iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 28/09/2026

Coming soon to the KLMA October 13, 6:30 pm is the first entry in our speaker series; we welcome Ian McKechnie to talk about 50 years of the Kawartha Art Gallery. Admission is $5 per person (free for members). info@klmuseumarchives to reserve a spot!

A photo of Ian McKechnie. He is outdoors with a park bench and greenery behind him (blurred). He wears a cap and grey jacket.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 18/08/2026

Thanks to ongoing building repairs, we are playing musical entrances this summer! Until further notice, please use the south entrance to visit the museum. It is tucked in behind the construction staging area, so look for the (new) ramp!

A photo of the KLMA, taken from the southwest corner, and showcasing our new (temporary) ramped entrance.

A photo of a beige stone building with arched windows and a hipped roof, with an unkempt garden and a metal ramp leading up to a doorway.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 26/06/2026

Join us on the evening of July 15th for a special presentation by Doug Paterson. There is no admission fee for this event.

A group of boys with canoes and paddles are silhouetted against a blue lake, with the far shore and sky above them.

Text reads:

Kawartha Lakes Museum & Archives Presents:

100 Years On

Remembering the 1926 Brotherhood of St. Andrew Balsam Lake Canoe Tragedy

Wednesday, July 15th at 6:00 PM

Don't miss this special presentation by local historian Doug Paterson

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 01/05/2026

Psst! Did you know that May is Museum Month? Celebrate by visiting a museum. For the month of May, our admission is by donation.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 28/04/2026

Help us bring this amazing Station Agent stove back to Lindsay! It once stood in the Lindsay train station. The current owners want to donate it to us, but first, we need to raise $1,500 to cover transportation costs. shop-klmuseumarchives.square.site/product/dona...

A gorgeous, 400 lb cast iron station agent's stove, which was originally located in the Lindsay train station and is now in a basement 300+ km away. It sits on a decorative brick platform with a brick wall behind, and is surrounded by various antiques, including a washboard, a pair of skates, and a toboggan.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 20/04/2026

Are you between the ages of 15 and 30 and passionate about local history? We are now hiring for two Canada Summer Jobs positions (starting date July 7). See website for details and program restrictions. www.klmuseumarchives.ca/employment-o...

Background image: a close-up photo showing the white-gloved hands of two individuals pointing to black and white photos in a scrapbook sitting on a wood table.

Text reads:
We're Hiring!
Interpreter - Cataloguer
Two Canada Summer Jobs positions (8 weeks, beginning July 7, 2026)
Must meet program eligibility requirements (see website for details)
Application deadline: May 20, 2026
https://www.klmuseumarchives.ca/employment-opportunities

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 17/04/2026

We're trying a thing! This may become a regular thing, but for now, it's just happening tonight.

A historic black-and-white photo of the Victoria County Gaol. The text on it reads:

OPEN LATE
until 6 pm
Friday April 17
Kawartha Lakes Museum & Archives

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 11/04/2026

Sometimes, the purpose of an artifact is easy to know just by looking at it. Other times, less-so! We know what this is. Do you?

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 06/03/2026

Come see us during March Break! In addition to all of our current exhibits, we'll have some pop-up exhibits, presentations, activities, games, and more for the whole family!

A poster for March Break at the museum. Background features an image of the museum; above that, a dark-haired child in a red and black shirt, holding a magnifying glass to their eye and wearing a book like a hat. Why not?!

Poster advertises March Break museum fun.
Monday to Saturday, 10 - 4 (March 16 - 21)
50 Victoria Ave. N. Lindsay

Codebreaking & Ciphers, morse code, cursive writing, Elmer the Safety Elephant, and more!

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 28/02/2026

From the March 17, 1924 Lindsay Daily Post. Marbles games date back to 2500 - 4000 BCE. Mass production of glass marbles in the late 19th and early 20th century made marbles easily-accessible to all, and the game flourished among school-aged children.

Principal
Places Ban
on Marbles

Belleville, March 16. - Two hun-
dred small boys of marble-shoot-
ing age are saying things here re-
garding a newspaper circulation
scheme.
Because of dangerously lagging
interest in marble-shooting, as a
means to gain circulation, Belle-
ville was visited last week, and
the views of a school principal, as
the head of a large boy colony,
were first sought.
It seems that the school master,
ordinarily mild-mannered, explod-
ed under an examination as to
the merits of marble-shooting, and
whether one should shoot "dibs"
for "keeps," and in his wrath or-
dered every marble out of the
school.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 26/02/2026

We'll be open all week from Monday March 16 until Saturday March 21 for March Break, and we've got lots of fun things planned! We're still working on the schedule, so stay tuned!

A flyer. The top portion, with a white background, features a grey, stylized image of the museum. On top of that it says (in large red letters) "MARCH BREAK at the Museum"

In a small rectangle in black text:
March 16 - 21
10 AM - 4 PM daily

Adults: $5
Youth 6-17: $3
Kids under 6: Free

On the lower, black portion:
Join us at the museum during March Break for a fun week of activities, kid-friendly guided tours, presentations, games, and more!
Kawartha lakes Museum & Archives
50 Victoria Ave. N. Lindsay, Ontario, Canada
705-324-3404 | info@klmuseumarchives.ca

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 18/02/2026

Are you a Kawartha Lakes resident (year-round or seasonal) with free time and an interest in local culture and heritage? The Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives is seeking volunteers! www.klmuseumarchives.ca/volunteer

An image resembling an old west "WANTED" poster.

Title fonts are old-west decorative; the remainder of the text is old-school typewriter font.

It reads:

MUSEUM VOLUNTEERS
WANTED

<black and white image of the Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives, located in the old Victoria County Gaol building>

REWARD

A meaningful place in a museum that values innovation, inclusion, and the responsible care of our shared history. Your time helps us preserve local stories, welcome diverse audiences, and strengthen a cultural space that belongs to the whole community.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 18/02/2026

Happy year of the Fire Horse! This postcard dates to 1907 and features horse-drawn fire wagons in front of the fire hall on Cambridge Street North in Lindsay.

A black and white photo from 1907, featuring the fire brigade, in their horse-drawn fire wagons, in front of the Lindsay Fire Hall (with its tall clock tower) on Cambridge St. N, just north of Kent St., in Lindsay, Ontario.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 14/02/2026

Roses are red, Violets are blue Happy Valentine's Day From the KLMA to you! On this day over a hundred years ago, Eva McGregor seent this card (made of tissue paper and local Kawartha Lakes birch bark) to Joe Rumney. The card reads, "TO MY BE LOVED ONE." From the Rumney-Hunt collection.

A handmade Valentine’s card made from birch bark and crinkled beige tissue paper. Five heart shapes are stacked vertically, each outlined in black and bordered with gathered tissue. The top heart has a small red fabric bow. Inside the hearts, in simple black lettering, are the words “TO,” “MY,” “BE,” “LOVED,” and “ONE,” forming the message “TO MY BELOVED ONE.” The card has a rustic, weathered look and sits against a plain black background.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 11/02/2026

What a perfect opportunity to see our new exhibit. A Collection Built on Relationships: Inuit Art from the Art Gallery of Northumberland's Permanent Collection:

A Collection Built on Relationships Inuit Art from the Art Gallery of
Northumberland's Permanent Collection

In 1976, the AGN, then the Art Gallery of Cobourg, received a gift of approximately sixty Inuit carvings, sculptures, and materials collected from 1900 to 1970. These works offer a glimpse into the artistic expressions and lived experiences of the Inuit during a period of rapid cultural change.

The collection, sourced from communities across the Inuit Nunangat (Inuit Homeland), is presented alongside a map reflecting the Inuit Crown land treaties, using their original Inuktut place names as part of the ongoing process of decolonization.

This exhibition honours not only the artistic legacy of the Inuit but also the resilience of their culture.

Curated by Felicity Pope and Olinda Casimiro

Ivory carvings: a puffin and two kneeling human figures, with seal screwon earrings in the foreground. In the background, a seal-fur item identified as a game.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 10/02/2026

Monday February 16 is Heritage Day in Canada - it's also Family Day in Ontario! To celebrate both, the KLMA will be open on Monday, offering free admission, free guided tours, and activities for the kids. Bring the whole family!

The Matthews Family poses on their front porch, surrounded by shrubbery, in this undated black and white photo from our archives.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 07/02/2026

The frigid air outside isn’t the only arctic presence in Kawartha Lakes today! A Collection Built on Relationships: Inuit Art from the AGN’s Permanent Collection brings extraordinary Inuit art into our museum. Come in from the cold and explore Inuit art and culture!

On a grey background - a dogsled with dogs and driver (holding a harpoon) and hunted seal - carved ivory and sinew. From the Marsh collection, Art Gallery of Northumberland, and at the Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives until October!

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 18/12/2025

Holiday Hours just dropped! As we do every year, the KLMA will shut its doors between Christmas and New Year's to allow our staff and volunteers to rest up and spend time with their families. If you desperately need to see the museum before 2026, come in today, tomorrow, or Saturday!

Kawartha Lakes Museum & Archives Holiday Hours
Dec 22 through January 1 - closed
Jan 2 - open 10-4
Jan 3 - open 10-4

This is a testament to how much we all need a break, because we are also closed on Sunday December 21 (because we are always closed on Sundays). Oops.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 20/11/2025

Local history buffs, genealogists, teachers, and book lovers: you may never have a better chance to pick up a copy of the 1881 Historical Atlas of Victoria County (2000 reprint)! Drop by the museum gift shop before 2025 ends(or we run out of atlases) to grab a copy for $25 (plus applicable tax)!

A large green book stands upright on a black shelf. The book's title is embossed in gold and says:

HISTORICAL
ATLAS
OF
VICTORIA COUNTY
ONTARIO
BELDEN'S ILLUSTRATED
1881

Below it, a folded card reads:
Victoria County Atlas, 1881
reprinted in 2000
Original price $125.00
Our price (crossed out: $50.00) NOW $25.00!

Photo of interior of atlas, showing sketches of prominent townsfolk and scenery.

A small section of one of many maps in the atlas, showing the Town of Lindsay, the rivers and railroads, and the names of landowners in the surrounding area.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 14/11/2025

Imagine making the local paper because you got in a car accident. Imagine having not only your name published, but your home address and the estimated damage value as well! From the Lindsay Daily Post, June 12, 1973

Two Accidents On Kent Street

Three cars collided in a domino fashion on Kent St., between William and Cambridge Streets on Monday shortly before noon.
Lead car was driven by George Thompson, 34, of 58 Bastview Rd., damage $10; middle car was driven by Mrs. Ruth McNally, 6 Albert St.
South, damage $600; and rear car was driven by Fred Fair-man, 51, of 101 Short Ave., damage $10.
Another accident at William and Kent St. on Monday evening caused minor damage to two cars.
A car driven by Dennis W. Paull, 29, of 80 William St. South, sustained $100 damage. A car driven by Chris, Han-thorn, 17, of 55 St. David St.. sustained only $5 damage.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 15/10/2025

On October 15, 1954, Hurricane Hazel hit southern Ontario. While its effects were felt most harshly in a line running between Toronto and Barrie, there was considerable damage farther afield - including right here in Lindsay, Ontario.

A black and white photo of a man standing on the roof of a three storey building (the Hotel Benson on Kent Street in Lindsay) surveying the damage. What appears to have been a structure - a deck or possibly a billboard - is hanging partially over the edge of the roof.

A black and white photo of 1940s or early 1050s-era vehicles, badly damaged by fallen timber. There is a lot of debris on the ground around the cars as well. Taken on Kent Street in Lindsay, October 15 or 16, 1954

Another photo showing damage to the cars, with considerable debris on the ground and many people milling about. Taken on Kent Street in Lindsay, October 15 or 16, 1954

Another view of damaged cars, with plenty of bystanders and debris. Taken on Kent Street in Lindsay, October 15 or 16, 1954

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 09/10/2025

Ooooh, SPOOKY!!! 👻🦇 Have you ever wanted to take part in a paranormal investigation in a building that was an operational jail for 140 years before becoming a museum? YES? GREAT! This is your lucky day! Tickets now available for 31 and Nov 1 events! shop-klmuseumarchives.square.site/events

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 30/09/2025

The Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives will be closed today to observe Canada's National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 24/09/2025

If you've been by our museum lately, you *may* have noticed a few... structural changes. Gone: deathtrap staircase, lots of dirt around the foundation Incoming: safe staircase, restored double doors, some new windows, below-grade waterproofing!

The old, arched, double front doors of The Old Gaol building (now the Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives), with a deep trench and exposed sub-grade stonework where there used to be an unsafe and boarded-off staircase. The building is constructed of grey limestsone and features many arched windows and a central arched doorway. The door - also in need of restoration - is constructed of thick, slanted oak boards. More oak boards fill the arch at the top of the door (which was once a transom light). Each door has one small square window, and large iron hinges.

The Victoria County Gaol building was built in 1863 and functioned as a jail until the early 2000s!

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 20/09/2025

Come visit us in the Commonwell Building at the Lindsay Exhibition! We have quilts on display, and a selection of popular items from our gift shop available for purchase.

Many historic and contemporary quilts are displayed, along with an antique sewing kit and information on some of Lindsay’s quilters of yore.

Kris Miethner (left) and Barbara Doyle (right) can’t wait to talk to you about the museum!

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 17/09/2025

If you're at the Lindsay Exhibition this week, make sure to stop by and see us in the Commonwell Building!

A photo of a wooden bed with many quilts on it, sitting on a concrete floor. Behind the bed is a divider covered in more quilts, with a display case partially visible to the right, behind the bed.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 15/09/2025

The KLMA will not be open this week - as we are taking our show on the road! Come and visit us in the Commonwell Building at the 171st Lindsay Exhibition!

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 06/09/2025

Today is the official opening of our Lindsay and District Rug Hookers exhibit - this is a short-term exhibit, running until the end of October, so come in soon!

One panel in a multi-panel piece featuring some well-known Lindsay landmarks. This panel shows The Old Gaol - the building which now houses the Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives!

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 05/09/2025

Another sneak peek of the fascinating Lindsay Rug Hookers exhibit, which officially opens tomorrow! A limited number of rug-hooked trinkets are available in the gift shop.

CELTIC DOGS
Designed by: Doris Norman
Artist: Pat Smyth
Fibre content: wool
Completed: 1997

A celtic knotwork design featuring two dog heads near the top, in pale green, pale orange, red, gold, black, and white, on a neutral beige background.

Jacob's Ladder Wall Hanging
Designed by: Adapted from a Jacobean crewel pattern
Teacher: Jane Johston
Artist: Vicki Gowan
Fibre Content: wool hooking and crochet stems
Commenced: 1978
Completed: 2006

A framed, hooked image of flowers in many colours. Background of image is plain beige woven material and is not rug-hooked.

A showcase featuring many designs, including a three-dimensional rug-hooked gingerbread house and two small designs. The mirror at the back of the case reflects a wall covered in more rug-hooked art.

THE LAST HIKE
Designed by: Cass Gaylor
Artist: Cass Gaylor
Fibre Content: Monks cloth foundation fabric, hand-dyed wool rug yarn
Completed: 2020
Note by artist: This piece was created during Covid and Punched with a #13 Oxford Punch Needle.
It was published in A Needle Pulling Thread Magazine
It was created from a photo taken on the last hike I took with my grandchildren.

Four footstep-shaped rug-hooked designs in bright colours and patterns emulating the patterns on the bottom of shoes.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 04/09/2025

Students in Ontario went back to school this week - here's a #TBT to... probably some time in the 50s or 60s at Mariposa School in what is now the City of Kawartha Lakes.

4" X 6.5" photo S.S. #10, Mariposa school, teacher Marion Long, also 5 Aldreds, 3 Johnson, and others. There are a total of fourteen people in the photo split into two rows, with seven people in each.
There is handwriting on the back of the photo, and the studio is written out as "R.H. Peter. 137-6th St; 2nd door north at P.O. NEW TORONTO. ONT. Phone 251J."

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 03/09/2025

Last year, we opened our Edward Lacey exhibit - celebrating the life of a prominent gay author, poet, and serial passport-misplacer from Lindsay, Ontario. It has been so warmly received that we have decided to extend it - and have moved it to a new home on our second floor!

Entrance to Subverse: the life and poetry of Edward A. Lacey, in its new home on the second floor of the KLMA!

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 02/09/2025

We are excited to bring you a short-term exhibit celebrating the work of the Lindsay and District Rug Hookers! This exhibit, featuring both contemporary and historical works, officially opens on Sept. 6 and runs through to the end of October, so act fast if you want to see it. Here's a sneak peek:

"Peaches for Sale" - rug showing a stone farmhouse, bordered by smaller images relating to rural life. Title of work is at the top. Artist: Marlene Edwards

"A New Day" - this Van Gough-esque piece was created by artist Eva Dunford.

SO MANY WORKS OF FABRIC ART! Our main floor gallery is overflowing.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 01/09/2025

A final post from our Oscar Irwin collection! First: Irwin's letter of resignation, announcing his intention to retire. Second: one of multiple name tags worn by Irwin over the course of his forestry career. Third: Irwin's parka, worn during his tenure at Emily Provincial Park.

This is a letter of resignation for Oscar Irwin, related to his career with Ontario Parks. The letter is addressed to the Lindsay District Manager C.R. Gray and Oscar Irwin's name and information reveals that he was the Park Superintendent at Emily Provincial Park in Omemee, ON. Oscar's official resignation was December 31st 1980. The letter reveals that he turned retirement age (65) on December 13th, 1980.

Dimensions: 11 3/4 x 8.5 inches

Letter reads:

Dr. Mr. Gray:

Please accept this as my letter of resignation, as of December 31, 1980.

The reason being, that on December 13, 1980, I will have become of retirement age, which is sixty-five.

I trust that this is satisfactory, and meets with your requirements.

Yours truly,
O. G. Irwin
Park Superintendent
Emily Provincial Park

Metal nametag that belonged to Oscar George Irwin, related to his career with Ontario Parks. Shiny gold in colour and reads "OSCAR IRWIN". Embossed printing on the back reveals that this tag was manufactured by Reeves Co. Inc. Attleboro. Massachusetts. Reeves was established in 1947 in Attleboro by Bob Reeves, and has since maintained a reputation for high quality name badges. There are small scratches all over the face of the nametag but there is little to no discoloration on the front or back.

This relatively new official Parks Superintendent's jacket belonged to Oscar Irwin. It has the official badges at each shoulder and a removable hood. Faux fur black collar. It is dark green exterior and black interior lining. Cuffed and heavy duty zipper. Size 40.
Jacket is marked as "a" and hood as 'b".

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 31/08/2025

We’re out and about today! Visit Barbara, our general manager, at the Kinmount Fair, or Kris, our board president, at the Lindsay Labour Day picnic in Memorial Park!

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 30/08/2025

From our Oscar George Irwinn collection - this scrapbook was created in 1956 during Oscar's second term in Forest Ranger School in Dorset, ON. Scrapbook includes actual leaves that have been taped onto the pages, and drawings of conifer cones.

Page with four leaves taped to it, showing top and bottom of both Silver Maple and Red Maple leaves.

Page showing top and bottom of Black Locust and Dogwood leaves.

Page showing top and bottom of Basswood and Hobblebush leaves

Page with drawings of White Pine, Red Pine, Scotch Pine, Jack Pine, White Spruce, Red Spruce, Hemlock, Tamarack, Black Spruce, Balsam Fir, and White Cedar cones. A label on one cone on the second row is missing.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 29/08/2025

Irwin (born in 1915, in Angus, Ontario) began his forestry career in 1956. Over the course of his career, he became a Caretaker of the Ganaraska Forest, then superintendent of Presqu’ile Provincial Park before moving on to Emily Provincial Park in Omemee, where he worked until he retired.

14 x 10 1/4 inch Ontario Forest Ranger School Diploma awarded to Oscar George Irwin on April 1st, 1957 for his completion of the course in 1956. Related to his career with Ontario Parks. The Diploma is signed by the Minister of Lands and Forests: Clare E. Mapledoram and the Director of School: J. L. Mennill. The Diploma is stamped with the Department of Lands and Forest red seal. There is some fading along the edges of the Diploma and there are some bends in the paper.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 29/08/2025

It's the last long weekend of summer, and many folks will be spending the next few days camping in one of our many beautiful provincial parks. Emma, one of our summer staff, has spent the last few weeks cataloguing a collection of items once belonging to Oscar Irwin, Park Ranger.

Newspaper clipping with photo of Oscar George Irwin planting a tree with 4 year old Linda Rennick, daughter of Paul Rennick a forester in Lindsay at the time. Item is related to Oscar Irwin's career with Ontario Parks. The description introduces Oscar as a timber technician with the Lindsay branch of the Ontario Department of Lands and Forests.

Text below photo reads:
Sometimes the trees are planted by hand in reforestation projects. Four-year-old Linda REnnick, daughter of Paul Rennick a forester at Lindsay helps Oscar Irwin, a timber technician with the Lindsay branch of the Ontario Department of Lands and Forests plant a tree.
--"Post" staff photo

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 29/08/2025

Come see us this weekend at the Kinmount Fair! We brought the Laird of Lindsay and The Mayor of Gabtown exhibit to share, and we have copies of the Historical Atlas of Victoria County, 1881 (reprinted in 2000) available for purchase.

This exhibit examines the concept of "who is worth remembering?" Should we focus on the big names - the famous and infamous? Or should we delve into the lives of everyday citizens? At the KLMA, we believe both approaches have merit.

Copies of the Historical Atlas of Victoria County are available for purchase: $50 cash only!

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 29/08/2025

Grateful to MP Jamie Schmale for his support in helping KLMA secure Canada Summer Jobs & Young Canada Works grants this summer 🙌 Thanks to these programs, our team is doing amazing work in heritage, education & research! 🇨🇦 #KLMA #HeritageMatters

Our KLMA team standing on the wooden deck at the entrance of the museum. Behind them is a stone wall and a barred window (the KLMA inhabits the building once known as the Victoria County Gaol and still features a great deal of jail architecture, including cell ranges and bars).

L-R: Barbara Doyle, Managing Director, summer staff: Kade, Rose, Emma, Cameron, Ryan, Duncan and Greg and MP Jamie Schmale.
(not shown: Caitlan, Michael and Tommy)

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 09/08/2025

The memoir of Dr. Leonard V. Shier, a medical doctor in Lindsay, practicing from 1920 through to the late 1960s. Shier's father was also a doctor, practicing in Lindsay from 1895-1906 before moving his family to Toronto.

A page of Dr. Leonard Shier's memoir. It talks about the changes in medicine from the early 1900s to the late 1960s; the proliferation of treatments like antibiotics, and how lucky he feels to have been able to practice during this time of discovery.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 26/06/2025

Local peeps: have you ever considered sitting on a Board of Directors? We are looking for some fresh faces to join the current KLMA Board.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 17/06/2025

If you: - are between 15 and 30 - live in or near the Kawartha Lakes area - have an interest in museums - have 8 weeks free this summer then we might have job for you! Apply today! Or tomorrow, if that's more convenient. We have several spots open! Please share!

A greyscale image of the Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives. Overlay says:

WE'RE HIRING!
COLLECTIONS ASSISTANT
Canada Summer Jobs
8 week position
JOIN OUR TEAM!
Send your resume:
info@klmuseumarchives.ca

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 12/06/2025

Among the many interesting items contained within our Laidlaw collection is this original Currier & Ives lithograph titled "The Hundred Leaf Rose", printed in New York, ca. 1870.

Currier & Ives print titled "The Hundred Leaf Rose". Print depicts roses and rosebuds surrounded by foliage. Circa 1870.

Print depicts 2 dark pink/red roses, 1 white rose, 3 lighter pink/white roses, 2 darker pink rosebuds, 2 white rosebuds, and rose foliage with 4 cut stems visible at bottom and roses/buds mostly surrounded by leaves.

Some parts have a slight sheen. Sheen seems to occur in areas where watercolour is applied over areas with a lot of black.
Back side has some pink spots. Origin unknown; they don't correspond to the areas on the front of the print that are painted pink/red.

Text reads "ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS IN THE YEAR 1870, BY CURRIER & IVES IN THE OFFICE OF THE LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS AT WASHINGTON." "THE HUNDRED LEAF ROSE.", and "PUBLISHED BY CURRIER & IVES 125 NASSAU ST. NEW YORK."

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 10/06/2025

From our archives: an architectural plan for the proposed Lindsay Lock Up, which was never actually built. (ca. 1876)

An architectural plan for the proposed Lindsay Lock Up, which was never actually built. The drawing is divided into four parts, with the top two illustrations being of the façade of the building, including windows, doors, outside walls, and the roof. The top left drawing is a "Front Elevation" view of the proposed building, and the top right is a "Side Elevation" view of the building. Below these two illustrations, is a bird's-eye-view of the floor plan of the building, and the foundation. The floor plan has all of the measurements of each room and corridor, as well as the length and width of the outside walls.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 05/06/2025

From our collection - an incomplete set of classroom alphabet cards, starting with A for Ass and ending with Z for (what else?) Zebra. The letters 'G', 'J', 'T', and 'W' are sadly missing. Ca. 1900-1940

Alphabet cards. A die-cut folded card showing an illustration of a donkey standing on grass, with red flowers (possibly poppies) and thistles.

The alphabet card features a large, serif-font A in red with a black outline. Inside the lower half of the A it says "FOR ASS".

Reverse of the letter card says:

THE ASS.
The Ass or Donkey is a patient, useful animal. He works hard for his living, drawing carts to market, or taking children for rides on his back at the seaside. When treated kindly he is willing, but if ill-treated he becomes obstinate.

[Ed.: Us too, Ass. Us too.]

Top left corner says "PATENT APPLIED FOR" and bottom of card says:

Raphael Tuck & Sons, LTD.
Designed in England Printed in Saxony
London, Paris, Berlin
New York & Montreal

Picture and letter cards for the letter Z.

Die-cut, folding illustration of a zebra on a dry grassy plain, with tropical-looking tree in the background.

Letter card has a large, red Z (with black outline) in a serif font. To the right and inset into the Z is "FOR ZEBRA"

Reverse of letter card for The Zebra. Text reads:

THE ZEBRA.
The zebra is a cousin of the Ass or Donkey. He is a handsome animal that has his home in Southern Africa. Zebras are to be seen at the Zoological Gardens, where they have been trained to harness.

Top left corner says "PATENT APPLIED FOR" and bottom of card says:

Raphael Tuck & Sons, LTD.
Designed in England Printed in Saxony
London, Paris, Berlin
New York & Montreal

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 04/06/2025

Happy #NationalCheeseDay to all who celebrate! This model of a cheese press and mould is part of our John McCrea collection. McCrea was born on a homestead in Omemee, Ontario in 1865. In 1934, he began creating miniatures, many of which are now in our collection.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 03/06/2025

While most of the items in our collection have been donated to us, some we just kind of... found in the building. Prior to becoming the Old Gaol Museum (and then the Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives), our building was used by the Government of Ontario as a provincial jail.

A plastic stencil, with remnants of black paint on it, measuring 11.5 cm in height and 51 cm in length. It says:

PROVINCIAL JAIL
LINDSAY

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 30/05/2025

The 1920s were a strange time. Donated in 1980 by George Dunsford.

A small red pouch is attached by string to a piece of card with a hole punched in it. The card reads:

The Ladies' Auxiliary
Weight Concert and Social
You are invited to attend a
Weight Concert and Social at
The Town Hall, Woodville, at 8 p.m. on
Friday, March 11, 1921

If less than one hundred pounds you weigh
Ten cents is all we expect you to pay
But if you weigh from that to one hundred and fifty
You are old enough to be a little more thrifty,
So another nickle you'll have to pay
Therefore put it right in and have nothing to say.
But if from that to two hundred you go
Why another nickle you'll have to "blow,"
But if more than two hundred should be your weight
A bright quarter dollar you'll have to donate.
Put the amount in this little sack,
And either come with it or send it back,
A royal good time we'll have when we meet ;
Be sure and be with us to enjoy the rare treat.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 29/05/2025

This petit point portrait of Queen Victoria once graced the home of Jean Laidlaw Shields. Now it is on display in our exhibition "The Art of Collecting".

Close-up of Queen Victoria's face, showing delicate beadwork around her neck. Between the fading on her mouth and the delineation around her eyes, it appears that Queen Victoria has SEEN SOME THINGS.

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Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives @klmuseumarchives.ca · 28/05/2025

A tiny wooden top, crafted by a member of Kirkfield, Ontario's Jewell family using an empty wooden sewing spool.

Photo of a tiny wooden top, hand-carved from a spool, with a pointed piece of wood running through the centre and forming the point upon which it spins.Below it, a ruler indicates that it is about 2.5 cm in diameter, and roughly 3 cm tall. A finger holds it upright.

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