Peter Robinson 1825 Irish Emigration – Commemoration Schedule of Events
August 1-10 • 2025
Click the + to expand on the event for more information. For more details and events happening all year please see our 2025 Community Events Calendar.
Multi-Day & All Week Activities
Independently visit, museums, landmarks and archives that represent, preserve and give renewed life to the history, heritage and culture of the region. Further your own research on the Peter Robinson emigration and quench your curiosity with the following locations, open to the public during the dates of August 1-10th.
Nine Ships 1825 • Bicentennial Heritage Fair & Welcome Hub
Location: Knights of Columbus Hall • 317 Hunter St. W. • Peterborough
Operating Hours:
- Saturday August 2 through Friday August 8, 2025 • 10AM to 4PM.
- Closed August 9th and 10th.
- Aug. 1 – Opening Ceremony & Blessing from 3:00-5:00 PM. This is a free event that requires registration. Please see Aug. 1-10th event calendar below to register.
Details: The Bicentennial Heritage Fair will be a one-stop headquarters for visitors from near and far from August 1st – 8th. Access resources on local communities and attractions, history displays and books by authors of a local historic and heritage nature. Stop in for resources or for social time with others passing through during the week; visitors and locals, descendants and history aficionados alike!
Trent Valley Archives
Location: 567 Carnegie Ave • Peterborough
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10AM to 4PM
Details: This not-for-profit charity has diligently advocated for the preservation of and accessibility to historic archives of the region since 1989, housing more than 4,000 cubic feet of ‘documents relating to the people, events and places connected with the Trent Valley’. Doors are open to researchers during operating hours, with volunteers on site to help with historical, genealogical and property research. Resources include over 1,200 archival fonds, a genealogy wall with genealogical materials, the archives of the Peterborough Examiner and an extensive research library containing both local and family history of the region.
Some intriguing resources specific to the Peter Robinson immigration on site include a map of Douro prepared for Robinson, a patent book which shows the Robinson settlers who received land patents, an 1827 print of the Hall camera lucida of Peterborough, the Robinson letters from CO 42 found in TVA’s Upper Canada Documentary History Project, the Pammett thesis and the Peter McConkey research. The TVA on site bookstore features a variety of local history books, including our bestselling book on the Peter Robinson Emigration, Green Routes, written by Rosemary McConkey.
Walk-in visits are welcome. In the case of extensive research, it’s highly recommended to make an appointment in advance so archivists can be prepared with relevant research materials. For contact info please visit their website directly.
Kawartha Ancestral Research Association (KARA)
Location: 730 The Kingsway #3 • Peterborough
Operating Hours: August 1-10th from 10AM to 4PM daily
Details: KARA is a Registered Charity and a genealogy and heritage site for family historians in the Peterborough, Northumberland, Durham, Haliburton, and City of Kawartha Lakes region. Its initiatives have been driven by dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers since 1996. Stop by any day during August 1 – 10, 2025, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to chat with KARA about your Family Connections to the Robinson Settlers of 1825 and further your research with their array of excellent resources:
- Cemetery Transcriptions, Headstone Photograph Collection, Newspaper Clippings, Family Histories, microfilm collection of the Peterborough Catholic Diocese parish registers (1845-1910) for baptism or marriage records.
- KARA photo display, Descendants in Our Time and KARA power-point Slide Shows, that represent some of the families who came as Robinson Settlers in 1825.
- Lists of the Settler Families who boarded each ship and Fiats issued to settlers seeking their Land Patents.
- Locate your ancestor’s property on one of the Maps in the Historical Atlas of Peterborough County or land records.
- Heir and Devisee Records. Learn how to sort through Census Records, whether in the Head of Household style of the 1830s and 1840s or the Nominal Census style that began in 1851.
- KARA’s new volumes, Robinson Roots Footprints of the Past will be available for purchase on site.
Peterborough Museum & Archives (PMA)
Open to Visitors
Location: 300 Hunter St E • Peterborough
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday 9AM to 5PM
- Saturday and Sunday 12PM to 5PM
Details: The Peterborough Museum & Archives (PMA) holds original documents relating to the Peter Robinson emigration and will be presenting a table-top display at the Bicentennial Heritage Fair from Aug 1st-8th. Everyone is also encouraged to visit the Peterborough Museum & Archive’s permanent galleries in its picturesque location on Armour Hill, just minutes from downtown, where an exhibit focuses on the Peter Robinson migration, including a recreated ship’s berth and shanty. Researchers should contact the Archivist, Jon Oldham to schedule an appointment in advance if interested in seeing the original documents and/or researching families. Email: . Some of these materials will also be copied and made freely available during museum open hours (without an appointment). The PMA is located in close proximity to The Canadian Canoe Museum and The Peterborough Liftlocks.
Kinoomaage Waapkong and Petroglyphs Provincial Park
Location: 2249 Northeys Bay Road, Woodview, ON K0L 3E0
Operating Hours:
- From 2nd half of June to September: Monday – Sunday from 10:00AM – 5:00PM (no vehicle entry after 4:00PM).
- For spring and fall hours, please visit website provided below.
Details: Known traditionally as Kinoomaage Waapkong, the Teaching Rocks is home to the largest concentration of pre-contact First Nations petroglyphs in Canada. Managed in partnership with Curve Lake First Nation and Ontario Parks, this significant site is recognized as a sacred and spiritual area for many First Nations. With over 1000 different carved images, ranging in age from 600 to 6000 years old, these petroglyphs speak to the rich cultural and spiritual life of the Anishinaabeg who carved them to provide teachings for our current and future generations. A guided tour of the Teaching Rocks will provide a glimpse into the spiritual lives of the Anishinaabeg through oral teachings surrounding traditional clan systems, responsibilities to one another and the land, the sacred connection between Anishinaabeg and the earth, and the spiritual and cultural history of Anishinaabeg of this area. Visit for an opportunity to experience this unique site and gain teachings that have been passed from one generation to the next for thousands of years.
Curve Lake First Nation Cultural Centre
Location: 22 Winookeedaa Road Curve Lake, Ontario K0L1R0
Operating Hours: open Monday to Friday
Details: Curve Lake First Nation has one of the only First Nation owned and operated Cultural Centres in Ontario. The Cultural Centre is open year-round and offers various collections and exhibits, educational and cultural sensitivity workshops, and archiving. Cultural Centre staff work closely with the Elders Advisory Committee to ensure traditions, ceremonies and language continue to be passed down from generation to generation. Please note that the Cultural Centre is self-guided access for walk-in visitors.
For more information on the Cultural Centre, including activities and operating hours, please visit https://curvelakefirstnation.ca/cultural-centre/.
4th Line Theatre: Wild Irish Geese
Location: The Winslow Farm • 779 Zion Line • Millbrook
Dates & Time: Tuesdays to Saturdays from July 29th through August 30th at 6PM with an added Monday performance on August 25th at 6PM.
Details: Experience a captivating evening of theatre with the World Premier of Wild Irish Geese, written by Megan Murphy. A portrayal with social and political perspectives of the impoverished Irish emigrants’ journey to settle in the region in 1825 and Peter Robinson, the face of the emigration scheme. This play, of epic historical proportions is set in the breath-taking backdrop of 4th Line Theatre’s open air stage. Purchase theatre tickets directly at: https://www.4thlinetheatre.on.ca/2025-summer-season
Liftlock Cruises
Fort Henry in Kingston
Location: 1 Fort Henry Dr. Kingston, ON . K7K 5G8
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Sunday (10AM – 4:30PM) – summer hours
Details: Take a day trip to experience the grounds at Fort Henry and Point Frederick, another compelling place along the Peter Robinson emigrants’ journey in 1825, following their Atlantic crossing. Experience first hand the grounds at Fort Henry and Point Frederick where the Irish migrants encamped for over a month in the blazing summer heat, waiting for the next leg of their journey to Cobourg and on to Peterborough. Exhibits and displays portray hardships faced by the Irish during their stay.
Website: https://www.forthenry.com/
Hutchison House Museum
Location: 270 Brock St • Peterborough
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday 10AM to 4PM for guided and self-guided visits
- Scottish Tea available Tuesday to Saturday from 1-4pm.
- Reservations required for groups of more than 4.
Details: Visit the storied Hutchison House, one of Peterborough’s oldest stone buildings. Initially inhabited by the town’s first resident doctor, John Hutchison provided care for some of the Peter Robinson immigrants after their arrival. An exhibit created by the Museum Management and Curatorship Students at Fleming College entitled, ‘Together from Apart: Stories of Immigration’ will be on display until October 2025. The exhibit showcases the history of immigration in Peterborough including the Robinson Settlers. For guided tours, drop in any time during operating hours. For Scottish Tea, drop in at anytime between 1-4pm, Tuesday – Saturday.
Lang Pioneer Village Museum
Location: 104 Lang Rd • Keene
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Sunday 10AM to 4PM
- Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Details: A 19th century living monument to the faith, endurance, and ingenuity of settlers and First Nations people. The open air museum includes thirty historic buildings built between 1825 and 1910. Take time at the exhibit, “Aabnaabin: Looking Back to Where We Come From”, shining a light on ‘the major impacts that settlement had on the local indigenous population’. Check out their website for more details.
Hope Mill
Kawartha Settlers Village (Bobcaygeon)
Location: 85 Dunn St • Bobcaygeon
Operating Hours:
- Daily from 10AM to 4PM.
- Appointments in advance are recommended for groups.
Details: “Kawartha Settlers’ Village, once a bustling family farm, has transformed into a captivating historical site, showcasing over 20 historic homes and buildings that offer a glimpse into the lives of pioneers in the Kawarthas from 1830 to 1935.” Combine your trip to KSV with a visit to beautiful Bobcaygeon on the Trent Severn Waterway.
Canadian Canoe Museum
Location: 2077 Ashburnham Dr, Peterborough, ON K9L 1P8
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday from 10am-5pm.
Details: Visit the Canadian Canoe Museum’s stunningly curated collection of paddled watercraft and gain insight into the vital role that these vessels have had in Canada and various parts of the world. Enjoy the on-site cafe for delicious lunches, desserts and coffees. Include the Canoe House and docks of the Museum’s Lakefront Campus in your visit to take a paddle in a canoe or kayak on Little Lake (weather and availability permitting). The museum has on site parking and is located within walking distance of the Peterborough Liftlocks (Lock 21).
Peterborough Lift Lock - Lock 21 - Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site
Location: 354 Hunter Street East, Peterborough
Operating Hours: June 20 – September 1, 2025: Monday to Thursday (9am – 5:30). Friday to Sunday (9am – 6:30). For spring, fall and holiday hours, please visit their website directly.
Details: “One of only two hydraulic lift locks” on the Trent-Severn waterway, this lock was first opened on July 9, 1904 and is quintessential to Peterborough’s architectural landscape. Representing engineering feats of the early 20th century, as well as the immense grit of those who took part in its construction, including children and grandchildren of the Peter Robinson Emigrants. The site can be viewed from upper and lower canal levels. Lock 21 is located in East City, in close proximity to restaurants, the Peterborough Museum & Archives and the Canadian Canoe Museum.
Westwood Heritage Centre
Location: Westwood. 1818, 3rd Concession of Asphodel-Norwood
Operating Hours: visit website for details or call Paula Warr to make an appointment: 705-772-0136. Facebook: Asphodel-Norwood Historical Society.
Details: Presented by Asphodel-Norwood Cultural and Heritage Committee, the Heritage Centre opens to visitors with a variety of historical resources, artifacts and documents related to the Peter Robinson immigrants that arrived to Asphodel Norwood.
Otonabee South-Monaghan Historical Society
Location: 3252 County Road 2 • Keene
Operating Hours: visiting hours for Aug. 1-10th to be confirmed here at a later date.
Details: Visit Otonabee-South Monaghan Historical Society. Details for August 1-10th to follow.
Self-Guided Exploration: GIS Maps & Virtual Story Maps
Details: These online map resources, a bicentennial project led by Nine Ships 1825, will be available in the spring of 2025. They are an excellent source of information for doing personal or family research from afar and also for those looking to explore the region independently. Settlement maps show names, lots and concessions from 1825. Story maps tell details of the emigrant’s journey in 1825 from Ireland to Peterborough. Including landmarks and sites linked to the Peter Robinson Emigration along the way and within the Peterborough and City of Kawartha Lakes region.
Bicentennial Events - August 1-10th
Explore our communities and their rich histories through guided tours, day trips, and special daily events taking place from August 1–10. Deepen your understanding of the Peter Robinson Emigration by joining us—register or purchase tickets using the “Get Tickets” links in each event dropdown below.
Friday
August 1
9:30 AM • Peter Robinson’s Peterborough - Walking Tour
Location: Starting Point – Confederation Square (centre sidewalk), 499 George St. N., Peterborough. Ending Point – Princess Gardens, 100 Charlotte St., Peterborough.
Time: 9:30AM to 12PM
Details: Locally based historians Elwood Jones and Don Willcock will lead a leisurely walk from Confederation Park along Water Street to Millennium Park. The focus is on what Peterborough (known to Peter Robinson as ‘the Depot’) looked like in 1825. While in Millenium Park, the Peterborough Canadian Irish Club will reveal a commemorative plaque in honour of the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the Peter Robinson Irish emigrants to the region, in combination with the 50th anniversary year of the PCIC. The tour will end in the aptly named ‘Peter Robinson Room’ of Princess Gardens for refreshments. This tour is hosted by Trent Valley Archives.
Good to Know: This event requires ticket purchase in advance and is subject to availability.
1:00 PM • Bicentennial Official Opening - Ceremony & Irish Flag Raising
Location:Peterborough Armoury National Historic Site of Canada, 220 Murray St., Peterborough
Time: 1PM to 2PM
Details: Join in the official opening of the Bicentennial to commence these commemorative days from August 1st to 10th, dedicated to the legacy of the Peter Robinson settlers. Following speeches from dignitaries, along with traditional music, the Irish flag will be proudly raised.
Good to Know:This event is complimentary but requires registration in advance and is subject to availability.
3:00 PM • Bicentennial Heritage Fair & Welcome Hub - Opening and Blessing
Location: Knights of Columbus Hall • 317 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
Time: 3PM to 5PM
Details: The Bicentennial Heritage Fair will be a one-stop headquarters for visitors from near and far from August 1st – 8th, to access resources on local communities and attractions, history displays and books by authors of a local historic and heritage nature. The opening and blessing of this hub on August 1st will include a welcome from dignitaries, traditional Irish and regional folk music, social time and light refreshments.
Good to Know: This ‘Opening’ event is complimentary but requires registration in advance and is subject to availability. Please note, the Bicentennial Heritage Fair will be open to the public without registration from August 2-8th from 10-4pm. Closed August 9th and 10th.
Saturday
August 2
9:45 AM • Archives & Open Air Museums - Bus Tour
Location: Pickup and drop off at Holiday Inn, 150 George St. N., Peterborough. Please arrive 15 minutes in advance of start time.
Time: 9:45AM to 4:30PM
Details:Spend the day visiting with the keepers of museums and heritage sites in Peterborough City and County, in connection with the Peter Robinson immigration. At Peterborough Museum & Archives, view original passenger lists for the nine ships, along with some of Peter Robinson’s emigration documents. At Lang Pioneer Village Museum, enjoy the open air museum offering a glimpse of life in the region during the 19th Century. Take time at the exhibit, “Aabnaabin: Looking Back to Where We Come From”, shining a light on ‘the major impacts that settlement had on the local indigenous population’. Other stops include the village of Keene and Hope Mill on the scenic Indian River.
Good to Know: This bus tour requires ticket purchase in advance and is subject to availability. Tickets include return transportation from Holiday Inn, entrances to museums and a light lunch. Please note: you can visit these locations independently during your stay. Please refer to the Multi-Day & All-Week Activities listed on this calendar for more details.
7:00 PM • Grand Irish Gathering - Canadian Canoe Museum
Location: Canadian Canoe Museum • 2077 Ashburnham Dr., Peterborough
Time: 7PM to 11PM
Details: The Peterborough Canadian Irish Club presents the Grand Irish Gathering, celebrating its 50th anniversary in tandem with commemorating the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the Peter Robinson Irish emigrants to the region. Come for an evening of socializing and sumptuous appetizers within Peterborough’s iconic Canadian Canoe Museum, overlooking Little Lake. An opening Honour Song will be performed by the Indigenous Women’s Hand Drumming and Singing Quartet, “Naandewegaan – Healing With Drums”. Other musical highlights include harpist Anne Norman, traditional Irish dancers from the Kelly School of Irish Dance and modern celtic band, ‘Hunt the Hare’. During the event, enjoy after hours access to the museum exhibits.
Good to Know: This event requires ticket purchase in advance and is subject to availability. Tickets include appetizers and museum entrance for self-guided tours. A cash bar is available. This is a stand-up event with limited seating available. Attire recommendation is ‘smart casual’.
8:00 PM • Peterborough Musicfest: Acrobat - The U2 Tribute Band - Live Outdoor Concert
Location: Del Crary Park • 100 George St. N., Peterborough
Time: 8:00 PM
Details: From timeless hits like With or Without You, Where the Streets Have No Name, and Beautiful Day, to deeper cuts that hardcore fans will love, Acrobat performs the songs that defined generations with unmatched energy and authenticity. Peterborough Musicfest is Canada’s longest-running free-admission music festival, presenting eight weeks of concerts by top Canadian and international artists at Del Crary Park on the shores of Little Lake in Peterborough’s downtown. For more details about this concert date please visit: website link.
Good to know: No registration or tickets are required for this event. Bring your own blanket or lawn chair, if you wish. Chair rental available at park for a nominal fee.
Sunday
August 3
10:00 AM • Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Young's Point – Attend Independently
Location: 2761 River Rd, Young’s Point
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Details: Mass will be held in the small church where many descendants of Peter Robinson emigrants attended for generations. The homily will be given by Fr. Keith Wallace, descendant of Young’s Point. Following mass, guests are welcome to do a self-guided cemetery walk. The Young’s Point 200 Years on the Water outdoor activities will continue at Lock 27 throughout the afternoon (see below).
Good to Know: This event is organized and hosted by the community group of Young’s Point: 200 Years on the Water. No pre-registration required, however seating is limited.
10:00 AM • Young’s Point: 200 Years on the Water - Bus Trip
Location: Pickup and drop off at Holiday Inn, 150 George Street N., Peterborough. Please arrive 15 minutes in advance of start time.
Time: 10:00AM – 4:00PM
Details: Join a day trip to Young’s Point during their outdoor commemoration of ‘200 Years on the Water’. The bus will arrive for the Nine Canoe Flotilla from the landing spot of Francis Young to Lock 27, followed by opening ceremonies. Celebrate Irish Heritage with musicians & dancers, recognize the support and friendship of the First Nation Community from the earliest arrival of Francis Young. At your leisure, enjoy exhibits on traditional hunting, trapping, etc. and take a self-guided walk of historical sites. On route to Young’s Point, the bus will first make the scenic drive along River Road to Lakefield where you’ll enjoy a foray into the region’s literary roots at Christ Church Community Museum.
Good to Know: This bus trip requires ticket purchase in advance and is subject to availability. Tickets include return transportation from Holiday Inn and a light box lunch from local business, The Cheesy Fromage. The event in Young’s Point is an outdoor event hosted by the community group of Young’s Point: 200 Years on the Water, that requires some walking to different activities. Recommended to bring a foldable lawn chair (as seating options will be limited) and your own water in a non-disposable bottle.
10:00 AM • Gaelic Football: Demonstrations and Friendly Match
Location: Nicholls Oval Park, 725 Armour Rd, Peterborough
Time: 10am to 3pm (exact time subject to change)
Details: The Peterborough Gaelic Football Association and its members will present demonstrations and a friendly match so the public can enjoy witnessing the fun and community around the sport during the Bicentennial events of August 1-10th. More info to follow.
Good to Know: No registration or tickets are required for this event. Wear sunscreen!
1:00 PM • Downeyville Homecoming & Jamboree and Kawartha Settlers’ Village - Bus Trip
Location: Pickup and drop off at Holiday Inn, 150 George Street N., Peterborough. Please arrive 15 minutes in advance of start time.
Time: 1:00PM – 8:00PM
Details: Join a bus trip to enjoy the activities happening in Downeyville at their annual ‘Homecoming & Jamboree’. This is the settlement area where the largest group of Peter Robinson Settlers made their home. Highlights include their beloved jamboree with music under a canopy tent, outdoor BBQ with food and drinks for purchase, local vendors and artisans and a wonderful historical display of Downeyville and the Peter Robinson immigration to the area inside the hall. The bus trip will first include a step back in time with a visit to Kawartha Settler’s Village in Bobcaygeon and Downeyville’s Pioneer Cemetery.
Good to Know: This bus trip requires ticket purchase in advance and is subject to availability. Tickets include return transportation from Holiday Inn and entrance to Kawartha Settler’s Village. No entrance fee required for Downeyville Homecoming & Jamboree. A BBQ dinner option is available on site but NOT included.
12:30 PM • Young’s Point: 200 Years on the Water - Visit Independently
Location: Young’s Point at Lock 27
Time: 12:30PM onward
Details: With your own transportation, visit the community of Young’s Point where Stoney and Clear Lakes flow into Katchewanooka during its commemoration of ‘200 Years on the Water’. Welcoming descendants of Francis Young, past and present residents of Young’s Point and area, neighbouring First Nations, cottagers and tourists to celebrate our heritage and community. The day’s outdoor activities include a Nine Canoe Flotilla from the landing spot of Francis Young to Lock 27 (at 12:30). Followed by opening ceremonies at Lock 27. Celebrate Irish Heritage with musicians & dancers, recognize the support and friendship of the First Nation Community from the earliest arrival of Francis Young. Enjoy exhibits on traditional hunting, trapping, etc. and take a self-guided walk of historical sites and visit local businesses for lunch options.
Good to Know: This event is organized and hosted by the community group of Young’s Point: 200 Years on the Water. No pre-registration required if you visit independently. Should you wish to attend the event AND require transportation, please refer to “Young’s Point: 200 Years on the Water – Bus Trip” for info and to book tickets. Recommended to bring a foldable lawn chair as outdoor seating options will be limited and your own water in a non-disposable bottle.
4:00 PM • Downeyville: Homecoming & Jamboree - Visit Independently
Location: 340 St. Lukes Rd. Downeyville (between St. Luke’s Church and Hall)
Time: 4:00PM onward
Details: With your own transportation, enjoy the activities happening in Downeyville at their annual ‘Homecoming & Jamboree’. This is the settlement area where the largest group of Peter Robinson Settlers made their home. Highlights include their beloved jamboree with music under a canopy tent, outdoor BBQ with food and drinks for purchase, local vendors and artisans and a wonderful historical display of Downeyville and the Peter Robinson immigration to the area inside the hall.
Good to Know: This event is organized and hosted by the community of Downeyville. No pre-registration required if you provide your own transportation. Should you wish to attend the event AND require transportation, please refer to “Downeyville Homecoming & Jamboree – Bus Trip” for info and to book tickets.
Monday
August 4
Peter Robinson Day
10:00 AM • The Story of Peterborough’s First Cemetery - Walk & Talk Tour
Location: Starting & Ending Point – Confederation Square (centre sidewalk), 499 George St. N., Peterborough.
Time: 10:00AM – 12:00PM
Details: Peterborough’s First Cemetery was set aside in 1825 and in use until 1854. It was located in what is now Confederation Park, the Armouries and the former Peterborough Collegiate. This tour highlights the history of the cemetery, and its subsequent histories as fallow ground, a militia drill hall, the local fair, the current buildings and the extraordinary War Memorial and other monuments. Tour will be led by Elwood Jones and Don Willcock of Trent Valley Archives. Hosted by Trent Valley Archives.
Good to Know: This event requires ticket purchase in advance and is subject to availability.
1:00 PM • The Peter Robinson Emigration Experiment - Talk and Musical Presentation
Location: Market Hall, 140 Charlotte St., Peterborough
Time: 1:00PM – 3:00PM
Details: Discover the compelling details of the 1825 British sponsored emigration scheme and what made it unique. Topics include; the social and economic conditions in Ireland, the opportunity for change, and the challenges the Irish faced during their arduous journey arriving to the backwoods communities they established in the Peterborough region. This talk will be co-hosted by Elwood Jones, historian and archivist at Trent Valley Archives and Dennis Carter-Edwards, former historian and cultural resource manager at Parks Canada. Following the talk, enjoy a fascinating musical presentation by musician Glen Caradus, “The Nogojiwanong By Song”, featuring local folk songs, including his ‘Crankie Theatre’.
Good to Know: This event requires ticket purchase in advance and is subject to availability.
3:00 PM • Teatime Tour: Hutchison House, Kawartha Ancestral Research Association, Trent Valley Archives, Liftlocks - Bus Tour
Location: Pickup outside Galaxy Cinemas, 320 Water St., Peterborough (100m from doors of Market Hall). Drop off at Holiday Inn, 150 George Street N., Peterborough. Please arrive 15 minutes in advance of start time.
Time: 3:00PM – 6:00PM
Details: Enjoy an afternoon tea and tour in storied Hutchison House, one of Peterborough’s oldest stone buildings. Initially inhabited by the town’s first resident doctor; John Hutchison provided care for some of the Peter Robinson immigrants after their arrival. During the course of this bus tour you’ll also partake in more intriguing visits. Kawartha Ancestral Research Association (KARA) is ‘a genealogy and heritage site for family historians’ researching in the region. While there, you’ll have an opportunity to view KARA’s photography exhibit, Descendants in Our Time, curated for visitors for this Bicentennial year. Trent Valley Archives (TVA) will also welcome the group. TVA is an organization advocating for the preservation and accessibility of historic archives of the region, housing more than 1000 cubic feet of ‘documents relating to the people, events and places connected with the Trent Valley.’ This intriguing afternoon will include a view of the magnificent Peterborough Lift Lock, a National Historic site and part of the Trent Severn Waterway. The Lift Lock represents engineering feats of the early 20th century, as well as the immense grit of those who took part in its construction, including grandchildren of the Peter Robinson Emigrants.
Good to Know: This bus tour requires ticket purchase in advance and is subject to availability. Tickets include transportation from Market Hall and return to Holiday Inn, entrance to museum and archives visit and a light afternoon tea-time fare. Please Note: you can visit these locations independently during your stay. Please refer to the Multi-Day & All-Week Activities listed on this calendar for more details.
7:00 PM • Beyond the Ship’s Lists: St. Peter's Cemetery - Walking Tour
Location: St. Peter’s Cemetery, 870 High St., Peterborough (corner of Lansdowne & Monaghan). Please be at the Cemetery Office at the start time
Time: 7:00PM – 9:00PM
Details: In 1859, thirty-four years after the emigration, St. Peter’s Cemetery opened for burials and has served the Catholic community in Peterborough City and County ever since, becoming the final resting place of some of the Peter Robinson emigrants and their descendants. On this tour, you’ll learn their names, their stories, and the overall impact their legacy has had on our region in the 200 years since their arrival.
Good to Know: This event requires ticket purchase in advance and is subject to availability. The cemetery is approx. a 5 minute drive or 30 minute walk from downtown Peterborough. It is NOT located at St. Peter’s Cathedral.
Tuesday
August 5
9:00 AM • Community Roots: Ennismore & Young's Point - Bus Tour
Location: Pickup and drop off at Holiday Inn, 150 George Street N., Peterborough. Please arrive 15 minutes in advance of start time.
Time: 9:00AM – 4:00PM
Details: Explore the communities of Ennismore & Young’s Point, established by Peter Robinson Irish Emigrants and steeped to this day in regional heritage and folklore. Hosted by community members, you’ll visit key locations that provide both historic and present day contexts for those looking to reconnect with the land and people of their ancestral roots in the region.
Good to Know: This bus tour requires ticket purchase in advance and is subject to availability. Tickets include return transportation from the Holiday Inn and lunch.
7:00 PM • Trans-Atlantic Colonization & Consequence: Impacts of the 1825 Peter Robinson Immigration - a Panel Discussion
Location: Bagnani Hall • Traill College • 311 Dublin St., Peterborough. Also possible to access from London St.
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Details: Presented by Nine Ships 1825 Inc. and Traill College of Trent University, this discussion will examine the context and impact of the unique Peter Robinson emigration experiment on the First Nations and Irish communities, as both adjusted to the many challenges of their new circumstances. The evening, moderated by Dr. Michael Eamon (Principal of Catharine Parr Traill College, Trent University) will provide perspective and research from Jack Hoggarth (Associate Professor, Trent University), Dr. Laura Peers (Trent University & University of Oxford) and Dr. Mark McGowan (St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto).
Good to Know: This event is complimentary but requires registration in advance and is subject to availability. Bagnani Hall is approximately a 5 minute drive or 10 minute walk from the Holiday Inn.
Wednesday
August 6
9:00 AM • Community Roots: Downeyville - Bus Tour
Location: Pickup and drop off at Holiday Inn, 150 George Street N., Peterborough. Please arrive 15 minutes in advance of start time.
Time: 9:00AM – 1:00PM
Details: Explore the community of Downeyville, established by Peter Robinson Irish Emigrants and steeped to this day in regional heritage and folklore. Hosted by community members, you’ll visit key locations that provide both historic and present day contexts for those looking to reconnect with the land and people of their ancestral roots in the region.
Good to Know: This bus tour requires ticket purchase in advance and is subject to availability. Tickets include return transportation from the Holiday Inn and a light lunch.
2:30 PM • The Final Traverse: Tracing the 1825 arrival on the Otonabee River - Historic Boat Tour * SOLD OUT*
SOLD OUT
Location: Liftlock Cruises dock, 92 George St. N., Peterborough (next to Holiday Inn).
Time: 2:30PM – 5:00PM (check-in at 2:30PM, boat departs at 3:00)
Details: The Peterborough Canadian Irish Club presents this historic boat tour, in celebration of its 50th anniversary and also in tandem with commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the Peter Robinson Irish emigrants to the region. With commentary by historian Don Willcock, imagine the journey settlers took as they paddled scows (shallow flat bottomed boats) up the Otonabee River. The final stretch of their grueling and months-long journey from home communities in Ireland in 1825, to what is now known as Peterborough. While aboard, enjoy scenic views and live entertainment.
Good to Know: This boat tour requires ticket purchase in advance and is subject to availability. A cash bar and snacks available on board for purchase.
8:00 PM • Peterborough Musicfest: Mudmen with Special Guest Irish Millie - Live Outdoor Concert
Location: Del Crary Park • 100 George St. N., Peterborough
Time: 8:00PM
Details: Get ready for a powerful night of Celtic rock and fiddling finesse as Mudmen take the stage, with opening act by special guest and rising fiddler, Irish Millie. The featured band’s founding bagpipe-playing siblings Robby and Sandy adopted the name “Mudmen” – a nod to their past lives as bricklayers. Peterborough Musicfest is Canada’s longest-running free-admission music festival, presenting eight weeks of concerts by top Canadian and international artists at Del Crary Park on the shores of Little Lake in Peterborough’s downtown. For more details about this concert date please visit: https://www.ptbomusicfest.ca/concert/mudmen-with-special-guest-irish-millie/.
Good to know: No registration or tickets are required for this event. Bring your own blanket or lawn chair, if you wish. Chair rental available at park for a nominal fee.
Thursday
August 7
8:30 AM • Community Roots: Keene, Westwood, Norwood & Douro - Bus Tour
Location: Pickup and drop off at Holiday Inn, 150 George Street N., Peterborough. Please arrive 15 minutes in advance of start time.
Time: 8:30AM – 3:00PM
Details: Explore the communities of Otonabee-South Monaghan, Asphodel-Norwood and Douro, established by Peter Robinson Irish Emigrants and steeped to this day in regional heritage and folklore. Hosted by community members, you’ll visit key locations that provide both historic and present day contexts for those looking to reconnect with the land and people of their ancestral roots in the region.
Good to Know: This bus tour requires ticket purchase in advance and is subject to availability. Tickets include return transportation from the Holiday Inn and a light lunch.
4:30PM • 4th Line Theatre: 'Wild Irish Geese' - Outdoor Theatre with Transportation
Location: Pickup and drop off at Holiday Inn, 150 George Street N., Peterborough. Please arrive 15 mintues in advance of start time.
Time: 4:30PM – 9:00PM
Details: Experience a captivating evening of theatre with the World Premier of Wild Irish Geese, written by Megan Murphy. A portrayal with social and political perspectives of the impoverished Irish emigrants’ journey to settle in the region in 1825 and Peter Robinson, the face of the emigration scheme. This play, of epic historical proportions is set in the breath-taking backdrop of 4th Line Theatre’s open air stage.
Good to Know: This event WITH transportation requires ticket purchase in advance and is subject to availability. Tickets include theatre performance and return transportation from Holiday Inn. Light dinner options available on site but NOT included. Please Note: you can experience 4th Line Theatre’s production of Wild Irish Geese independently during other evenings of your stay. Purchase theatre tickets directly at: https://www.4thlinetheatre.on.ca/2025-summer-season
Friday
August 8
8:00 AM • Kingston Encampment & Thousand Islands - Tour by Bus and Boat
Location: Pickup and drop off at Holiday Inn, 150 George Street N., Peterborough. Please arrive 15 minutes in advance of start time.
Time: 8:00AM – 7:45PM
Details: Trod on yet another compelling place along the Peter Robinson emigrants’ journey in 1825, following their Atlantic crossing. Experience first hand the grounds at Fort Henry and Point Frederick where the Irish migrants encamped for over a month in the blazing summer heat, waiting for the next leg of their journey to Cobourg and on to Peterborough. Exhibits and displays portray hardships faced by the Irish during their stay. Following this guided tour, enjoy a cruise – in modern-day comfort – through the spectacular Thousand Islands.
Good to Know: This bus and boat tour requires ticket purchase in advance and is subject to availability. Tickets include return transportation from Holiday Inn, admission to Fort Henry and Thousand Islands boat cruise. This is a full day experience with casual lunch and dinner options available for purchase (but NOT included).
10:00 AM • Peter Robinson’s Peterborough - Walking Tour
Location: Starting Point – Confederation Square (centre sidewalk), 499 George St. N., Peterborough. Ending Point – Princess Gardens, 100 Charlotte St., Peterborough.
Time: 10AM to 12PM
Details: Locally based historians Elwood Jones and Don Willcock will lead a leisurely walk from Confederation Park along Water Street to Millennium Park. The focus is on what Peterborough (known to Peter Robinson as ‘the Depot’) looked like in 1825. The tour will end in the aptly named ‘Peter Robinson Room’ of Princess Gardens for refreshments. This tour is hosted by Trent Valley Archives.
Good to Know: This event requires ticket purchase in advance and is subject to availability.
2:00 PM • Teatime Tour: Hutchison House, Kawartha Ancestral Research Association, Trent Valley Archives, Liftlocks - Bus Tour
Location: Pickup & drop off at Holiday Inn, 150 George Street N., Peterborough. Please arrive 15 minutes in advance of start time.
Time: 2:00PM – 5:00PM
Details: Details: Enjoy an afternoon tea and tour in storied Hutchison House, one of Peterborough’s oldest stone buildings. Initially inhabited by the town’s first resident doctor; John Hutchison provided care for some of the Peter Robinson immigrants after their arrival. During the course of this bus tour you’ll also partake in more intriguing visits. Kawartha Ancestral Research Association (KARA) is ‘a genealogy and heritage site for family historians’ researching in the region. While there, you’ll have an opportunity to view KARA’s photography exhibit, Descendants in Our Time, curated for visitors for this Bicentennial year. Trent Valley Archives (TVA) will also welcome the group. TVA is an organization advocating for the preservation and accessibility of historic archives of the region, housing more than 1000 cubic feet of ‘documents relating to the people, events and places connected with the Trent Valley.’ This intriguing afternoon will include a view of the magnificent Peterborough Lift Lock, a National Historic site and part of the Trent Severn Waterway. The Lift Lock represents engineering feats of the early 20th century, as well as the immense grit of those who took part in its construction, including grandchildren of the Peter Robinson Emigrants.
Good to Know: This bus tour requires ticket purchase in advance and is subject to availability. Tickets include return transportation from Holiday Inn, entrance to museum and archives and a light afternoon tea-time fare. Please Note: you can visit these locations independently during your stay. Please refer to the Multi-Day & All-Week Activities listed on this calendar for more details.
Saturday
August 9
9:30 AM • Kinoomaage Waapkong and Petroglyphs Provincial Park - Bus Tour
Location: Pickup & drop off at Holiday Inn, 150 George Street N., Peterborough. Please arrive 15 minutes in advance of start time.
Time: 9:30AM – 2:30PM
Details: Known traditionally as Kinoomaage Waapkong, the Teaching Rocks is home to the largest concentration of pre-contact First Nations petroglyphs in Canada. Managed in partnership with Curve Lake First Nation and Ontario Parks, this significant site is recognized as a sacred and spiritual area for many First Nations. With over 1000 different carved images, ranging in age from 600 to 6000 years old, these petroglyphs speak to the rich cultural and spiritual life of the Anishinaabeg who carved them to provide teachings for our current and future generations. A guided tour of the Teaching Rocks will provide a glimpse into the spiritual lives of the Anishinaabeg through oral teachings surrounding traditional clan systems, responsibilities to one another and the land, the sacred connection between Anishinaabeg and the earth, and the spiritual and cultural history of Anishinaabeg of this area. Join us for an opportunity to experience this unique site and gain teachings that have been passed from one generation to the next for thousands of years.
Good to Know: This bus tour requires ticket purchase in advance and is subject to availability. Tickets include return transportation from Holiday Inn, guided tour and a box lunch from local provider Cheesy Fromage that can be enjoyed on site after the tour. There will be approximately 30 minutes of easy walking on accessible and level trails. You can visit Kinoomaage Waapkong and Petroglyphs Provincial Park independently during your stay. Refer to the Multi-Day & All-Week Activities listed above on this page for more details.
8:00 PM • Peterborough Musicfest: The Celtic Tenors - Live Outdoor Concert
Location: Del Crary Park • 100 George St. N., Peterborough
Time: 8:00PM
Details: Join us for an unforgettable evening with The Celtic Tenors—a world-renowned trio whose music and message beautifully honour the Irish spirit, past and present. Peterborough Musicfest is Canada’s longest-running free-admission music festival, presenting eight weeks of concerts by top Canadian and international artists at Del Crary Park on the shores of Little Lake in Peterborough’s downtown. For more details about this concert date please visit: https://www.ptbomusicfest.ca/concert/the-celtic-tenors/.
Good to know: No registration or tickets are required for this event. Bring your own blanket or lawn chair, if you wish. Chair rental available at park for a nominal fee.
Sunday
August 10
10:30 AM • Mass of Celebration & Farewell
Location: St. Peter’s in Chains Cathedral, 411 Reid St., Peterborough
Time: 10:30AM – 11:30AM
Details: Mass of Celebration and Farewell celebrated by Bishop Daniel Miehm at the location of the first church built by Peter Robinson settlers and where many descendants were baptized, married, and buried.
Good to Know: No registration or tickets are required for this mass.
1:00 PM • Beyond the Ship’s Lists: St. Peter's Cemetery - Walking Tour
Location: St. Peter’s Cemetery, 870 High St., Peterborough (corner of Lansdowne & Monaghan). Please be at the Cemetery Office at the start time
Time: 1:00PM – 3:00PM
Details: In 1859, thirty-four years after the emigration, St. Peter’s Cemetery opened for burials and has served the Catholic community in Peterborough City and County ever since, becoming the final resting place of some of the Peter Robinson emigrants and their descendants. On this tour, you’ll learn their names, their stories, and the overall impact their legacy has had on our region in the 200 years since their arrival.
Good to Know: This event requires ticket purchase in advance and is subject to availability. The cemetery is approx. a 5 minute drive or 30 minute walk from downtown Peterborough. It is NOT located at St. Peter’s Cathedral.
Disclaimer: Event dates and times are subject to change as event planning continues and information is updated from time to time by our local Irish Community Partners. For more information please contact the event organizer or connect with us via email.