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!
The History of Barbering and Shaving
- Details
On Tuesday, September 22, Randy Barber (who else?) will present the fascinating history of barbering and shaving which goes back at least 5000 years. Randy will sprinkle his talk with examples of Barberiana from his collection of almost 3000 items dating back to 400AD.
Randy resided in Markham with his wife Solveig for over 40 years. Between 1994- 2000 he served as Ward Councillor for the Town of Markham. He has held federal government appointments as an Administration Law Judge for the National Parole Board, CPP Disability and EI appeals. He now consults to the legal cannabis industry relative to compliance and regulation. Randy is a collector of rare books, antiques, military artifacts, Winston Churchill memorabilia, and hand carved decorative decoys. He speaks on Trench Art, Sir Winston Churchill and the History of Barbering at every opportunity.
All members are welcome to join us electronically on September 22, 2020 at 07:30 PM. Please register in advance for this webinar by visiting (zoom link no longer valid).
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. If you are not a member of the Cobourg and District Historical Society but would like to attend our "meetings" please contact Brian Murphy, Membership Chair at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Delicious Mirth: Life of James McCarroll
- Details
Our speaker for Tuesday, February 25, is Michael Peterman, Professor Emeritus at Trent University. He taught at Trent for 37 years. He and his wife Cara live in Peterborough but spend time in Nova Scotia each year. He currently writes a fortnightly column called “Culture Matters” for the Peterborough Examiner and continues to write books on early Canadian authors and their achievements. His subjects have included Susanna Moodie, Catharine Parr Traill, Isabella Valancy Crawford, Robertson Davies, Timothy Findley, Margaret Laurence, and John Craig. His biography of James McCarroll, entitled Delicious Mirth, was published in 2018 to excellent reviews.
James McCarroll came to Canada in 1831 as an Irish teenager from county Leitrim and settled in the Peterborough area. Dr. Peterman will focus on McCarroll’s time in Cobourg (1847-1851) where he taught music, edited a newspaper and worked for the Customs Department. His experiences provide insights into the life of the Cobourg community and local luminaries including William Weller and Henry Ruttan.
Doors open at 7:00 PM for coffee and cookies. The meeting begins at 7:30 PM. Guests are always welcome. Admission, including refreshments, is free for members and $5 for non-members. All are welcome so bring a friend or two! See you on Tuesday, February 25.