Jump Ahead: House and Grounds History Tour / Paint by the Lake / Authors' Talk / Roses and Rosé / Poetry Competition / Pirate Day / Doors Open 2025 / Murder Mystery Party / Ghost Walks / Past Programs and Events
The Leacock Museum is home to a variety of magical programs for all ages to enjoy. There is always something fun to experience at the museum during every season!
Follow us on social media to stay up to date on upcoming programs @leacockmuseum
Please be advised that promotional photography is taken at all of our events. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please inform staff upon arrival.
Upcoming Programs and Events
House and Grounds History Tour
Ticket Options
Guests to the museum are invited to enjoy a tour of the Leacock house and grounds led by one of our experienced tour guides. Guests will learn about Leacock, his family, and Old Brewery Bay. With the purchase of a History Tour ticket, guests will have special access to Leacock's Boathouse to see the exhibit "Boating Old Brewery Bay."
Offered May 18 to August 31, 2025
11 a.m. or 2 p.m.
Paint by the Lake
Ticket Options
Guests are invited to join us for an outdoor (or indoor, in the case of inclement weather) painting experience at the Leacock Museum! Participants will be guided through basic colour theory for mixing colours. M Nowick will start with teaching some techniques for composing a landscape. A focus will be on creative expression for completing the scene. Inspiration will be taken from nature surrounding the Leacock Museum. Come paint the views of Old Brewery Bay! Space is very limited for these workshops.
Offered July 26, August 9, August 30, and September 13
12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Authors' Talk
The Red Canoe: A Spiderweb Mystery
Once upon a time, a certain woman thought it would be fun if the book club she belonged to wrote a book. Six of the members agreed to give it a try. What began as a “lark” and provided many laughs soon took on a life of its own. Over two years, not only did the writers develop their characters, but as is often written, “the plot thickened.”
Join us July 27th for an authors' talk to hear from the authors of The Red Canoe!
Offered July 27 at 3 p.m.
Free Event
Roses and Rosé
Ticket Options
Join us for another Roses and Rosé event! In partnership with Fire Hall Flowery, arrange your own hand-tied bouquet to take home using a variety of seasonal blooms, enjoy a self-guided tour of the museum, and sip some rosé! All happening at the Leacock Museum on July 30th! Space is limited and pre-registration is required.
Offered July 30, 2025
5:30 p.m.
K. Valerie Connor Poetry Competition and Celebration
More Information
Back for its 10th year, winners have been announced for the K. Valerie Connor Poetry Competition! Follow the link above for more information, complete rules and regulations, and to read the winning poems.
Stay tuned here and to our official
webpage for information on our annual celebration held at the Leacock Museum in August!
Celebration offered August 17, 2025 at 1 p.m. More details to come!
Pirate Day at the Leacock Museum
In association with the Port of Orillia's Pirate Party Event
Arrrr! The Port of Orillia's Pirate Party is upon us and this year, Old Brewery Bay is under threat of attack! The "Pirates of the Orillian Sea" have set their eyes on the Leacock Museum and are headed our way! We are asking for the help of the community to work on boat-building crafts and to try to solve the museum's treasure hunt! The crafts and treasure hunt are available all day long. You just have to visit the museum's giftshop to get your supplies (please note these activities are created for kids, but if you are a child at heart you can participate also)!
We've gotten word that the pirates will be attacking Old Brewery Bay at the Museum around 11:30 a.m. so if you hear cannons fired, make sure to let us know! The waterfront and the boathouse dock are both great spots to get a good view of the pirates and their ships!
Offered August 30, 2025
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Watching the pirates in the bay is free of charge. Crafts and boatmaking are free with regular museum admission ($5/person).
Doors Open 2025
Celebrate Doors Open 2025 at the Leacock Museum and Boathouse! For two days only, the Leacock Museum will open all its doors to the public and provide FREE access to everyone!
Offered September 13, 2025
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last entry 3 p.m.)
Murder Mystery Party
Tickets Available Soon!
More information to come...
Ghost Walks on the Leacock Museum Grounds
Ticket Options
The Leacock Museum is back with our wildly popular Ghost Walks on the Leacock Museum Grounds! Join us for our biggest year yet with surprise guests, treats, and haunted happenings on historical Old Brewery Bay that will leave you with goosebumps, including a jaunt into the haunted basement! Ghost walks take place on the grounds of the Leacock Museum, so please dress appropriately for the weather. Refreshments will be served after the tour!
Offered October 17, 18, 24, and 25
6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Past Programs and Events
2025
|
|
Click to see our 2025 programs and events below:
Speakeasy Exhibit Opening Event
|
|
Guests celebrated the Leacock Museum's "For the Love of Liquor" exhibit with a special opening event in July! The exhibit, which opened the basement floor to guests for the first time in years, focuses on elements of prohibition, historical Orillia breweries, the Leacock family port wine company, billiards, and liquor in the 1920s. Costumed interpreters offered an array of activities inside the 1928 Leacock home. Costumes were not mandatory -- but they were encouraged!
Special performance from Timothy Wilford - Music of the Prohibition Era and a period costume display by Le Petit Chapeau made the night special! A Leacock Lager developed in partnership with Couchiching Brewery will be served! Each event ticket purchase includes one drink ticket (wine and non-alcoholic options available).
Offered July 12, 2025
7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
19+ event
|
Family Fun Day
|
|
Guests joined us at the Leacock Museum for a day of family fun! On June 28, admission to the museum was free for all children with the purchase of an adult self-guided tour ticket! Children completed activity guides, colouring, bubbles, story-time, boathouse crafts, and various other activities! Events took place inside the museum, boathouse and on the front porch!
No pre-registration was required for this event; self-guided tour tickets could be purchased in the museum gift shop upon arrival.
Activities were while supplies last!
Offered June 28, 2025
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last entry to the museum at 3 p.m.)
|
Shop by the Lake - Pop-Up Orillia's Farmers' Market
|
|
The Orillia Farmers' Market was back at the Leacock Museum this spring! Guests stopped by to see the grounds come to life with more than 40 vendors, featuring food, crafters, and artisans! Guided and self-guided tours of the museum were available throughout the day.
Author Jeremy John joined us for the day as well, creating balloon animals and telling his humorous short stories for all to hear!
Offered June 8, 2025
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
|
A Bouquet From Me: Mother's Day Kids Activity
|
|
Children 3+ were welcome! Kids joined us for a hands-on activity to celebrate someone special this May! Kids select flowers and create a lovely bouquet and card that they gave as a gift.
This activity took place in the Leacock Museum boathouse.
Offered Saturday May 10, 2025
Register and drop-in between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., or 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
|
Valentine's Tea
|
Guests brought their friends or partner and joined us February for a special Valentine's themed tea! Krew Catering provided a three-tiered Valentine-themed food selection and guests were served unlimited tea while seated in the living room and dining room of the historic Leacock home! Tickets also included a self-guided tour of the Leacock Museum.
Menu:
Pink Sugar Cookies, Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries, Mini Danishes, Blueberry Scones with Clotted Cream and Jam, Cucumber Cream Cheese Sandwiches, Curry Chicken Sandwiches, and Two Varieties of Mini Quiches
Offered February 9 & 16, 2025
11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
|
A Leacock Love Story Valentine's Tour
|
|
Stephen Leacock's house in Orillia was a labour of love. He built it for his wife, Beatrix. Unfortunately, Beatrix did not live to see it completed. Something did survive though... discovered during restoration inside Stephen's bedroom closet -- Beatrix's final letters. Guests were invited to see the original letters up close and hear the romantic story in detail.
Guests learned about their love story and life together and why Beatrix was not simply, Stephen Leacock's wife on a walking tour led by Leacock researchers.
Offered February 14 & 15, 2025
11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
|
Galentine's Workshop
|
|
Valentine's Day came early when friends gathered at the Leacock Museum for a Galentine's themed bracelet workshop! Guests made three bracelets using lava stones, howlite, amethyst, and a variety of other semi-precious gems! Tickets also included a self-guided tour of the museum.
Offered February 8, 2025
1 p.m.
|
Wire-Wrapping Jewellery Workshop
|
|
After a sold out class in November, the Leacock Museum returned with another jewellery workshop! Guests chose from a variety of stones to make their own necklace and pair of earrings, and took home a new skill as well. Guests were invited to arrive at 5:30p.m. to do a self-guided tour the museum before the workshop began.
Offered January 11, 2025
Arrival was between 5:30p.m. and 6:00p.m. (workshop began at 6:00p.m.)
|
|
2024
|
|
Click to see our 2024 programs and events below:
Christmas in the 1920s
|
|
Guests experienced Christmas, 1920s style! Guest strolled through the Leacock Museum, stopping at different stations, to participate in 1920s Christmas traditions. Guests learned about the history of each tradition as they went and left with classic decorations and new traditions for their own home! Light refreshments were served throughout the night.
Though the outside of the home was decorated with beautiful lights, the event took place fully indoors.
Offered December 20, 2024
Drop-in from 5:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. (pre-registration was required)
|
Holiday Bouquet Workshop
|
|
Once again the Leacock Museum partnered with Florillia Floral Design to offer a bouquet workshop just in time for the holidays! Guests participated in a flower arranging class and built their own bouquet to gift to someone else or keep for themselves!
Offered December 18, 2024
Arrival between 5:30p.m. and 6:00p.m. (workshop began at 6:00p.m.)
|
The Nutcracker Tea
|
|
The highly requested Nutcracker Tea returned for 2024! Guests enjoyed a three-tiered treat selection prepared by Krew Catering with unlimited tea while seated in the decorated and historic living room or dining room of the Leacock Museum. Tickets to the Nutcracker Tea also included a self-guided tour of the museum.
Menu:
Orange Truffle Balls, Thumbprint Cookies, Custard Tarts, Wild Blueberry Scones, Cranberry Chicken Salad on Mini Croissants, Spinach Tomato Feta Mini Quiche, Chive & Dill Egg Salad
Offered November 24, December 8, and December 15, 2024
11a.m., or
2p.m.
|
Wire Wrapping Jewellery Workshop
|
|
Guests learned a new hobby, met new people, and made a gift for themselves or someone else! Guests joined us for a Wire-Wrapping Jewellery Workshop in partnership with R.L.B. Creations. Guests were led in the creation of a wire-wrapped necklace AND pair of earrings. The workshop began at 6:00p.m., but guests were invited to arrive anytime after 5:30p.m. if they liked to do a self-guided tour of the museum beforehand (museum admission was included with the purchase of a ticket).
Offered November 13, 2024
Arrived between 5:30p.m. and 6:00p.m. (workshop began at 6:00p.m.)
|
Ghost Walks on the Leacock Museum Grounds
|
The Leacock Museum was back with our wildly popular Ghost Walks on the Leacock Museum Grounds! This year was the biggest ghost season we've seen so far with surprise guests, treats and spooky happenings told that made guests get goosebumps! Guests joined one of our spooky tour guides to learn about the haunted happenings on historical Old Brewery Bay. Ghost walks took place on the grounds of the Leacock Museum. Refreshments were served after the tour!
Offered October 18, 19, 25 and 26, 2024
6 p.m. or 8 p.m.
|
Halloween Crafts and Stories for Kids
|
|
A drop-in program took place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. A wonderful day of Halloween activities for kids was had by all! Activities included pumpkin carving, making monster bookmarks, and our special guest author, Jeremy John (author of "The Strange Grave of Mikey Dunbar, and other stories to make you poop your pants") who told his spooky camping stories and created balloon creatures!
Children 3+ were welcome. Children were to be accompanied by an adult.
Offered October 20, 2024
Drop-in between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (pre-registration was required)
|
Special "Monster, She Wrote" Ghost Walk
|
|
in celebration of the Monster, She Wrote exhibit opening!
This year, in celebration of the Leacock Museum's new temporary exhibit Monster, She Wrote, a special one-night-only ghost walk took place. The Leacock Museum had a spooky new exhibit on its way! The museum welcomed guests to join the exclusive opening event on October 5th to welcome, "Monster, She Wrote."
This exhibit explores horror novels through the centuries, written by women and is planned in collaboration with authors, Lisa Kröger and Melanie R. Anderson!
But, we couldn't let the spookiness begin without first performing a special Ghost Walk for a select number of guests! For this tour only, guests were touring inside the house...at night!
Refreshments were served after the tour.
Offered October 5th, 2024
7:30p.m.
|
Jeremy John Author Event at Shop by the Lake
|
|
Jeremy John is a Canadian treasure. His stories are hilarious, heartwarming, and sometimes bone-chilling.
The Leacock Museum and the Orillia Farmers' Market welcomed Jeremy John, author of two collections of short stories, “Robert’s Hill (or the time I pooped my snowsuit) and other Christmas stories", as well as "The Strange Grave of Mikey Dunbar, and other stories to make you poop your pants" both published by Dundurn Press. His career in broadcasting has included co-hosting shows on 680 NEWS, KiSS FM, and Breakfast Television.
Offered Sunday September 22, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00p.m. on the front porch (entertainment and light readings)
3:00 p.m. on the front porch (specially scheduled book reading)
|
Shop by the Lake - Pop-Up Orillia Farmers' Market
|
|
The Orillia Farmers' Market was back at the Leacock Museum this fall! Guests stopped by to see the grounds come to life with more than 40 vendors, featuring food, crafters, and artisans!
Offered September 22, 2024, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You didn't want to miss author, Jeremy John, who read his humorous short stories and provided entertainment on the front porch of the museum. Jeremy also performed a special reading at 3 p.m. on the porch.
|
Doors Open 2024
|
|
Guests celebrated Doors Open 2024 at the Leacock Museum and Boathouse! For two days only, the Leacock Museum openedg all its doors to the public and provided FREE access to everyone!
Offered September 14 and 15
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last entry 3 p.m.)
|
House and Grounds History Tour
|
|
Guests to the museum enjoyed a tour of the Leacock house and grounds led by one of our experienced tour-guides. Guests learned about Leacock, his family and Old Brewery Bay. With the purchase of a History Tour ticket, guests had special access to Leacock's Boathouse to see the exhibit "Boating Old Brewery Bay."
Offered May 18 to August 31, 2024.
11:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m.
|
Pirate Day at the Leacock Museum
|
|
In association with the Port of Orillia's Pirate Party Event
Arrrr! The Port of Orillia's Pirate Party was upon us and this year, Old Brewery Bay was under threat of attack! The "Pirates of the Orillian Sea" had set their eyes on the Leacock Museum and were headed our way! We were asking for the help of the community to work on boat-building crafts and to try to solve the museum's treasure hunt! Crafts and the treasure hunt were available all day long. Guests just had to visit the museum's giftshop to get their supplies (please note these activities were created for kids, but if you were a child at heart you could participate also)!
We'd gotten word that the pirates would be attacking Old Brewery Bay at the Museum around 11:30 a.m. so if you heard cannons fired, you made sure to let us know! The waterfront and the boathouse dock were both great spots to get a good view of the pirates and their ships!
Offered August 31, 2024
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
No tickets or preregistration was required! Watching the pirates in the bay was free of charge. Crafts and boatmaking were free with regular museum admission ($5/person).
|
K. Valerie Connor Poetry Competition Celebration
|
Our annual celebration was held in the living room of the historic Leacock Museum! At this event, winners were awarded their certificates and prizes, and given the opportunity to read their winning poems. The event was accessible via the ramp at the front of the museum and the double-wide doors from the porch. This free event was open to the public, giving all guests the opportunity to hear the winning poems and form connections in the literary and arts communities. Available judges, winners, and members of the Connor family were in attendance. Cake and light refreshments was served. More information can be found here.
Offered August 25, 2024 at 2 p.m.
No tickets or registration was required.
|
"How To" Workshops in the Boathouse
|
|
"How To" Workshops -- Guests learned a new skill while enjoying the atmosphere in the historical boathouse on the Leacock Museum grounds. Event took place on select Sundays throughout the summer.
|
Sunday Serenade
|
|
Sunday Serenades took place on the Leacock Museum grounds this summer! Guests enjoyed the beautiful gardens with different local musicians and lawn games! Guests were encouraged to bring picnics, blankets or chairs to enjoy a calming Sunday afternoon.
|
Jeremy John Author Event at the Orillia Farmers' Market
|
|
Jeremy John is a Canadian treasure. His stories are hilarious, heartwarming, and sometimes bone-chilling.
The Leacock Museum and the Orillia Farmers' Market welcomed Jeremy John, author of two collections of short stories, “Robert’s Hill (or the time I pooped my snowsuit) and other Christmas stories", as well as "The Strange Grave of Mikey Dunbar, and other stories to make you poop your pants" both published by Dundurn Press. His career in broadcasting has included co-hosting shows on 680 NEWS, KiSS FM, and Breakfast Television.
Offered Sunday June 9th, 2024 in the Leacock Museum living room.
12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
|
Shop by the Lake - Pop-Up Orillia Farmers' Market
|
Nestled along the picturesque Lake Couchiching, a pop-up Orillia Farmers' Market took place at the Leacock Museum on Sunday, June 9, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The market came to life with more than 40 vendors, featuring food, crafters, and artisans. The Orillia Secondary School Band filled the market with music.
Vendors at the market included a vast array of familiar favourites and unique craftspeople, including those selling butterfly release kits, mobile dog nail trimming, on-site massage therapy, mediums, and more.
The Leacock Museum was open for self-guided and guided tours.
An author event was also planned for 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. with author Jeremy John, who read his humorous short stories.
The Orillia Farmers' Market will return to the Leacock Museum in September, 2024!
|
A Bouquet from Me - Kid's Activity
|
Children 3+ welcome! Join the Leacock Museum for a hands-on activity to celebrate someone special this May! Your child can select flowers and create a lovely bouquet and greetings card that they can give as a gift.
This activity took place in the Leacock Museum boathouse. Children had to be pre-registered and accompanied by an adult.
Offered Saturday May 4, 2024.
Between 10:00a.m. and 3:00p.m.
|
How we Kept Mother's Day Mini-Exhibit Tour
|
The tradition of celebrating Mother's Day began in 1908. In the early 1900s, Canadian author, Stephen Leacock, observed the idea with a funny short story about a family who takes advantage of the holiday by going fishing while they left their mother at home to enjoy her special day (after doing all of the cooking, cleaning, and preparation for the occasion, of course).
Stephen Leacock's real-life mother, Agnes Butler Leacock, was a force to be reckoned with. Agnes's life tells the tale of a strong, independent woman with a very interesting backstory. Agnes spent much time at the Leacock summer home at Old Brewery Bay during her life and even had her own room in the household.
To help celebrate this mini-exhibit, the Leacock Museum provided tours and a reading of "How We Kept Mother's Day."
Offered May 3 and 4, 2024
11:00a.m. or 2:00p.m.
|
Roses and Rosé Spring Package
|
|
This packaged experience included:
A specialized flower arranging class, courtesy of Florillia Floral Design
A flower bouquet to take home that guests made themselves
An intimate tour of the Leacock Museum showing original photographs from the late 1800s/early 1900s, as well as a look at the museum's newest exhibit, "From War to Wonders: Mapping Escapism in a Time of Turmoil"
A specially-crafted Rosé beverage at Orillia's only waterfront dining experience, Fare Restaurant, to end off the day (mocktail also available!)
Offered April 11, 2024
5:30p.m.
|
A Leacock Love Story Valentine's Tour
|
|
Stephen Leacock's house in Orillia was a labour of love. He built it for his wife, Beatrix. Unfortunately, Beatrix did not live to see it completed. Something did survive though... Discovered during restoration inside Stephen's bedroom closet -- Beatrix's final letters. Guests saw the letters up close and heard the romantic story in detail.
Guests learned about their love story and life together and why Beatrix was not simply, Stephen Leacock's wife on a walking tour led by Leacock researchers.
Offered February 3 and 17, 2024
11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
|
|
2023
|
|
Click to see our 2023 programs and events below:
Holiday Centrepiece Workshop - Roses and Rosé (Package)
|
|
The Roses and Rosé package returned for the Holiday season! This special collaboration with Fare Restaurant and Florillia Floral Design was a great way to get festive and relax with friends!
This package included:
- A specialized winter holiday flower arranging class, courtesy of Florillia Floral Design
- A flower bouquet in a reindeer ceramic vase to take home that guests made themselves
- A Holiday-themed guided tour of the Leacock Museum's lit pathway
- A specially-crafted winter cocktail at Orillia's only waterfront dining experience, Fare Restaurant, to end off the day (mocktail version also available!)
Offered December 6, 2023
5:30p.m.
|
Christmas Tour & Story
|
Guests joined an experienced tour guide for the Leacock Museum Christmas Tour & Story. The tour began with an outdoor stroll on the grounds. Guests saw the twinkling lights along the trail, enjoyed a special stop at the Boathouse, and ended off their tour with the story of "Hoodoo McFiggin's Christmas" in Leacock's warm, cozy living room!
Offered November 30 and December 1, 2023
5:30p.m., or
7:30p.m.
|
The Nutcracker Tea
|
|
The Nutcracker tea was back by popular demand! Guests enjoyed a three-tiered treat selection prepared by FARE Restaurant with unlimited tea while seated in the comfort of the living room and dining room.
Offered November 23, 24 & 25, 2023
11:00a.m., or
2:00p.m. |
Paint your PRIDE
|
Postponed from September 9th, 2023 -- Guests joined us for the opening of the "Decoding Anne Lister: History's First Modern Lesbian" exhibit. The event began with an introduction by museum staff, a self-guided tour of the museum and the opportunity to explore the new exhibit, followed by an artist-led painting workshop. A limited number of spots were available!
Offered November 26, 2023.
Noon - 2:15p.m., or
1:45p.m. - 4p.m.
- Art Instructor (both sessions): M Nowick (They/Them)
- Guest Speaker (noon session): Amy Rae Miller (They/Them)
- Guest Speaker (1:45p.m. session): Dr. Chris Roulston (She/Her)
|
Ghost Walks on the Leacock Museum Grounds
|
For those who love a good haunting, what better place to host a Ghost Tour than an old historic building such as the historic Leacock Home?
Ghost Walks on the Leacock Museum Grounds was back after a successful run in 2022! Join one of our spooky tour guides and a secret special guest to learn about the haunted happenings on historical Old Brewery Bay. Ghost walks take place on the grounds of the Leacock Museum. Refreshments will be served after the tour!
Remember to dress weather-accordingly as the tour takes place outdoors in rain or shine!
Offered October 20, 21, 27 and 28, 2023
6:00p.m., or
8:00p.m.
|
Fall High Tea
|
Back by popular demand! Fall high teas returned this fall with six different dates. Guests enjoyed a three-tiered treat selection prepared by FARE Restaurant with unlimited tea while seated on the porch or in the comfort of the living room. Reservations were required.
Offered October 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 & 28, 2023
2:00p.m.
|
Roses and Rosé - Fall Edition (Package)
|
The Roses and Rosé package returned for the fall season! This special collaboration with Fare Restaurant and Florillia Floral Design was a great way to get creative and relax with friends!
This package included:
- A specialized flower arranging class, courtesy of Florillia Floral Design
- A fall flower bouquet to take home that guests will make themselves
- A full guided tour of the Leacock Museum (including the newest exhibit: "Decoding Anne Lister: History's First Modern Lesbian")
- A specially-crafted autumn cocktail at Orillia's only waterfront dining experience, Fare Restaurant, to end off the day (mocktail version also available!)
Offered October 11, 2023
5:30p.m.
|
House and Grounds History Tour
|
|
Enjoy a tour of the Leacock house and grounds led by one of our experienced tour-guides. Guests will learn about Leacock, his family and Old Brewery Bay. With the purchase of your History Tour ticket, get special access to the Boathouse to see the newest exhibit: "Boating Old Brewery Bay."
Offered May 23 until August 31, 2023.
Tour times:
Tuesday to Friday – 11a.m. and 2p.m.
Saturday – 11a.m.
*The Leacock Museum House and Grounds History Tour will return in May 2024!
|
Roses and Rosé (Package)
|
|
This packaged experience included:
- A specialized flower arranging class, courtesy of Florillia Floral Design
- A flower bouquet to take home that guests made themselves
- A tour of the gardens, rose garden & "A Leacock Love Story" exhibit at the Leacock Museum
- A specially-crafted Rosé Prosecco beverage at Orillia's only waterfront dining experience, Fare Restaurant, to end off the day (mocktail also available!)
Offered August 24, 2023 at 5p.m.
|
K. Valerie Connor Memorial Poetry Celebration
|
|
The K. Valerie Connor Memorial Poetry Celebration is an annual province-wide literary contest run by the Leacock Museum in honour of one of our museum's cherished volunteers, Valerie Connor. This contest supports original works of poetry from Ontario residents in three age categories and offers $2100 in total cash prizes.
Learn more about the 2023 contest
|
Historic Places Day
|
Date: July 8, 2023, 11a.m. – 12:30p.m.
Guests heard from author, Lynn Holden as she recounted her experiences traversing all 20 Canadian UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Her journey began in 1982 with a visit to Nahanni National Park in the Northwest Territories. After spending 40 years visiting them all, Lynn began writing a book featuring her experiences, information on each site, and photographs in 2018. Lynn’s talk will explore her experiences, the sites, and the book. After the talk, signed copies were made available for purchase. Entry was by donation on the day! The event was held in the Leacock Museum living room.
|
Gatsby Garden Party
|
|
Date: June 17, 2023, 1 - 4p.m.
Guests joined us for a family-friendly Gatsby Garden Party which combined the decadence of the 1920s with the simplicity of a picnic style outing. Guests packed a picnic lunch and joined us on the Leacock lawn. There was live entertainment for adults and children, lawn games, and a silent auction. Guests who attended the event participated in the awards ceremony and reading for the K. Valerie Connor Memorial Poetry Celebration. It was a great way to ring in the beginning of summer!
|
Boating Old Brewery Bay Launch
|
|
Location: Leacock Museum Grounds, House & Boathouse
Date: May 20, 2023 (Victoria Day Weekend), 1 – 4p.m.
To welcome a new boathouse exhibit, two associations – the Orillia Heritage Centre, and the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association – joined us to showcase historic boats, canoes and model ships. There were crafts and activities for children, as well as paddling, seat-weaving, and other demonstrations! Guests were welcomed to tour the boathouse and the museum. The day was ended by listening to Leacock's famous "Sinking of the Mariposa Belle" told by storyteller, Tim Greenwood.
|
|
2022
|
|
Click to see our 2022 programs and events below:
Ghost Walks on the Leacock Museum Grounds
|
Location: Leacock Museum Grounds, 50 Museum Drive\
For those who love a good haunting, what better place to host a Ghost Tour than an old historic building such as the historic Leacock Home? Tours featured tales of haunted happenings on the property.
|
Mary Pickford Exhibit Closing & Silent Film Screening
|
|
Date: October 20, 2022
Time: 6:00pm
It was time to say goodbye to the first installment of the Leacock Museum’s new exhibit series “Entertaining Entertainers: Mary Pickford, Queen of the Silver Screen.” To do so, the Museum planned a closing event where guests could tour the exhibit one last time. Guests were invited to screen “Fanchon the Cricket” an autumn-themed silent film starring Mary Pickford herself.
The film had been re-mastered and re-released by the Pickford Foundation and was shown in the living room space of the Leacock home. Light refreshments were served.
|
|
