Peterborough Museum & Archives Gala Event Celebrates Restoration of Roy Studio Films

The Peterborough Museum & Archives (PMA) is hosting a special film premiere and gala event of newly restored archival films captured by local film pioneer Frederick Lewis Roy at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Oct. 8.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Gala participants will enjoy an exclusive first look at never-before-seen footage documenting life, people, and landmarks in Peterborough and the surrounding region from the 1930s through the 1950s. Guests will also learn about the history of the Roy Studio and the innovative preservation work that made the films accessible once again. 

During Peterborough’s 2004 flood, 46 films owned by the Roy family sustained water damage and were at risk of being lost. In response, conservators at the PMA froze the films to stabilize and preserve them while a long-term conservation solution could be developed. 

In 2025, the Roy family formally gifted the films to the PMA, which then partnered with Toronto Metropolitan University master's student Bo Pickett to undertake an ambitious restoration project. Together, the team developed an innovative process to safely thaw, clean, restore and digitize the damaged films. Their work has made it possible to preserve these important historical records and share them with the community for the first time in decades. 

“This project represents an extraordinary effort to preserve and share Peterborough’s visual history,” says Susan Neale, Director of the Peterborough Museum & Archives. “These films offer a unique window into our community's past, and we are excited to celebrate both the collection itself and the innovative work that brought it back to life.”

The Film Premiere and Gala event will raise funds in support of ongoing digitization and preservation efforts for the PMA’s motion picture film collection. Proceeds will help ensure the remaining films are restored and protected for future generations.

Tickets will be available in September through the Market Hall box office. Visit markethall.org, call the box office at 705-749-1146 or visit the Market Hall box office located at 140 Charlotte St.  

In addition to the gala event, the Peterborough Museum & Archives will host a complementary exhibition this Fall that explores the history of the Roy Studio, the restoration process, and highlights from the collection, allowing the broader community to engage with this important local story.

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