Pioneer Villege Banner

Special Programming

Doors Open Georgina

Celebrate the community's heritage by exploring various historic properties across Georgina. At least 12 heritage sites will be open to explore, with additional programming such as walking tours and interpretive exhibits available at designated locations.

Saturday, September 11, 2010; 10:00AM-4:00PM
Free Admission

Multimedia Film Festival of York Region (MFFYR)

Film Festival Logo

Organized by the Multimedia Film Development Council of York Region, the MFFYR will showcase films that explore the vast stories of those within the Region. Please visit http://www.yorkregionfilmfestival.com

Friday, May 7, 2010; 7:00PM at the Stephen Leacock Theatre
Saturday, May 8, 2010; 7:00PM at the Stephen Leacock Theatre
Price to be determined

The Revellion of 1837: Myths, Misinterpretations and Mysteries: A Talk by Historian Chris Raible

During this day-long workshop, historian Chris Raible will provide insight into the 1837 Rebellion of Upper Canada, and the man behind the Rebellion, William Lyon Mackenzie. Attendance is limited. Please reserve a seat in advance.

Saturday, April 17, 2010; 9:00AM-3:00PM
$10 for non-Historical Society members and $7 for GHS members (Light lunch provided)

The Rebellion of 1837 - Talk Event Poster




Educational Camps

The Georgina Pioneer Village & Archives offers March Break and Summer Camps for children ages 6-12. These camps inform children about the chores, hobbies and lifestyles of people in the nineteenth century through a series of hands-on craft and heritage demonstrations. Skills relevant to early settlement life, such as weaving and blacksmithing, are taught.

March Break Mini Camp

Harness Maker

Children can have an old-fashioned good time with friends as they take part in dynamic, hands-on crafts and activities during this two-day camp. Children must provide their own (peanut free) lunch. Space is limited so please register in advance. Children must dress appropriately for the weather since not all buildings are heated. For children ages 7-12.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010; 9:00AM-4:00PM
Thursday, March 18, 2010; 9:00AM-4:00PM
$30.00/Day or $55.00/Both Days

Civil War Camp of Instruction

Civil War Camp

An American Civil War re-enactors camp of instruction. Open to both Union and Confederate groups. Individual camps and drill with a combined tactical. Tactical will take place within the village and surrounding bush, trails and fields. A US Sanitary Commission group will be there for civilian re-enactors. Other time period re-enactors welcome. All we ask is that you try and wear 1860's clothes and uniform to the best of your ability. Caplock and flintlock muskets and rifles are welcome. Reply to Bruce Whittaker via e-mail at hunts_alone@hotmail.com.

Friday, May 14 to Sunday, May 16, 2010

A Soldier's Life (for ages 7-12)

Soldier's Life Camp

During this week long summer camp, campers are introduced to the early days of Georgina and Canada with an emphasis on military history. Campers will have fun and learn through a variety of activities including games, crafts, cooking and guest presenters. The campers will learn the basics of 19th century British Army manual of arms and foot drill culminating in a presentation of these skills to parents, family and friends on the final afternoon of the camp. A Soldier's Life augments the Ontario Curriculum for Social Studies Grade 3 and 6 (Pioneer Studies, Aboriginal Peoples) and Grade 7: Seven Years War to War of 1812. The program will include a good deal of physical activity and parents are asked to bear this in mind when considering registration.

Event Dates
  • July 12-16, 2010
  • July 26-30, 2010
Summer Camp Information

Heritage Quest (For ages 7-12)

Harness Maker

During this week long summer camp, campers learn about the hobbies, chores and pastimes of 19th century settlers, and discover skills relevant to early settlement life through hands-on experience with candle making, leather working, blacksmithing, rug braiding, spinning, weaving, heritage cooking, games and much more. Heritage Quest augments the Ontario Curriculum for Social Studies Grade 3 and 6 (Pioneer Studies, Aboriginal Peoples).

Event Dates:
  • July 5-9, 2010
  • July 19-23, 2010
  • August 9-13, 2010
  • August 16-20, 2010
  • August 23-27, 2010
Summer Camp Information

Blast to the Past (For ages 6-12)

For eight consecutive weeks, the Pioneer Village offers a one-day introduction camp where campers get a glimpse of 19th century settler life through various crafts, activities and demonstrations. Each week will offer different programming than the previous week.

Event Dates
  • July 7, 14, 21, 28, 2010
  • August 4, 11, 18, 25, 2010
Summer Camp Information


Workshops

Workshops focus on basic crafts and skills practiced by early settlers. They are hands-on, informative and inexpensive. If there is a workshop that you would like us to host, please do not hesitate to contact us with your suggestion.

Make a Penny Rug

Penny rugs are not rugs in our sense of the word. They were typically used as table runners or small coverlets (bed-rugs). Pioneer women saved every small scrap of wool material, cut them into circles about the size of an old penny and sewed the circles together using the blanket stitch. In this workshop you will cut the felt or wool circles, learn the hand sewing technique and make your own small runner or candle mat. Suitable for teens to adults. Minimum 7 and Maximum 10.

Saturday, March 27, 2010; 10:00AM-3:00PM
$32.00 for non-Historical Society members and $27.00 for members

Stained Glass Garden Mosaic

In this workshop you will construct a cement and glass tile that can be displayed either inside your home or outside in the garden. Small pieces of glass are cut into random sizes, "glued" onto the cement base and finally grouted (no soldering is required). Suitable for young adults to adults. Minimum 7 and Maximum 10.

Saturday, June 26, 2010; 10:00PM-4:00PM
$49.00 for non-Historical Society members and $44.00 for members

Stained Glass Garden Mosaic Poster

Crochet a Snood or Shopping Bag (Beginner's Crochet)

Women (and men on occasion) have always enjoyed fashionable, decorative and functional hair coverings. Dating back to the Middle Ages, a snood is basically a bag shaped hairnet worn on the back of the head. During the Civil War and Victorian eras ladies used this solution for "bad hair" days—think of Scarlet O’Hara or Queen Victoria. A great project for re-enactors or anyone wanting to learn a few basic crochet stitches. The techniques are basically the same if you choose to make a re-usable net shopping bag. Suitable for teens to adults. Minimum 7 and Maximum 10.

Saturday, August 28, 2010; 1:00PM-4:00PM
$28.00 for non-GHS members and $23.00 for members

Gilded Christmas Figurines

Make your own Santa Claus or an angel figurine. This will surely become a Christmas heirloom in your home. You will learn how to construct the basic wire form, attach a purchased head and hands, drape it with a variety of textured fabrics that dry very stiff, add embellishments and paint it a glittering gold or silver. Suitable for teens to adults. Minimum 7 and Maximum 10

Saturday, November 6, 2010; 10:00AM-4:00PM
$42.00 for non-GHS members and $38.00 for members