Trent Valley Archives Theatre Returning in 2026
June 4, 5, 6 and 7 — A Fundraiser for The Trent Valley Archives at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, Peterborough. Click here for more information.
The Kid from Simcoe Street
In our adaptation of this moving World War II era memoir, James Clarke recalls growing up in the poor and alcohol-ridden neighbourhood of downtown Peterborough.
As a boy, his father had been a foot soldier, but after coming home from the battlefields he turned to manic drinking and belligerence, shattering his wife’s dreams, and casting a dark shadow over James’ boyhood.
This story, told with emotion that is unflinching in its honesty, lets us see just how remarkable it is that James Clarke became not only a man esteemed and honoured as a judge of the Superior Court of Ontario, but as a respected poet, too.
Purchase your copy from Exile Editions
Have you seen the updated Heritage Gazette?
We are pleased to continue and expand on the pioneering work of archivist Elwood Jones and Steve Gavard as we explore the near and distant past in this full colour publication.
View the current and past issues
Our second festive photograph was published in the Peterborough Examiner in December of 1964! Although we don't have a caption to accompany the photo, we love the classic truck, vintage lettering on the sign, and the traditional Christmas feel to the photo. Do you prefer a real Christmas tree or an artificial one? Let us know in the comments!
Today is day two of our "A Little Something for the Local History Buff" holiday gift guide! Today, we're featuring books that fall under the category of "Bicentennial Souvenirs." ![]()
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The Bicentennial of the Peter Robinson Irish Emigration to our region in 1825 was commemorated this year. To document the Bicentennial, a Souvenir Book was produced by Nine Ships 1825 (the committee who organized the Bicentennial Commemoration Week of August 1-10) alongside other publications that explore this historically significant event. If you have a proud descendant of one of the Peter Robinson emigrant families on your list, or know someone who would cherish a keepsake of the Bicentennial year, these books are for you!![]()
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1. NEW FOR 2025! Nine Ships Bicentennial Souvenir [$20]: This beautifully designed souvenir book commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Peter Robinson Irish Emigration is full of everything you need to know about the emigration and the events that were held throughout the Bicentennial year, including the most comprehensive passenger list to date. ![]()
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2. The Peter Robinson Settlement of 1825 by Bill LaBranche [$10]: This souvenir booklet was created for the Homecoming '75 celebrations in 1975 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Peter Robinson emigration. ![]()
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3. NEW FOR 2025! From Whence They Came by Christy Roche [Hardcover $75, Softcover $45]: Written by historical geographer Christy Roche, From Whence They Came: The Peter Robinson Settlers examines the history of the Peter Robinson emigration from the Irish perspective, focusing on the communities the emigrants came from rather than the communities they settled in.![]()
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4. SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR! From Cork to the New World: A Journey for Survival by Michael McCarthy [$20] A historical fiction book that tells the story of the Peter Robinson emigration through the lens of the McCarthy and Sullivan families, who leave their old life in Ireland behind for a new one in Upper Canada, experiencing trials and tribulations along the way. ![]()
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These books (except #4) can be purchased on our website, here: trentvalleyarchives.com/shop/ or in person at 567 Carnegie Avenue (we're open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am-4pm)
Our first festive photograph is very appropriate for a day like today! Taken on December 31, 1971, it was published in the Peterborough Examiner with the caption: Peterborough Hardest Hit By Thursday’s Snow Storm (p.11): By far the best mode of transport Thursday was the snowmobile.
Last week, we sent out our "A Little Something for the Local History Buff" holiday gift guide to our email subscriber list, and now we would like to share some of the products we featured in the guide on our social media! Over the coming days, we'll be sharing our curated selection of gift-able books, photographs and more alongside some holiday images from our Peterborough Examiner collection that are sure to put you in a festive mood!![]()
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Our feature book for 2025 is Peterborough: Spirit of Place! The latest addition to photographer John McQuarrie's Spirit of Place book series, this 150+ page coffee table worthy book features dozens of McQuarrie's full-colour photographs of Peterborough and the surrounding area, paired with articles written by local authors and historians.![]()
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Published to commemorate the Bicentennial of the Peter Robinson Irish Emigration to our region 200 years ago, the book features an article written by Patrick Leahy, a descendant of one of the Peter Robinson emigrants, about the emigration. With both artistic and historic merit, the book is guaranteed to please longstanding Peterborough residents, cottagers, and anyone else with a connection to our area. ![]()
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Every copy of Peterborough: Spirit of Place also includes a copy of John McQuarrie's previous book, Trent Severn Waterway: Then and Now (pictured above), free of charge! Gift the pair together or keep one for yourself (we won't judge).![]()
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The book can be purchased on our website via the link in our bio or in person at 567 Carnegie Avenue (we're open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am-4pm) for $40. ![]()
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Looking for other books in McQuarrie's Spirit of Place series? We also have limited copies of Almonte: Spirit of Place, Picton and the County: Spirit of Place and Cobourg: Spirit of Place. All three can be purchased in-person for $35 each.
Our annual holiday gift guide "A Little Something for the Local History Buff" has arrived! The guide features a curated selection of books, photographs and more that are guaranteed to be a hit with anyone interested in local and regional history. ![]()
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Why purchase gifts from the Trent Valley Archives? In addition to coming home with something they'll love, you'll also be shopping small and supporting the work we do to preserve the manuscripts, photographs and other materials in our care for years to come.![]()
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According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, when you shop at a small business (or a non-profit organization like us), 66 cents of every dollar you spend gets circulated back into the community. When you shop at larger chain retailers, only 11 cents of every dollar you spend gets circulated back into the community. Shopping small has a huge impact!![]()
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If you're already subscribed to our mailing list, check your inbox for an email from us with the gift guide (it may be hiding under your promotions tab). If you're not subscribed to our mailing list, click here to view the gift guide: mailchi.mp/297ee9b3ef64/great-gifts-for-the-local-history-lover-on-your-list-18239103![]()
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We'll be closing for our holiday break on Wednesday, December 24, so your last day to shop will be Tuesday, December 23. If you're purchasing something from our web shop and require shipping, please keep in mind that Canada Post's deadline for guaranteed delivery is December 12th for standard shipping and December 18 for priority shipping. ![]()
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We'll be sharing a closer look at some of the books featured in our gift guide in the coming days, so keep your eyes on our social media for those features!