Kiss the Kids for Dad: The Wartime Letters of George Timmins is now available. Edited by Y.A. Bennett, these letters tell the compelling story of a man who while helping his fellow Canadians make history at Vimy and Lens, used letters home to remain a presence in the lives of his family. Signed copies available at the Museum gift shop for $ 30 while supplies last!

The Oshawa Community Museum is now a registered user of the Archives of Ontario Microfilm Interlibrary Loan Service. This service allows researchers to borrow microfilmed archival records through the museum. Approximately 17 500 microfilm reels are available for loan. The loan period is 4 weeks and the microfilm must remain with the museum through the length of the loan period.

In partnership with the Oshawa Public Libraries, the Museum is offering free admission for up to 2 adults and 3 children with the Museum Card. Museum Cards are available at all branches of the Oshawa Public Libraries and can be signed out by anyone with a valid library card.

Just Opened! Be sure to visit the 50th Anniversary Drive Shed exhibit highlighting transportation in Oshawa.

The Museum in partnership with the Oshawa Public Libraries, McLaughlin Branch, will be hosting the book launch of Kiss the Kids for Dad: The Wartime Letters of George Timmins 1916-1918 edited by Y.A. Bennett on November 17 at 1pm, McLaughlin Branch.

Museum Executive Director Laura Suchan will be presenting two papers at the History on the Grand Conference on October 17 in Cambridge. The papers are titled Lakefront Memories: The Story of a Park and Immigration, Industry and the Environment in Oshawa with co-presenter Helen MacDonald.

Congratulations to the Cemetery Photo Contest winners Jason Alaksa (first place), Gale Richardson (2nd place) and Mary Ellen Cole (3rd place). Thanks to everyone for their submissions. Photos can be viewed in the photo album in the Archives section of the website.

Now Open!
Mourning After: The Victorian Celebration of Death. The museum’s newest exhibit is getting rave reviews from visitors! This exhibit explores the way in which mourning was expressed by drawing on museum and private collections of funeral announcements, mourning dress, memorial photography, tombstone motifs, hair jewelry and other mementoes of the funeral ceremony. Now “viewing” until November 27, 2009.

Drive shed Construction starts!
Construction started on the museum’s latest exhibit, the drive shed, located next to Henry House. The drive shed will house a portion of the museum’s carriage and agricultural implement collection. Look for the opening in early fall.

Research Symposium.
The Oshawa Historical Society hosts the first Research Symposium providing a forum for members of historical sites, heritage groups, museums, art galleries, archives and the general public to share research projects related to the general theme of Oshawa history. Proposals accepted until June 5, 2009. Symposium date November 17, 2009.

The Oshawa Community Museum is pleased to partner with The Oshawa Public Libraries and editor Y. A. Bennett to present the book launch for “Kiss the Kids for Dad: The Wartime Letters of George Timmins, 1916-1918” on November 17. Click on the link to read an article from the Black Country Bugle on Mr. Timmins. Special thanks to Black Country Bugle, Cradley Heath, England for permission to post.

The Oshawa Historical Society in partnership with Oshawa Public Libraries is pleased to announce as part of its Speaker Series, a lecture by Heather Pringle, one of the foremost popular writers on archaeology. Heather will be speaking on her book The Mummy Congress, an intriguing look at the World Congress of Mummy Studies and the work of its experts. See www.heatherpringle.com

Date: May 20, 2009
Location: Auditorium, Oshawa Public Libraries, McLaughlin Branch
Time: 7 pm.

Stayed tuned for our next major exhibit, Mourning After: The Victorian Celebration of Death opening in May 2009. This exhibit will take a comprehensive look at how Victorian’s celebrated death covering themes such as mourning customs, clothing, funerary practices, gravestones and jewelry. Special events planned include a members only preview, a mourning theme tea and graveyard tours.

To commemorate the 50 anniversary year of the Oshawa Historical Society in a tangible and practical way, the society has decided to expand the Oshawa Community Museum and Archives to include a timber frame drive shed that will not only add another element to the museum "village", but also provide housing for 5 major artifacts currently in storage.