Heritage & Museums
The City of Kawartha Lakes offers a range of very unique cultural facilities throughout our municipality. Members of the community are encouraged to visit the various historical societies and museums available in order to learn more about our background, heritage and history.
Beaverton Thorah Eldon Historical Society and Beaver River Museum
Learn about the history and settlers ofBeaverton, Thorah and Eldon at the BeaverRiver Museum (old stone jail, log house, andVictorian brick house. c. 1850 –1900).
Special events, displays, tours andeducational programs throughout the year.For group tours or for access to our archivesand genealogy resources, please book anappointment.
Interesting speakers on the fourth Sunday ofthe month, 2-4 pm (excluding July, Augustand December). All Welcome.
Call for hours of operation.
Beaver River Museum, 284 Simcoe St., Beaverton,
705-426-9641 Web: www.btehs.com
Email: bte.hist.soc@bellnet.ca
Boyd Heritage Museum
Built in 1889, the building which now housesthe museum, was home to The Boyd LumberCo., The Trent Valley Navigation Co., and theprivate school for the Boyd children. A 19year old pioneer, Mossom Boyd, arriving inthe 'back lakes' of Upper Canada in 1833,becoming The Lumber King of The TrentValley is explained throughout the Museum.Tools and log shantiesto exquisite textilesand lavish homes, we follow two generationsof the Boyd family.
For hours of operation, visit www.theboydmuseum.com
21 Canal St. Bobcaygeon, 705-738-9482
Historic Station Galleryof Fenelon Falls
Art Gallery and Gift shop featuring a greatselection of art and crafts by local artists locatedat the Fenelon Falls Heritage Train Station.Paintings, Drawings, Photography, Stained Glass,Stoneware Pottery Sculpture and more.
Hours: Opening Victoria Weekend
May & June: Friday to Sunday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.
July & August 7 days a week 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
103 Lindsay Street, Fenelon Falls
Kawartha Settler’s Village
A nine acre monument to the proud past ofBobcaygeon and the northern Kawarthas,the village-style assembly of historic homesand buildings comes alive throughout theyear with arts and craft programs andspecial events.
Open mid June - August & November for the Festival of Trees
85 Dunn St., Bobcaygeon, 705-738-6163
www.kawarthasettlersvillage.com
Kinmount Model Railway and Museum
The Kinmount Model Railway and Museum is located in the agent's office and baggage room of the preserved Kinmount railway station at Kinmount, Ontario. (The waiting room is a tourist information office.)
Kinmount was the third major stop on the former Lindsay-Haliburton CNR line, north of Fenelon Falls and Burnt River; 33 miles (53 km) from Lindsay, and 22 miles (35 km) from Haliburton.
This model railway group congregates from the surrounding area including from Lindsay, Fenelon Falls, Burnt River, Bobcaygeon, Irondale and Wilberforce. Some of the volunteers are also members of the Lindsay & District Model Railroaders, a club that has some of the same aims as the Kinmount group.
The Kinmount group operates informally, but is uniformly focused on the maintenance, operation and improvement of the layout on display. The volunteers contribute their various skills to keep the exhibit going. Automation of the layout's operation has enabled the guides on duty to spend more time with their public. There are plans to automate a siding to permit simultaneous operation of two trains, and renewal of the track and scenery is an ongoing project. The group's informal meetings are also an opportunity for a social get-together among shared interests.
As the layout is an historical display, a constant effort is made to represent the modelled era as faithfully as possible. New volunteers are always welcome, there is no fee to belong!
For Hours of Operation & More Information, visit www.kinmountrailwaymuseum.com
Email: kinmountrailway@gmail.com.
Kinmount Pioneer Society
On Labour Day weekend, the Pioneer Heritage Complex and its Gardens at Kinmount Fair come alive with A Celebration of textiles. Featuring hands-on activities and demonstrations led by local artists. Natural textiles include articles or linen, wool, cotton, silk and any other fibrous material that might be woven or stitched. The methods to work the material used have not changed substantially over the millennia. Exhibits at the Fair will highlight a wide variety of textile crafts and include knowledgeable resource people. Local collectors and experts will display examples from their own collections. Demonstrations will encourage visitors to explore the variety and wonder of the handmade textile arts and to learn more about how textiles are made and why they are important. In addition to the textile crafts of weaving, quilting, rug-hooking, tatting, knitting, crocheting, and lacemaking, there will be many people demonstrating their skills in a wide variety of crafts. Among them are woodworkers, leather and glass crafters, doll, print and harness-makers, painters, a bookbinder, and a blacksmith.
Contact: Louise Zandstra 705-488-2159
Kirkfield and Area Historical Society and Museum
Located at St. Andrews Presbyterian Churchin Kirkfield, the museum chronicles therailway builder Sir William McKenzie andother prominent families, the KirkfieldQuarry, the historic Kirkfield Liftlock anditems from the past including photos.Of special interest is a working model of theold quarry. The museum is open Saturdaysand Sundays, noon to 4.00 pm, from the firstweekend in July through Thanksgivingweekend in October.Admission is bydonation.
For Society events and other information including membership, refer to our website at www.kirkfieldhistoricalsociety.com
Portage Road (Hwy 48) Kirkfield,
705-426-2785 or 705-438-3543
Manvers Township Historical Society
Formed in 1983 the township is comprised of Ballyduff, Bethany, Bethel, Brunswick, Burton, Drum, Fallis, Fleetwood, Franklin, Janetville, Lifford, Lotus, Manvers Station, McCrea’s Corners, New Park, Pontypool, Sandy Hook, Yelverton and View Lake. The society endeavors to hold community events and educational classes as well as preserve our local history.
Contact: Kathy Morton 705-277-2751
Maryboro Lodge Museum – The Fenelon Museum
An extensive collection that details theevolution of the area from pre-settlement tothe early 1900s exhibited in an 1837 home ina magnificent park setting on Cameron Lake.Changes in the environment and the lives ofresidents are echoed in artifacts andphotographs.
50 Oak Street, Fenelon Falls, ON, 705-887-1044,
www.maryboro.ca
Open May to October
Omemee and District Historical Society
The Society has been revitalized in 2000 and now boasts more than 35 members. Regular meetings are held on the second Sunday of the month from September to June at 2:00 pm in Coronation Hall. Please call in advance to confirm the meetings as alternate dates are sometimes chosen due to conflicts with other activities. The Society takes an active role in Omemee’s Pioneer/Canada Day. The increasingly popular Book Fair and Writing contest awards will be Saturday March 12, 2011.
President: Marilyne Fisher-Heasman
Phone: 705-799-5767
Email: rmranch@sympatico.ca
The Sheddon Area Historical Society
This Society pertains to the communities of the Village of Victoria Road, Coboconk, Norland, Burnt River and Rosedale. Meetings are held at the Coboconk Train Station – dates to be announced. The Train Station was rebuilt after a fire in 1908 and has been relocated to the Laidlaw Heritage Village.
Events:
Saturday May 17 – Flea Market, Coboconk Train Station
Sunday August 24 – Evening of Local History, Pattie House
Saturday November 15 – Silent Auction, Bake Sale & Christmas Social, Coboconk Train Station
Tickets for an Evening of Local History are available in Coboconk from the Thompson’s Marina, the Pattie House or from Barb Curry and 705-454-1878 or e-mail barbc44@sympatico.ca. Hope to see you at one or all of our events!
Victoria County Historical Society
Created in 1957 and incorporated in 1976,the Society is a Non Profit CharitableCorporation mandated to preserve thehistory of the County of Victoria –now theCity of Kawartha Lakes. Plans are underwayto renovate the “Olde Lindsay Jail”andestablish a Museum to exhibit over 8,000artifacts that the Society has preserved sinceits inception.
50 Victoria Ave. North, 705-324-3404,
www.oldejailmuseum.com
To add an organization or update information on this page please email: communitydevelopment@city.kawarthalakes.on.ca.
