Wellington County Museum and Archives - Cemetery Tours
2023-10-27 19:00 - 21:00, 2023-10-28 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Toronto) | Wellington County Museum and Archives, Wellington Road 18 536, Fergus, Ontario, N1M 2W3, Canada
It is spooky season at the WCMA and you are invited! It’s at this time of the year where everyone loves hearing scary stories, but real history holds some of the scariest and unnerving stories. Join us as we take a trip through the real history of the House of Industry and Refuge and explore some of the more unsettling stories of inmates and staff that called this place home.
This tour takes place outside on museum grounds and at the Poor House Cemetery where over 200 inmates were laid to rest. Please be aware there are no accessibility routes for this tour.
This tour is designed for a 14+ audience.

Wellington County Museum and Archives - Murder Mystery
2023-10-27 19:00 - 21:00, 2023-10-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Wellington County Museum and Archives, Wellington Road 18 536, Fergus, Ontario, N1M 2W3, Canada
You are cordially invited to The Griffin’s 1891 Christmas Fundraiser for the new hospital wing for the House of Industry and Refuge! Come drink and be merry while you enjoy music, refreshments, and good company, all while helping us achieve our goal in raising the funds for the much-needed hospital wing. It’s sure to be a perfect evening – perfect for a murder that is!
Armed with forensic evidence and plenty of suspects, you will help solve the murder mystery at the Poor House before the party is over!
We welcome you to a Murder Mystery evening at the Wellington County Museum and Archives! This event requires registration to attend and contains 2 options for tickets. Guests may choose between a Drinking Ticket ($50 +HST) and a Designated Driver Ticket ($45 +HST). Both tickets include light hors d’oeuvres such as meats, cheeses, fruit and crackers, and dessert. The Drinking ticket comes with one pre-purchased drink with the ability to purchase more during the event. The Designated Driver ticket includes one pre-purchased non-alcoholic drink but does not include any alcohol or the ability to purchase alcohol during the event.
We encourage everyone to come dressed for the occasion and ready for Murder Mystery fun!

Campbell House Museum: Tales of the Grotesque
2023-10-27 20:00 - 22:00, 2023-10-28 20:00 - 22:00, 2023-10-29 20:00 - 22:00, 2023-10-31 20:00 - 22:00, 2023-11-01 20:00 - 22:00, 2023-11-03 20:00 - 22:00, 2023-11-04 20:00 - 22:00 | Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 3H3, Canada
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—while I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, as of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. “’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door—only this and nothing more …”
An immersive horror opera, Tales of the Grotesque invites visitors to explore Victorian Toronto through the eyes of literature’s most twisted author, Edgar Allan Poe, and come tapping at the door to the unknown.
In this haunting adaptation of the works of Edgar Allan Poe, join the visitors of the melancholy House of Usher on a candlelit journey into the macabre. Despite their apprehensions, a stubborn doctor, a resentful medium, and a murderer attend the funeral of an eccentric recluse—only to question the circumstances surrounding her untimely death. As they begin to outstay their welcome, they uncover evidence of a connection between their disturbing pasts and the sinister presence stalking their every move. With their secrets exposed, they must be willing to summon their ghosts to survive the supernatural forces at work, and confront the meddlesome housekeeper who knows more than she claims.

Nelles Manor Museum - Murder at the Manor
2023-10-28 17:30 - 19:00, 2023-10-29 17:30 - 19:00 | Nelles Manor Museum, Main Street West 126, Grimsby, Ontario, L3M 1R8, Canada
It is 1820 and you are visiting a beautiful Georgian Manor in Upper Canada. Suddenly there is a scream! Constables are hours away – you are the detective and must catch the murderer. With the Radcliffe family and staff all having motives – good luck!
A One Act Murder Mystery
Script by Jennifer Toews based on an Original Concept by Emily Byrne
Director Jennifer Toews
Tickets are $25 per person.

Lang Pioneer Village Museum All Hallows' Eve
2023-10-28 18:00 - 21:00 | Lang Pioneer Village Museum, 104 Lang Rd, Keene, ON, K0L 2G0, Canada
Discover the origins and traditions of Halloween with an evening of spooky fun! All Hallows’ eve returns to Lang Pioneer Village Museum on Friday & Saturday, October 27 & 28
from 6 pm to 9 pm each night. Immerse yourself in a 19th-century All Hallows’ Eve celebration with a modern twist.
This year’s All Hallows’ Eve event will be a hybrid of both the Museum’s Historic All Hallows’ Eve and Spooky Halloween events and will feature both historic and contemporary Halloween elements.
Hold onto your seat as a tractor and wagon takes you deeper into the darkness of the village. Witness a traditional 1890s Halloween party at the Milburn House and take part in some party games. Discover the history of coffins and body snatching at the Carpenter Shop. Do you dare feel what is lurking in the mystery crocks at the Tinsmith Shop? Find out about the origins of trick-or-treating and learn a rhyme for “soul-caking” at the Fitzpatrick House. Be sure to watch out for the man-eating plant while you are there! See the witch’s swampy brew bubbling in her cauldron over the fire and step into her lair to see her home sweet home. Make sure not to get lost if you are brave enough to enter the maze. Meet Stingy Jack at the Blacksmith Shop and listen to his sorry tale.
There are some odd things lurking in the Museum of Uncommon Phenomena by Mental Floss Sideshow at the Weaver Shop. Curious about what your future holds? If you ask her nicely, Madam Fortune just might reveal what is to come. Do you dare try a treat from the Botched Bakery? Step into the belly of the boat at the Cider Barn. Hopefully you won’t be forced to walk the plank. Enjoy music performed by Lang’s very own Dracula and get your groove on by joining the monster bash at the Agricultural Barn. Listen to the Michi Saagiig people’s tale of the Wendigo. Learn about paranormal investigations undertaken at Lang Pioneer Village Museum by ghost hunters the Paranormal Seekers and see some of the specialized equipment they use to make their discoveries.
If your nerves are rattled and making you hungry, stop by the Keene Hotel for some delicious hot chocolate and tasty treats, or visit the Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building for some good old comfort food – hot dogs (additional fee applies). Don’t forget to come disguised to blend in with the spirits and ghosts lurking in the Village or have your face painted onsite by
Faces by 2. Children will receive treat bags at the end of the evening to enjoy on their way home.
Enjoy an evening of spooky fun with All Hallows’ Eve, Friday & Saturday, October 27 & 28 at Lang Pioneer Village Museum! This all-ages event is sure to be a lot of fun, with just a little tom foolery to get you into the Halloween spirit. Please note that while some origin stories are quite dark, this is not a frightful experience. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors (60+), $7 for youths (ages 2-14), free for children under 2. Family admission is also available for $40 and includes 2 adults and up to 4 youths ages 2-14. Visitors may purchase admission in advance via the Museum’s online shop at https://lang-pioneer-village-museum.myshopify.com/, but advance purchase is not required. Parking onsite is available on a first come, first served basis. For more information on our upcoming events, please visit our website at www.langpioneervillage.ca.

La Société d'histoire de Toronto - Histoires de la vallée Don selon Charles Sauriol
2023-10-29 11:00 - 13:30 | Ontario
Histoires de la vallée Don selon Charles Sauriol

Une marche bilingue offerte en partenariat avec Lost Rivers
Veuillez vous inscrire sur Eventbrite au lien suivant :
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/histoires-de-la-vallee-don-selon-charles-sauriol-une-marche-bilingue-tickets-740336655867

Nous vous invitons à partager avec nous l’héritage de Charles Sauriol, en explorant à pied la vallée de la rivière Don. Nous emprunterons une piste en sens unique, d’un côté de la vallée à l’autre. Charles a été à la fois naturaliste, apiculteur, planteur d’arbres, créateur d’un potager communautaire, fier Franco-Ontarien, historien et écrivain. De plus, il a consacré sa vie à des mouvements de renouveau et de protection environnementale de cette magnifique vallée. Il a été chef de file des prédécesseurs et de l’actuel Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. Ce dernier continue de protéger et gérer les bassins versants de la région du Grand Toronto.

Heure et lieu de rencontre : À 11 h, à l’angle sud-est du chemin Don Mills et le
boulevard Gateway. (C’est l’intersection la plus au sud, au 705, chemin Don Mills,
où le blvd. Overlea devient Gateway). Nous serons sur la pelouse à côté de la
station-service avant de descendre dans la vallée.

Comment s’y rendre : Par TTC, deux choix possibles : Emprunter l’autobus 25 Don Mills ou 100 Flemingdon Park depuis la bouche de métro Pape. Du nord, prendre la 25 Don Mills vers le sud sur Don Mills jusqu’à Overlea, puis traverser l’intersection vers le sud et l’est pour se rendre au point de rencontre.
En voiture : il y a possiblement du stationnement sur le boulevard Gateway.

La fin : Au 73, Thorncliffe Park, à cinq minutes de marche de plusieurs lignes d’autobus de la TTC.

Guides : Floyd Ruskin (Lost Rivers) Christine Pilotte (Société) et Paul Overy (les deux).

Accessibilité : Substantielle, mais il y a quelques escaliers et des longues côtes à descendre et graver.

Toilettes : Uniquement à la fin de la promenade, au centre commercial East York Mall ou aux restos environnants.

Lieu de répit : En chemin.

Langues de communication: Il y aura deux groupes dont l’un sera animé en français et l’autre en anglais.

Renseignements additionnels : Habillez-vous selon les prévisions météo et emportez le suivant si vous le désirez : collation, bouteille d’eau et chapeau ou parapluie, selon la météo. Vous voudrez possiblement apporter des jumelles et/ou sacs et gants pour ramasser des déchets au passage.

Personne-contact pour renseignements: Paul Overy par texto au 647-229-1191.

N.B. En raison du sentier étroit à quelques endroits, nous devons nous limiter à 25 participants par groupe (francophone et anglophone).

Toronto Railway Museum - Trick-or-Train!
2023-10-29 12:00 - 17:00 | Toronto Railway Museum, 255 Bremner Blvd, Stall 17, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3M9, Canada
On Sunday, October 29, join us for a family Halloween event from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Get a head start on your trick-or-treating and join us for a silly, spooky story time inside the museum.
Train Car Trick-or-Treat
Pick up your TRM Trick-or-Treat passport (available by donation) to explore the museum’s train cars and get a head start on trick-or-treating. Visitors can use their TRM trick-or-treat passport to tour the museum train cars and collect some treats. Passport pick-up locations are inside the museum store in Don Station and at the museum in Stall 17.
Spooky Story Time + Craft
Tune in for silly, spooky family story time at the Toronto Railway Museum! Join us inside the museum (admission required) and listen to some railway Halloween story books read out loud. After, make your own haunted train station craft.

Merrickville District Historical Society - Rebuilding the Gates on the Rideau Canal
2023-10-31 19:00 | Merrickville Legion Hall, Main Street West 223, Merrickville, Ontario, K0G 1N0, Canada
The Merrickville and District Historical Society ever-popular Lecture Series continues in October. Please join us on Tuesday, October 31, at 7 pm at the Merrickville Legion Hall for an illustrated talk, Rebuilding the Gates on the Rideau Canal by award-winning journalist, writer and photographer, Bruce Kemp.
Have you ever wondered how the lock gates on the Rideau Canal, between Kingston and Ottawa, work? How do they continue to operate as old as they are? Who are the men and women who fix the aging timbers and mechanics?
Learn all this and more through a photographer’s eye and journalist’s reporting on how and why the timber locks, designed by Colonel John By and installed on the Rideau Canal almost 200 years ago are still with us today. See Parks Canada craftspeople working in the Rideau Canal’s Smiths Falls Gate Shop do their best to work with the same level of skill and historic precision as their predecessors.
The presenter, Bruce Kemp, as a writer and photographer, has covered everything from fine dining in Europe to the America’s Cup and voyages through the Northwest Passage. He shared his expertise in writing and photography for more than 20 years teaching at Lambton College, Sarnia, George Brown College, Toronto, Okanagan College and the Centre for Arts and Technology, Okanagan. Bruce lives in Merrickville with his wife, author, Laurie Carter and their cat, Lew.
We look forward to seeing you on October 31st (costumes not mandatory!). Come to learn and listen to an expert and enjoy a tasty Halloween sweet treat, complements of Violets on Main Bakery!

Wellington County Museum and Archives - Hallow‘Tots Party
2023-11-01 10:00 - 11:00 | Wellington County Museum and Archives, Wellington Road 18 536, Fergus, Ontario, N1M 2W3, Canada
Little ghouls, ghosts and goblins – it’s time for Halloween! Join us for a special Halloween party at the Wellington County Museum and Archives, complete with Halloween crafts, games, stories, and trick or treating! Come dressed in your Halloween costume to join in on the fun!
Perfect for children under the age of 5. A parent or guardian must accompany their child(ren) for the duration of the programme. Registration is required and can be completed online below. Admission is by donation.

Conférence de la Société d’histoire de Toronto - Champlain ou Brûlé, lequel était le Vendu?
2023-11-01 19:00 | Collège Boréal, Distillery Lane 60, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 3C4, Canada
Conférencier : Joseph Graham, Historien et auteur d’Insatiable Hunger

Mercredi 1er novembre 2023 à 19h

Conférence hybride (en personne au nouveau campus du College Boréal à la distillerie* et en ligne)

Tout au long des années 1500 et jusqu’au début des années 1600, les protestants français ont tenté à plusieurs reprises d’établir une colonie fondée sur la liberté religieuse chrétienne. Québec est la quatrième tentative – et le quatrième échec. Champlain avait-il perdu de vue cette mission? Brûlé l’avait-il maintenue?
Evènement en personne, lien pour s’inscrire:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/billets-champlain-ou-brule-lequel-etait-le-vendu-en-personne-728427896447?aff=oddtdtcreator
Cette conférence sera aussi disponible en ligne :
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/billets-champlain-ou-brule-lequel-etait-le-vendu-virtuel-729978704957

Wellington County Museum and Archives - Pumpkin Walk
2023-11-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Wellington County Museum and Archives, Wellington Road 18 536, Fergus, Ontario, N1M 2W3, Canada
Show off your creative carvings one last time at the Pumpkin Walk on the grounds of the WCMA!
Here is how it works:
1. Drop off your Jack o’ Lantern between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm at the Wellington County Museum.
2. Come back to the WCMA at dusk to see all the jack o’ lanterns lit up and enjoy the show!
This is a FREE event and all ages and pumpkin carving skill levels are welcome!

Swansea Historical Society (Virtual and In-Person): 2023 November Meeting
2023-11-01 19:45 | Swansea Town Hall, 95 Lavinia Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M6S 3H9, Canada
Speakers: Katy Whitfield and Ian DaSilva – “They Walked These Streets; We Will Remember Them”
Katy and Ian will be expanding their interactive WWI and WWII Remembrance Day soldier memorials all the way south to Lake Ontario this year. They will talk about their projects commemorating local soldiers who lost their lives during the World Wars and include specifics relating to our Swansea area.
Information about their initiatives from previous years can be found at https://wtjhs.ca/2022/10/26/general-meeting-october-6-2022.
The November meeting will be conducted in a hybrid format so that participants can attend in-person at the Swansea Town Hall or connect on-line using the Zoom tool. Zoom links will be provided closer to the meeting date. The Zoom connection will be open by 7:45 pm on November 1. If possible, we suggest that on-line participants start tuning in as soon as the link is open, so that we can be ready to kick off the meeting at 8 pm.
Visitors Welcome! Light Refreshments!

Ontario Archaeological Society 2023 Symposium
2023-11-03 - 2023-11-05 | Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre, 33 Victoria St N, Southampton, Ontario, N0H 2L0, Canada
Planning for the 2023 Annual Symposium of the Ontario Archaeological Society is underway and we are happy to announce that it will be hosted in Southampton! It will take place in the treaty territory of Saugeen Ojibway Nation (Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation) and near the home of the Historic Saugeen Métis. Most events will happen at the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre and the Southampton Town Hall from November 3rd to the 5th. Excitingly, as this year also marks our 50th Annual Symposium, we hope to also take the opportunity to celebrate this amazing OAS milestone together!

Guelph Historical Society Evenings with History: "In Our Fathers' Footsteps"
2023-11-07 19:30 | Guelph Museum, 52 Norfolk St, Guelph, Ontario, N1H 4H8, Canada
Speaker: David Smith
David Smith will discuss the tour of Dutch villages liberated by Canadian soldiers during the Second World War that he took in 2022. The tour was organized by The Canadian Remembrance Torch and called “In our Fathers’ Footsteps.”

Esquesing Historical Society: A Short History of the Lorne Scots Regiment
2023-11-08 19:00 | Knox Presbyterian Church, 116 Main St. S., Georgetown, ON, L7G 3E6, Canada
The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin, & Halton Regiment), the local Militia (Army Reserves) regiment has served Canada and the local community since before Confederation. While its official birthday is in September 1866, its history predates the War of 1812. A company of the regiment has been in Georgetown since 1863 and has included many residents who have served in war and peace. Charles Veale will present the history of the regiment starting with the 1793 Milita Act and continuing to the COVID-19 Pandemic and will touch on a few more recent developments.

Conférence de la Société d’histoire de Toronto - Le destin d’Inuits du Labrador décédés en France aux XIXe et XXe siècles
2023-11-08 19:00 | online
En 1880, un Inuk du nord du Labrador, Abraham, accepte une offre de partir pour l’Europe pour une année, avec femme et enfants, afin d’y être exhibés dans des zoos. Il espère ainsi gagner des revenus qui lui permettront d’améliorer le sort de sa famille. Trente-cinq ans plus tard, John Shiwak s’enrôle et devient un des meilleurs tireurs d’élite du régiment de Terre-Neuve lors de la Grande Guerre.
Tous deux ont le mal du pays et ne rêvent qu’à rentrer au Labrador. Le destin en a toutefois décidé autrement. Abraham décède à Paris en janvier 1881; John en Cambrésis en novembre 1917. Leurs familles et la communauté du Labrador n’ont jamais su ce qui leur était arrivé jusqu’à récemment.
Venez découvrir ces deux histoires tragiques ainsi que les démarches entreprises pour rectifier les erreurs du passé et commémorer leur mémoire.
*Lien pour s’inscrire:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/billets-le-destin-dinuits-du-labrador-decedes-en-france-aux-19e-et-20e-siecles-682454097577?aff=oddtdtcreator&from=b018ca1928df11ee8f05e69217a0df9b&keep_tld=1

Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association 2023 Christmas Potluck
2023-11-11 | Bradford Public Library, 425 Holland St W, Bradford, Ontario, L3Z 0J2, Canada
Location: Zima Room

Historical Society of Ottawa: Lowertown East: Urban Renewal & The Aftermath
2023-11-12 13:00 | Ottawa Public Library, Main Branch, 120 Metcalfe St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5M2, Canada
Guest speaker: Mark Aubin, Author, ‘Blight’
The 1960s were a time when civic leaders were anxious to bulldoze the past to make way for the modern thruways and dazzling glass towers of the future. What chance did the families and businesses of a working class neighbourhood like Lowertown East have of standing in the way of “progress”?
All are welcome to attend without charge.
Location: Ottawa Public Library, Main Branch, auditorium

La Société d'histoire de Toronto - Visite du cimetière York
2023-11-12 13:00 | York Cemetery, Beecroft Road 160, Toronto, Ontario, M2N 5Z5, Canada
Départ* : 13h à l’entrée du cimetière au 160 chemin Beecroft (ouest de Yonge)
Fin : retour à l’entrée
Guides : Gilles Huot et Rolande Smith
Au début du 19e siècle, le terrain occupé par le cimetière York était une ferme qui appartenait à Joseph Shepard. Une avenue tout près porte son nom. Ensuite et successivement un terrain de golf et un petit aéroport, le site devient finalement un cimetière qui reçoit sa première sépulture en 1948. Plusieurs personnalités y sont enterrées : une princesse impériale, un joueur de hockey légendaire maintenant associé au « double double », une journaliste brillante morte trop tôt et plus encore. Ce cimetière a aussi un aspect militaire assez prononcé et on y trouve quelques bâtiments et monuments remarquables.
*Comment s’y rendre? Par métro, descendre à la station North York Centre. Une fois sur la rue Yonge, marcher vers le sud jusqu’au North York Blvd. Marcher ensuite vers l’ouest sur le North York Blvd, ce qui vous mènera aux portes du cimetière (le point de départ de notre visite). Il y a un stationnement public au 180 Beecroft Road, juste à côté des portes du cimetière.
Visite gratuite, la SHT passe le chapeau à la fin de la visite.
Pas besoin de s’inscrire, pas de chien.
Contact : smth7631@rogers.com ou gilles.huot3@sympatico.ca

Oakville Historical Society Speakers' Night - Tracing the Norton family tree
2023-11-13 19:30 | St. John’s United Church, Oakville, 262 Randall Street, Oakville, Ontario, L6J 1P9, Canada
Alan Norton, while not a genealogy expert, has extensively researched, over the last 50 years, multiple branches of his family’s history. Not only will he share some of the fascinating stories and pictures he uncovered about his family tree, but he will also share some of his learnings for those of you who might also be interested in tracing your own family history. You won’t want to miss this great OHS Speakers Night event.

Kingston Historical Society November 2023 Meeting (In-Person and Virtual)
2023-11-15 19:00 | Kingsbridge Retirement Community, 950 Centennial Dr., Kingston, Ontario, K7M 0G8, Canada
Kingston has long relied on haunted walks and its role as penitentiary warden of the nation to bolster its tourism. Queen’s doctoral candidate Kaitlyn MacDonald’s research into what is called “Dark Tourism” will delve beyond the superficial into the historical construction behind our fascination with the abnormal and suggest ways in which such analysis may be used to enhance both our historical understanding and tourism management.

We return to in-person meetings in January, now at the Kingsbridge Retirement Community which has graciously agreed to let us use their very comfortable theatre lounge for our meetings. This is a most attractive location with comfortable armchairs and the most up-to-date audio-visual equipment. The spaciousness of this venue also allows us to offer light refreshments and an opportunity for socialization after each lecture.
The Kingsbridge Retirement Community, 950 Centennial Drive is the tall building just south of Princess Street. Ask for the theatre lounge on the lower floor. Enter by the prominent door on the east side. Someone will be at the door to give you directions and to check your double vaccination status. There is free visitor parking along the north side of the building. Express buses #501 and 502 serve upper Princess Street to very near Kingsbridge. Bus #4 offers slower service along Princess Street from downtown. Use the Centennial Drive bus stop.
Covid precautions: Please wear a mask on entry to the building, but you may remove your mask once in the room. Proof of vaccination is mandatory. The building is kept meticulously sanitized.
