Events

At Trent Valley Archives, we recognize the importance of helping people learn about their history. To this end, we host a variety of events throughout the year to help people access their past– and we do it in ways that are always informative and entertaining!

We run workshops on a variety of subjects, including history writing, interpreting land records, and caring for your archival documents. Our guided tours are also very popular — learn about Peterborough’s heritage on foot, by bus, or by bike. Other events bring history to life through re-enactment.

Planning a special event? Private tours are available for groups of 15 or more. Our guided tours are popular for birthdays as well as workplace socials. A tour with Trent Valley Archives will show you a whole different side of Peterborough that you won’t soon forget! To view some of the events we’ve run previously (and will likely run again), please visit our past events page. Contact us today to plan your event.


Song Collecting in the Trent Valley

— Fireside Chats Series —

September 24 @ 7 to 9 pm – Tickets

Join us for an evening of words and music on the topic of song collecting in the Trent Valley as part of our new Fireside Chats series. The first in a three-part series, this chat will tell the stories of song-collectors/scholars Edith Fowke, Maude Karpeles, and Niles Puckett who came to this region to record and document folk songs that were sung here between 1825 and 1925. Dr. Allan Kirby will give the presentation, and singers Rob Cory and Rob Niezen will perform a few samples of the 200 year old historic songs discovered here.

Refreshments will be provided, and a question and answer period will follow the presentation.


Rural Ontarian History Through Documentary Film

— Fireside Chats Series —

October 8 @ 7 to 9 pm – Tickets

Join us for an evening of words and music on the topic of capturing rural Ontarian history through documentary filmmaking as part of our new Fireside Chats series. The second in a three-part series, this chat, presented by filmmaker Nick van der Graff, will talk about the methodology used to capture history in documentary film form. Musician Allan Kirby will present some of the music found in his latest film.

Refreshments will be provided, and a question and answer period will follow the presentation.


Murder and Mayhem in 19th Century Rural Ontario

— Fireside Chats Series —

October 22 @ 7 to 9 pm – Tickets

Join us for an evening of words and music on the topic of murder and mayhem in 19th century rural Ontario and how it was documented in stories and songs. The stories and songs will be presented by Rob Niezen, Rob Cory, and Allan Kirby. Rob Niezen, who is a noted artist, will supplement the songs and stories with a brief presentation on how he uses art to capture and present history.

Refreshments will be provided, and a question and answer period will follow the presentation.


Downtown Ghost Walks

October 17 @ 7 pm – Tickets — SOLD OUT
October 18 @ 7 pm – Tickets — SOLD OUT
October 23 @ 7 pm – Tickets — SOLD OUT
October 24 @ 7 pm – Tickets — SOLD OUT
October 25 @ 7 pm – Tickets — SOLD OUT

Costumed guides recount spooky tales on this lantern lit tour around Peterborough’s most haunted buildings.
A popular Halloween tradition since 2003.


Military History Tour – Little Lake Cemetery

November 3 @ 3 pm – Tickets

A walking tour featuring Peterborough residents who served their country during wartime.