Historical Education and Preservation – Genealogical Research – Community Engagement
Welcome to The Cloyne and District Historical Society. We are a not-for-profit, charitable, volunteer organization whose mission is to preserve and record the history of the local area and to share that knowledge with our community. Our catchment area is the Highway 41 corridor from Kaladar in the south to Denbigh,Griffith and, Matawatchan in the north, as well as Flinton to the west and Harlowe to the east.
Pioneer Museum
Archives
Historical Society
Our collections, both in artifacts and documents, reflect the history of this area beginning from settlement times in the 1850s, with emphasis on pioneer life, mining, logging, and tourism along the Addington Colonization Road. With its unique development across county lines, its challenging terrain and its determination to remain viable, this community has generated its own lore, traditions, and legends. In recent years, the addition of an Archives has meant that family histories, photos, land deeds and other paper documents are available for genealogical researchers.
Look Deeper Into Our Digital Resources
Flickr – This is our main photo site with over 2,150 photos, documents, maps and videos.
Facebook and Instagram – Keep informed about our latest events and blog posts.
YouTube – Check out our video archives.
Flickr Cemeteries – A digital archive of our local cemeteries, 1,840 + photos
New! Our free digital app by Bloomberg Connects!
Check out our latest Spring Pioneer Times Newsletter!
Catch up on the latest Cloyne and District Historical Society news with our Spring newsletter. Start with the President’s Message. Then, ease into committee reports. Articles on our local fire towers and the reprinting of Wilfred Lessard’s book “Village on the Skoot” are next. The main article focuses on Wilfred’s history of the Flinton village with some photos of previous buildings. A recap of past events and speakers from the last few months, and a line-up of the 2026 Speakers’ Forum, complete the edition.
Note: Unlike our printed newsletter, our digital version has ‘live’ links.
Our Blog – Featuring Our Latest News, Events, and Items of Interest
Historian, Jack White To Be Our Next Guest Speaker!
Jack White regularly contributes to The Tweed News. As a historian, he writes about local people and activities that shaped our communities. Join us for the Cloyne and District Historical Society general meeting on November 16 at 1 pm at the Barrie Community Hall in Cloyne. Jack will share his research on local epidemics that took the lives of so many children.
Flinton United Church Cemetery Photos Now Live!
Photos of the Flinton United Church Cemetery graves are now on the Cloyne and District Historical Society (CDHS) Flickr site: [https://www.flickr.com/photos/cdhs-cemeteries/](https://www.flickr.com/photos/cdhs-cemeteries/…) The cemetery, located at the corner of Flinton Road (Cty Rd 29) and the 5th Concession, contains over 278 graves.
Visit the Pioneer Museum – Virtually Year Round!
Although the Pioneer Museum is closed for the season, you can visit the museum digitally on Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app. The mobile guide offers digital access to museum collections, including voices and videos from members and students.
CDHS Christmas Party and Dinner – December 7th, Harlowe Hall
CDHS Members and friends can enjoy a roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings by Pat and Dave Cuddy. The dinner and party will be at the Harlowe Hall on December 7th, 2026.
The Rise and Fall of the Ore Chimney Mine and Slave Lake Dams
On October 19, 2026, this video was shown at the Cloyne and District Historical Society General Meeting. It is now on the CDHS YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrsXlxjyV9E
The Rise and Fall of the Ore Chimney Mine and Slave Lake Dams
Join us Monday, October 19th, 2026, for the CDHS general meeting, where we’ll show a never-before-seen video. See the amazing history of the Slave Lake dams and how they supplied hydropower to the mine site. Learn how millions of dollars of gold still remain at the mine and why it closed. Everyone welcome!
2026 Spring Newsletter 'The Pioneer Times' now online!
Catch up on the latest Cloyne and District Historical Society news with our Spring newsletter. Start with the President’s Message. Then, ease into committee reports. Articles on our local fire towers and the reprinting of Wilfred Lessard’s book “Village on the Skoot” are next. The main article focuses on Wilfred’s history of the Flinton village with some photos of previous buildings. A recap of past events and speakers from the last few months, and a line-up of the 2026 Speakers’ Forum, complete the edition.
Note: Unlike our printed newsletter, our digital version has ‘live’ links.
Check Out Our Latest Edition of the CDHS Pioneer Times Newsletter!
Catch up on the latest Cloyne and District Historical Society news with our Fall newsletter. Start with the President’s Message. Then, ease into committee reports and a recap of our Dinner-Cruise fundraiser at Fernleigh Lodge. Next, Art, Archives and the Rock article. Our main article was the Bon Echo Provincial Park – 60 Years Old. And lastly, We Lose Friends.
Note: Unlike our printed newsletter, our digital version has ‘live’ links.
CDHS Invites You To Join Us!
Membership allows you to take full advantage of what the Society and Museum have to offer. Members are eligible to vote at all general meetings including the AGM and to run for a position on the Board of Directors. The annual fee is only $10.00 per person. Sign up today to learn and share our history!
CDHS Invites You To Join Us!
Membership allows you to take full advantage of what the Society and Museum have to offer. Members are eligible to vote at all general meetings including the AGM and to run for a position on the Board of Directors. The annual fee is only $10.00 per person. Sign up today to learn and share our history!