Discover Our Roots: A Spring Heritage Tour
This June, step back in time and celebrate the rich history of our region! Join the Craigleith Heritage Depot and The Blue Mountains Public Library for this new event.
This year, the tour will take place on Sunday June 7th, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Experience Local History Firsthand
- Explore Historic Sites: Tour significant heritage locations and learn about the incredible labor, ingenuity, and preservation required to keep our local history alive.
- Archival Insights: Discover the depth of our community's past through resources provided by the Craigleith Heritage Depot.
- Family Fun: Engage in educational exhibits and storytelling sessions designed for all ages—and it's completely free!
Whether you're a lifelong resident or a curious visitor, join us for a day dedicated to the stories that built our community.
Details
- Open Doors is a free, self-guided/guided tour across six different locations.
- The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - rain or shine!
- No pets allowed. We love all of our furry friends, but we ask that you leave them at home.
- Dress appropriately.
- Please respect signage and boundaries.
- Take only pictures. Out of respect for the heritage sites, don't touch or take anything unless told.
Craigleith Community Centre (School Section No. 2)
Lakeshore Rd E, The Blue Mountains, ON L9Y 0M9
Originally established in 1861, this charming heritage landmark served the community for over a century before transitioning into a vibrant local hub. Visit this site to explore the legacy of the Fleming family and discover how a historic one-room schoolhouse remains the heart of Craigleith today.
Ravenna Hall (Collingwood Township Town Hall)
628299 Grey County Rd 119, Ravenna, ON N0H 2E0
Constructed in 1872 of grey limestone, this site originally served as the Collingwood Township Town Hall and remains a vital civic landmark. Its church-like architecture and arched windows have overseen over a century of community meetings, from municipal elections to local gatherings. Visit this site to walk the grounds of the 1921 Great War memorial park and explore the enduring history of this officially designated Ontario Heritage building.
Delphi Point Beach
209233 ON-26, Clarksburg, ON N0H 1J0
Travel back 450 million years to the Ordovician period! Join museum staff and our guest paleontologist at Delphi Point— a designated Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI)—to uncover the fossils hidden beneath your feet. From ancient sea creatures to the unique geological layers of the shoreline, visit this site to get hands-on with the prehistoric past of The Blue Mountains.
Ravenna Orange Lodge
628300 Grey County Rd 119, Ravenna, ON
Step inside the last remaining Orange Lodge in The Blue Mountains to uncover the story of a once-dominant social institution. From its roots in Collingwood Township and Thornbury to its role as a cornerstone of local fraternal life, this site offers a rare glimpse into the traditions and influence of a bygone era.
Kennedy House (REGISTRATION REQUIRED )
52 Bruce St S, Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0
Step back into a maritime romance at this stunning turn-of-the-century home, built between 1890 and 1912. Once the residence of a local sea captain and later the esteemed Dr. McCallum, the property has been cherished by the Kennedy family since 1942. The home’s most poignant feature is its widow’s walk—a rooftop platform where the Captain’s wife scanned the horizon for his returning sails. Whether used to time a welcoming meal or as a vigil site during treacherous storms, this vantage point offers a powerful connection to the harbour’s storied past.
The Kennedy House has 3 tour time slots, with availability for 6 guests to tour the home with a BMPL staff and the Kennedy family.
Register for 10-11:30am
Thornbury Tourist Camp
67 Mill St, Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0
Step onto the grounds of the former Thornbury Tourist Camp to discover a site where leisure and local industry once collided! Visit to explore the surviving camp building and uncover the fascinating stories of the factories and workers that powered Thornbury’s early economy.
