Guelph Black Heritage Society - Bloom & Belong Summer Drop-In for BIPOC Youth
2026-05-22 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-05-29 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-06-05 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-06-12 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-06-19 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

La Société d'histoire de Toronto - Portes ouvertes de Toronto
2026-05-23 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-24 10:00 - 16:00 | Ontario
Un week-end par année, de nombreux sites ouvrent leurs portes pour Portes ouvertes Toronto, une célébration reconnue comme l’un des événements les plus importants sur le plan culturel à Toronto.
La Société d’histoire de Toronto vous invite à venir découvrir le site du Fort Rouillé, adjacent au site de la cabine Scadding, le plus vieil édifice de Toronto, sur le terrain du Parc des expositions (CNE). Un site sans porte mais avec une histoire !
La Société d’histoire vous y accueillera de 10h à 16h, le samedi 23 mai et le dimanche 24 mai, pour vous raconter l’histoire des forts français de Toronto au 18e siècle.
Nos bénévoles ont préparé des activités diverses pour enfants et adultes.
Comme le notait Madame Simcoe dans ses mémoires : “venez au vieux fort français…”
Contact info@sht.ca

Doors Open Toronto @ John McKenzie House
2026-05-23 10:00 - 2026-05-24 17:00 | John McKenzie House, 34 Parkview Ave., North York, Ontario, M2N 3Y2, Canada
Visit the Ontario Historical Society and the historic John McKenzie House during 2025 Doors Open Toronto. Visitors will have the chance to explore the historic house and headquarters of the OHS, and learn how the historic building was saved by the community, and still functions as an active community space to this day.
The John McKenzie House was built in 1913, in a style described as Queen Anne Revival, Arts and Crafts, and Edwardian. The grand, red brick house is profiled by a large L-shaped veranda with stylized Doric columns. Significant interior features include the centre hall plan, a vestibule door and sidelights with beveled and leaded glass, a large leaded art glass window that lights the landing of the main staircase, panelled doors, and original radiators. In 1993, the Ontario Historical Society (OHS) entered into a partnership with the former City of North York to preserve and restore the John McKenzie House, which serves as the provincial headquarters of the OHS.

Thornhill Heritage Society - Log Houses of Old Ontario
2026-05-28 19:30 | Heintzman House, Bay Thorn Drive 135, Markham, Ontario, L3T 3V1, Canada
Speaker: George Duncan, Former Heritage Planner, City of Markham
Discover the Story Behind Ontario’s Early Log Houses, An evening exploring the craftsmanship, history, and survival of Ontario’s first homes.
Refreshments 7:15 pm Presentation 7:30 pm
RSVP by May 14
valerie12burke@gmail.com

Town of York Historical Society - Queen Street East Walking Tour
2026-05-30 11:00 - 15:00 | Toronto’s First Post Office, Adelaide Street East 260, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 1N1, Canada
Join Toronto’s First Post Office, in partnership with 183 Gallery Amazing Moss Park, for a new walking tour that will explore the history and architecture of Queen Street East in the Old Town neighbourhood. Meeting at Toronto’s First Post Office, participants will be shown how the street has changed through carefully curated stops that will bring to light the various businesses and historical events that have shaped the Old Town area. The tour will end at 183 Gallery Amazing Moss Park where participants can enjoy the 2026 Contact Photography Festival. All proceeds from tickets sales will be going to support Toronto’s First Post Office. Pre-registration is required and two time slots are available.

Friends of Wesleyville Village - Annual Country Market and Nature Fest
2026-05-31 10:00 - 16:00 | Ontario
The Friends of Wesleyville Village invite families to drive out beautiful Lakeshore Road on Sunday, May 31st to visit our heritage village for the annual Country Market
and Nature Fest.
Wesleyville Village comes alive each spring with this much-loved tradition, welcoming visitors of all ages to experience its charm and heritage. This year’s event takes place on Sunday, May 31st, 2026 from 10 am to 4 pm at historic Wesleyville Village, with parking located at 2082 Lakeshore Road, Port Hope, ON L1A 3V7.
Families can browse through tables from local vendors featuring hand-crafted products, plants and food or enjoy a peaceful spring stroll through the nature trail. Visitors are invited to tour the village and learn about conservation progress and plans for the future, including an Ontario Power Generation project for New Nuclear At Wesleyville. A restored reception area in the centre of the village is open to the public and displays in the 125 year-old one-room schoolhouse will help visitors to imagine rural life a century ago.

Historical Society of Ottawa Museum Club Event of 2026 – National Holocaust Monument I-Tour
2026-05-31 14:30 - 16:00 | National Holocaust Monument, 1918 Chaudière Crossing, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Join us to hear survivor testimonies and learn about historic anti-Semitism and the movement of Jewish refugees to Canada in this special HSO Museum Club event.
All are welcome. There is no charge for admission but pre-registration is required. Please confirm your attendance by email by Tuesday, May 26: museumclub@historicalsocietyottawa.ca
The National Holocaust Monument is a short walk from to Pimisi LRT Station. Paid parking is available nearby at the Canadian War Museum.
Please bring your mobile device and earbuds/earphones. If possible, please download the NHM IWalk app in advance to your arrival. The app is bilingual and available for iOS and Android devices. There is no Wi-Fi at the Monument.

In the app store, download the app titled “IWalk – Zachor with USC Shoah Foundation”.
Once downloaded, tap “Explore IWalks”.
From the list of countries, select “Canada”.
Select “National Holocaust Monument: Landscape of Loss, Memory and Survival”
Select “General Public”

Weston Historical Society - June Meeting "How Saving Our Library Created the WHS"
2026-06-03 19:30 | C.R. Marchant Middle School, 1 Ralph Street, York, ON, M9N 3A8, Canada
“HOW SAVING OUR LIBRARY” Created the Weston Historical Society 50 Years Ago
Wednesday June 3rd, 7:30 P.M.
C.R. Marchant Middle School, 1 Ralph Street
Enter at Door 6 off the Parking Lot, Lindsay Auditorium

Toronto's First Post Office - Jane Austen's Ballroom: Behind the Scenes Presentation
2026-06-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Toronto’s First Post Office, Adelaide Street East 260, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 1N1, Canada
A richly illustrated lecture on social dancing in Jane Austen’s time, followed by letter-writing with quill pens and sealing wax. What really happened on the Regency dance floor? Why must Lizzy stop dancing once she’d refused Mr. Collins? What did Mr. Darcy mean by “dancing a reel”? Was the Duke of Wellington really refused admission to the most prestigious ballroom in London? We’ll answer these and many other questions, and explore many strange and little-known facts about dancing in Austen’s time.
The lecture will be followed by Q&A, then letter-writing with quill pens and sealing wax (instruction provided; bring your address book, because you can mail your letters right in the historic post office!). Doors will open at 6pm on June 4th and the event will take place from 7 – 9 pm at Toronto’s First Post Office located at 260 Adelaide Street East. Space is limited and ticket purchase is required. Please visit JaneAustenDancing.ca for full details and to register.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a masked event, and a new N95 will be supplied at the door (included in your ticket; various sizes available).

Nine Ships 1825 - Peterborough's Bicentennial Mass and Procession
2026-06-07 10:30 | St. Peter-in-Chains Cathedral, 411 Reid St., Peterborough, ON, K9H 2M4, Canada
Save the date! The Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the first Mass known to have been celebrated in Peterborough this June, and has arranged for a Bicentennial Mass and Procession to take place on Sunday, June 7 at 10:30am at St. Peter-in-Chains Cathedral to commemorate the occasion. The Mass will be held with the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič and Archbishop Michael Mulhall of the Diocese of Kingston.

This historical event is significant to the Peter Robinson Emigration, as most of the emigrants were Catholic and would have attended this Mass, celebrated by Father Ahearn on June 5, 1825 in Government House, Peter Robinson’s headquarters at the corner of Simcoe and Water Streets. After they had settled into their new home, one of their next priorities, as expressed in their address to Governor General Maitland during his visit to the Peterborough area, was for priests “for the consolations of our holy religion.” This request was accommodated and before long both the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough and St. Peter-in-Chains Cathedral (built thanks to the hard work of the emigrants themselves) were established.

If you’re curious to learn more about the importance of faith to the Peter Robinson emigrants and the history of the Diocese and of St. Peter-in-Chains Cathedral, we highly encourage you to check out the two-part interview with Father Tom Lynch, Rector at the Cathedral, on our YouTube Channel.

Oakville Historical Society - Mayor's Picnic
2026-06-07 12:00 - 16:30 | Lakeside Park, 144 Front Street, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Please join us for the Mayor’s Picnic Sunday, June 7th from noon to 4:30 pm at Lakeside Park!
Enjoy lots of fun for all ages!
Bring your own lunch and lawn chair and enjoy live music, dance performances, crafts, games, and more.
Presented by the Oakville Historical Society in cooperation with the Town of Oakville.

Albion Bolton Historical Society Meeting "The History of Mono Mills"
2026-06-08 19:30 | Caledon Seniors’ Centre, Rotarian Way 7, Bolton, Ontario, L7E 1Y2, Canada
The Albion Bolton Historical Society’s next meeting is on Monday, June 8, 2026 for a start time of 7:30 pm. PLEASE NOTE we are now meeting at Rotary Place, Caledon Senior’s Centre, 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton, Multi-purpose Room 2, located behind the Caledon Wellness Centre on the North Hill.
Kurt McMurray will present The History of Mono Mills. Mono Mills celebrated its bicentennial in 2019. Learn about its early beginnings, its boom and decline. You are invited to bring any Mono Mills memorabilia to the meeting to share with the group.
Memberships are due for the 2026 season and will remain at $10 per person and $5 per guest per visit.

Historical Society of Ottawa - Meet the Founders of Bytown
2026-06-09 17:30, 2026-06-14 13:30 | Beechwood Cemetery, 80 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, K1L 8A6, Canada
Beechwood Cemetery tour: admission is free but spaces are limited, so early email registration is strongly recommended. Please confirm by email: museumclub@historicalsocietyottawa.ca
Attendees will be responsible for their own transportation.
Accessibility: Note this event is not considered as an accessible tour as walking is on grass and uneven ground.
Parking: Free parking available onsite.
Public transit: OC Transpo Route 7 (Carleton/St-Laurent) is the primary bus providing direct service to Beechwood Cemetery, stopping at Beechwood/MacKay near the entrance. It runs between St-Laurent and Carleton, passing through downtown.

The Sororum Presents An Evening at Erchless Estate
2026-06-11 18:30 - 21:30 | Erchless Museum, 8 Navy St, Oakville, Ontario, L6J 2Y5, Canada
Join us for an evening of meaningful connection, history, and thoughtful conversation in one of Oakville’s most beautiful heritage settings.

For one evening only, The Sororum invites you to experience Erchless Estate in a way few have—through a thoughtfully curated gathering designed to inspire, connect, and leave a lasting impression.
The evening begins as you are welcomed onto the terrace and gardens surrounding the historic Coach House. As the sun softens and the grounds come to life, guests are invited to settle into a relaxed yet elevated atmosphere—where conversation flows effortlessly, introductions feel natural, and connections begin to take shape among a warm and engaging circle of women.
From there, you’ll be guided through the gardens to the Estate museum for a private, curated tour of the home. This is not a typical visit; it’s an intimate exploration of the stories often left untold. Together, we’ll uncover the lives and legacies of the influential women who helped shape both the Estate and the broader Oakville community.
As part of this experience, guests will also step into a powerful exhibit highlighting Oakville’s role in the Underground Railroad, offering a deeply moving and culturally significant moment that invites reflection and perspective.
As twilight settles, the evening gently transitions back to the Coach House, where guests gather once more for elevated, thoughtfully curated refreshments in an intimate and beautifully styled setting. This is where the experience deepens, where conversations become more meaningful, ideas are exchanged, and a sense of shared presence begins to unfold.
The evening continues with a featured presentation, offering thoughtful insight into the role women play in preserving history, both seen and unseen. Through storytelling and guided discussion, guests are invited not only to listen, but to engage, reflect, and contribute to a conversation that feels both personal and collective.
Every detail of the evening has been intentionally designed, from the setting to the flow, to the atmosphere, to create something that feels rare: a space where learning, beauty, and connection exist seamlessly together.
With a limited number of guests, this experience is intentionally intimate—allowing for a level of connection and presence that is often hard to find.
If you’ve been craving an evening that feels inspiring, grounding, and genuinely meaningful—this is it.
Inspire. Empower. Belong.

La Société d'histoire de Toronto CONFÉRENCE - Le Refus Global et Paul-Émile Borduas
2026-06-11 19:00 | Théâtre de l’Alliance française, Spadina Road 24, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 2S7, Canada
Conférencier : Christian Bode en compagnie d’acteurs
En 1948, le peintre Paul-Émile Borduas, en compagnie de 15 autres signataires, publie le manifeste, certains diraient le brûlot, Le Refus global, un texte anarchiste qui revendique une libération sociale par l’art.
Dans le Québec nationalo-clérical de l’époque, c’est un scandale, une indignité intolérable. Les autorités gouvernementales expulsent Borduas de l’école où il enseigne, le forcent à s’exiler. D’abord New-York, puis Paris.
Mais sa production créative attire des esprits ouverts. Entre autres, un marchand de tableaux de Toronto. Peut-on libérer la société par l’art pictural. Que devenez-vous quand le public de votre province vous répudie alors qu’un mécène de Toronto vous appuie ?

Oxford Historical Society - Grand Day Out
2026-06-13 | Ontario
Join us for the annual Grand Day Out on June 13, 2026. This year we are travelling north east starting at the Woodstock Library Parking Lot @ 9:00 AM then heading to Drumbo, Wolverton, Chesterfield and Bright. Lunch will be served at Peace United Church (20 Samuel Street, Plattsville). We will be stopping at the Chesterfield Museum and the Drumbo Museum. Scott will be our host with special guest speaker Denise Tews, President of the Plattsville & District Heritage Society. $30 Members and $35 Non-Members cash or e-transfer @purchases@oxhs.ca or credit card online www.oxfordhistoricalsociety.ca.

Weston Historical Society Fourth Annual Book Sale
2026-06-13 08:00 - 14:00 | Weston Historical Society, Weston Road 1901, Toronto, Ontario, M9N 3P1, Canada
The Weston Historical is collecting books for their upcoming book sale. Saturday June 13 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Rain or Shine
Puzzles, board games, office and school supplies (Everything except encyclopedia’s/ textbooks/computer books)

Oxford Historical Society - DRUMBO to PLATTSVILLE - COUNTRY ROAD TRIP 2026
2026-06-13 09:00 - 14:30 | Woodstock Library, 445 Hunter St, Woodstock, Ontario, N4S 4G7, Canada
Join Scott Gilles, Chair Oxford Historical Society and others on a tour of rural Oxford County – Note: times are approximate.
9:00AM Meet at Woodstock Library – Courthouse Parking Lot (Rear)
10:00AM Drumbo Museum Tour
11:00AM Wolverton Cemetery
11:30AM Washington
11:45AM Plattsville
12:00PM Peace United Church {20 Samuel St} – LUNCH
1:30PM Chesterfield Museum Tour
2:15 PM Bright – Cheese Shop
2:30PM Return to Woodstock Library- Courthouse Parking Lot
Cost $30 Members or $35 Non-Members includes lunch at the Peace United Church and $10 Donation to Drumbo & Chesterfield Museums. E-Transfer purchases@oxhs.ca or purchase with credit card or cash/cheque (email or call us).

Swansea Centennial Open House
2026-06-13 10:00 - 16:00 | Swansea Town Hall, 95 Lavinia Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M6S 3H9, Canada
Join us at the Swansea Town Hall, 95 Lavinia Ave, for the Community’s Centennial Celebration. Displays, entertainment and refreshments. Come and introduce yourself to members of the Historical Society Board who will be on hand to chat, showcasing a variety of historic artifacts and photos from our Archive.
Hope to see you there
Your Swansea Historical Society Board

La Société d'histoire de Toronto HISTORITOUR - Les murales de l’avenue Islington
2026-06-13 13:30 | Ontario
Les murales de l’avenue Islington
Samedi le 13 juin 2026 à 13h30
Départ : Devant l’auberge Montgomery sur la pelouse, coin sud-est de l’avenue Islington et et de la rue Dundas ouest (TTC ligne 2 jusqu’à Islington, bus 37 jusqu’à la rue Dundas) Parking à l’auberge
Arrivée : même lieu
Guide : Marie-Claude Douville
Venez découvrir plus de 25 fresques de l’artiste John Kuna sur la rue Dundas ouest dans le village historique d’Islington. Ces fresques nous permettent de découvrir l’histoire de cette région.
Le projet est une initiative du BIA / Association commerciale locale en collaboration avec la Etobicoke Historical Society et la ville de Toronto.
Historitours 2026 – pas nécessaire de réserver. La SHT passe le chapeau à la fin de la visite, merci.
Pas de chien
Contacts : info@sht.ca ou mcdouville@yahoo.ca

La Société d'histoire de Toronto HISTORITOUR - Le quartier Arc-en-ciel (du village gai)
2026-06-14 14:00 | Ontario
Le quartier Arc-en-ciel (du village gai)
Dimanche 14 juin 2026 à 14H
Départ : 14h en partance de l’angle des rues Yonge et Alexander (2 rues au nord de Carlton, métro College)
Arrivée : 15h30 au parquette George Hislop (12, rue Isabella)
Guide : Gilles Marchildon
Lieu très animé, notamment en juin, mois de la Fierté, on en trouve de toutes les couleurs dans le quartier émanant du carrefour des rues Church et Wellesley. Surnommé le “village gai/gay”, ce quartier “arc-en-ciel” a subi plein de transformations au cours des ans.
Que vous soyez membre ou non de la communauté 2ELGBTQIA+ (l’alphabet s’est allongé ces dernières années!) ou une personne dite “alliée” ou encore, simplement curieuse, juin est le moment idéal pour approfondir ses connaissances et son appréciation du quartier et de l’histoire. Cette dernière est parfois très (certains diraient trop) évidente, parfois cachée ou perdue… ou emportée par ordre de la ville comme une certaine malheureuse statue en bronze.
Coincé entre la rue Yonge, artère principale Nord-Sud de la ville, et la rue Jarvis où on trouve encore les anciennes maisons des riches, le quartier abrite : des archives, un centre communautaire unique, un parc mémorial, des saunas, des boutiques d’articles sexuels, des bars très tendance, le plus ancien théâtre “queer” en activité continue au monde et plus encore.
Venez découvrir ce quartier qui se déshabille allégrement en été pour faire place à l’une des plus grandes célébrations de la diversité au monde!
Historitours 2026 – pas nécessaire de réserver. La SHT passe le chapeau à la fin de la visite, merci. Pas de chien
Contacts : gilles.marchildon@gmail.com pour la visite du 14 juin ou pour tout autre renseignement, info@sht.ca.

Oakville Historical Society - SPEAKER NIGHT Wednesday June 17
2026-06-17 19:30 | Oakville Historical Society, King Street 110, Oakville, Ontario, L6J 1B1, Canada
The Oakville Historical Society is pleased to announce the speaker for our June 17th “Speaker Night”, presented by Henry Jelinek. Mr. Jelinek will tell the story of the cork business
of his ancestors, which began in 1855 in Austro-Hungary, recounting the many hardships they underwent, dealing with war, the Great Depression, Nazi occupation and communist nationalization.
Having lost everything, the family fled to Oakville in 1948, and rebuilt a thriving business that continues today, and spans across five generations – being one of Oakville’s oldest enterprises.
The talk also explores cork itself – its origins, unique properties and value as a sustainable natural material – and how it has grown to be used across various industries. Henry Jelinek has spent a lifetime working with and studying cork, and is a leading authority on cork and its many uses. A graduate of Marietta College in Ohio, he went on to earn his master’s degree from The New School for Social Research in New York City. He has spent months in various cork forests throughout the Mediterranean region, participating in numerous cork harvests. Jelinek is a strong advocate of using natural materials in responsible ways while ensuring their sustainability. He has spent over fifty years in the cork business. He has written numerous articles and several books. He and his wife Cathy reside in Oakville. Their three children are currently the fifth generation to lead Jelinek Cork Group.
Please join us on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 7:30 pm in the Coach House (right next door to the Oakville Historical Society), and learn more about this business and the industry, which for
over 75 years has grown alongside our community – and provided a family and business a strong foundation.
Hope to see you soon!

Culinary Historians of Canada - Ingredients for Queer Food and the Makings of a Feminist Restaurant
2026-06-18 19:00 - 21:00 | online
Ingredients for Queer Food and the Makings of a Feminist Restaurant
Alex Ketchum, McGill University
Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the trailblazing restaurant Mother Courage of New York City, Alex Ketchum’s book Ingredients for Revolution: A History of American Feminist Restaurants, Cafes, and Coffeehouses was the first history of the more than 230 feminist and lesbian-feminist restaurants, cafés, and coffeehouses that existed from 1972 to the present.
In celebration of Pride Month, the Culinary Historians of Canada has invited Alex Ketchum to discuss how these Canadian and American eateries were and continue to be key sites of cultural and political significance. These institutions served an essential role for multiple social justice movements including women’s liberation, LGBTQ equality, and food justice, as well as providing a training ground for women workers and entrepreneurs.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
7:30-9:00 pm EST
(virtual event on Zoom)
Tickets on sale through Eventbrite
$15.00 – $23.50 plus service fee
Alex Ketchum (she/her) is an Associate Professor at McGill University’s Institute for Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies (IGSF). She is an elected member of the Royal Society of Canada: College of New Scholars. Dr. Ketchum is the Director of the Just Feminist Tech and Scholarship Lab. She is the author of several books including Engage in Public Scholarship!: A Guidebook on Feminist and Accessible Communication, Ingredients for Revolution: A History of American Feminist Restaurants, Cafes, and Coffeehouses, How to Organize Inclusive Events and Conferences, and the forthcoming Digital Queers, and High Tech Gays: A History of LGBTQ+ Cyber Activism. She is also co-editor of the anthology: Queers at the Table: An Illustrated Guide to Queer Food with Recipes.

Thornhill Historical Society - 20th Annual THS Bus Trip
2026-06-20 08:00 - 18:00 | Holy Trinity Church, 140 Brooke St, Thornhill, ON, L4J 1Y9
Saturday, June 20th (reservations by Friday, June 5th)
20th Annual THS Bus Trip
Destination – Muskoka Heritage Place, Huntsville
Cost – $ 85 per person (this includes transportation and entrance to the Muskoka Heritage Place)
Departure 8 am (please be on the bus by 7.45 am)
Arrival home time – 6 pm
Departure Place – Holy Trinity Church, Brooke Street
Contact Judy Dawson-Ryan at mayfair30.jdr@gmail.com
