The Oshawa Historical Society, along with the Oshawa Museum, runs exciting events throughout the year. A copy of our events list can be viewed and printed here.
FOR EVENTS CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19, SEE BOTTOM OF PAGE
For a list of our Speaker Series dates and topics, please visit the Speaker Series page.
Upcoming Events 2020:
Feature Events
Family Day- Artefact Explosion
Event date: February 17
Time: 12-4pm
Location: Oshawa Museum
On Family Day, join our Visitor Hosts who will show you genuine Victorian and Edwardian era artefacts! Test out our carpet sweeper, hand pump butter churn, or try photographing your friend with a vintage Kodak! Browse through Oshawa newspapers from Canada’s Centennial and Oshawa’s Semicentennial or 50th Anniversary as a City.
Indigenous Peoples Day
Event date: June 21
Time: 12-4pm
Location: Oshawa Museum
Details to be confirmed! Stay tuned!
Canada Day at the Lake
Event date: July 1
Time: 2-6pm (subject to change)
Location: Henry House, Oshawa Museum
As part of the City of Oshawa’s Canada Day celebrations, Henry House is open for free tours during the afternoon. Join us as we celebrate Lakeview Park’s 100th birthday in 2020!
Thomas Henry’s ‘Grandpa’s Picnic’
Event date: July 12
Time: 12-4pm
Location: Henry House, Oshawa Museum
Thomas Henry held annual picnics for his grandchildren every May. His children were invited, but told their kids were the honoured guests. Learn to make ice cream and play croquet.
Summer Victorian Teas
Event Dates: Thursdays, July 9 to August 27
Time: 11:30am
Location: Oshawa Museum
Take a rest and enjoy some lovely scones, sandwiches and desserts, accompanied by your choice of tea in our heritage gardens by the lake. RSVP Required
Scenes from the Cemetery -a Dramatic Tour of Union Cemetery
Event date: September 12 & 13
Time: 2pm
Location: Front gates of Union Cemetery
Discover the stories of Oshawa’s Union Cemetery like never before. Actors bring history to life in Scenes from the Cemetery, a dramatic tour through Oshawa’s history.
Mad Hatter Victorian Tea
Event Date: November 13
Time: 11:30am
Location: Guy House
It’s Friday the 13th and we’re having a tea to celebrate! RSVP Required
Annual Lamplight Tour
Event date: December 5
Time: 6 – 8pm
Location: Oshawa Museum
Celebrate the holiday season in traditional Victorian style by touring through Henry and Robinson Houses! The houses are lit by oil lamps and are decorated in true holiday spirit.
Christmas Victorian Teas
Event Date: December 16, 17 & 20
Time: 11:30am
Location: Guy House
Celebrate the holiday season at the Oshawa Museum. Enjoy a traditional Victorian tea, with homemade sandwiches, scones and desserts. Tea is followed by a tour of the museum, which is decorated to reflect a traditional Victorian Christmas. RSVP Required
Recurring Events
Monthly Union Cemetery Tours
Event dates: First Saturday, June to July; second Saturday in August
Time: 2pm
Location: Front gates of Union Cemetery
Join the Oshawa Museum on the first Saturday of May, June, July and August and take a tour of Oshawa’s largest Cemetery, Union Cemetery. Every month brings a new tour, sharing stories of well-known citizens and of everyday people who made Oshawa the community it is.
Yoga in the Garden
Event dates: Friday mornings, June to mid-August
Time: 10am
Location: Henry House Gardens
Breath deep, take a moment, and do a sun salutation in the summer sun with the Oshawa Museum’s Yoga in the Garden. Come down to the Henry House Heritage Gardens and enjoy a morning of Yoga in the Garden, in partnership with Durham Yogi Community.
Sunday FUNday
Join the Oshawa Museum on the first Sunday of every month and immerse yourself in history! Every Sunday brings a new inspiring activity! Drop in between 12 & 4pm.
January 5 –Curious About Cameras
February 2 –Communication: Phones, postcards, writing
March 1 –Learn to write cursive with pen & ink
June 7 – First Nations themed
July 5 –Christmas in July (Victorian toys make an ornament)
August 2 – Victorian Olympics (Chore relay)
September 6 – Domestic Duties
October 4 – Set a Table for Tea
November 1 – Make and Try a Plum Pudding
December 13 – Make an Ornament
Tea & Talks
On last Sunday of the month, join us for afternoon tea. Enjoy your tea and scones while our Visitor Hosts lead engaging historical discussions.
January 26 –History of Guy House
February 23 –Romance & Weddings in Oshawa
June 28 – Tea & WALK – Harbour Walking Tour (Celebrating Lakeview Park Anniversary)
July 26 – Tea & WALK – Harbour Pioneer Cemetery tour – (Celebrating Lakeview Park Anniversary)
September 27 – Tea & WALK – Lakeview Park walking tour – (Celebrating Lakeview Park Anniversary)
October 25 – Ephemera of Death
November 29 –Amanda Robinson, Topic TBD
*There is no Tea & Talk in August.
Cancelled
The COVID-19 Pandemic has resulted in a number of our events being cancelled. These events are below, and we will adjust the list accordingly.
MARCH Break (Museums, Art, Reading, Culture, Heritage)
Event date: March 16-20
Time: 12-4pm
Location: Oshawa Museum
Every day, a new partner and new activity! Throughout March Break, Oshawa’s amazing culture groups are popping up in the Verna Conant Gallery! In the Museum houses, we will be giving tours and planning activities around our feature guests!
Night at the Museum: Earth Hour
Event Date: March 28
Time: 7:30-9:30pm
Location: Henry House, OM
This Earth Hour, turn out the lights and turn up the lamplight. Visit Henry House after hours and learn about life before electricity. Costumed guides are on hand this evening to shed light on an earlier time.
Mother’s Day Teas
Event Date: May 7 & 10
Time: 11:30am
Location: Guy House
Treat Mom to an afternoon at the Oshawa Museum! Enjoy a light lunch of sandwiches, scones, goodies, and tea, then enjoy a tour through the houses of the Museum. RSVP Required
Monthly Union Cemetery Tours
Event dates: May 2
Time: 2pm
Location: Front gates of Union Cemetery
Join the Oshawa Museum on the first Saturday of May, June, July and August and take a tour of Oshawa’s largest Cemetery, Union Cemetery. Every month brings a new tour, sharing stories of well-known citizens and of everyday people who made Oshawa the community it is.
Sunday FUNday
Join the Oshawa Museum on the first Sunday of every month and immerse yourself in history! Every Sunday brings a new inspiring activity! Drop in between 12 & 4pm.
April 5 – Genealogy Society
May 3- Victorian Handicrafts: Learn to spin yarn, knit, corking
Tea & Talks
On last Sunday of the month, join us for afternoon tea. Enjoy your tea and scones while our Visitor Hosts lead engaging historical discussions.
March 29 –A History of Simcoe Street United Church
April 26 –Displaced Persons in Oshawa
May 31 –Henry Grandchildren
