April 15, 2023 - The Kirkfield & District Historical Society is excited to announce the launch of "Are We There Yet?" Highway-Based Tourism In Kawartha Lakes. Funded in part by Digital Museums Canada's Community Stories Investment Program, this online exhibition looks back at the businesses, people, and places that made roadside tourism in northwestern Kawartha Lakes so memorable for generations of adults and children. The exhibit also explores timely topics such as the challenges of road maintenance, risks of the road, and the long-term environmental impacts of highway-based tourism. 

For those who once took to the open road each and every summer, "Are We There Yet?" is sure to rekindle nostalgic memories and introduce a new generation of tourists to northwestern Kawartha Lakes.

This online project was developed with the support of the Digital Museums Canada investment program. Digital Museums Canada is managed by the Canadian Museum of History, with the financial support of the Government of Canada. The Digital Museums Canada investment program helps build digital capacity in Canadian museums and heritage organizations and gives Canadians unique access to diverse stories and experiences.

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Mary Grant, a long-time member of the Kirkfield & District Historical Society.  Mary attended the very first organizational meeting of the KDHS.  She was its first curator, and was a long-term member of the Board of Directors.  She spent many hours creating displays and recording history on behalf of the organization.  

Mary was a school teacher in Eldon Township.  Her husband, Don, was clerk of Eldon Township for many years.  Mary authored the Township of Eldon’s 150th Anniversary pamphlet.  Mary and Don had a farm in Bolsover, and raised prize-winning sheep, which they showed all over North America.  She did many demonstrations of spinning wool on her antique spinning wheel.  Another of her passions was history and she could often be found at antique shows all over Central Ontario, displaying her collection and selling top quality antiques.  She was very well known and was a friend to countless people.

Mary was laid to rest at the South Eldon Cemetery on Thursday, June 24, 2021.  As part of the service, KDHS President Ian Burney sang “We’ll Meet Again”, one of Mary’s favourite songs, as requested by her son, Barry.

Become a member now to receive a copy of our current newsletter!