Familiar Reid and Parkhill Corner Reduced to Rubble

By Scott Arnold

A familiar corner in Peterborough has changed dramatically after the building that housed Mister Convenience and Harbour Front Laundry Villa was demolished as part of the City's long-planned Chemong Road reconstruction project.

Debris covers the property at reid and parkhill following the demolition former home of Mister Convenience and Harbour Front Laundry Villa (Photo by Scott Arnold)

The property at the corner of Reid Street and Parkhill Road was a familiar sight for many residents, with Mister Convenience at 656 Reid St. and Harbour Front Laundry Villa operating next door at 652 Reid St.

screen shot via google maps

screenshot via google maps

The corner has long been a familiar fixture in the community and a regular stop for local residents at one of the city's busiest intersections.

photo by scott arnold

photo by scott arnold

photo by scott arnold

photo by scott arnold

photo by scott arnold

The demolition is one of the first visible signs of the City's long-planned reconstruction of the Chemong Road corridor. The project includes improvements along Chemong Road, Reid Street and Parkhill Road, including upgraded infrastructure, improved pedestrian and cycling facilities, intersection upgrades and changes designed to improve traffic flow and reduce flooding.

image via city of peterborough

image via city of peterborough

While the building is now gone, it's a location that many longtime residents will remember for the businesses that operated there over the years. Its demolition marks the end of another familiar piece of the neighbourhood streetscape as preparations continue for the future changes planned in the area.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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New Walking Tour Explores Peterborough’s Music History

By Scott Arnold

A new Trent Valley Archives walking tour will take residents through the stories, venues and memories that helped shape Peterborough’s music scene over the decades.

one of the focal points of the walking tour will be the brock street ballroom/arena, picture here pre-1950 (photo courtesy of trent valley archives)

The Mainstreet Music Stroll will debut on Friday, August 7th, with a second tour scheduled for Friday, August 21st, both beginning at 7 p.m. The guided downtown walk will explore some of the iconic music venues that played a role in the city’s cultural history.

Led by music enthusiast and tour guide Maddie More, the tour will focus on the latter half of the 20th century, highlighting the places where musicians performed, audiences gathered and local music communities grew.

Stops will include the former Brock Arena, which has ties to Hank Williams history; the King George Hotel, where Canadian country music legend Stompin’ Tom Connors adopted his famous nickname; and The Spill, a venue that helped support Peterborough’s alternative music scene into the 21st century.

Along the way, participants will also hear stories about lesser-known venues that may no longer exist but remain memorable for the musicians and music lovers who spent time there.

The walking tour covers several blocks through downtown Peterborough, following mainly flat sidewalks. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable footwear and dress for the weather, as the tour runs rain or shine.

Tickets are $20 per person and must be purchased in advance through Trent Valley Archives, either online at trentvalleyarachives.com/events or by calling TVA at 705-745-4404.

The tour begins at Quaker Foods City Square on Charlotte Street, and attendees are asked to arrive 5–10 minutes early with a printed ticket or screenshot of their registration.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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The Annual Heritage Hunt Contest Has Started

The Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee has launched its annual Heritage Hunt contest.

Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough

Small groups and individuals are encouraged to test their knowledge of Peterborough’s architecture for a chance to win prizes. The contest consists of identifying 36 architectural details on buildings in a defined area of the city. All details are visible from public areas and both sides of the street are in play.

Booklets are available at the City Hall reception desk, 500 George Street North Monday - Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

An online form, including a map of the area where all the architectural details can be found, is available here.

Prizes will be awarded for the correct identification of the most architectural elements on the clue sheet. This year’s prizes will feature gift cards from local businesses.

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Lang Pioneer Village Museum Welcomes Visitors Back For Its 54th Season

As Lang Pioneer Village Museum kicks off its 54th season, they will be open to the public beginning on July 2 according to a press release on Wednesday.

A guided tour of the museum that complied with the COVID-19 protocols in 2020. Photo Courtesy of Lang Pioneer Village.

The Museum will be open Wednesday through Sunday for pre-booked guided tours until Labour Day weekend. A new feature to the historical site is a full-time First Nations interpreter at the village’s Aabnaabin Camp.

Under step one of the Ontario Roadmap to Reopen plan, the guided tours are required to be outdoors only. The museum is uncertain if step two of the plan will permit visitors to enter the historic buildings however outdoor-only tours will include additional trades demonstrations like blacksmithing or tinsmithing.

Interpreter guides will open doors for a peek inside while sharing the history of the historic home or business. Once the province moves to a stage that permits the opening of the historic buildings, visitors will be permitted to tour the lower levels of the Village buildings.

Staggered tours will begin every 15 minutes and must be booked in advance by visiting the Museum’s Shopify page.

Pre-booked guided tours are $40 for a group of four. Additional group members may be added to the tour at an additional cost, up to the current group maximum as regulated by Peterborough Public Health.

The museum’s snack shop will not be open but packaged traditional treats, drinks and museum shop items can be purchased at the time of booking.

Visitors will be required to self-screen prior to coming on-site, observe physical distancing with other groups and wear masks when in buildings.

The museum is offering special events this fall. they are also launching a new digital accessibility platform that will provide guests with mobility challenges the opportunity to sign out a tablet with access to a database of photographic and video footage of the inaccessible spaces within the village.

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Here's A Really Neat Historic Map Of Peterborough

This is an amazing old historic map when Peterborough was basically all land—and was wrapped around the downtown. Can you spot where your house/residence is now?

The map is on a wall in the boardroom in the planning department at City Hall.

Love this old map at the @CityPtbo from when @downtownPtbo was the only part of @Ptbo_Canada pic.twitter.com/fUqQhpd94I

— Joel Wiebe (@JoelAWiebe) September 9, 2015

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