May 29, 30, & 31 at 7:30 PM Saturday, May 31 at 2 PM
Commemorating the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the Peter Robinson settlers from Ireland to our district in 1825, ‘Crossing Over’ is a fictionalized account of the voyage of the emigrant transport ship, John Barry.
Get your ticket, step back in time, and set sail with the Hagertys, Nagles, Owens, Regans, Ryans, Slatterys, Sullivans, and Youngs on their perilous, six-week journey across the Atlantic. This story of tremendous courage in the face of the unknown is narrated by John Keleher, an experienced seaman and Peter Robinson settler.
Prepare yourself for the ride of your life: storms, seasickness, scarlet fever, family feuds, petty larceny, plots and counterplots, rotting potatoes, mutiny, and the lash.
(More information.)
Tickets are $30 or $40 for cabaret table seating.
Tickets can be purchased from the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre box office, Monday to Friday, noon to 5 PM, by phoning (705)-749-1146 or by emailing boxoffice@markethall.com.
Join Us for Our Annual General Meeting
Thursday, May 22 at 7pm Highland Park Cemetery Visitor Centre
Presentation by guest speaker Dennis Carter-Edwards.
Dennis Carter-Edwards is a local historian and the author of the recent Peterborough Historical Society Occasional Paper “From Tap to Toilet: The Introduction of Water Works and Sewers to Peterborough” about the development of Peterborough’s water and sewage systems. Though taken for granted today, the supply of safe water and the treatment of human and industrial waste had a major impact on the quality of life for Peterborough citizens and the progressive development of our community.
Although essential, these improvements were frequently the subject of endless debate at city council where community leaders argued about whether or not these services should be public or private. In the end, Peterborough acquired a sewage and water system that put it at the forefront of municipal development, but not without some contention. Using new images and documentary sources, Dennis will tell the full story of how these systems arrived in (and completely transformed) our community. Register for this free event
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 first Tragic Tales tour in Little Lake Cemetery is tomorrow (June 20) at 7pm! At the turn of the century, Peterborough was a rapidly expanding city, embracing industrialization with its influx of factories and retailers and the expansion of City services like public transportation, electricity, and access to running water. However, this rapid expansion also meant that some members of the community were left behind. Join knowledgeable tour guide Mona Wilkes on our tour tomorrow evening to hear the stories of some of these people, including Janet Hunter, a woman who did everything she could to provide for herself and her newborn son, only to be let down by society, and William Waldron, an outsider struggling to stay employed due to his addition to alcohol. Tickets cost $20 each and can be purchased on Eventbrite, here: www.eventbrite.ca/e/tragic-tales-tickets-1336956445719?aff=oddtdtcreator. If you can't make this tour date, or would prefer to attend the tour in the afternoon, we'll be running it again on Sunday, July 20 at 2pm.[Image Caption: Water Street looking toward Market Hall] ... See MoreSee Less
Fires, building collapses, workplace injuries, drownings and more: like every city at the turn of the century, Peterborough saw every type of tragedy. And on our Tragic Tales tour in Little Lake Cemetery this Friday, June 20th at 7pm, knowledgeable tour guide Mona Wilkes will tell you about some of the tragedies that impacted the Peterborough community at the turn of the century. As you walk, you'll hear about two of Peterborough's most significant tragedies, the Quaker Fire and the Turnbull Building Collapse, and their victims. You'll also hear stories about people like English emigrant Ernest Youngs, an eager teenager who didn't realize that his first job in his new homeland would also be his last. Tickets cost $20 each and can be purchased on Eventbrite, here: www.eventbrite.ca/e/tragic-tales-tickets-1336956445719?aff=oddtdtcreator. If you can't make this tour date, or would prefer to attend the tour in the afternoon, we'll be running it again on Sunday, July 20 at 2pm. [Image Caption: Cropped photograph of a fire at the Peterborough Mattress Company Factory on July 7, 1912. F50.] ... See MoreSee Less
We would like to wish all fathers and fatherly figures a Happy Fathers Day! We hope you are getting to spend some quality time with your family today. This photograph is from our Examiner photograph collection and was published in the Examiner on September 5, 1972 with the caption: Best Speed Box Racer: Part of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 813 picnic at Beavermead Park on Labor Day was the presentation of the local’s trophy for the best-built speed box racer in the annual Labor Day Speed Box Derby held Monday morning. Admiring the racer – as well as the trophies – are, from left: Grant Price, Mr. Ed. Shore, Earl Bolton of King George St., and son Mark Bolton, 10) who built the racer with his brother and a friend. ... See MoreSee Less
Our Tragic Tales walking tour is back for another year! Join knowledgeable tour guide Mona Wilkes in Little Lake Cemetery next Friday, June 20 at 7pm to listen to some of Peterborough's most tragic tales from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As Peterborough expanded and the pace of everyday life quickened, many people fell victim to workplace accidents, poor decision-making, and even their own hubris. As you walk, you'll hear the stories of some of them, including strongman Daniel MacDonald whose competitive spirit cost him a hefty price; Anne Kerr, whose honest mistake had a sinister outcome; and John Connors, whose regular workday at the gravel pit would quickly turn into a nightmare for himself and his family.Tickets cost $20 each and can be purchased on Eventbrite, here: www.eventbrite.ca/e/tragic-tales-tickets-1336956445719?aff=oddtdtcreator If you can't make this tour date, or would prefer to attend it in the afternoon, we'll be running it again on Sunday, July 20 at 2pm. [Image Caption: Cropped photograph of onlookers at a C.P.R. train wreck in 1908. F50.] ... See MoreSee Less
Have you had a chance to pick up your copy of our Bicentennial Souvenir book yet? This beautiful 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 planned to commemorate the Bicentennial in 2025. It includes: ☘️ A list of every single person who came to Upper Canada as part of the Peter Robinson Irish Emigration in 1825, in alphabetical order by last name. The list includes the ship the emigrant sailed on, the Irish county they hailed from, their age, their profession, the township and lot they ultimately settled in, and the family members who travelled with them. The most comprehensive passenger list to date, we think it is worth purchasing the book for it alone!☘️ Background information on the government assisted emigration scheme, with illustrations. ☘️ Where to look for more information about the emigration, including a selected reading list. ☘️ The full schedule of events for our official Bicentennial commemoration week of August 1-10. ☘️ And advertisements from community groups about the events they have planned to commemorate the Bicentennial throughout the year. Copies of the book cost $20 each and include a complimentary cotton tote bag with our Nine Ships logo that you can use to tote your book around to all the Bicentennial events this summer! They can be purchased on our website, nineships1825.com, or in-person at the Trent Valley Archives (567 Carnegie Avenue) and the Peterborough County office (470 Water Street). ... See MoreSee Less
