KAWARTHA SETTLERS’ VILLAGE ~ CELEBRATING LANDMARK YEAR ~ 25th

KAWARTHA SETTLERS’ VILLAGE ~ CELEBRATING LANDMARK YEAR ~ 25^th Anniversary

Kawartha Settlers’ Village "Reflections of the Past"

Kawartha Settlers’ Village "Hope for our Future"

Ontario Visited has had the wonderful experience of visiting Kawartha Settlers’ Village in beautiful Bobcaygeon, Ontario on several occasions. One event that we enjoyed immensely was their Annual Settlers' Day. One of their earliest fundraising initiatives was Settlers’ Days, a multi-day event that shows visitors the different trades, crafts, and way of life that our early ancestors lived.

During our Ontario Visited journey, as “we traveled to the past”, we experienced the essence of the magnificent property of Kawartha Settlers’ Village, the heritage Village and Settlers’ Day. The antique cars and truck shone brightly with pride, period vintage re-enactor strolled throughout the Village, young children ran and played, seniors and families strolled along the laneways together, and the gardens, blooms and fresh fragrance filled the air along with the occasional waffle smell of campfire.

Sunday, June 14^th, 2015 marks the 23^rd year of Settlers’ Day. Highlights of this year’s event include: re-enactments from the 12^th York Battalion of Infantry, rope making, fur trappers, carvers, needlework, weaving, spinning, rug hooking, tatting and lace work, a honey display, vintage wedding dress display, Quinte Time Keepers, antique radios, historical post card display, children’s activities and more!  For vehicle lovers, the show attracts more than 50 antique and classic cars and trucks. From our experience, this is also a great show for the photograph buffs! The gardens themselves throughout the Village are spectacular!

In honour of their 25th anniversary, they are inviting guests to bring an 8″ x 8″ cake in an aluminium pan (that one doesn’t mind parting with) with their family name iced onto it.  The cake square will be added together to make a giant quilt cake.  This activity was done at one of the first Settlers’ Day and they wanted to relive apart of our 25 year history.  The cakes will be raffled off with proceeds being put towards the 25th anniversary celebrations being held on August 23rd.

Kawartha Settlers’ Village "Quilt Cake"

We wanted to share this additional “SCOOP” with you, to share some of the “history” about the Village! …

“Bobcaygeon – Some might say the creation of Kawartha Settlers’ Village was meant to be as it took a number of different situations, occurring at the same time to bring together the essential players that formed the organization now called Kawartha Region Arts and Heritage Society.

During the 1980’s, Neil Oliver, a lifetime farmer and long-time Reeve of Verulam township, spoke often about the need to preserve the early heritage of the area as he worried that the history and the story of how it had been developed through the hard work of its ancestors would be lost.  With the help of his neighbor, Byron Edney, both men started collecting items from the area with the hopes that they would one day have a place to display them.  Fortunately, it wasn’t long until Bobcaygeon Reeve, Frank Poole, advised the two men that a farm property on the edge of the village was being ceded to Bobcaygeon because of tax arrears.

At the same time, the Bobcaygeon Village Workshop Group operated out of the Henderson House, which was located on Front St.  Though the Bobcaygeon Council recognized the value of the artists, they began preparation for the demolition of the Henderson House as the land the House was on was being turned into a green space.

Reeve Oliver had little trouble convincing the Arts Group to join his cause and on May 29, 1990, a committee was formed to develop a permanent heritage site and a cultural village in Bobcaygeon.  The newly formed group, calling themselves the Kawartha Region Arts and Heritage Council (KRAHC), made a presentation to Bobcaygeon Council requesting the long term lease of the Murphy farm property.  Bert Sevink, the leader of the Arts Group, was the spokesperson. Sevink impressed Council with KRAHC’s plan to restore the barn on the property and to move the Henderson House from Front Street to the property.  The resolution to approve the lease of the property for use as a cultural and heritage centre passed.

In October 1991, the Henderson House became the first building to be moved to the property.  In January, 1991, a “Name the Village” contest was posted in local papers and the property became known as Kawartha Settlers’ Village.  In July of that year the first Official Board of Directors was chosen and the ongoing work of managing the Village and its interests got underway”.

Kawartha Settlers’ Village "Settlers' Day"
Ontario Visited explores

We encourage you to “journey back in time”, to experience Settlers’ Day and Kawartha Settlers’ Village. You can see our Ontario Festivals Visited article from our previous visit at http://ontariofestivalsvisited.ca/all-regions-festivals-visited-lists/139-festivals-visited/festivals-visited-kawarthas-northumberland-ontario-regions/722-settlers-day.html.

You can visit Kawartha Settlers’ Village website at (http://settlersvillage.org/) to catch all the up-to-date details and many more events, activities, programs and happenings throughout the year. Enjoy!