Our Exhibits
We update our exhibits often to provide you with a new experience every time you visit.
Current Exhibits
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![Background is a map of Europe with black text that reads "World War II: By Land, Air & Sea]()
World War II: By Air, Land & Sea
Learn about some of Kawartha Lakes’ heroes in this World War II exhibit. Learn of Jasper Foreman, Helen McMullen, D’Arcy Dolan, “Chum” Gillespie, Ted Relf, and Arthur Menaul and how they contributed to the Canadian war effort by by air, land, and sea.
Exhibit Dates: July 2023 - January 2025
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Brothers In Art
“Brothers in Art” looks at the intimate works of two relatively unknown, but important, Canadian artists. Ernest Fosbery, a printmaker and painter, and his brother, Lionel Fosbery, a successful sculptor, took commissions from Prime Ministers and even royalty. These brothers began in Lindsay, ON, and stepped on to the world stage of Canadian art history.
This exhibit is a small sampling of their collective works, which have been shown globally, as well as documents, genealogy and personal family objects.
Exhibit Dates: Sept. 2021 - Nov. 2023
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The Mighty Fortress
This exhibit highlights the history of the Victoria County Gaol from its construction in 1863 to its closure in 2003. Discover the daily lives of the inmates and gaolers who once resided within these stone walls.
Exhibit Dates: Permanent
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The Art of Collecting
You are cordially invited to join the Laidlaw sisters, Jean Laidlaw Shields and Peggy Laidlaw Woodrow, to dine with them and their husbands Charles and Arthur. Granddaughters of George Laidlaw of The Fort Ranch, Balsam Lake, these ladies took the opportunity to express their joy in the art of collecting, showing off their individual taste and preferences, while still being very practical in decorating their homes in Coboconk and Lindsay. Enjoy viewing their collections of glass, china and art while considering what you like to collect.
Exhibit Dates: Sept. 2021 - Apr. 2024
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Art of Fancywork: Life, Death & Victorian Sentiment
The sentimentality of the Victorian period gave rise to a domestic art form known as fancywork. Learn about the lives of these women and view their art work that utilized many different mediums: feathers, hair, and seeds.
Exhibit Dates: July 2023 - Nov. 2023
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Lest We Forget
Meet the women and men from our community who kept the home fires burning, cared for the wounded and dying, and made the supreme sacrifice in conflict to ensure a more peaceful and just society.
The current exhibit covers information from WWI.
Exhibit Dates: Sept. 2020 - Sept. 2023
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McCrea Bridges of the Kawarthas
John McCrea (1865-1957) drew from his boyhood memories of hometown Omemee to faithfully recreate tiny wooden models of buildings, homesteading implements and area bridges. This exhibit features many of those bridge models, providing a history of those bridges and highlighting those still in use today.
Exhibit Dates: Sept. 2021 - May 2024
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Industry of Lindsay
Industry was essential in helping build the town of Lindsay into a thriving community by providing jobs and goods to the local residents. These are just a few featured businesses from different sectors of production. Featured businesses include the Carew Sawmill & Lumber Co., Fox Brickworks, Silverwood’s Dairy, Sylvester Manufacturing, Horn Bros. Woolen Mill, Knitter’s Limited, and Lindsay Soda Waterworks.
Exhibit Dates: May 2019 - Sept. 2023
Virtual Exhibits
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![Cranberry glass with a young girl blowing bubbles in white enamel.]()
The Art of Collecting
The Laidlaw sisters, Jean Ballantyne Shields (1908-1994) and Marjorie Middleton “Peggy” Woodrow (1910-2006), were prolific collectors.
Their collections give us a glimpse into the lives of women of means in the Kawartha Lakes in the mid- to late-1900s, the culture of collecting, and the stories that objects can tell.
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![Four men dressed in suits sitting on a bench near a body of water]()
The Giants of Lindsay: William and J. D. Flavelle
William and J. D. Flavelle contributed greatly to the development of Lindsay and Victoria County through their many businesses and volunteer work. Read more by clicking below.
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Our History Through the Lindsay Post
Access our digital catalogue and archive of the Lindsay Post newspaper and learn more about one of its longest serving contemporary Editors, Alan Capon, through his photograph collection.
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Precious Memories: Our Seniors Speak
Empowering local seniors and encouraging them to share their knowledge by recording their memories of this community for future generations.
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W.A. Goodwin Exhibit
The life and works of W.A. Goodwin, now presented at the Virtual Museum of Canada. A year’s worth of work has finally come together for all the world to see.
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The History of Our Museum
The Victoria County Museum was located on Kent Street West until 2002.
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The Ghost of Cambridge Street United Church
Local legend says there’s a ghost haunting Cambridge Street United Church. This virtual exhibit looks into the history of the church to discover evidence of the spectre.
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The Social Importance of Railway Stations in Kawartha Lakes
This exhibit highlights the effect of railway stations on human life in Kawartha Lakes.
Past Exhibits
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First World War Comes to Life
The First World War Comes To Life project was a large-scale, animated exhibit that travelled across Canada. Travel dates 2015-2016.
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Their Votes Counted
A travelling exhibit to commemorate the first women to vote in a federal election. Original Exhibit Launch Date: December 2017.
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Make or Make Do
The women with their needles, sewing or knitting, clothed their families, kept them warm, repaired worn holes and torn seams, and let down hems again as their children grew.
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"Dear Pearl..."
This exhibit gives a glimpse into the life of one rural Ontario woman and the people that surrounded her with love and postal best wishes.
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Moustachery
See all of the shaving accessories, photographs of local men sporting great examples of that upper lip facial hair.
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Winter Play
Experience the way people entertained themselves and stayed cozy through winter.
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Gregory Family of Lindsay
This exhibit highlights a few of the members of the Gregory family and their impact on the town of Lindsay and beyond.
