We're Open!

The Olde Gaol Museum is now open for the 2013 season; and we've got a lot more to show you.

Featured in the Main Gallery is a large sample of our collection of pressed glass and cut glass from the 1800's up to present. Also on the main floor you will find the John McNealy McCrea collection of to-scale wooden miniatures of pioneer life; Prisoner-of-War work consisting of replicas of ships that they were stationed on; A replica General Store; A doctor/dentist's office; An early Ontario Schoolroom; and many more etc's.

It's taken us a couple of years, but the second floor is at last open to the public
Here you will find a (somewhat liberal) interpretation of the four-room living quarters for the Governor and his family; a display of cultural artifacts and memorabilia from Lindsay's twin city, Nayoro, Japan; and finally, but by no means least, a sombre and thought-provoking "Lest We Forget" military exhibit, highlighting Canada's extraordinary contributions and sacrifices in several global conflicts.

Unfortunately, the second floor is not wheelchair-accessible. An audio/visual presentation in an accessible area on the main floor will be available very shortly.

VCHS Newsletter

Here is the latest newsletter from the Victoria County Historical Society. To view this and other newsletters, in PDF format, please visit VictoriaCountyHistoricalSociety.ca

Victoria County Historical Society
operating the Olde Gaol Museum

PLEASE PUT THESE DATES ON YOUR 2013 CALENDAR!

  • YARD SALE
    Saturday May 4th
  • ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
    Thursday May 9th
  • MUSEUM OPENING
    Wednesday May 22nd
    Mr. Earle Gray
  • HOUNOURING THE PAST
    July 20th, 2013
  • HALLOWEEN HAUNT
    at “Olde Gaol Museum”
    October 31st
  • CHRISTMAS TOUR
    December 7th
  • Speakers Series Dates:
    May 9th
    July 25th
    October 24th

Presidents message

Dear Members, the 2013 season is upon us and displays are expanding and changing, so we are very active! We thank you all for the wonderful stream of donations and your continued support. The year 2013 is our 3rd year of operating the “Olde Gaol Museum”. We are already booking two large group tours, so anticipate a very busy season. This year the Museum displays will feature the Society’s outstanding “Pressed Glass” collection!

For the first time the 2nd floor displays will be the living quarters which include the Governor’s Victorian parlour, office, dining-room and bedroom; and a new “Lest We Forget” military display!

In 2013, displays will be developed in the courtyards, thanks to Lindsay Legacy Chest Funds. Pending are Summer-student grants and a Trillium grant for a museum manager with curatorial expertise for three years to allow us to become a full service Museum open year round.

Our Mandate

In 1976, a corporation without share capital under the name ‘Victoria County Historical Society’ was created for the following objects, that is to say:

To collect, preserve, exhibit and publish material pertaining to the history of the County of Victoria in particular and to Canadian historical records generally; to acquire documents and manuscripts and obtain narratives and records of pioneers; to maintain a gallery of historical portraits and a historical museum; to publish and diffuse information relative to the history of the County of Victoria, and in general, to encourage and develop within the County of Victoria the study of its history!


Second Floor To Open 2013
1863 Governor’s Victorian Quarters
and new Military Display

NEWLY ACQUIRED ARTEFACTS
WWI Nursing Uniform
(on Loan from Mr. Bill Bateman)
County of Victoria crest
(Donated by Mr. John Macklem)
2nd Floor ‘New’ Governor’s Dining Room (Picture Courtesy of Mr. Jesse Mooney, photographer)

June 19, 2012
Mayor of Nayoro Visits
“the Olde Gaol Museum”

Photo by Ms. Catherine Whitnall of Kawartha Lakes This Week

The museum’s General Store exhibit is a liberal interpretation of an institution that was such a prominent part of small-town Ontario for much of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Although most of these lovely little stores were lost in the decades after WWII, a few are still in operation. Notable examples in this part of the Province are to be found in Cameron and Argyle, both located in the much missed Victoria County - now City of Kawartha Lakes. The items on display include, among other things, a colourful selection of tin biscuit boxes; a shocking array of tobacco paraphernalia; milk bottles and a wonderful collection of copper pieces that really do succeed in brightening up the west side of what was a multi-person holding cell.


WHAT We Have Planned AHEAD

• MAY 4TH, 2013 YARD SALE
(Bring in items for resale)

• May 21st, 2013 Members-only Night

• May 22nd, 2013 Museum Opening

*** THE NEXT 3 YEARS ***


**2013 The Victoria County Historical Society presents an expanded MUSEUM

**2013 Building Courtyard Displays thanks to Lindsay Legacy Chest Funds of $25,500 for pads and structures that will house our wagons and sleighs.

**2013-2016 TRILLIUM GRANT SUBMITTED FOR A THREE YEAR MUSEUM MANAGER/CURATOR TO BUILD FOR THE FUTURE!

THE FUTURE OF THE MUSEUM IS IN OUR HANDS!!

OPERATING THE OLDE GAOL MUSEUM

2013 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
and OFFICERS


President, Mr. John R. Macklem
Vice President, Mr. Bill Bateman
Secretary and Treasurer -
Mr. Charles Cooper
Publicist, Dr. Catherine Mathias
Director Mr. Dave Francis
Director Mr. Steve Karpazis
Director Mr. Russ Moore
Director Mrs. Darlene Macklem

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR MUSEUM: 50 Victoria Avenue North
Lindsay, Ontario K9V 4G3
Email:info@oldegaolmuseum.ca
HISTORICAL SOCIETY MAIL ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 187,
LINDSAY, ONTARIO K9V 4S1
Email:
info@victoriacountyhistoricalsociety.ca

VOLUNTEERS ARE WELCOME

  • There are many volunteer opportunities at the Museum.
  • If you wish to give of your time each week or each month…
  • We can find you a place on our volunteer roster!
  • A committee meets monthly for artefacts and fundraising.
  • Other volunteerss work on special projects.
  • Others do tasks that just need to be done.
  • Please contact us. (all volunteers require a police background check – no cost)
  • Bring a friend to volunteer also, if you like.

We can’t do it without you!


Contact

Olde Gaol Museum
50 Victoria Ave N.
Lindsay ON K9V 4G3
tel: 705-324-3404
fax: 705-454-3043
info@oldegaolmuseum.ca

Hours

Our Opening Hours are:
May to October
Wednesday to Sunday
10:00am - 4:00pm
Other times by appointment

Admission

Adults $8.00
Students/Seniors $4.00
Family $18.00
Children under 5, free
Tour groups, please call