Newmarket Historical Society

Newmarket Historical Society To preserve the past for the future by connecting people to the history of Newmarket, Ontario, Canada

A huge thank you to Jessica Allen for captivating a full house with her fascinating presentation on Grace Marks, one of ...
06/19/2026

A huge thank you to Jessica Allen for captivating a full house with her fascinating presentation on Grace Marks, one of the first women incarcerated at Kingston Penitentiary following the notorious murders of her employer, Thomas Kinnear, and his housekeeper, Nancy Montgomery.

The case became one of Canada's earliest true crime sensations, captivating the public throughout the 1840s. Grace was just 16 years old when she began working for Kinnear in Richmond Hill, where she met farmhand James McDermott. To this day, the mystery remains: was Grace the mastermind behind the murders, or was she an unwilling participant influenced by McDermott?

McDermott was hanged for the crime, while Grace's death sentence was commuted because of her age. She went on to spend nearly 30 years in Kingston Penitentiary before being released in 1872. After her release, she disappeared from the historical record, leaving one question unanswered:

Did she do it—or didn't she? What do you think?

This was our final meeting before the summer break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on September 23. Until then, we wish you a restful, safe, and wonderful summer!

The Enigma of Grace Marks 🔎✨ You won't want to miss this presentation! True crime meets local history! Come join us as ...
06/15/2026

The Enigma of Grace Marks 🔎✨ You won't want to miss this presentation!
True crime meets local history! Come join us as Jessica Allen unravels the fascinating and chilling story of Grace Marks—made famous by Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace—who was convicted in 1843 for the murder of her employers.

Jessica will take us back in time to explore:
1840s Richmond Hill: What was domestic service really like?
The Social Realities: The harsh truths and struggles faced by young working women of the era.
The Crime & Aftermath: A deep dive into the shocking murders, the intense investigation, the high-stakes trial, and Grace’s ultimate imprisonment at Kingston Penitentiary.
You don’t want to miss this captivating journey into Upper Canada's past.
This will also be our last meeting before the summer break. Member meetings will resume Wednesday September 16th.


🗓️ Wednesday, June 17th
📍 Riverwalk Commons Lions Hall Community Centre

🎉 Clearmeadow PS is turning 25! 🎉Join us as we help celebrate 25 amazing years of learning, memories, and community! Min...
06/11/2026

🎉 Clearmeadow PS is turning 25! 🎉

Join us as we help celebrate 25 amazing years of learning, memories, and community! Mingle with alumni, current and former staff, families, and community members to help mark this special milestone.

📍 Clearmeadow Public School
200 Clearmeadow Blvd., Newmarket

🕕 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Come reconnect with old friends, share your favourite school memories, and say hello to us, along with the YRDSB Museum and other community partners. It’s sure to be a fun evening for all ages!

Headline: 🚨 Big news from the Elman W. Campbell Museum! 🚨The front doors are officially OPEN, and they have a brand-new ...
06/10/2026

Headline: 🚨 Big news from the Elman W. Campbell Museum! 🚨
The front doors are officially OPEN, and they have a brand-new reason for you to swing by! 🏛️✨
Come check out our incredible new display honoring George Luesby—who was the owner of the historic Luesby Monument company and one of Newmarket’s early amateur historians. If you love local history, you won't want to miss this!

While you’re exploring:
👋 Pop into the Newmarket Historical Society archives to say hi to our amazing volunteers!
♿ Accessibility Note: Our ramp is still available at the side entrance for easy access.
🗓️ Plan your visit:
Tuesday to Saturday | 10 AM – 12 PM & 1 PM – 4 PM

👉 Learn more and plan your trip here:
https://www.newmarket.ca/community-and-culture/arts-culture-heritage/elman-w-campbell-museum

Normandy Invasion - D-Day, WWII, Allies | BritannicaOn June 6, 1944, the Allied forces launched the largest amphibious i...
06/06/2026

Normandy Invasion - D-Day, WWII, Allies | Britannica
On June 6, 1944, the Allied forces launched the largest amphibious invasion in history, known as D-Day or Operation Overlord, on the coast of Normandy, France. The massive operation marked the beginning of the end for N**i Germany and the liberation of Western Europe during World War II.

🌸 Come celebrate 100 years of the Newmarket Garden Club! 🌸Join the festivities at Riverwalk Commons on Saturday, June 6,...
06/05/2026

🌸 Come celebrate 100 years of the Newmarket Garden Club! 🌸

Join the festivities at Riverwalk Commons on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy a flower competition, exhibits, displays, and more as we celebrate a century of gardening, community, and beautification in Newmarket.

The Newmarket Garden Club began in 1925 when twenty enthusiastic local gardeners—many employed at the Cane Factory (later Dixon Pencil)—gathered in the Board of Trade Room on Main Street to establish the Newmarket Horticultural Society. Their mission was simple yet inspiring: to encourage residents to take pride in beautifying the town. Annual membership dues? Just $1.00!

Over the years, familiar Newmarket families such as the Canes, Mulocks, Armitages, Dixons, Dennes, McCaffreys, Roadhouses, and Roses helped shape the Society's legacy. Over the years, the Society contributed to community projects including the Newmarket Public Library and Memorial Arena. In 1956, for Arbor Day, the Society donated and planted six trees at the newly built Prince Charles Public School.

Rebranded as the Newmarket Garden Club in 2014, the organization continues to flourish today. Stop by, say hello, and take a moment to "smell the roses" as we celebrate this remarkable milestone.

Congratulations to the Newmarket Garden Club on behalf of the Newmarket Historical Society! 🌹

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to see us at the Poplar Bank PS Summer Send Off fair!
06/05/2026

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to see us at the Poplar Bank PS Summer Send Off fair!

Looking for Thursday nigh plans with the family? Stop by and see us at the Poplar Bank PS annual Summer Send Off fair f...
06/04/2026

Looking for Thursday nigh plans with the family? Stop by and see us at the Poplar Bank PS annual Summer Send Off fair from 5pm - 8pm tonight! This event is free and open to everyone! You only need to pay for the food truck services which will be serving up hot dogs, burgers, tacos and ice cream! Bring the family, enjoy midway games, face painting and other fun activities! Stop by our table and we might have a special treat for you! Hope to see you there!
Photo Credit: YRDSB.

The Enigma of Grace Marks 🔎✨True crime meets local history! Come join us as Jessica Allen unravels the fascinating and c...
06/01/2026

The Enigma of Grace Marks 🔎✨
True crime meets local history! Come join us as Jessica Allen unravels the fascinating and chilling story of Grace Marks—made famous by Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace—who was convicted in 1843 for the murder of her employers.

Jessica will take us back in time to explore:
1840s Richmond Hill: What was domestic service really like?
The Social Realities: The harsh truths and struggles faced by young working women of the era.
The Crime & Aftermath: A deep dive into the shocking murders, the intense investigation, the high-stakes trial, and Grace’s ultimate imprisonment at Kingston Penitentiary.
You don’t want to miss this captivating journey into Upper Canada's past.
This will also be our last meeting before the summer break. Member meetings will resume Wednesday September 16th.



🗓️ Wednesday, June 17th
📍 Riverwalk Commons Lions Hall Community Centre

Last chance to experience Museum Month! 🏛️✨Tomorrow is the FINAL day to visit the special display from the Elman W. Camp...
05/29/2026

Last chance to experience Museum Month! 🏛️✨

Tomorrow is the FINAL day to visit the special display from the Elman W. Campbell Museum at the Old Town Hall!

Stop by to explore fascinating local artifacts and learn more about the stories that shaped our community before the exhibit closes.

📍 Where: 460 Botsford Street
🕙 Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 AM–4 PM
🚫 Closed Sundays & Mondays

Don’t miss your final opportunity to celebrate Museum Month and discover local history up close!

Address

Archives At The Elman W. Campbell Museum, 134 Main Street
Newmarket, ON
L3Y3Z2

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