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Meetings
Based on the advice from the Town of Cobourg and the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, face to face meetings at Victoria Hall have been cancelled until further notice. In order to stay connected and to keep you safe during the pandemic, monthly meetings are taking place by Virtual Zoom webinars. You can join by desktop or a laptop computer, tablet or smart phone!
Cobourg and District Historical Society Meetings are held every month except May, June, July, August and December. Meetings are held in the Citizen's Forum in Victoria Hall on the fourth Tuesday in the Month. Meetings start at 7:30pm but coffee and cookies are available starting at 7:00pm. Meetings are $5 for non-members and free for members of the society and students.
More on our About page.
Cobourg and District Historical Society
Mission
The Cobourg and District Historical Society promotes interest in the history of Cobourg and district and beyond, encourages the preservation of historical, archaeological and architectural heritage through meetings featuring speakers, the publication of presentations and organizing and participating in special events.
Meetings
Monthly meetings are held in the Citizens' Forum, Victoria Hall on the fourth Tuesday from September to May, excluding December. The doors open at 7:00pm and people enjoy this opportunity to socialize before the meeting convenes at 7:30 p.m. Meetings are free for members of the society and students.
Programmes include topics of local interest e.g. The American Summer Colony, Cobourg-Rochester ferries as well as subjects of more general interest e.g. The Barnardo Children or Preserving Your Family Archives. An annual dinner or bus trip is held alternately in May.
For more about the Cobourg and District Historical Society, go here.
Based on the advice from the Town of Cobourg and the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, face to face meetings at Victoria Hall have been cancelled until further notice. In order to stay connected and to keep you safe during the pandemic, monthly meetings are taking place by Virtual Zoom webinars. You can join by desktop or a laptop computer, tablet or smart phone!
The History of the ACO and Why it Matters
- Details
On May 25 Diane Chin will be telling the story of the founding of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) organization and its relationship to Barnum House in Grafton including the history of Barnum House itself.
Diane ChinWhile putting this presentation together she came across a mystery yet to be solved about the founding of the Cobourg Branch of ACO. Perhaps one of the attendees can shed light on what happened to one of Cobourg’s oldest buildings and more importantly to the person who organized this building’s move.
Our speaker will also touch on legislative aspects of Heritage Conservation and the many recent threats that are now upon us. And you thought COVID was our only problem!
Diane Chin moved to Cobourg in 2013. She grew up in the Beaches in Toronto so an eastward move to another lakeside community, populated by historic heritage homes was a natural fit. Diane is a former high school teacher, school librarian, principal and real estate agent. She also spent many summers working for the Ontario Government including one working as a Park Naturalist at Presqu’ile. Currently, Diane is also on the Executive of the Victoria Hall Volunteers and is our Program Director. She is also a member of the Cobourg Horticultural Society, the Canadian Federation of University Women and the Willow Beach Field Naturalists. Diane is currently the Vice-Chair of ACO Ontario.
All CDHS members are invited to join us electronically on Tuesday, May 25 at 07:30 PM. Please register in advance by visiting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_v4sES6soS9WvuVjHQET83g
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. If you have any questions concerning registration, please contact Brian Murphy, Membership Chair, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We look forward to you joining our upcoming CDHS webinar!
Mechanics Institute to Public Library
- Details
On March 23 Heather Viscount will explain how a Mechanics Institute, formed in the 1830s to provide educational opportunities for workmen and tradesmen through books and lectures, became the Cobourg Public Library. Heather is currently the Manager of Support Services for the Cobourg Public Library. Part of her her duties includes the upkeep and maintenance of the special collections of the Library, including local history and genealogical materials.
Heather ViscountHeather was born and raised in Eddystone. After graduating from Lakehead University as a Library Technician, she began working part-time at her local Library in Centreton. In the years following she moved up from Assistant, then to Branch Manager, and then to CEO of the Alnwick/Haldimand Public Library. Heather was hired to work part-time at the Cobourg Library in October 1993 in the Reference Department. This is where her interest in Local History and Genealogy began. Her ancestors came to Haldimand Township in the early 1800s, mostly settling in the areas of Centreton, Eddystone and Vernonville. She has spent many lunch hours (and after hours) researching her family.
She continued working in both locations until she was hired full-time in Cobourg in 2004. Her interest in Local History and Genealogy continues today. The availability of online resources, and the Library’s subscription to Ancestry, have opened more doors, lead to more questions, and keep the search alive.
All CDHS members are invited to join us electronically on Tuesday, March 23 at 07:30 PM. Please register in advance by visiting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oh8CcY3iTwGZB13nGAH6KQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. If you have any questions concerning registration, please contact Brian Murphy, Membership Chair at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We look forward to you joining our upcoming CDHS webinar!