Guelph Black Heritage Society - Bloom & Belong Summer Drop-In for BIPOC Youth
2025-12-26 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-01-02 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-01-09 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-01-16 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-01-23 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-01-30 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-02-06 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-02-13 16:30 - 18:30 (America/Toronto) | Heritage Hall, Essex Street 83, Guelph, Ontario, N1H 3K9, Canada
Fridays in July & August
Heritage Hall, 83 Essex Street, Guelph
Open to youth ages 12–18
Free refreshments provided
Join us for a welcoming and empowering space where BIPOC youth can connect, create, and celebrate community all summer long. All are welcome.
Special thanks to the Upper Grand District School Board and Wellington Catholic District School Board for their generous support of this initiative.
For more information, contact: info@guelphblackheritage.ca

Toronto Railway Museum: Royal Tours and Rail Journeys in the life and reign of King Charles III
2026-01-13 19:00 - 20:00 | online
In November 2025, King Charles III celebrated his 77th birthday by driving a tram-train in Wales while opening a new rail depot. The reign of King Charles III, however, has also seen the decommissioning of the royal train in the United Kingdom. Join Dr. Carolyn Harris as will discuss the changing role of trains in the life and reign of King Charles III over the course of decades of royal tours.
About our speaker:
Dr. Carolyn Harris received her PhD in history from Queen’s University in Kingston and is an instructor at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, receiving the teaching award in 2016 and 2021. She is the author of three books, Magna Carta and Its Gifts to Canada (Dundurn 2015), Queenship and Revolution in Early Modern Europe: Henrietta Maria and Marie Antoinette (Palgrave 2016, recipient of the 2016 Royal Studies Journal book award) and Raising Royalty: 1000 Years of Royal Parenting (Dundurn 2017) and the co-editor of the English Consorts: Power, Influence and Dynasty series (2022-2023). Her writing concerning history and royalty has appeared in numerous publications including Reader’s Digest, Smithsonian Magazine and BBC History Magazine. She frequently provides royal commentary for the media including CBC News and the BBC.
About the series:
The Toronto Railway Museum hosts guest speakers online via the Zoom Webinar platform the Second Tuesday of each month. These talks are free and open to the public, with a suggested donation of $10 to support future programming. The Toronto Railway is a registered Canadian charity (838626943RR0001) and charitable tax receipts will be issued for donations over $25.

The Historical Society of Ottawa: Barbara Ann Scott: Queen of the Ice
2026-01-14 19:00 | online
Guest Speaker: Ryan Stevens, Author “Barbara Ann Scott: Queen of the Ice”

Details
Ottawa’s remarkable Olympic figure-skating champion, Barbara Ann Scott, captured the hearts of a 1940s post-war nation – the charming young heroine’s inspiration coming at just the right time as two long, weary decades of depression and war finally drew to a close.
Join us as Ryan Stevens, author of “Barbara Ann Scott: Queen of the Ice”, shares the fairy tale story of “Canada’s Sweetheart” who astounded the world with her prowess and grace on ice – and endeared herself to generations of Canadians.
Admission is free. All are welcome to attend.
Registration via Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/HSO-14-Jan-2026

Esquesing Historical Society: Heritage Halton Hills
2026-01-14 19:00 | Knox Presbyterian Church, 116 Main St. S., Georgetown, ON, L7G 3E6, Canada
Heritage Halton Hills has continued their designation work throughout Halton Hills. Heritage Halton Hills members John Mark Rowe and Ray Denny will provide updates on the 2025 designated buildings in Halton Hills.
Knox Presbyterian Church, 116 Main St. S., Georgetown, ON 7:00

Glencoe & District Historical Society Talk : 10,000 years of Agriculture and Food in Southwestern Ontario
2026-01-21 13:00 - 15:00 | Glencoe Public Library, 123 McKellar Street, Glencoe, Ontario, Canada
Location: Glencoe Public Library, 123 McKellar Street, Glencoe, ON.
Drawing from extensive family paperwork saved by her ancestors and combined with her in-depth research into census and land records, archaeological findings, and historical texts, Kae Elgie tells the remarkable story of 10,000 years of food gathering and agricultural production on the 200-acre farm in Chatham-Kent where she grew up.
What began as an exploration of her own family history soon evolved into a broader narrative of agricultural, social, and economic trends stretching back to the end of the last Ice Age. Her presentation will explore how changes in the land and its use reflect deep shifts over millennia, from Indigenous food systems to the colonial and modern eras.
Elgie’s compelling research culminated in her book, This Land: the story of two hundred acres in Kent County, Ontario, and her talk promises to inspire and fascinate anyone interested in agricultural history, genealogy, and the legacy of Southwestern Ontario’s farmland.
Bio:
Kae Elgie brings to her research a wealth of experience from her pre-retirement career as Manager of Information Technology for the Region of Waterloo Library. Her passion for organizing information continues to guide her family history and genealogy work.
Kae is a member of several historical organizations, including the Kent County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society, the Ontario Historical Society, and Architectural Conservancy Ontario. She is the author of This Land: the story of two hundred acres in Kent County, Ontario (Fountain Street Press, 2019).
Book Information:
Elgie’s book, This Land: the story of two hundred acres in Kent County, Ontario (Fountain Street Press, 2019, ISBN 978-0-9812776-3-9), is available for purchase.
Contact: info@fountainstreetpress.ca | 519-635-8951
Website:
Visit Kae Elgie’s author page at https://www.facebook.com/FountainStreetPress/

Harrow Early Immigrant Research Society: Presentation by Lori Oschefski about British Home Children
2026-01-22 13:30 | Harrow Arena Community Room, 243 McAffee St., Harrow, Ontario, N0R 1G0, Canada
Join us on January 22nd at 1:30 for a presentation by Lori Oschefski about British Home Children. Between 1869 and 1932 impoverished children were migrated from Britain to Canada to be placed as domestic and agricultural help – several were placed in Harrow and Colchester South. Lori Oschefski is founder and president of Home Children Canada, a charity committed to cataloging the stories of Home Children and reuniting families separated by these migration programs. Lori is an author widely recognized for her expertise and contributions to the field. In 2016, she attended a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace as one of four Canadians invited by Barnardo’s to represent the Home Children at their 150th-anniversary celebration.
Join us as Lori talks about the struggles and history of British Home Children and how to research in our own families. The presentation will be available in person at the Harrow arena community room AND online through Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84610827921?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 846 1082 7921
Passcode: [REDACTED]

HEIRS January Meeting - British Home Children
2026-01-22 13:30 | Harrow Arena Community Room, 243 McAffee St., Harrow, Ontario, N0R 1G0, Canada
HEIRS January Meeting JANUARY 22ND AT 1:30 PM
Join HEIRS for a presentation on the history of the British Home Children migration programs. PRESENTED BY HOME CHILDREN CANADA Learn about key resources for research and explore the vast contributions Home Children made to Canada’s development and war efforts. contact: heirsont@gmail.com for info
MEETING WILL BE AVAILABLE
IN PERSON:
Harrow Arena Community Room, 243 McAffee
AND ON-LINE:
ZOOM link info

Culinary Historians of Canada: Book Launch for Nathalie Cooke’s "Tastes and Traditions: A Journey Through Menu History"
2026-01-23 14:00 - 16:00 | Sidney Smith Hall, 100 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Menu Matters
A Book Launch for Nathalie Cooke’s “Tastes and Traditions: A Journey Through Menu History”
Friday, Jan. 23 (2-4)
Sidney Smith Hall, room 2098 (Natalie Zemon Davis Room)
100 St. George Street, at Harbord Street
University of Toronto Campus
Registration is free but required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979757908197?aff=oddtdtcreator
Join us for an appetizing exploration of why menus matter and the stories they tell us today. We will come to menus belatedly, after the dishes have been washed up, so to speak. So in her exploration of ways in which menus matter, Professor Nathalie Cooke keeps at least two audiences in mind: diners of the menus’ moment and we who look at menus from distances spanning years, even continents and linguistic divides.
Nathalie Cooke is professor of English at McGill University and a recognized scholar in literary food studies and material culture. Her research explores how objects like menus and textiles tell stories: through design, language, and hidden codes. She works across disciplines and archives, often drawing public attention to overlooked artefacts and their cultural significance. From Victorian fiction to WWII resistance stitching, her projects bridge academic inquiry with public engagement. Cooke brings history to life through close reading and material analysis. Her books focus on the evolution of literary and culinary taste.

Glencoe & District Historical Society Workshop "Lost Lambton Houses: Mapping Heritage Farms in Southwestern Ontario"
2026-01-24 11:00 - 13:30 | Glencoe and District Historical Society Archives, 178 McKellar Street, Glencoe, Ontario, N0L 1M0, Canada
A Workshop with Evan Abma
Friday, January 24, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch provided (you are welcome to bring a contribution)
📍 Location: The Archives, 178 McKellar Street, Glencoe, ON

Join the Glencoe & District Historical Society for an engaging midday session with Evan Abma, local historian, Chair of the Sarnia Heritage Committee, and a leading voice in documenting Ontario’s disappearing rural heritage.
Over the past several years, Evan has undertaken an ambitious research project mapping historic farmhouses across Lambton County. Using a wide range of sources—including historical land registers, tax assessments, farm directories, topographic maps, census records, satellite imagery, concession maps, and digital tools such as Google MyMaps—he has documented approximately 1,700 historic farmhouses still standing, down from about 2,000 in 2009.
In this 30–40 minute presentation, Evan will:

Walk participants through the research methods and tools used to identify and map historic farms
Demonstrate how these approaches can be adapted by local historians, heritage groups, and landowners
Share insights into patterns of loss, including farm consolidation, demolition trends, and planning barriers
Reflect on why preserving historic farmhouses matters for understanding our rural landscape, settlement history, and architectural heritage

The Google Map.
The Facebook Group: Lost Lambton, Found!
What are the implications here in SW Middlesex?
Over the years, Glencoe & District Historical Society members have been actively documenting heritage architecture, historic farms, cemeteries, and rural landscapes across Southwest Middlesex. We are eager to learn how historical land records, assessments, directories, and census data can be layered with modern tools such as Google MyMaps to create living, shareable records of our rural heritage. This presentation may help spark ideas for how we can apply similar methods locally, building on the work already underway in our community.
Call to Action:
If you have an interest in historic farmhouses, rural architecture, mapping, research, or local history—and especially if you’ve already gathered notes, photos, or stories—this session is for you. Come learn, ask questions, and imagine what a shared, community-driven heritage map for Southwest Middlesex could look like. Your knowledge and curiosity are part of preserving the stories written into our landscape.

Background
Evan’s work began after he noticed that many historic homes featured in an online article about Warwick Township were no longer standing. What started as a small tracking project quickly expanded to all of Lambton County, revealing uneven patterns of preservation—some areas retaining many historic homes, while others have seen rapid decline.
These farmhouses represent more than buildings. They embody the aspirations of early rural settlers, marking a transition from log cabins to substantial homes that reflected permanence, prosperity, and connection to the land. Their loss, Evan argues, erodes not only housing stock but also our tangible link to rural history.
The presentation will be followed by time for conversation, questions, and informal discussion over lunch.
This event will be of interest to:

Local historians and genealogists
Farmers and rural landowners
Heritage advocates and planners
Anyone interested in rural history, landscape change, and preservation

All are welcome.
Please join us for learning, conversation, and community around the shared task of understanding—and caring for—our rural heritage.

Heritage York Annual Howland Lecture: Tim Morawetz
2026-01-25 14:00 | Lambton House, 4066 Old Dundas St., York, Ontario, M6S 2R6, Canada
Heritage York invites all to the annual Howland Lecture at the Lambton House, held in memory of our neighbourhood’s own Father of Confederation Sir William Pearce Howland, onetime proprietor of the Lambton House. This year, it will take place on Sunday, January 25th at 2 pm.
Author Tim Morawetz will present on Art Deco Architecture, focusing on Ontario. The author of “Art Deco Architecture Across Canada,” Morawetz has presented widely around the province to architects and general audiences to wide acclaim.
We recommend taking the TTC 55 bus from Jane Station which stops right in front of the Lambton House.

East York Historical Society Celebrates Black History Canada
2026-01-27 18:30 - 20:00 | S. Walter Stewart Toronto Public Library, 170 Memorial Park Ave., East York, ON, M4J 2K5, Canada
All are Welcome (bring as many guests as you like) to attend. Free Admission, Free Parking, Free Refreshments

Our Special Guest Speaker Dr. Natasha Henry-Dixon on””Living Free in the Time of Slavery: The Long Family in Toronto”

6:30 PM Doors Open into John S. Ridout Auditorium, Refreshments Served.
7:00 PM President Welcome and Remarks and the reading of the Land Acknowledgement
by Toronto Public Library [S. Walter Stewart Branch] Staff.
7:15 PM East York Historical Society Welcomes Presenter Dr. Natasha Henry-Dixon
7:45 PM includes Q & A.
8:00 PM East York Historical Society evening general meeting wrap sharp with Thanks.

Toronto's Lost Shipwreck
2026-01-28 19:00 - 21:00 | University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus, 1050 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, M1C 1G9, Canada
Scarborough Underwater Club Inc., University of Toronto Scarborough proudly present !

Beyond the Familiar: Cultivating Exploration Close to Home

Join Heison Chak, OUC President and seasoned technical diver, as he shares the story behind a remarkable discovery beneath Toronto’s waters.
In August 2025, a Canadian dive team ventured into the unknown and uncovered a forgotten wooden schooner resting quietly on the lakebed — a vessel believed to have sailed the Great Lakes in the early days of Toronto’s history.
Through photos, stories, and insights from the expedition, discover how curiosity discipline, and careful planning led to and extraordinary find that connects our present to a long-vanished past.

When: Wednesday, January 28, 2026. 7-9PM

Where: UofT Scarborough campus, Sam Ibrahim Building, Room IA-B1100, parking lot H

Deadline to register: Saturday, January 24, before midnight.

All are invited to attend this public event.

Address: 1050 Military Trail, Toronto ON M1C 1G9

Contact Owen Jones <suciowen@gmail.com> with any questions. Please notify us of any last minute cancellations so we can account for refreshment !

Weston Historical Society - "TORONTO HOCKEY BEFORE LEAFS”
2026-02-04 19:30 | Weston Seniors’ Residence, King Street 15, Toronto, Toronto, M9N 3X1, Canada
The WESTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY presents…”TORONTO HOCKEY BEFORE LEAFS” with Guest Speaker Adam Waiser
Wednesday February 4, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. 15 King Street, Central King Seniors Residence in the Social Room
Topic: WHS Membership Meeting – February: Skating Into History: Toronto’s Hockey Beginnings

Time: Feb 4, 2026 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 838 4327 6020
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Canada Black Music Archives : Black History Month Showcase
2026-02-05 17:00 - 22:00 | City of Toronto Archives, Spadina Road 255, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 2V3, Canada
The Canada Black Music Archives (CBMA) will be hosting their annual Black History Month Showcase on Thursday, February 5th, 2026!
With support from TD Bank Group through TD Ready Commitment and sponsored by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage, this exciting FREE event will be hosted at the City of Toronto Archives and promises an exciting lineup with some of Toronto’s premier R&B and soul artists.
This special programming includes a daytime presentation with musician and esteemed chef Roger Mooking in conversation with CBMA co-founder Phil Vassell.
The evening showcase will feature stellar performances by veteran Black Canadian musician’s including Jully Black, Liberty Silver, Tanika Charles, Divine Brown and Dru (In Essence), with mixes by DJ Carl Allen and hosted by Mel Boogie.
Registration is mandatory so grab your tickets below. Don’t miss your chance to celebrate Black music and culture with the CBMA this Black History Month!

Historical Society of Ottawa Speaker Series : “Avant Bytown: La région sous le Régime français”
2026-02-07 13:00 | Ottawa Public Library, St-Laurent Branch, Coté Street 515, Ottawa, Ontario, K1K 0Z8, Canada
Guest Speaker
Jean-François Lozier, Conservateur, Amérique française, Musée canadien de l’histoire

Admission is free. All are welcome to attend.
Please note: this presentation will be conducted in French.

Coptic Museum of Canada Fundraising Gala
2026-02-07 18:00 - 21:00 | Coptic Museum of Canada, 41 Glendinning Ave., Scarborough, Ontario, M1W 3E2
A milestone worth celebrating!
Join us for the Coptic Museum of Canada’s Fundraising Gala, marking 25 years of preserving and sharing Coptic heritage since 2000.
An unforgettable evening with a meaningful purpose, preserving our history for future generations.
Details:
📅 Feb 7 | ⏰ 6:00–9:00 PM EST
📍 41 Glendinning Ave, Scarborough
🎟️ $50 per ticket
Be sure to RSVP soon; space is limited. All are invited to join us in celebrating our story!
Get your Tickets here
OR:
E-Transfer: copticmuseumcanada [AT] gmail.com
(Please indicate “2026 Fundraising” in the message box)
Cheque payable to Coptic Museum of Canada
41 Glendinning Avenue, Scarborough, ON M1W 3E2
Or contact us (copticmuseumcanada [AT] gmail.com) for cash/in-person payment

Albion Bolton Historical Society: AGM and Historical Show & Tell
2026-02-09 19:30 | Caledon Seniors’ Centre, 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton, Ontario, L7E 1Y2, Canada
The first meeting of 2026 is on February 9th for a 7:30 PM start.
PLEASE NOTE we have changed the meeting location to Rotary Place, Caledon Senior’s Centre, 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton, Multi-purpose Room 2, located behind the Caledon Wellness Centre on the North Hill.
The meeting will begin with our short Annual General Meeting (AGM) followed by a members & guests Show & Tell. You are invited to bring something of local historical interest.

Toronto Railway Museum: Black Railway Porters in Canada
2026-02-10 19:00 - 20:00 | online
Join author and historian Channon Oyeniran as she shares the story of the Black men who worked as sleeping car porters on Canadian railway routes. This presentation will also explore some of the established Black communities in which many of these men lived and came from, as well as explore the experiences many Black men had as Sleeping Car Porters in Canada.
This presentation will explore and discuss:

Who were the Black Sleeping Car Porters?
Black Sleeping Car Porters and established Black Canadian communities.
Labour Challenges and the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.
Black Canadian Leaders and their connections to Sleeping Car Porters.

About our speaker:
Historian and author Channon Oyeniran has an indescribable passion and thirst to not only know more about history, in particular- slavery (historical and modern), but to educate people on these issues and to assist in stopping it from continuing!
Channon is a graduate of University of Toronto with a bachelor’s degree in history and Caribbean Studies, the University of Hull (UK) with a Master’s Degree in Slavery Studies, and she is currently undertaking her PhD at Queen’s University. Channon has expanded her knowledge and information about Black History and the issues that the Black community faces both locally, here in Canada and internationally, by participating in conferences and workshops relating to the Black experience and history in Canada.
Channon served as the Vice-President for the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) from 2017-2023, where she helped the organization to preserve, celebrate and spread the rich Black history of Ontario and Canada.
Channon is the founder of Oyeniran Education Support (OyES), an educational organization that helps individuals and institutions identify and align with their intrinsic values, gifts and nurtures them to greatness. Channon uses the OyES platform and others, to teach people about Black History. Channon Oyeniran was born in Scarborough, Ontario but is a longtime resident of the Durham Region. She currently resides in the Durham Region with her husband and their sons.
About the series:
The Toronto Railway Museum hosts guest speakers online via the Zoom Webinar platform the Second Tuesday of each month. These talks are free and open to the public, with a suggested donation of $10 to support future programming. The Toronto Railway is a registered Canadian charity (838626943RR0001) and charitable tax receipts will be issued for donations over $25.

The Historical Society of Ottawa: Algonquin Anishinaabeg of the Ottawa River Valley: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
2026-02-11 19:00 | online
Guest Speaker: Lynn Gehl Ph.D, Anishinaabe Algonquin Advocate, Academic, Author & Artist

Details
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the start of the Rideau Canal and Bytown — but how did this impact the Algonquin people, for whom the Ottawa Valley has been home for millennia?
Dr. Gehl makes the case that, two centuries later, we have yet to resolve crucial issues such as that our nation’s capital – the “heart of Canada” – continues to trespass on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg and that the violation of Algonquin rights continues.
A Special Bytown200 Presentation.
Admission is free. All are welcome to attend.
Registration via Zoom : https://tinyurl.com/HSO-11-Feb-2026

Esquesing Historical Society: From Kensington Palace to Glen Williams
2026-02-11 19:00 | Knox Presbyterian Church, 116 Main St. S., Georgetown, ON, L7G 3E6, Canada
Historian Mark Rowe will highlight his new book, Kissed by Two Kings, the story of his 3x Great-grandmother and extend the story to his branch of the family and how he ended up in Glen Williams. This presentation will be preceded by our Annual General Meeting.
KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 116 Main St., S., Georgetown, 7:00 p.m.

Culinary Historians of Canada: Saloons to Soul Food
2026-02-12 19:30 - 21:00 | online
In recognition of Black History Month, Faith Ebanks will join us on February 12th to delve into Black history in relation to King Street East and the surrounding neighbourhood in Toronto. This neighbourhood was formerly the home to the Underground Railroad restaurant and the Epicurean Recess – two Black-owned food establishments that stood during two different moments in Toronto’s vast and complicated history. Faith will discuss the history and significance of soul food as an edible form of Black culture, and celebrate the bravery, innovation and perseverance of Black entrepreneurs, business owners, and freedom seekers who not only shaped Canadian history, but whose lives and legacies are all too often unknown or overlooked.
Faith Ebanks is a recent graduate from the University of Toronto with a master’s (MA) degree in history. She also holds a Honours Bachelor of Arts (HBA) degree with a double major in history and art history. Her research explored the relationship between horror and the ongoing legacy of slavery and colonialism throughout the Atlantic World from the 16th to the 21st century. In 2023, she created Being Black on King, and has delivered it through tours with Heritage Toronto ever since. CHC is grateful for the assistance of Heritage Toronto for this presentation.

Toronto's First Post Office - Toronto Book of Love
2026-02-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Toronto’s First Post Office, Adelaide Street East 260, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 1N1, Canada
On February 13, join local favourite, Adam Bunch, for a special presentation just in time for the romantic season and explore Toronto’s history through true tales of romance, marriage, passion, heartache, lust, and the scandalous love affairs of the early city. Learn how Toronto has been shaped by crushes, jealousies, and flirtations as told by the author himself.
Coffee, tea, and cookies will be served. Pre-registration is required and spots are strictly limited!

Canada Black Music Archives : Film Screening and Discussion PORTIA WHITE: THINK ON ME
2026-02-18 17:30 - 20:00 | Archives of Ontario, 134 Ian Macdonald Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario, M7A 2C5, Canada
Are you looking for an informative film to watch this February? If so, join the Canada Black Music Archives (CBMA) at the Archives of Ontario on Wednesday, February 18th, 2026. The CBMA will be running a screening and panel discussion of Portia White: Think On Me from 5:30pm to 8:00pm.
The screening will spotlight the enduring legacy of the legendary contralto, who was as international star. Portia White is known as one of the best classical artists of the 20th century and is a notable figure in Black Canadian Music History.
Following the film, Slyvia D. Hamilton will join a panel discussion with Professor Ola Mohammed and David “Click” Cox of Clk Creative that focuses on the film’s aesthetic, historical and cultural performance hosted by Professor Mark V. Campbell.
Seating is limited! Please reserve your seat at the link.
