during the landmark first royal meeting with the Michi Saagiig in 1860,” said Rachel Peat, Royal Collection Trust Curator of Decorative Arts. “Since then, these outstanding works of art have been displayed within the royal residences as a symbol of relations between Mississauga Nation communities and the Crown. Today, this project offers an important opportunity to reconnect with Michi Saagiig knowledge holders and affirm links with this community.”
During the visit of the makakoons, there will be associated programming including workshops on quillwork, provided by Hiawatha First Nation artist Sandra Moore, and on Michi Saagiig language, provided by Curve Lake member Jonathan Taylor.
“While the Ancestors are with us on Michi Saagiig Territory, the PMA will create space for everyone to visit, and we will share knowledge about this art through viewing, workshops and language classes,” said Carr. “We will sit with the Ancestors and acknowledge their spirits and what they have to teach us. Each of the makakoons will add to our cultural knowledge and strength as Michi Saagiig Peoples.”
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Government of Canada Invests $74 Million into Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site
/Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, announced approximately $74 million in funding for projects related to infrastructure improvements along the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site.
On Wednesday, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault announced that the funding will be distributed over three years for this project.
The Trent-Severn Waterway is Canada's largest, and one of the most visited national historic sites. The waterway welcomes more than 1 million visitors each year.
The network of protected areas administered by Parks Canada is a gateway to nature, history and 450 000 kilmometres2 of stories from coast to coast to coast.
Investing in these locations is said to help support the protection of natural heritage and rich history, increase climate resiliency and create jobs in local communities, while providing visitors with high-quality, safe and meaningful experiences across the country.
“The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring the sustainability of Parks Canada assets. These national heritage places provide cultural, environmental and economic vitality for Canadians,” said Guilbeault. “Parks Canada’s robust dam and lock improvements along the iconic Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site will ensure critical flood mitigation for regional communities and provide for safe navigational experiences for Canadians to connect with nature.”
Through this federal investment – part of the $557 million in funding announced by the Government of Canada in late 2022 – Parks Canada will conserve the heritage value of these important cultural resources.
The investments in infrastructure along the Trent-Severn Waterway will enhance Parks Canada’s ability to mitigate flood risks, protect heritage in Canada and strengthen the appeal of this world-class waterway as a destination for visitors and tourists.
Once these infrastructure projects are complete, the lifespan and function of these structures will have been extended for decades, continuing to connect and protect local communities. The work supported through this investment includes:
repairs to the Kirkfield Lift Lock;
recapitalization of the walls, tunnels and valves at Lock 42 – Couchiching;
recapitalization of the Little Chute Dam “G” near Port Severn;
replacement of the Whites Portage Dam on Six Mile Lake;
recapitalization of the valve tunnels for Healey Falls Locks 16 and 17; and,
creation of an access road from White’s Falls Road to the Pretty Channel Dam.
Parks Canada has a mandate to conserve and present national heritage places in Canada. More than just supporting visitors as cornerstones of Canada’s tourism industry, Parks Canada’s assets play critical functions, such as transportation, water management, public safety, and services to residents and businesses, while being a source of shared pride for Canadians. These upgrades will help ensure public safety, quality and reliability for visitors, incorporate green technologies and climate resilience, while connecting Canadians with nature and history.