The Ontario Historical Society

Online Lecture: Fighting For Freedom
2021-08-19 20:00 - 21:30 (America/Toronto) | online
Join us for the online lecture “Fighting For Freedom: The Railway Weaves Through Black Canadians’ History”!
Join us on August 19 for the next online lecture in our 2021 series, Railway Ties. In celebration of Emancipation Day in Canada, Kathy Grant stops at railway crossings through time to share some Black Canadian stories. The stops include trains, our Black veterans, the porters, a couple of the Royal Tours and Emancipation Day.
In this lecture we will be highlighting seven WWI and WWII Veterans who worked for railways including those who worked on the Royal Trains as Porters, were involved in famous raids, invasions, influential legal change, became senators and train crashes. These men include Jean Napoleon Maurice, Percy Corbin, Robert Strong, Judge George Carter, Lester Brown, Walter Modesty and Calvin Ruck. To learn more about these amazing men and their stories, join us for our latest lecture in the series!

Step Around Wesleyville Village Weekends
2021-08-21 10:00 - 16:00, 2021-08-22 10:00 - 16:00, 2021-08-28 10:00 - 16:00, 2021-08-29 10:00 - 16:00, 2021-09-04 10:00 - 16:00, 2021-09-05 10:00 - 16:00 | Wesleyville Village, 2082 Lakeshore Rd., Port Hope, ON, L1A 3V7, Canada
Welsleyville Village is recovering! Post-Pandemic, Post-Fire
Wesley Church was built by village settlers in 1860 and served as the heart of the community till 1969.
The Wesleyville congregation was moved to Welcome United Church and the building sat empty (but conserved) till 2009 when the Friends of Wesleyville Village leased it from the United Church.
Within 3 years it was restored by volunteers and serves as rural heritage community centre for all sorts of activities. Our hearts were broken by the fire on Easter Saturday 2021… but we will recover with community support.

Saturday Tours – Sunday Country Markets
Market offers treasures, handicrafts, food & collectibles
Bewdley Lions delicious lunches 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Books, plants & prints
Handicrafts, jewelry and treasures galore
Explore the nature trail

Walking Tour - 1813: Terror in the Town of York
2021-08-22 11:00 - 12:30 | Toronto’s First Post Office, 260 Adelaide Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 1N1, Canada
Explore the Town of York on foot with one of our expert historians!
In this walking tour, join us as we explore the Battle of York while we walk the original 10 blocks of the early city.
Tours start and end at Toronto’s First Post Office. Tours run rain or shine, and may cover rough ground, so please dress accordingly. All ages are welcome. Dogs and bicycles are welcome as we walk, though portions of some tours may include indoor areas where they are restricted.

Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior - Lighthouse Carnival
2021-08-29 | Silver Islet Docks, ON-587, Unorganized Thunder Bay District, Ontario, POT, Canada
A new event that was added to the lighthouse program in 2020 was the Lighthouse Carnival which took place on August 29, 2020. This year’s Carnival will be held August 28, 2021. Admission and transportation can be purchased via the CLLS Reservation System.
Entertainment will be provided by the Scott Van Teeffelen Band. The film showing in the gallery will feature the Graham Family in the 1980 CBC production about the life of a lightkeeper.
Corn on the cob, fish and chips, salad, and other items will be part of the food line up with a BBQ available for people doing their own cooking.
Lighthouse tours are available for new visitors to the island. Monarch butterflies will be attending the event prior to leaving for Mexico.

For those visitors requiring transportation, there are 3 charters available:

Departing Silver Islet at 9:00 a.m. and arriving Porphyry Island at 9:30 a.m. Leaving Porphyry Island at 4:00 p.m. and arriving at Silver Islet at 4:30 p.m. (Sold Out, but check Reservation System in case there are seats made available because of cancellations)

Departing Silver Islet at 10:15 a.m. and arriving at Porphyry Island at 10:45 a.m. Leaving Porphyry Island at 5:15 p.m. and arriving at Silver Islet at 5:45 p.m.

Departing Silver Islet at 11:30 a.m. and arriving at Porphyry Island at 12:00 p.m. Leaving Porphyry Island at 6:30 p.m. and arriving at Silver Islet at 7:00 p.m.

In Conversation with Duke Redbird and Tanya Senk
2021-09-01 19:00 - 20:30 | online
A conversation between Elder Duke Redbird & System Superintendent of Indigenous Education in the Toronto District School Board, Tanya Senk.
What were you taught about Indigenous history and culture in school? What were you not taught?
As more conversations surrounding Indigenous history and culture are happening locally, nationally, and globally we invite you to join us for this intimate conversation between Elder Duke Redbird and Tanya Senk which will be moderated by Kerry Potts.
This conversation will explore the current gaps that exist and speak to the critical importance of Indigenous education within the curriculum.
This conversation is part of the Wigwam Chi-Chemung Indigenous Interpretive Learning Centre and Floating Art Installation in partnership with Elder Duke Redbird.

2021 Buxton History and Genealogy Conference
2021-09-03 09:30 - 12:00 | online
The Buxton History and Genealogy Conference returns as a virtual gathering on Friday, September 3rd, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (Eastern Time Zone).
This year, we will once again offer this exciting program of speakers at no charge to registrants. Note: While the 2021 Conference is free, the Planning Committee is encouraging participants to consider a donation to the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum. Many small museums and historical societies have experienced reduced revenues in light of ongoing public health measures. To donate securely, please visit http://www.buxtonmuseum.com/supporters/donations.html.
We have exciting presenters lined up again this year!

Deirdre McCorkindale, “Skull Stories: The Troubling History of Racial Intelligence Testing”
Roy Finkenbine, “The Indigenous Underground Railroad”
Charles Holman, “How DNA Testing Enabled Me to Learn the History of My Family & Their Escape from Slavery”

Please be sure to sign up soon as space is limited!

North York Historical Society September 2021 Meeting: “Amazing Women in Canadian History" with Lianne Harris
2021-09-15 19:00 | online
Speaker: Lianne Harris, B.A., B.F.A.(Ed), T.E.S.L.
Lianne Harris is the History and Social Studies Resource Consultant for the Toronto District School Board and Curriculum Advisor with Upper Canada College. She has honed her many years of teaching history into an engaging, dynamic experience. To date, she has taught over 70,000 students and teachers and in 2003, she was selected by W.O.M.A.D. as one of Toronto’s Women of Influence.
She is the author of many books including a Canadian Best Seller and has been a frequent guest on TV, radio, and as keynote speaker for various academic and professional organizations. She believes learning should be relevant, enlightening, and best of all- fun! Lianne has an extensive catalogue of talks she has prepared. When asked what she thought about preparing new talks, she said she loved doing a new talk because then she can buy a new costume.
Drawing from our hidden heritage, women from the past have been our inspiration and our guidepost. Join historian and author Lianne Harris as she explores some of the fascinating lives and contributions of the past’s most inspiring Canadian women. Some we might have heard about, others less so. Find out about women who were courageous, creative, compassionate, and just plain daring! We are because they were! A wonderful way for everyone to familiarize themselves with a piece of the forgotten past!

The Historical Society of Ottawa: Rockin' on the Rideau: Ottawa's Golden Age of Rock & Roll
2021-09-15 19:00 | online
Guest Speaker: Jim Hurcomb, Author, Musician, Radio Host, Teacher
From the day Elvis came to town in 1957… to The Five Man Electrical Band’s release of mega-hit “Signs”… relive two fabulous decades with the bands, the clubs, the concerts and the colourful cast of characters that made it all happen.
This speaker series will take place via Zoom. Register using this link.
All are welcome to attend without charge.

Myseum Toronto History Trivia Night #1
2021-09-15 19:00 - 21:30 | online
Join Myseum of Toronto for our first Toronto History Trivia Night fundraising event!
About this event

Missing the days of trivia nights? Looking for something fun to do with friends, family, or by yourself?
Join Myseum of Toronto for our first Toronto History Trivia Night fundraising event!
Come show us what you know about the history of Hogtown and get to know some more tidbits about the T-Dot.
Hosted by Quizmaster Steve Hobbs, this virtual event will test your knowledge of all things Toronto and teach you things you never knew about the 6ix.
Compete solo or in teams of up to 4 people for a chance to win prizes from our community donors: lululemon QSW and Henderson Brewing Company (prizing details below).
Not only will this be a fun-filled night with exciting prizes, you’ll also be supporting a museum that aims to tell the history of our beautiful city and its many communities.
DETAILS

Wednesday September 15, 2021 from 7-9:30pm
1-4 people per team
$20 per person (no refunds, option for $10 charitable tax receipt)

Don’t forget to brush up on your Toronto knowledge before the big day! (Psst, you might even learn a thing or two by exploring our website and social media)
PRIZING

1st place: 2 $100 gift cards for lululemon
2nd place: 4 $25 gift cards for Henderson’s Brewing Company
Best Team Name: Myseum of Toronto swag

ABOUT MYSEUM OF TORONTO
Myseum is your Toronto museum. Our engaging programs and experiences showcase the history, spaces, culture(s), architecture, and the people that represent Toronto’s unique place in the world.
ACCESSIBILITY

If you need assistance registering please email info@myseumoftoronto.com
If you require any other accommodations please let us know by September 3 and we will do our best to accommodate.
Closed captioning via Zoom will be available.

PLEASE NOTE

In case of any changes or cancellation we will notify you as far in advance as possible.
We will email you the Zoom link for this event the afternoon of the event.
Ticket sales will end on September 15 at 5pm EDT.
Due to the nature of this event there are no refunds for purchased tickets unless the event itself is cancelled or postponed.
Teams will dedicate a ‘Team Captain’ who will be responsible for submitting the answers. Teams will communicate with each other via text, phone, slack, etc.

Museum of Lennox & Addington - Museum of Pop Culture - Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic
2021-09-16 19:00 | online
Program Description: Join Museum of Pop Culture Senior Curator Brooks Peck on a virtual tour of MoPOP’s exhibition Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic. Brooks will walk us through the gallery and show highlights including items from Harry Potter, The Wizard of Oz, Dungeons & Dragons, Game of Thrones, and more. Then stick around for Q&A with Brooks.
About the Presenter: Originally an entertainment journalist, Brooks Peck joined the Museum of Pop Culture in 2004. As a curator, Brooks draws on his strong knowledge of science fiction, fantasy and horror to create exhibitions about many aspects of the fantastic in popular culture, covering topics as diverse as space-themed record album covers, Battlestar Galactica, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, and Avatar among others. Recent exhibitions: Star Trek: Exploring New Worlds, and he co-curated Marvel: Universe of Superheroes and Minecraft: The Exhibition. Brooks is also a fiction writer and screenwriter of two low-budget, direct-to-cable monster movies. Rawr!

Coptic Museum of Canada - Virtual Programmes on the Holy Family’s Journey into Egypt 1/3: “The Path of the Holy Family in Egypt”
2021-09-16 19:00 - 20:30 | online
Three virtual programmes will take viewers on the journey of the Holy Family from different perspectives. Sessions will be held on three consecutive Thursdays from 7-8:30 PM. Information and registration will be emailed in the first week of September. All sessions will be held in English. The first and third sessions are also available in French on request.
SEPTEMBER 16: “The Path of the Holy Family in Egypt” a video prepared by the Nuns at St. George Covent in Cairo.
REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/BK8DJJiLbpQX4kq2A
Registration deadline: September 10, 2021

Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum: Historical Walking Tour
2021-09-18 11:00, 2021-09-19 11:00, 2021-09-25 11:00, 2021-09-26 11:00 | Queen’s Royal Park, Niagara-on-the-Lake, King & Front Streets, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, L0S 1J0, Canada
Niagara-on-the-Lake is Ontario’s only National Historic District. Let us tell you why it is so important to Canada’s story!
Discover the beauty of Niagara-on-the-Lake with a guided tour of the town and explore the history, architecture and events of Niagara with us
Saturdays and Sundays in September at 11 am (min 1 hour)
Your tour guide will meet you near the gazebo in Queen’s Royal Park (end of King Street). The tour ends at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum.
Cost is $10 per person which includes museum admission. Tickets can be purchased at the park at the start of the tour.
Due to social distancing restrictions, tours are limited to 6 participants at a time on a first come, first served basis.

Museum of Lennox & Addington: History of Photography
2021-09-21 19:00 | online
Every Picture Tells a Story
Old photographs hold clues that could tell you more about your family history. Today, millions of photos are taken every second, but at one time photographs were a much bigger deal. More importance was placed on them, and more care was taken before the shutter was snapped. These samples might help you to unlock some of the answers in your own collection.
About the Presenter: Dave Obee is a journalist and genealogical researcher who has written a dozen books and given more than 600 presentations at conferences and seminars in Canada, the United States and Australia since 1997. He is Editor and Publisher of the Times Colonist in Victoria, British Columbia. He has worked as a journalist in British Columbia and Alberta since 1972.
In 2012 Dave was awarded an honorary doctorate of laws by the University of Victoria for his work as a historian, genealogist and journalist.

Oshawa Historical Society: A History of Girl Guides in Oshawa
2021-09-21 19:00 - 20:30 | online
Join us for an overview of the long history of the Girl Guides in Oshawa
Join us for an overview of the long history of the Girl Guides in Oshawa, exploring archival materials, including photographs, scrapbooks and memorabilia. Presented by Nicole Adams, Local History Librarian at the Oshawa Public Library.
The September Speaker Series is taking place on Tuesday, September 21 at 7pm, hosted on Zoom.
The event is free to attend, but donations are kindly accepted (suggested $5/person). Registration is required in advance.

Woodland Cultural Centre: Accessing the Archives Workshop
2021-09-22 10:00 | online
Accessing the Archives: How to Reclaim Cultural Information in a Digital World
Join Woodland Cultural Centre and Taylor Gibson for a journey into the archives from an Indigenous Perspective.
Examine Hodinǫ̱hsǫ:ni in the archives and explore Archival Institutions.

In Conversation with Duke Redbird and Andrew Balfour
2021-09-22 19:00 - 20:30 | online
A conversation between Elder Duke Redbird and renowned music composer Andrew Balfour.
Storytelling can take many forms, and music is no exception. Whether it’s a full composition or just one note, music has the power to move and challenge listeners to see (and hear) the world in a different light.
We invite you to join us for this intimate conversation between Elder Duke Redbird and renowned music composer Andrew Balfour, which will be moderated by Kerry Potts.
This conversation will explore the career of Andrew Balfour and his use of music to tell Indigenous stories, the power of music as an art form, and the importance of music education.
This conversation is part of the Wigwam Chi-Chemung Indigenous Interpretive Learning Centre and Floating Art Installation in partnership with Elder Duke Redbird.

Coptic Museum of Canada - Virtual Programmes on the Holy Family’s Journey into Egypt 2/3: “Egyptian Journeys: Holy Families in Egypt”
2021-09-23 19:00 - 20:30 | online
Three virtual programmes will take viewers on the journey of the Holy Family from different perspectives. Sessions will be held on three consecutive Thursdays from 7-8:30 PM. Information and registration will be emailed in the first week of September. All sessions will be held in English. The first and third sessions are also available in French on request.
SEPTEMBER 23: “Egyptian Journeys: Holy Families in Egypt” with Gayle Gibson, Egyptologist. Departmental Associate, World Cultures Department, Royal Ontario Museum and Vice-President, Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities.
REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/CDWj5tHdUSqbo4YC8
Registration deadline: September 17, 2021

Town of York Historical Society Fall Author Series: Mark Bourrie ("Bush Runner: The Adventures of Pierre-Esprit Radisson")
2021-09-23 19:00 - 20:30 | online
Join us on September 23rd for the first evening in our author’s series!
Mark Bourrie will speak about the research process for his book Bush Runner: The Adventures of Pierre-Esprit Radisson, which tells the extraordinary true story of the 17th-century figure, a man more trading partner than colonizer, a peddler of goods and not worldview—and with it offers a fresh perspective on the world in which he lived. Using Radisson’s journals, which are the best first-hand accounts of 17th century Canada, Bourrie will provide insight into the sources used to bring Radisson’s story to life.
Known to some as the first European to explore the upper Mississippi, and widely as the namesake of ships and hotel chains, Pierre-Esprit Radisson is perhaps best described, writes Mark Bourrie, as “an eager hustler with no known scruples.” Kidnapped by Mohawk warriors at the age of fifteen, Radisson assimilated and was adopted by a powerful family, only to escape to New York City after less than a year. After being recaptured, he defected from a raiding party to the Dutch and crossed the Atlantic to Holland—thus beginning a lifetime of seized opportunities and frustrated ambitions.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum: Making Her Mark Tea
2021-09-24 11:00 | Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum, 43 Castlereagh Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, L0S 1J0, Canada
Join us for a festive Tea Party in celebration of our new publication Making Her Mark. This event will include a presentation on some of the women highlighted in the book, tea, scones from McFarland House, and cookies from the Fort George Bill of Fare. This event is a partnership with the Friends of Fort George.
Cost is $20.00/person. Seatings will be available at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.
Call 905-468-6621 or 905-468-3912 to reserve your spot!

Swansea Historical Society September Walking Tour
2021-09-25 09:30 - 14:30 | Rosseau Plaque, 8 South Kingsway, Toronto, Ontario, M6S 3S9
Governor Simcoe Walking Tour, September 25, 2021: Now that we are back in “Stage 3”, we are confident that it will be safe to proceed with our annual Governor Simcoe historic walking tour on Saturday, September 25, 2021, if there is sufficient interest. This FREE guided tour retraces a portion of Simcoe’s 1793 expedition up the Toronto Carrying Place portage route. As in past years, Part 1 of the tour will start at 9:30 am at the Rousseau plaque (8 South Kingsway, beside the Petro Canada station), heading north along Riverside Drive to Bloor Street. After a break for lunch on Bloor Street, Part 2 will start at 1:00 pm at the Alex Ling Fountain (north-west corner of Bloor and Jane), heading north towards the Eglinton Flats, and mostly using side streets between Jane and the Humber. Everyone is welcome. You can choose to participate in Part 1, or Part 2, or both, and you are free to join or leave the group at any point.
This is an outdoor event, but we will be asking participants to be fully vaccinated, bring masks, and observe physical distancing for added protection. We are also requesting advanced registration using Eventbrite. If you think you might want to participate, please let us know that you are thinking of joining us for Part 1, or Part 2, or both Parts, as this will facilitate contact tracing if necessary, and it will allow us to assess the level of interest.
To register for the morning session, please use the link:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/lieutenant-governor-simcoe-walk-2021-morning-session-tickets-170387226782
To register for the afternoon session, please use the link::
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/lieutenant-governor-simcoe-walk-2021-afternoon-session-tickets-170386753366
If you encounter problems using Eventbrite, an email or telephone message with your contact information should also work, and would be appreciated.

Oshawa Museum: Tea &Talk from Home - 19th Century Education in Oshawa
2021-09-26 13:00 - 14:30 | online
Returning to school will look a lot different for most kids this September. Can you picture how different it was in the 1800s though?
On September 26 at 1 pm, join Visitor Host, Jill Passmore for the Oshawa Museum’s Tea & Talk from Home. This virtual lecture will explore the history of Oshawa’s local schoolhouses and teachers – what school life was like for children in the 19th century. Passmore based her original research on an unpublished manuscript written by a beloved, local music teacher, Olive French, to celebrate Canada’s Centennial.
Ticket prices are by donation and are available at Eventbrite.ca
Jill Passmore has worked for the Oshawa Museum since 2002 and has been researching Oshawa’s education history continuously for the last ten years.

Riverdale Historical Society: The Don Inmates, Guards, Governors, and Gallows by Lorna Poplak
2021-09-28 18:30 | online
Tuesday, September 28, 2021:
Join Lorna Poplak as she reveals the facts behind the Don Jail’s location and construction, and shares tales about inmates, guards, governors, gangs, officials, and even a pair of star-crossed lovers whose doomed romance unfolded in the shadow of the gallows. Listen to the saga of the Don’s tumultuous descent from palace to hellhole, its shuttering and lapse into decay, and its astonishing modern-day metamorphosis.
Lorna Poplak is a Toronto-based writer, editor, and researcher drawn to the people and stories behind the facts of Canadian history. With a background in law, literature, information technology, and technical communications, Lorna has written medical and scientific articles, travel pieces, children’s literature, blog posts, and a radio play. Lorna is a member of Crime Writers of Canada and Sisters in Crime. She has had two non-fiction books published by Dundurn Press: Drop Dead: A Horrible History of Hanging in Canada in July 2017, and The Don: The Story of Toronto’s Infamous Jail in January 2021.
For more info link here: THE DON
Note: you must be on the RHS mailing list to receive the Zoom link.
If you are not on our mail list send us a note via the ‘Contact Us’ page (link here)
