Welcome to Trent Valley Archives

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.
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two cast members with Trent Valley Archives Theatre logo

Trent Valley Archives Theatre – Tide of Hope

Trent Valley Archives is commemorating the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the “Peter Robinson settlers” in the Newcastle District of Upper Canada with a production of Tide of Hope for school groups on May 15 and the general public on May 16, 2024. The emigration play is based on the life of David Nagle and follows his flight from turmoil and oppression in Ireland to Upper Canada. It is set in 1825 in the Blackwater district of Ireland at the height of the agrarian rebellion against excessive land rents and church tithes. Please visit our TVAT page more information about school group bookings, public performance tickets, and the content of the play.

Platinum Sponsor – The Gardens of Peterborough Platinum Media Sponsor – Kawartha NOW

New Books!

Green Routes: Experiencing the Peter Robinson Emigration 1825

Rosemary McConkey has been spinning stories about the Irish in the Peterborough area for many years. As the bicentennial of the major Irish emigration of 1825 approaches, she shares her favourite stories in a book, Green Routes. The stories span some 200 years and showcase the impressive legacy of the Peter Robinson Settlers and their descendants from before, during and after their transatlantic voyage. These families developed a love for Canada over generations.

Green Routes looks at different experiences by the Robinson Settlers of 1825 and their descendants. Stories of the earliest Robinson settlers include that of schoolmaster Patrick Barragy and his brave efforts to persuade the government to support schools for new emigrants. McConkey also writes about the Robinson settlers of Douro Township who were truly thankful for the opportunities that came from emigration. Her fascination extends to descendants whose far-flung paths took them to destinations as far away as Indiana and points in the American mid-west, including Coach Frank W. Leahy of the University of Notre Dame football team.

These stories resonate with Peterborough experiences at other times. The area has a long history of migrations, short and long, coming in or going away. The First Nations, the Colony Settlers, later emigrations of Irish, British, and Italians, those from other parts of Canada, and more recently from diverse parts of Asia and Central America have come to Peterborough.

Green Routes looks at different experiences by the Robinson Settlers of 1825 and their descendants. In part, McConkey pays tribute to the resilience of the pioneers and their enduring values. She also invites others to join her in celebrating their continuing contributions to the life of Peterborough city and county.

Purchase for pick-up at TVA

Purchase including shipping


Spring has sprung, and so has the March 2024 issue of the Heritage Gazette! There's a lot of great content in this issue, including an article about writing historical theatre, an article about local car maker Walter Redpath, an article about genetic genealogy, and the conclusion of our three-part series on the soldier Nicholas Scott. We've also got a great Examiner photo feature this issue, full of springtime images that are guaranteed to bring you back to the early 1970s!If you're already subscribed to our mailing list, you will have just received an email with a link to download a PDF copy. If not, you can download it here: trentvalleyarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/HeritageGazette_March2024_Web_SinglePage.pdf. (Did we mention, it's free?) Not currently subscribed to our mailing list and want to make sure you receive the next issue? Sign up here: trentvalleyarchives.com/newsletter-signup/If you have any feedback on this issue, we'd love to hear from you! Send us a message or leave a comment on this post to let us know what you think.⁠We're also on the hunt for content ideas and submissions for our next issue. So if you have an idea for us or want to write an article on the research you've been doing at TVA (or elsewhere), please send us an email at admin@trentvalleyarchives.com. ... See MoreSee Less
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Happy Birthday, Barbie! Everyone's favourite fashion doll is turning 65 today. Ruth Handler, co-founder of the toy company Mattel, came up with the idea for the 11-inch fashion doll after realizing that there was a gap in the doll market. She noticed that her daughter was more interested in acting out adult scenarios with her paper dolls than playing with the baby dolls that were popular at the time, and knew that if she created a 3D version of a paper doll it would be an instant success with girls her daughter's age.On a trip to Europe, she spotted the German Bild Lilli doll. The doll was exactly what she had in mind, a 3D version of a paper doll that could be dressed in different outfits. She purchased several, and brought them back to Jack Ryan, one of Mattel's top toy designers and engineers, to create their own version of the doll for an American market. Once the doll had been created, Ruth named her Barbie after her daughter Barbara, and enlisted the help of Charlotte Johnson to design her wardrobe, including the iconic black and white striped swimsuit that Barbie came wearing in the box. She debuted at the International Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959, which is why today was chosen as her birthday. Although naysayers believed her adult figure wouldn't be a hit with parents, their television advertising campaign spoke directly to the girls she was created for, and Mattel sold 350,000 Barbie dolls in 1959. Today, over a billion Barbie dolls have been sold worldwide. Though Barbie started out as a teenage fashion model, she has had many careers over the years, including a doctor, an astronaut, a pilot, an athlete and more! We could go on for hours about Barbie's 65-year history, but we'll stop for now. Did you play with Barbie dolls as a kid? Are you a collector of them now? Which one was your favourite? ... See MoreSee Less
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2 weeks ago

Trent Valley Archives
Happy International Women's Day! We want to acknowledge all of the women, past and present, that have contributed to the social, cultural, economic and political fabric of Peterborough over the years. If there's a women in your life that you want to acknowledge, tag them in the comments down below!Photograph Caption [Taken on October 6, 1972] | Fight for Redevelopment: Determined to emerge victorious in the campaign to promote downtown redevelopment, Rose Jamieson (left) and Pat Jackson, of the Peterborough Downtown Executive Women's Association, display a little enthusiasm at a meeting held Wednesday at CIAG. Topic of discussion for the evening was centered around a method of creating greater public awareness and the need for downtown redevelopment. ... See MoreSee Less
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2 weeks ago

Trent Valley Archives
Check out this event hosted by the Asphodel Norwood Cultural and Heritage Committee this Saturday, March 9 at the Norwood Town Hall! ... See MoreSee Less
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3 weeks ago

Trent Valley Archives
This St. Patrick's Day, on the eve of the 200th anniversary of the Peter Robinson immigration, we're celebrating Irish history! We've just reprinted our bestselling book on the history of the Peter Robinson immigration, Green Routes, and are looking forward to our upcoming public performance of our new play, Tide of Hope. A prequel to the Peter Robinson immigration story, Tide of Hope follows Irish land agent and rent collector David Nagle, who must flee to Upper Canada with the Peter Robinson settlers of 1825 to escape the wrath of Irish Rebels fighting against English tyranny. Tickets are still available to our public performance of the play on Thursday, May 16 at 7:30pm at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, but they're going fast: we've already sold 50% of the tickets available! They cost $30 each for regular seating, or $40 each for table seating. Purchase yours, here: tickets.markethall.org/orderticketsvenue.asp?p=1235 before we sell out.We've also reprinted our bestselling book on the history of the Peter Robinson immigration, Green Routes, written by Rosemary McConkey. If you missed out on obtaining a copy, now is your chance! We are selling them in our bookstore both online and in-person at 567 Carnegie Avenue for $35 each. Shipping is also available for an extra $15 for anyone who does not live in Peterborough. Purchase one here: trentvalleyarchives.com/shop/green-routes-experiencing-the-peter-robinson-emigration-1825/ or visit us during our operating hours of Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Thanks to our Platinum Level sponsors: The Gardens of Peterborough Retirement Residences and kawarthaNOW[Image Caption: Director Gerry McBride (second from right) listens intently a script reading for the Trent Valley Archives Theatre production of Tide of Hope as actors Karen Hicks (far left), Randy Banderob (second from left), and Deirdre Chisholm (far right) bring the script to life.] ... See MoreSee Less
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