July 8th – 9th, mark the start of #HistoricPlacesDays with these virtual and in-person events
Join us for events organized by staff of the National Trust for Canada, heritage enthusiasts, and participating places across the country in the descriptions below.
Kite Day
Uxbridge Historical Centre
- Type: Fun & Games
- Address: 7239 Concession Road 6, Uxbridge, ON, Canada
Get directions - When: 8 July, 2023 | 12:00-4:00
- Come participate in our sixth annual Kite Day! Join us to fly your kites from home, learn how to make one there, and then fly it alongside others on stunning Quaker Hill.
- FREE ADMISSION! : Register For Event
Duff-Baby House 225th Anniversary Weekend
Duff-Baby Mansion
- Type: Tour
- Address: 221 Mill Street, Windsor, ON, Canada
Get directions - When: 8 – 9 July, 2023 | Sat: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. / Sun: noon – 4 p.m.
- Saturday: Family Day: Town Crier, Bag piper, Lost Arts display, Voyageur re-enactor, tours, children’s face painting, Riverfront Theatre Company
Sunday: Tours and Talks: “The Building of a Mansion in 1798,” “Tracing your Scottish Family Roots,” “Life in Sandwich in 1798.”
Second Saturdays: Fun in the Sun
Osgoode Township Museum
- Type: Fun & Games
- Address: 7814 Lawrence St, Vernon, ON K0A 3J0, Canada
Get directions - When: 8 July, 2023 | 10 am to 4 pm
- We’re excited to share a new regular program at the Museum called Second Saturdays. On the second Saturday of every month starting January of 2023, drop in for free.
Alton Mill Arts Centre
- Type: Fun & Games
- Address: 1402 Queen St W, Alton, ON L7K 0C4, Canada
Get directions
Petal Pounding on Paper with Margaret Marcy
Learn to create beautiful and unique botanical prints pounding real flowers and leaves into paper to release it’s natural dye, taking home your own Midsummer themed kind of artwork. You can finish you creations by adding the contours and shapes with pencils or ink.
Plant material, hammers and slabs of wood, board and paper provided. $10 fee per person at the door
- When: 8 July, 2023 | 2:00-4:00pm
- Register For Event
Midsummer Flower Crowns: Workshop
Botanical Printing on Silk w/ Margaret Marcy: Workshop
Learn how to create a beautiful and unique Botanical print using a natural Eco Printing technique with flowers and leaves in a beautiful historic setting. During the class you will learn the basics of Eco Printing:
– getting to know plants for printing
– process for mordanting protein and cellulose fabrics
– eco printing with plants and natural dye blanket
– different methods of bundling and steaming process
At the end of the workshop, you will leave with one-of-a-kind silk scarf covered with beautiful botanical patterns.
Workshops registration closes at 8 students, so there will be plenty of personal attention. We will meet for a magical gathering, exploring the possibilities of natural dyes and eco printing!
When: 8 July, 2023 | 10:00am-1:00pm
Registration: e-mail gosiaecodesigns@gmail.com and pay by e-transfer
Cost per person: $120 ( no HST)
Family Picnic & Author Reading
Hillary House National Historic Site
- Type: Fun & Games
- Address: 15372 Yonge St, Aurora, ON L4G 1N8, Canada
Get directions - When: 8 July, 2023 | 1PM to 5PM, Author Reading at 2PM
Families are invited to bring a blanket or a picnic basket, and spend time in the gardens at Hillary House. We will have child-friendly outdoor games and free light snacks for visitors to enjoy. Do you know the best part? Long time AHS volunteer, Kathryn O’Dwyer, has authored a new book and wants to share it with all of you! Introducing her debut children’s novel, Ella and Alora and The Secret Drain: The Extraordinary Travels of Two Sisters is now available in our Gift Shop for purchase. We are so excited to host a special author reading by Kathryn at 2pm. This is a free drop-in event. All children must be accompanied by an adult. No pre-registration required.
In honour of Historic Places Day on July 8th Hillary House National Historic Site will be open all day for free walkthrough visits, so bring some friends with you to share our extraordinary property.
Cod Liver Oil Challenge
Newfoundland & Labrador Pharmacy Museum
- Type: Fun & Games
- Address: 488 Water Street, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Get directions - When: 8 July, 2023 | 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Join us on Historic Places Day (July 8th) from 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and take part in our popular Cod Liver Oil Challenge!
Learn about the historical importance of cod liver oil in Newfoundland culture and history and try a spoonful for yourself! It’s not that bad, we swear 😉
Open House
Salem Chapel BME Church Harriet Tubman NHS
- Type: Tour
- Address: 92 Geneva Street, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
Get directions - When: 8 July, 2023 | 10:00-15:00
Early Black History and Underground Railroad Site
Self-Guided Tours from 10:00am to 3:00pm
Guided Tour and Talk at 12pm
Parking available at 62 North Street
Afternoon Tea
Orangedale Railway Station
- Type: Culinary Experience
- Address: 1428 Orangedale Road, Orangedale, NS, Canada
Get directions - When: 8 – 9 July, 2023 | 2pm
- An opportunity to share a cup of tea with our friends & neighbours in the Station House, and catch up on local news together.
Historic Places Day at Robinson Roadhouse
Robinson Roadhouse
- Type: Fun & Games
- Address: Robinson, Yukon, Canada
Get directions - When: 8 July, 2023 | 11:00-14:00
Join us in celebrating Canada’s Historic Places Days at the Robinson Roadhouse historic site. Come enjoy a free barbeque, Tlingit and Southern Tutchone stories and games, a dance performance, site tours, and more. Bring the whole family!
The Historic Sites Unit (HSU) and the Yukon Heritage Resources Board (YHRB) are pleased to welcome you to this free event.
All are welcome.
For more information phone Historic Sites unit at 867-667-5386.
The site will stay open during all activities and events, but certain areas may be closed to ensure the safety of the public.
Fun and Games at Maple Ridge Museum
Maple Ridge Museum
- Type: Fun & Games
- Address: 22520 116 Avenue, Maple Ridge, BC, Canada
Get directions - When: 8 July, 2023 | 10:00-4:00
- Kick off Historic Places Days with some fun and games at Maple Ridge Museum! Come by for a tour of the museum and stay to play lawn games, like giant Jenga, Yardzee, bean bag toss, and Mölkky. While you’re here, be sure to take a selfie to enter the #HistoricPlacesDays contest!
Black Gold Fest 2023
Oil Museum of Canada
- Type: Fun & Games
- Address: 2423 Kelly Road, Oil Springs, ON, Canada
Get directions - When: 8 July, 2023 | 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Black Gold Fest takes place Saturday, July 8, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Oil Museum of Canada, 2423 Kelly Road, Oil Springs.
This family-friendly community event celebrates the first commercial oil well in North America. Come and rediscover our local oil heritage with fun activities, historical demonstrations, musical entertainment, food and beverage.
Admission to the event is free, and donations are gratefully accepted.
The Oil Museum of Canada, National Historic Site, tells the story of Lambton County’s important contributions to the development of the world’s oil industry. Central to the Oil Heritage Conservation District, the Museum serves to increase understanding and appreciation of this unique industrial heritage area.
Historic Places Days
Huble Homestead Historic Site
- Type: Tour
- Address: 15000 Mitchell Road, Prince George, BC, Canada
Get directions - When: 8 – 9 July, 2023 | 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Discover the hidden behind the scenes of the historic site!
Every place has a story – head out to the historic site to take part in a special Historic Places Day treasure hunt that will have you exploring the grounds and discovering a new fact about the restoration as you go!
Check out a special exhibit in the Welcome Barn, then take a guided tour from one of our knowledgeable staff members.
Afterwards, treat yourself to lunch or candy from the General Store!
Historic Places Day is a national event that is all about increasing visitation to historic places all over the country – these places not only enrich the lives of visitors young and old, but also open the door to discovering new places.
1810 Carter House Tour & Picnic
1810 Carter House
- Type: Tour
- Address: 874 NB-845, Kingston, NB, Canada
Get directions - When: 8 July, 2023 | 11-2
- Join us at the 1810 Carter House Saturday, July 8th for a tour of our historical tea house! Explore the rich history of our 200 year old heritage site with a guided tour! Afterwards enjoy a picnic in our beautiful garden with live heritage music and games for people of all ages!
Maison Forget House Open House
Maison Louis-Joseph Forget
- Type: Tour
- Address: 1195 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC, H3A 1H9
Get directions - When: 8 July, 2023 | 10:00-17h00
Forget House, a nineteenth-century mansion was constructed for the family of Senator Louis-Joseph Forget (1853-1911). His wife Maria Raymond-Forget (1859-1925) played a central role in choosing the Second Empire style of the building, as well as its beautiful interior. Officially recognized in 1974 as a monument historique by the Ministère des affaires culturelles du Québec, the building – along with the neighbouring Reid Wilson House and Mount Royal Club – represents one of the last ensembles of Square Mile houses on Sherbrooke Street in Montreal.
The Macdonald Stewart Foundation and the Canadian Federation of Friends of Museums (CFFM) have partnered with the Canadian National Trust to open the Maison Forget House to the public.
Come join us on July 8th to learn more about these organizations, the Maison Forget and local Quebec history.
I spy something historic II! New mini-figures are playing hide-n-seek in the Francois Baby House!
François Baby House (National Historic Site of Canada)
- Type: Fun & Games
- Address: 254 Pitt Street West, Windsor, ON, Canada
Get directions - When: 8 July, 2023 | 10:00 AM- 5:00PM
I spy something historic II! More mini-figures are playing hide-n-seek in the Francois Baby House! Visitors of all ages are invited to discover historic treasures in this National Historic Site of Canada by participating in this fun Scavenger Hunt. Free admission.
Spoon Carving Workshop
O’Brien Farm
- Type: Fun & Games
- Address: 150 Oxen Pond Road, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Get directions - When: 9 July, 2023 | 12:00-6:00
- Learn all about the art of spoon carving, and create your very own spoon at our upcoming workshop!
Join Spoon Carver and Greenwood Worker Simon Collins for a full-day workshop to learn the basics of spoon carving, then create your very own carved spoon from start to finish! Participants will start out using a carving axe to rough out the shape of the spoon, then learn to whittle the spoon with spoon carving knives.Whether you are a seasoned woodworker or someone who has never worked with wood before this class will teach you basic, safe greenwood carving techniques. No experience required!Tickets: $150
Space for this class is limited! Email info@obrienfarm.ca to reserve your spot today!
Navy Days
Kingston Dry Dock
- Type: Fun & Games
- Address: 55 Ontario Street, Kingston, ON, Canada
Get directions - When: 9 July, 2023 | 13:00-16:00
Calling all maritime recruits, the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston invites you to join us for Navy Days. This family-friendly new program includes activities, demonstrations, and special guests. Join us on alternating Sundays starting July 9th for an immersive navy experience. The program will build alongside the Museum’s newest exhibit, Life in the Naval Reserve, which features the works of Grant Macdonald. The program introduces participants to maritime skills such as Morse code, knot tying, and other nautical activities.
Throughout the different weeks of the program, the program will feature special guests to enhance the program experience. Navy Days will run every other Sunday from July 9th to Sept 3rd, 2023, and is $10 per person (children under five are free). Tickets include entrance to the Museum’s Life in the Naval Reserve exhibit.
Life in the Naval Reserve commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve (RCNR) through the artworks of Kingston artist Grant Macdonald. The Grant MacDonald exhibit and Navy Days align with the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve. The Museum recruits visitors to experience Life and work in the RCNR during the Second World War through the work of Grant Macdonald and our Navy Days activities.
The Macdonald collection comprises paintings and drawings of wartime officers, sailors, and WRENS. Some are portraits of specific individuals, while most capture scenes from Life at Sea. Navy Days is an engaging program for all ages and demographics, including families, schools, and community groups.
Pop-up Market
Osgoode Township Museum
- Type: Culinary Experience
- Address: 7814 Lawrence St, Vernon, ON K0A 3J0, Canada
Get directions - When: 9 July, 2023 | 10 am to 2 pm
- Producers are a big part of our community! We want to showcase our local produce growers, artisans and small businesses at our monthly markets held Second Sundays at the Osgoode Museum in May, June, July and August! See and get the chance to buy local products, chat with local producers and wander around the museum’s large 3 acre site including an orchard and 10,000 square foot heritage garden. A true community event you won’t want to miss!
Historic Places Days
The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum
- Type: Tour
- Address: 701 Oxford Street East, London, ON, Canada
Get directions - When: 9 July, 2023 | 11:00 – 17:00
Sunday, July 9th the museum is open extended opening hours11:00am – 5:00pm. Historic Places Days begins and we will mark the 80th anniversary of Op Husky (10 July 1943).
- Voices of the Past Drama Tour (requires registration on Eventbrite – see below)
- re-enactors
- outdoor tour at 1pm (audio described option available upon request)
- the O’Leary Collection
Only Voices of the Past performance requires registration (see below).
Sunday, July 9th at 11:30 am https://voicesJuly9am.eventbrite.ca
Sunday, July 9th at 2:30pm https://voicesJuly9pm.eventbrite.ca
Join us and discover more during Historic Places Days!
Please see the museum’s website for a map of the property or check out this video showing how to access the museum. (https://youtu.be/6X7TUiFKUmU)
Outdoor Plein Air Drawing Workshop: Landscape Basics
Alton Mill Arts Centre
- Type: Fun & Games
- Address: 1402 Queen St W, Alton, ON L7K 0C4, Canada
Get directions - When: 9 July, 2023 | 1:00-3:00pm
Our history is etched upon the land… in this workshop you will learn some of the fundamentals of what makes for a good landscape drawing, including choosing an interesting composition, creating a sense of depth, atmospheric perspective, how to simplify things into basic shapes and deciding what to make a focal point of your drawing.
Award-winning instructor CJ Shelton will be right beside you throughout this session, demonstrating tips and tricks for how to draw the natural elements you observe and giving you the benefit of her 40+ years experience drawing.
PLEASE NOTE: this workshop is best suited to adults but children age 9 and up are welcome (must be accompanied by an adult and registered individually).
Cost per person: $50 plus HST
More info: https://staging.altonmill.ca/visit/events/Plein_Air_Workshop_event/
Tea on the Verandah
Heritage Park Historical Village
- Type: Culinary Experience
- Address: 1900 Heritage Dr, Southwest Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada T2V 1R1
Get directions - When: 9 July, 2023 | 11:30 am – 3:30 pm
You’ve been cordially invited to join us for Tea on the Verandah! Come enjoy a soothing cup of tea and savour delicious finger sandwiches along with gourmet pastries fresh from the Alberta Bakery.
Location: Famous 5 Centre of Canadian Women
Ages 12+: $44.95 plus GST
Ages 3-11: $29.95 plus GST
To buy tickets, call guest services at 403.268.8500
Tea on the Verandah Menu
Petit Finger Sandwiches
House-Made Gravlax Pinwheel With Lemon Pepper Aioli; Honey-Cured Ham With Aged Cheddar; Smoked Turkey Breast With Whipped Cranberry and Brie Spread; Cucumber Herb Dill Cream Cheese
Petit French Pastries
Vanilla Cream Puff; French Macaron; Butter Pecan Tarts; European Squares; Buttermilk and White Chocolate Red Currant Scones; Heritage Cream, Preserves and Seasonal Berries
Drinks: Freshly Brewed Tea & Lemonade
Huron Historic Gaol: Historic Places Days Open House
Huron Historic Gaol
- Type: Performance
- Address: 181 Victoria St. N, Goderich, On, N7A 2S9
Get directions - When: 9 July, 2023 | 13:00 – 16:00
Experience the sounds of the gaol! Live musical performances and family activities.
Huron County Museum: Historic Places Days Open House
Huron County Museum
- Type: Fun & Games
- Address: 110 North Street, Goderich, ON, Canada
Get directions - When: 9 July, 2023 | 13:00 – 16:00
- Experience the tastes & sights of the museum! Ice cream social & children’s activities!
Croquet, All Day!
Haney House Museum
- Type: Fun & Games
- Address: 11612 224 Street, Maple Ridge, BC, Canada
Get directions - When: 9 July, 2023 | 10:00-4:00
- Come for a historical tour of Haney House, and stay for a rousing game of croquet! First come, first served. Half hour time limit per group.
Minudie Day
Amos Seaman School Museum
- Type: Fun & Games
- Address: 5518 Barronsfield Road, Minudie, NS, Canada
Get directions - When: 9 July, 2023 | 12:00-3:00
Bake sale, yard sale, BBQ, strawberry shortcake, music, and an Art Show at the Universalist church next door
Antique Photography Exhibition
Roedde House Museum
- Type: Tour
- Address: 1415 Barclay Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Get directions - When: 9 July, 2023 | 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Coming in July we will be participating in Historic Places Days 2023 with a special Antique Photography Exhibit on Sunday July 9th 11-4pm during tour hours. Local Photographer and Photography Historian Peter Lowrey will be curating a special display of antique photography items in the Roedde House dining room, including pieces like Hughs’ Magic Lantern, vintage cameras, photos and posters. He will also be on hand to give a special curator’s tour on the antique photography we have on display here at Roedde House Museum.A special highlight from this photography exhibition will be the collection of Orotones on display at Roedde House Museum. We are one of the only museums in Canada who have these distinctive gold photography pieces on display, so come out and find out what they are and how they are made on July 9th!
Penny Diary Making
Charles Macdonald Concrete House
- Type: Fun & Games
- Address: 19 Saxon Street, Centreville, NS, Canada
Get directions - When: 9 July, 2023 | 2pm-4pm
- Come by the concrete house to make a small journal, just like Charles Macdonald’s penny journal. You will learn how to bind a small booklet and then have time to draw ‘en plein air’ (weather permitting) and start filling out your journal. Supplies will be provided, there is enough for 8 participants, first come first served. Children must be accompanied by an adult, adults welcome to participate too!
