Trent Valley Archives Hosting Free Presentation of Quaker Fire of 1916

Trent Valley Archives has launched its new season of talks, walks and tours in a free presentation on a new understanding of the substantial Quaker Fire of 1916 at the Highland Park Cemetery Visitor on April 25.

Photo courtesy of Trent Valley Archives.

The presentation takes place from 7 to 9 p.m.

This year’s speaker, Matthew Flagler, author of ‘Held to the Fire,’ grew up in East City and is related to Dennis O’Brien, his great grandfather, whose body was never recovered in the explosion at Quaker Oats on Dec. 11, 1916.

‘Held to the Fire’ dissects the shocking event piece-by-piece, throwing back the curtain of time to reveal an incredible story of resilience and courage in the face of adversity.

Flagler will discuss the challenges of writing about an event over 107 years ago, the impetus for writing Held to the Fire, do a select reading from the book and answer questions from the audience.

Refreshments will be served and the annual general meeting will follow the discussion. Matthew’s book will also be available for sale that evening.

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The Inside Story Of The 1916 Quaker Fire Released

A massive explosion and resulting fire levels the Quaker Oats plant in Peterborough, Ontario. In the wake of the disaster, 22 workers are dead—two more would later die as a result of their injuries—with the total damage set at a then unfathomable $2,250,000, not including an estimated $225,000 damage to neighbouring structures. 

As the Peterborough community rallies around shattered families and contemplates a possible future without the plant at its center, Quaker officials arrive from Chicago to survey the devastation firsthand, lend their assistance and investigate the opportunity to rebuild the plant.

Featuring a gripping you-are-there narrative as well as numerous archival photographs and newspaper clippings, A Dark Day In Peterborough: A Time To Remember December 11, 1916, is the most comprehensive account of the Quaker explosion and fire, and its aftermath, yet published.

Researched over a 12-year period and written by local historian Gord Young with the assistance of several Lakefield Heritage Research volunteers, its 200-plus pages recount a dark period in Peterborough’s history, the tragedy’s effects on the many the disaster touched and investigates the many theories as to what caused the explosion.    

A Dark Day In Peterborough: A Time To Remember December 11, 1916 will be launched Friday, November 18th, at 1 p.m., at the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce boardroom, 175 George Street North, and author Gord Young will be there.

A Dark Day In Peterborough: A Time To Remember December 11, 1916 is available for purchase for $30 at Chapters, 873 Lansdowne Street West; the Canadian Canoe Museum, 910 Monaghan Road; Sullivan’s Pharmacy, 71 Hunter Street East; Trent Valley Archives, 567 Carnegie Avenue; in Lakefield at Happenstance Books and Yarns, 44 Queen Street and Lakefield IDA Pharmacy, 32 Queen Street; and in Selwyn at Craftworks at The Barn, 124 Lindsay Road.

—guest post by Paul Rellinger

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