Special Notice
This site has recently been expanded to include historical information from the Cobourg History site. All information previously on this site is still here. Some Google searches may now end up here - use the site search box if you don't immediately find what you are looking for.
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For Genealogists
There is quite a bit of Information for genealogists on this site - it is best accessed using the search feature above. The best additional source of info for researchers is at the Cobourg Library where they have a local history room stocked with many historical books and documents. They do have some photos on-line but not much more - you need to visit.
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!
Northumberland on the Nile
- Details
Ancient Egypt has long captivated the minds and hearts of enterprising and adventurous locals since before Confederation. Methodist Minister Lachlan Taylor, a Cobourg native, was one of a group of pioneering Canadians who made the journey to Egypt in the late 1850s, blazing a new trail of early travel and antiquity buying. He brought home Canada's most well-loved mummy, Antjau, which is now a highlight of the Royal Ontario Museum's Egyptian collection. Then, in the early 1900s, Port Hope resident Dr. Charles Currelly made exceptional archaeological discoveries in Middle and Upper Egypt including unearthing a New Kingdom pyramid! With the help of University of Toronto backers, he brought home a treasure trove of antiquities for the opening of his new Royal Ontario Museum in 1914. In this lively talk with a local Egyptologist, we'll explore the fascinating tales of Northumberland residents on the Nile.
Laura Ranieri is an Egyptologist, writer and the founder of Ancient Egypt Alive. Based in Port Hope she has written and presented extensively on ancient Egypt at museums and libraries across Canada and in the US. She has created and led tours to Egypt. Laura has excavated in Bulgaria at a classical Greek site and in Egypt at Amarna and South Asasif. She began her career as an actress and travel TV show host, and is passionate about story-telling and bringing the fascinating history of Ancient Egypt Alive to the general public. See www.ancientegyptalive.com for her website
Join us on Tuesday, September 26, in Victoria Hall's Citizens' Forum for a unique opportuneity to learn more about Egypt. Doors open at 7:00 pm and the meeting begins at 7:30 pm. Coffee and cookies will be available before the meeting. Admission, including refreshments, is free for members and $5 for non-members. Annual membership is $25 for individuals and $30 for a family. All are welcome so bring a friend!
Richard Randall Canada 150 History Scholarship
- Details
The Cobourg & District Historical Society is celebrating Canada's 150th anniversary of Canadian confederation and the 180th anniversary of the official incorporation of the Town of Cobourg, by offering three high school students a chance to receive a
$1000 scholarship
Are you passio
nate about history or will you study history or a related subject at a post secondary school? If so, you should submit an application form to be considered for a $1000 scholarship.
An application form with evaluation criteria is available for download here.
Submissions must be made before May 1, 2017 at our mailing address or electronically as listed below.
An application can take ANY format. Examples could be an interesting history assignment, an essay, music, art, play or video.
Good luck!
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mail: Cobourg & District Historical Society
P.O. Box 911,
Cobourg, ON, K9A 4W4
The Good, the Bad and the Weird
- Details
The talk for our September 2016 meeting in the Citizens’ forum will be by Chris Robins.
Chris will present “The Good, the Bad, and the Weird: An overview of typical medical care for local residents in the 1800s”. We will examine the surgeon’s tools – our presenter will come equipped with the tools needed from simple bloodletting to brain surgery – and deal with misconceptions about the surgeon’s trade. Next, we will delve into important “firsts” for medical care that happened locally; followed by recipes and directions for do-it-yourself medical care at home. Struck by lightning? Corns? Rheumatism? Chilblains? Chris will have the cures. A few recipes will be made up and provided for those attendees who are brave enough to try them. However, medicines requiring laudanum or hard liquor will not be provided due to a lack of sense of historical significance by the local constabulary.