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 and 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 Archives
Flickr – This is our main photo site with over 1,800 photos, documents, maps and videos.
Facebook and Instagram – Keep informed about our latest events and blog posts.
YouTube – Check out our video archvies.
Flickr Cemeteries – A digital archive of our local cemeteries, 1,200 + photos
Our First-Ever Book and Trunk Sale!
The CDHS is holding its first-ever Book and Trunk Sale at the Barrie Community Hall on Saturday, May 21st of the May long weekend. The sale will run from 10 AM to 4 PM. The parking area will accommodate up to 25 vendor vehicles, so it is suggested that you book your spot early. The cost is $15 per vehicle. You must be registered, and your spot paid for one week before the event.
Contact: Janet Wilson via email or FB messenger or you call 613-480-5278 or cell 613-243-0125. There will be a BBQ and drinks available for purchase, and entertainment featuring Pickled String Band and Coop De Ville.
'Whiskey & Wickedness' is now available.
The frontier land of what is now North Frontenac and Addington Highlands was rough and lawless in the nineteenth century. Larry Cotton, who has been featured on CBC, CTV, and The Discovery Channel has unearthed stories of this area that have never before been told. He is a tireless researcher of old newspapers, atlases, and archives.
His accounts of body snatchings, robberies, and murders will take your breath away. Newly released with over 400 pages, Whiskey and Wickedness, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington is now available at The Museum Bookstore.
Our Blog – Featuring Our Latest News, Events, and Items of Interest
Land O’ Lakes Speakers’ Forum
The Land O’ Lakes Speakers’ Forum is a new cultural event to bring together residents and tourists to listen to expert keynote speakers,
Memories of Camp Mazinaw – An Interview with Jim Smart
Camp Mazinaw was a boys camp on Mazinaw Lake. Jim Smart – a camper and, later a Councillor, talks about the impact of the Camp on the lives of boys.
1994 Bon Echo Provincial Park Visitor Guide
Check out the Visitor Guide from Bon Echo Provincial Park in 1994. Downloaded from the Internet Archives, this document was digitized and saved by The University of Toronto Library.
We Are Hiring Summer Students for the Cloyne Pioneer Museum – 2023
Looking for a great summer job? The Cloyne and District HIstorical Society is seeking two more summer students for the 2023 season. The Cloyne Pioneer Museum and Archives will be the work location.
Guest Speaker – CDHS February General Meeting – 48th Highlanders of Canada
On February 20th, 2023 at the Cloyne and District Historical Society General Meeting, a speaker will discuss the 48th Highlanders of Canada and the connection with the County of Lennox & Addington. Our general meetings are held at the Barrie Community Hall in Cloyne at 1 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend!
The History of the NEO (Northern Emergency Organization) by David Savigny
David Savigny was guest speaker at the January 2023 CDHS meeting and shared the history of the Northern Emergency Organization.
'Whiskey & Wickedness' is now available.
The frontier land of what is now North Frontenac and Addington Highlands was rough and lawless in the nineteenth century. Larry Cotton, who has been featured on CBC, CTV, and The Discovery Channel has unearthed stories of this area that have never before been told. He is a tireless researcher of old newspapers, atlases, and archives.
His accounts of body snatchings, robberies, and murders will take your breath away. Newly released with over 400 pages, Whiskey and Wickedness, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington is now available at The Museum Bookstore.
2021 Fall Newsletter 'The Pioneer Times' now online!
In the Fall 2021 edition of the Pioneer Times, you will continue your journey of Highway 41 landmarks and people with staff writer Marcella Neeley; join Josie Heyman and Rebekah Delyea as they pay tribute to long-time Harlowe resident, store owner and Reeve, Tom Neal; learn how a visit to the Pioneer Museum led Tracy Robertson to discover details about her grandmother’s early life at the Bon Echo Inn; and join us in saying goodbye to our good friend and longtime Historical Society member Muriel Meeks Van Ness. Enjoy!
2021 Fall Newsletter 'The Pioneer Times' now online!
In the Fall 2021 edition of the Pioneer Times, you will continue your journey of Highway 41 landmarks and people with staff writer Marcella Neeley; join Josie Heyman and Rebekah Delyea as they pay tribute to long-time Harlowe resident, store owner and Reeve, Tom Neal; learn how a visit to the Pioneer Museum led Tracy Robertson to discover details about her grandmother’s early life at the Bon Echo Inn; and join us in saying goodbye to our good friend and longtime Historical Society member Muriel Meeks Van Ness. Enjoy!
CDHS Extends Free Membership Through 2022
Membership allows you to take full advantage of what the Society and Museum have to offer. Members are eligible to vote at the AGM and to run for a position on the Board of Directors. The annual fee has usually been $10, but this continues to be waived for 2022 due to the restrictions the COVID pandemic has placed on activities. Sign up today to take advantage of this special offer.
CDHS Extends Free Membership Through 2022
Membership allows you to take full advantage of what the Society and Museum have to offer. Members are eligible to vote at the AGM and to run for a position on the Board of Directors. The annual fee has usually been $10, but this continues to be waived for 2022 due to the restrictions the COVID pandemic has placed on activities. Sign up today to take advantage of this special offer.