Trent Valley Archives Hosting ‘Peterborough Perpetrators,' True Crime Walks In Downtown Core

Due to popular demand, Trent Valley Archives (TVA) is offering its ‘Peterborough Perpetrators’ true crime walk in the downtown core.

Photo courtesy of TVA.

Walking dates are July 12, 19, Aug.16 and 23 at 7 p.m.

They are led by Madison More, a researcher and tour guide. The tour will feature stories such as the 1970s shooting of Grand Hotel owner Murray Green, the mysterious disappearance of an early lumber jack fueled by the discovery of human remains and an escape from the Peterborough jail and the ensuing police chase.

The cost is $20 per person and registration and payment in advance are required. Tours run rain or shine. Tickets are available by going online, calling or emailing TVA at 705-745-4404 or admin@trentvalleyarchives.com.

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Photos: Seniors Entertained As Trent Valley Archives Brings Peter Robinson's Story to Life With 'Tide of Hope' Production at Royal Gardens

Tales of famed politician Peter Robinson came to life in a live production of ‘Tide of Hope’ put on by Trent Valley Archives Theatre production at Royal Gardens Retirement Residence on Thursday night.

All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Michael Ketemer as the Musician.

Nathan Govier as Lord Kingston (left) with Lucas Pronk as Peter Robinson (right).

Drew Mills (left) as David and Lauren Murphy (right).

Pronk with June Govier (middle) as Elizabeth and Elaine Day (right) as The Descendant.

Brogan McKeller (left) as the Stage Manager with the cast members as the production has a play within itself.

Carling Dulder (left) as Lady Margaret/Midnight as Govier receives a knife from her.

The play depicts actor The Descendant in the forthcoming Trent Valley Archives Theatre production. She is a Peter Robinson settler descendant while her ancestor, John Heffernan, was a poor gardener on Lord George Kingston's estate.

It follows the trials and tribulations of two families who are forced to flee Ireland and emigrate to Upper Canada in 1825 to escape hardships and violent rebellion. It commemorates the bicentennial of the Peter Robinson immigration. He played a pivotal role in organizing the migration and settlement of Peterborough.

The play commemorates the 200th anniversary of the arrival of roughly 2,024 Irish settlers to Peterborough as part of the British government’s assisted emigration program for destitute Irish families.

Live productions are available to the public at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. for school groups on Wednesday.

Tickets can be found on Market Hall’s website.

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Trent Valley Archives Hosting Free Presentation of Quaker Fire of 1916

Trent Valley Archives has launched its new season of talks, walks and tours in a free presentation on a new understanding of the substantial Quaker Fire of 1916 at the Highland Park Cemetery Visitor on April 25.

Photo courtesy of Trent Valley Archives.

The presentation takes place from 7 to 9 p.m.

This year’s speaker, Matthew Flagler, author of ‘Held to the Fire,’ grew up in East City and is related to Dennis O’Brien, his great grandfather, whose body was never recovered in the explosion at Quaker Oats on Dec. 11, 1916.

‘Held to the Fire’ dissects the shocking event piece-by-piece, throwing back the curtain of time to reveal an incredible story of resilience and courage in the face of adversity.

Flagler will discuss the challenges of writing about an event over 107 years ago, the impetus for writing Held to the Fire, do a select reading from the book and answer questions from the audience.

Refreshments will be served and the annual general meeting will follow the discussion. Matthew’s book will also be available for sale that evening.

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Trent Valley Archives Launches 'Tide of Hope' Production For May

Trent Valley Archives (TVA) is launching a new dramatic history theatre initiative with their production, ‘Tide of Hope,’ at Market Hall in May.

Lindsay Wilson (left) and Paden Gilhooley (right) in a scene from Trent Valley Archives Theatre’s Tide of Hope. A public performance of the play will be staged May 16 at The Market Hall Performing Arts Centre. Photo courtesy of Suzanne Schroeter and Peterborough Museum and Archives.

The production is written by Peterborough playwright Ed Schroeter and directed by Gerry McBride. The play is a prequel to the Peter Robinson immigration story geared toward the general public and Grades 6 to 12 students.

The story follows the fortunes and misfortunes of David Nagle, an Irish land agent and rent collector forced to flee to Upper Canada in 1825 when Irish rebels fighting against English tyranny brand him a traitor. The play commemorates the bicentennial of Peter Robinson's immigration while opening a dialogue about immigration, refugees, migrants and European settler history.

The public fund-raiser is at 7:30 p.m. on May 16. Tickets are $26 per person or $36 for table seating, plus applicable service charges and are available on the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre website.

Two performances for school groups are scheduled on May 15 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Teachers can book their classes by email at trentvalleyarchivestheatre@gmail.com. Admission is $250 for a class of 25 students or more. Teachers may request up to five free seats for themselves and up to four volunteer chaperones at the time of booking.

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Trent Valley Archives Hosting Inaugural Tour of Little Lake Cemetery On Aug. 31

Trent Valley Archives is providing a special tour of Little Lake Cemetery for the first time scheduled for Aug. 31 at 3 p.m. announced on Tuesday.

Historian Dennis Carter-Edwards (left) and Karen Carter-Edwards (right) are noted historians within the Peterborough Area. Photo courtesy of Trent Valleyt Archives.

George Morrow and Fanny McLeod, portrayed in the first person by historians Dennis and Karen Carter-Edwards will share stories of their fellow residents in this historic ‘City of the Dead.’

Stories of wealthy merchants, politicians, clergy and athletes or Civil War vets, leading ladies and ordinary folk who have been laid to rest at Little Lake Cemetary will be told during the tour.

This tastefully designed landscape which is home to many fascinating personalities is the final resting place to many of Peterborough’s former citizens and provides a beautiful backdrop to many interesting tales of the local area and beyond according to a press release.

This tour runs rain or shine. Tickets are available online, by calling the office at 705-745-4404 or by emailing admin@trentvalleyarchives.com. The cost is $20 per person and registration and payment in advance is required.

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Trent Valley Archives Hosting True Crime Tour ‘Peterborough Perpetrators’

Back by popular demand, Trent Valley Archives (TVA) will offer its true crime walk in downtown Peterborough entitled ‘Peterborough Perpetrators’ on July 14 and 21 and on August 11 and 18.

photo courtesy of tva.

Madison More, researcher and knowledgeable tour guide, will lead the tour which will touch on the astonishing discovery of human remains linked to a lumberjack of the town’s early days.

Other stories covered include a daring escape from the Peterborough jail with its ensuing province wide police chase and the shooting of Murray Green owner of the Grand Hotel.

The cost of the tour is $20 per person, with tours running rain or shine. Those who are interested can sign up by calling TVA at 705-745-4404. Tickets are also available through the website.

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Trent Valley Archives Offering New Walking Tour Through Jackson Park

Trent Valley Archives (TVA) is offering a new hour and a half walking tour through Peterborough’s Jackson Park on Thursday, June 15.

photo courtesy of trent valley archives.

Jackson Park began as an industrial site before it became a public park in the 1890’s. Later the site of an amusement park and a spot to show outdoor films, the park then became a camp for children with alternative needs in the 1960’s when the City took over the park.

Led by noted historian Karen Carter-Edwards, the tour will explore the fascinating history of this wonderful Peterborough landmark. Participants can discover where the gamblers den, Devil’s gap and famous beach were located.

The tour meets in the upper parking lot through the main gates off Monaghan Road and will commence at 2 p.m.. It will run rain or shine, so TVA asks that participants dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.

The cost is $20 per person and registration/payment in advance is required. Tickets are available on the website by reserving with Heather at 705-745-4404, or by email.

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Trent Valley Archives to Host Meet the Author Event

Trent Valley Archives (TVA) will be hosting ‘Author! Author!’ a Meet the Author event at The Mount Community Centre May 27 with featured authors Rosemary McConkey, Bob Reid, Elwood Jones and Al Kirby.

photo courtesy of trent valley archives.

Rosemary McConkey will comment on her book ‘Green Routes’ which covered the experiences of Peter Robinson Settlers over time, some staying in this area but others moving farther afield.

Bob Reid will discuss photographs from his book, ‘Trent Severn Waterway, Then and Now’ which features photographs from a century ago and his modern photographs of the same sites.

Elwood H. Jones will talk about the upcoming publication of the classic Howard Pammett study of the early years of the settlement of Peterborough, 1820s to 1850s. This book is being offered at the pre-publication price of $100, and copies may be reserved at this event (1545 Monaghan Rd.) or at the Trent Valley Archives website.

The free event from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. will also feature the music of Allan Kirby and his Backwoodsmen sharing some of the tunes from their recent CD, ‘Cross Cut.’ This features many classic folk songs from the area, some of which were referenced in Dr. Alan Kirby’s ‘Fowke Songs’.

There will be refreshments and discussion, as well as a chance to buy the books and to have them autographed.

More information is available on TVA’s website or by calling 705-745-4404.

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Trent Valley Archives Presents the Cathedral Precinct Architectural Tour

Trent Valley Archives (TVA) announces the ‘Cathedral Precinct Tour’ on Thursday, May 11 and June 1– with a focus on the area bounded by Park & Stewart Streets and Murray & Hunter Streets.

photo courtesy of trent valley archives.

At 1:30 p.m. on both Thursdays, the block between Rubidge and Reid will receive special consideration because of its three churches and the intertwined history of the nearby buildings for the first and brand-new walking tour of the 2023 season.

There are numerous area houses which will be profiled on the tour. Fine vintage stone dwellings such as Hutchison House, the Eastland House and the Ridley House will be described as are the Queen Anne-style house on Stewart St. and the Second Empire duplex with its mansard roof which sits across the street. Of particular interest will be the Strickland House on Hunter and Downie Streets.

The ‘Cathedral Precinct’ tour will begin and end at the Eastland House, at Hunter and Stewart. Elwood Jones, TVA’s archivist will lead the tour assisted by Don Willcock, noted historian and raconteur.

TVA takes the safety of attendees and volunteer guides very seriously by adhering to appropriate physical distancing throughout the tour. While everyone is welcome, they encourage those interested to enjoy the tours with members of your circle. This tour runs rain or shine.

Tickets for $20/person are available on the website by reserving with Heather at 705-745-4404, or by emailing admin@trentvalleyarchives.com. Registration and payment in advance is required.

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Eerie Ashburnham Walks Running All Month In East City

Each Friday this month, the Trent Valley Archives are hosting the Eerie Ashburnham Walks in East City. Learn a little history and some spooky tales about famous Peterborough landmarks. Each walk runs from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and costs $15 (Call 705-745-4404 to reserve a spot). Meet your guide at the corner of Hunter St./Driscoll Terrace.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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