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 AGM is TONIGHT at 7pm! Don’t miss out!Our AGM is just two weeks away! Whether you're a Trent Valley Archives member or simply a curious follower, we encourage you to join us at the Highland Park Cemetery Visitor Centre on Thursday, April 23 at 7pm for a special musical presentation from guest speaker Dr. Allan Kirby. ![]()
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Dr. Allan Kirby is a musician and music scholar who wrote his PhD thesis at Carleton University on the topic of traditional folk music in rural Ontario, focusing primarily on the recordings of this music made by noted Canadian folklorist Edith Folke at P. G. Towns’ General Store in Douro, and throughout Peterborough County from 1956 to 1964. His presentation will combine musical performances of some of these folk songs with the historical context behind them, explaining how early folk ballads from the old countries, particularly Ireland, were adapted for their new surroundings in Canada.![]()
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The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session with our guest speaker, and then our annual general meeting. The presentation is free to attend and open to the public, but the AGM portion of the evening is only open to Trent Valley Archives members. Registering for the event in advance is not required but if you do register it will help us get a sense of how many people plan on attending. You can register for our AGM here: www.eventbrite.ca/e/annual-general-meeting-with-guest-speaker-dr-allan-kirby-tickets-198702119087... Light refreshments will be provided.![]()
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If you are a TVA member, we will be sending you an email soon with the agenda and relevant documents for the evening's meeting. If you do not receive this email, please email us at admin@trentvalleyarchives.com or call us at 705-745-4404 and let us know. We're looking forward to seeing you on Thursday, April 23rd!
Our Annual General Meeting is less than a week away! Join us at the Highland Park Visitor Centre this Thursday, April 23 at 7pm for an engaging and entertaining musical presentation from musicologist Dr. Allan Kirby, who will perform traditional folk songs from rural Ontario. He will also discuss the history behind this music, which was adapted for life in the Canadian wilderness from earlier folk ballads and was recorded extensively by noted Canadian folklorist Edith Fowke throughout Peterborough County in the late 1950s and early 1960s. ![]()
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The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session with Dr. Kirby, and then our annual general meeting. The presentation is free to attend and open to the public, but the AGM portion of the evening is only open to Trent Valley Archives members. Registering for the event in advance is not required but if you do register it will help us get a sense of how many people plan on attending. You can register for our AGM here: www.eventbrite.ca/e/annual-general-meeting-with-guest-speaker-dr-allan-kirby-tickets-198702119087.... Light refreshments will be provided.![]()
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If you are a TVA member, an email went out on Thursday, April 9 with the agenda and relevant documents for the evening's meeting. If you did not receive this email, please email us at admin@trentvalleyarchives.com or call us at 705-745-4404 and let us know. We hope you'll join us for a memorable evening!
Check out this great evening of history, heritage and music happening in Douro next Saturday, April 25! More information about the event is in the post below:Nine Ships 1825 is pleased to support an exciting event in Douro next Saturday, April 25 at 7pm! Head out to St. Joseph's Parish Hall for an evening of history, heritage and music featuring a presentation from Patrick Leahy entitled "Irish and Canadian: Irish Identity in Times of Conflict," live music from the Kitchen Party Band and a discussion about new research projects underway in 2026. Admission is $5 at the door and both refreshments and a cash bar will be available. We hope you'll join us for a memorable evening!
Our AGM is just two weeks away! Whether you're a Trent Valley Archives member or simply a curious follower, we encourage you to join us at the Highland Park Cemetery Visitor Centre on Thursday, April 23 at 7pm for a special musical presentation from guest speaker Dr. Allan Kirby. ![]()
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Dr. Allan Kirby is a musician and music scholar who wrote his PhD thesis at Carleton University on the topic of traditional folk music in rural Ontario, focusing primarily on the recordings of this music made by noted Canadian folklorist Edith Folke at P. G. Towns’ General Store in Douro, and throughout Peterborough County from 1956 to 1964. His presentation will combine musical performances of some of these folk songs with the historical context behind them, explaining how early folk ballads from the old countries, particularly Ireland, were adapted for their new surroundings in Canada.![]()
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The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session with our guest speaker, and then our annual general meeting. The presentation is free to attend and open to the public, but the AGM portion of the evening is only open to Trent Valley Archives members. Registering for the event in advance is not required but if you do register it will help us get a sense of how many people plan on attending. You can register for our AGM here: www.eventbrite.ca/e/annual-general-meeting-with-guest-speaker-dr-allan-kirby-tickets-198702119087... Light refreshments will be provided.![]()
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If you are a TVA member, we will be sending you an email soon with the agenda and relevant documents for the evening's meeting. If you do not receive this email, please email us at admin@trentvalleyarchives.com or call us at 705-745-4404 and let us know. We're looking forward to seeing you on Thursday, April 23rd!
Our "Painter's Portraits" film premiere on Saturday (March 28) was a success! Several TVA volunteers, members and friends came out to Bagnani Hall at Traill College to see Nick van der Graaf's latest short documentary, which highlights the life and body of work of local artist Gilbert Painter. ![]()
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The screening of the film was followed by a very engaging discussion with Nick, TVA Archivist Elwood Jones, and TVA Board Member Al Kirby (who also created the soundtrack for the film). The audience asked some thoughtful questions and Nick, Elwood and Al provided some thoughtful answers.![]()
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We would like to thank everyone who came out to support the completion of this film and to learn more about one of Peterborough's under-appreciated artists. We would also like to thank Nick for bringing TVA and our Gilbert Painter fonds to life in this film. It's an excellent portrait of both! ![]()
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If you missed the screening and would like to see the film, stay tuned. We are exploring other ways in which we can share this film with the public.