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.

º • º • New Show Added May 15th @ 7:30pm! • º • º

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


2 weeks ago

Trent Valley Archives
Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone celebrating! We wanted to share this photograph from our Examiner collection that we thought was perfect for the occasion ☘️[Image Caption: St. Pat's Party at Fairhaven. Staff, auxiliary members and residents honored St. Patrick at Fairhaven. Pictured are some of the entertainers. Front, l-r: Anne Marie O'Vandenbos, Myrtle McLittle, Dora O'Graham, and Anne O'Murphy. Rear, Art Campbell, Dorothy O'Foster, Frank McBertrand, Mary O'Louden and John O'Sandy.] ... See MoreSee Less
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2 weeks ago

Trent Valley Archives
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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3 weeks ago

Trent Valley Archives
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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3 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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3 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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