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 a list of our Speaker Series dates and topics, please visit the Speaker Series page.
Upcoming Events 2019:
Feature Events
Family Day- Artefact Explosion
Event date: February 18
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 new carpet sweeper, or hand pump butter churn, 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.
March Break at the OM
Event date: March 11-15
Time: 12-4pm
Location: Oshawa Museum
Discover Oshawa’s history by visiting the Oshawa Museum this March Break! Our engaging tours will shed light on our community’s past and how people lived many years ago!
World Storytelling Day
Event Date: March 24
Time: 1-4pm
Location: Oshawa Museum
Come catch the magic, listening to the tall tales of Lakeview Park as brought to life by the Durham Storytellers. In honour of World Storytelling Day, legends and lore of the lakefront will be shared, inspired by the whimsical artwork created by local artist Eric Sangwine. Sangwine colourfully depicts the stories, and the talented Durham Storytellers will put their own spins on the stories, staying true to the oral traditions of storytellers.
Tickets available HERE
Night at the Museum: Earth Hour
Event Date: March 30
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 12
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
Victoria Day Tours
Event date: May 20
Time: 12-4pm
Location: Henry House
In honour of Queen Victoria’s 200th Birthday, the Oshawa Museum is touring Henry House, our Victorian home, for free on Monday, May 20. Drop by between 12-4pm and learn more about a Victorian family from our costumed guides.
Indigenous Peoples Day & Summer Solstice
Event date: June 21
Time: 12-8pm
Location: Oshawa Museum
It’s the longest day of the year and Indigenous Peoples Day, celebrating the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis! To mark this day, the OM is open late! Take a tour and see our exhibit A Carrying Place: Oshawa’s Indigenous Story.
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.
Thomas Henry’s ‘Grandpa’s Picnic’
Event date: July 14
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: July 18, August 15
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 7 & 8
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.
Archaeology Day
Event date: September 28
Time: 12-3pm
Location: Trent University Durham
The Oshawa Museum and Trent University Durham are inviting archaeology enthusiasts, archaeology newbies, curious kids and even Indiana Jones fans down for an afternoon of discovery. Join us for lectures and hands-on activities!
Annual Lamplight Tour
Event date: December 7
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 11 & 12
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, May to 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 6 – Advertising and Print Shop
February 3 – Butter Making: Churn it Up!
March 3 – Photo Scavenger Hunt
April 7 – Archives Awareness Month: Censuses and Maps
May 19 (rescheduled from May 5) – Accessioned! All About Artefacts
June 2 – Métis Beading: Hosted by the Métis Cultural Craft Circle
July 7 – Green Thumbs Gardening
August 4 – Driving History: A look inside the Drive Shed & Carriage Collection
September 1 – School Days
October 6 – We ‘DIG’ history! All About Archaeology
November 3 – Pen & Ink Letters to Santa
December 1 – The Victorian Home at Christmas
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 27 – Oshawa’s Cornish Roots
February 24 – Romance and Weddings: Oshawa’s Sweethearts & Scandals
March 31 – Fighting Flu with Food 1918-1919
April 28 – 1937 General Motors Strike
May 26 – Stories from the Homefront: Celebrating 75th Anniversary of D-Day
June 30 – Cultural Communities and the History of Fiesta Week
July 28 – The Oshawa Historical Society: 60 Years later
August 25 – The History of Tea & Etiquette
September 29 – Camp 30
October 27 – Union Cemetery’s White Bronze Monuments
November 24 – Oshawa Museum & Costume People Collaboration
