Trent Valley Archives Theatre Returning in 2026
June 4, 5, and 6 — A Fundraiser for The Trent Valley Archives at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, Peterborough
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
Pay your respects to our veterans and those who sacrificed their lives in conflicts around the world with us this Sunday, November 9th at 3pm on our Military History tour in Little Lake Cemetery. ![]()
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On the tour, knowledgeable tour guide and military historian Don Willcock will tell the stories of military personnel who fought in the Napoleonic Wars, the American Civil War, the War of 1812, and (of course) the First and Second World Wars. ![]()
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You'll learn about people like Judge Huycke (whose stone is pictured here), the chairman of Peterborough's original War Memorial Committee and the father of four young men who served in the First World War; brothers Harry and Heber Rogers who were both taken prisoner in the First World War, one of them enacting a daring escape from his prisoner of war camp; and Colonel Agnes Campbell Neill, who became the highest ranking woman in the Canadian Army during the Second World War in her role of Matron-in-Chief of the Canadian Military Nursing Sisters. ![]()
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Tickets to this tour cost $20 each and can be purchased on Eventbrite, here: www.eventbrite.ca/e/honouring-our-military-history-tickets-1347248790399?aff=oddtdtcreator This is the last tour of our 2025 tour season, so you won't want to miss it! If you have any questions about accessibility or the content of this tour. please email us at admin@trentvalleyarchives.com or call us at 705-745-4404.
This Remembrance Day, we encourage you to learn more about our community's involvement in conflicts around the world. Although it can be difficult to find resources that focus specifically on the Peterborough region's contribution to the war effort, we do have a few publications by local authors in our bookstore that focus on this topic. ![]()
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The first book, "A Cruel Bargain: The Commuted British Soldiers in Upper Canada" was written by Robert J. Gordon and illustrates the implementation of the British Government's commutation scheme and the veterans it impacted, outpatients of the Royal Chelsea Hospital who would become known as the "Chelsea Pensioners." [Copies are $25 each.]![]()
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The second book "Nicholas Scott: From Chandos to Méricourt with the 93rd Battalion" was written by Michael C. Doran and documents the life and wartime activities of the Author's great-uncle, Nicholas Scott, who served with the 93rd Battalion during the First Wold War. Born in Chandos in 1894, Nicholas was just 21 years old when he enlisted in March of 1916 and was one of countless soldiers who never returned home to his family. [Copies are $50 each]![]()
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The third book, "Captains & Colonels of Peterborough County" was also written by Robert J. Gordon and documents military activities that took place in the Newcastle District (and later Peterborough County) in the 19th century, a time when militias were formed across Ontario to counteract rebellions and assist the government in other ways. [Copies are $25 each]![]()
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Copies of all three books can be purchased in-person at our archives building at 567 Carnegie Avenue during our operating hours (Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-4pm). Copies of "Nicholas Scott" and "Captains & Colonels" can also be purchased on our website for local pick up or shipping, here: trentvalleyarchives.com/shop/
Happy Halloween 🎃 We're getting into the festive spirit today, unlike this dog photographed in 1963 who looks very unenthusiastic about his costume! ![]()
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Whether you're venturing out into the rainy night tonight looking for treats or staying in to cheer on the Jays, we hope you have a safe and happy evening!
Remembrance Day is just around the corner, and so is the return of our Military History Tour in Little Lake Cemetery. On Sunday, November 9 at 3pm, join knowledgeable tour guide and military historian Don Willcock to commemorate Remembrance Day and learn more about the Peterborough citizens who bravely fought in conflicts for our freedom. ![]()
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Although most Peterborough citizens who enlisted fought in the First or Second World Wars, and they are given the recognition they deserve on the tour, the tour also includes people who served in many different conflicts. As you walk through the cemetery and pay your respects at each soldier's final resting place, you'll learn about people like Captain Andrew Simon Fraser who served with the Duke of Wellington at Waterloo; Colonel John Wesley Miller who enlisted in the American Civil War and was captured at the Battle of Gettysburg; and Achilles Turner, son of J.J. Turner, who served in the Boer War and was awarded the South African Medal by Queen Victoria. ![]()
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Tickets to the tour cost $20 each and can be purchased on Eventbrite, here: www.eventbrite.ca/e/honouring-our-military-history-tickets-1347248790399?aff=oddtdtcreator Please note that this is a walking tour in Little Lake Cemetery that covers a large portion of the Cemetery grounds. It stays on the main roadways whenever possible, but covers some uneven and hilly ground and may not be accessible to everyone. Wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for the weather, as the tour will run rain or shine. ![]()
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The tour covers difficult and sensitive material and may not be appropriate for everyone. If you have any questions about accessibility or the content of this tour. please email us at admin@trentvalleyarchives.com or call us at 705-745-4404.![]()
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Highland Park Funeral Centre & Little Lake and Highland Park Cemeteries
Although not fighting directly at the front lines, The Tin Hats were a Canadian Military Entertainment Unit that made a significant contribution to the Second World War, entertaining their fellow military personnel and lifting their spirits during hard times. Although their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren look back on their military service with pride, their story has been largely overlooked among the extensive history of Canada's involvement in the Second World War.![]()
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Fortunately, Ruth Stanley, author of "A Different Type of Bombshell: The Tin Hats Journey Through World War II" and "Ballads, Bombshells and Brotherhood: The Men Behind the Tin Hats Concert Party," has stepped forward to ensure that this remarkable group of entertainers has a lasting legacy. In both books, and in a forthcoming third book, she shares the experiences of her father and the other members of the Tin Hats as they travelled far and wide to entertain Canadian regiments, braving bombshells along the way.![]()
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Join us on Zoom on Thursday, November 6 at 7pm to hear Ruth tell the story of the Tin Hats and how she was able to uncover their unique brand of service, including what inspired her to write about this little-known aspect of Canadian military history, her research process, and the impact her work has had on other descendants of the Tin Hats.![]()
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This is a free, members-only event and you must be a member to view the presentation. If you are already a Trent Valley Archives member, you will have received an email last Sunday, October 26 with a link to register for the presentation (please register by the end of the day on Tuesday, November 4). ![]()
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If you are not yet a Trent Valley Archives member, there's still time to become one and view what promises to be an interesting presentation! A single membership costs $60 a year and a family membership costs $75 a year. To learn more about our membership tiers and benefits or to purchase a membership, please visit the membership page on our website, here: trentvalleyarchives.com/membership/