Welcome to Trent Valley Archives


New Books!

Peterborough Irish

Trent Valley Archives is pleased to announce the upcoming publication of Howard Pammett’s classic work on the Peter Robinson Settlers.  Peterborough Irish will include Pammett’s updated narrative and an introduction by Elwood H. Jones.

In his “The Assisted Irish Emigration to Upper Canada under Peter Robinson in 1825,” Pammett was the first historian to analyze the Peter Robinson papers documenting the British government’s first assisted emigration experiments in 1823 and 1825. The story of the emigration, settlement in the Ottawa and Peterborough areas, and the subsequent trials and successes of the settlers attracted wide attention shortly after their arrival and in the two centuries following. The new introduction discusses Pammett’s accomplishment, along with observations on other works touching on Ireland, on pre-Famine emigration, and on the history of Peterborough, Victoria and Hastings Counties.

Trent Valley Archives has considered, over thirty years, how best to make Pammet’s foundational work accessible. We have worked hard to confirm the sources and review wider pertinent and engaging archival and historical resources. Text, bibliography and footnotes have been checked for clarity and accuracy, and this edition will include illustrations and maps as well as an updated bibliography.

Pre-order yours today


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


Cover for Trent Valley Archives
2,750
Trent Valley Archives

Trent Valley Archives

You can subscribe to our newsletter at http://eepurl.com/CA4vD

Want your garden to look as lush and beautiful as the one in this photo? Then you'll definitely want to stop by our annual plant sale, which is happening TOMORROW, September 23 from 8AM to 12PM at our archives building at 567 Carnegie Avenue. We'll have a variety of garden plants for sale including perennials, herbs and small shrubs, just in time for the fall planting season. Every purchase will help support our not-for-profit archive, so the plants you buy will keep both your garden and our organization flourishing! ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Spooky season is here, and before you know it we'll be running our ghost walks again! This year, we'll be back in East City with our Eerie Ashburnham East and West walks, happening on the following evenings in October at 7PM:October 19 (West)October 20 (East)October 25 (West)October 26 (East and West)October 27 (West)Tickets cost $20 each and can be purchased on Eventbrite, here: www.eventbrite.ca/o/trent-valley-archives-9633726313 They're already starting to sell out, so book early to guarantee you'll get to go on the date you want. Have a large group of friends or coworkers? Send us a message to book a private tour! ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
It's never too early to start thinking about the weekend, and we've got some fun events planned for this upcoming Saturday and Sunday that you won't want to miss out on! On Saturday, September 23, we'll be hosting our annual plant sale, just in time for the fall planting season. Drop by our archives building at 567 Carnegie Avenue from 8AM to 12PM to grab some new plants for your garden. Overburdened by plants, and don't need any more? Consider donating them to our sale! We're accepting all kinds of garden plants that have been potted and labelled (including perennials, herbs and small shrubs), which can be dropped off at our archives building from September 20th to 22nd during our operating hours (10AM-4PM). Whether you plan on donating or coming by to shop, we appreciate the support as the funds generated from the sale help to keep our not-for-profit archive flourishing. If gardening isn't your thing, we'll also be running a new cemetery tour, "Early Peterborough Denizens," this Sunday September 24 at 2PM. Join local historian Don Wilcock as he shares the life stories of several of Peterborough's early (and notable) citizens, including Henry Calcutt, Alexander MacDonnell and William Blackwell. Tickets cost $20 each and can be purchased on Eventbrite, here: www.eventbrite.ca/e/early-peterborough-denizens-tickets-719313334547?aff=oddtdtcreatorWe hope to see you out at one of our events this weekend! ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook