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
Special Documentary to be shown at the CDHS General Meeting, Sept 18, 2023
Did you know that two made for cinema movies were filmed in the Cloyne area in 1976 and 1981? The movies ‘Surfacing’ and ‘The Far Shore’ were filmed with US and Canadian actors in Bon Echo and Skootamatta Lake. Why did the directors choose our area? What was the budget of the films? How did the actual filming affect individual property owners?
Speakers’ Forum #6 – The Role Of The Executor – September 13, 2023
Every individual needs to prepare a will and appoint an executor, and people often appoint their children as both executors and beneficiaries. Join us for more details at the next Speakers’ Forum.
Protect Yourself Against Scams and Fraud!
Join us August 9th at the Northbrook Lions Hall for the next Speakers’ Forum to learn about avoiding scams and fraud. Constable David Yome from the OPP will be addressing our group as an expert in this field.
Little Free Library Comes to the Cloyne Pioneer Museum
You may have noticed Little Libraries appearing here and there. Now, a Little Free Library has been installed at the Cloyne Pioneer Museum.
Derchos, Tornados, Wildfires…What Is Next?
Join us on July 12th, 2023 at 7 pm for the next session of the Speakers’ Forum. Canada’s expert on Climate Change, Dr. Robert McLeman, will be speaking to us about what to expect in the Land O’ Lakes region in the future.
Cloyne Pioneer Museum Opens Saturday June 24th!
Be sure to join us at the Cloyne Pioneer Museum Saturday, June 24th, 2023 for the seasonal Grand Opening! Festivites start at 11 am.
'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.