News & Events

Help us promote and preserve Newcastle history by making it more easily accessible and available to the community and beyond, through our digitization project. With the help of summer students and our volunteers, we’ve been busy cataloguing and documenting our collection for the past four years, but we still have lots to do.

We’re looking forward to the New Year with hope and enthusiasm – and would be thrilled if you would join in the effort to help fund our activities, including a summer student for 2023. All donations made before the end of day December 31, up to a total of $2000 will be matched. Help us raise $4000 for 2023!

Keeping Newcastle neat for over 100 years

One of Newcastle’s longest-running community organizations, the Newcastle Horticultural Society was created and joined the Ontario Horticultural Association in 1914. Adopting the smooth wild rose as their emblem and “Newcastle the Neat” as their slogan, horticultural society members have shared their love of gardening and made a significant contribution to various gardens across Newcastle for over 100 years.

The NHS operates as an all-volunteer, registered charity. The first president was Newcastle doctor Dr. John A. Butler, who also chaired the Building Committee for the new Community Hall (celebrating its 100th birthday this year and next) and served as village Reeve in the 1920s.

The society’s activities have long been intertwined with the Newcastle Community Hall, from early planting efforts to major capital projects. In 2011, the society partnered with the Newcastle Community Hall Board and Clarington to create a Heritage Garden at the hall. 

Thank you to NVDHS member Les Harris for videoing the event! A wonderful time was had by all.

The historical society will be at the Orono Fair from Friday, September 8, to Sunday, September 11. Fair grounds are located at 2 Princess St., Orono. Follow signs to gates and parking.

NVDHS hours at Orono Fair:

• Friday: 12 noon – 6 p.m.
• Saturday: 12 noon – 6 p.m.
• Sunday: 12 noon to 4 p.m.

Saturday, August 13
1-4 p.m., in the park behind the Library

Get your tickets today and join us in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Newcastle Village and District Historical Society at an 1890s Garden Party, complete with 1890s prices. Dress up and compete in 1890s attire – or come as you are.

Enjoy 1890s Refreshments, Children’s Games, Costume Contests (men, women, children), Music by the Orono Town Band and Displays by the Culinary Historians of Canada, & NVDHS at 1890s prices! Adults: 25¢ and Children: 10¢

100th Anniversary of the Laying of the Newcastle Community Hall Cornerstone Photo Gallery

The July 1 celebrations continued into the afternoon, centred around the Newcastle Community Hall and the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the laying of the Hall’s cornerstone in 1922. Events featured special displays by the NVDHS in the Historical Room and in the Centennial Room of the hall, demonstrations by the Soper Valley Model Railroad Association, a BBQ fundraiser by the Newcastle Lions, period music from the Dave Climenhage Band, cake and refreshments, and speeches from event MC Myno van Dyke and Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster.

Drive-by Parade Photo Gallery

Opening the festivities on July 1, was Newcastle’s drive-by parade of antique vehicles, Jeeps, tractors, trucks – and of course, Thomas the Tank Engine! The parade wound its way through the Port, Bond Head, and the main part of the village. Afterwards, some vehicles were on display on King Ave. between North and Mill Streets, which was closed to traffic for the afternoon.

Photos by Willie Woo

Join us on Friday, July 1 for the start of a year of fun celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Newcastle Community Hall. 

Events on July 1 include a drive-by parade of antique vehicles (throughout Newcastle), a BBQ, music from the Dave Climenhage band, and a re-enactment of the laying of the cornerstone. The Historical Society will be open throughout, with special displays relating to the Community Hall and Massey family. King Ave. between Mill and North Street will be closed for the event.