News & Events

Come join us on Saturday, June 4, 2022, as we re-open from 9:30 to noon. For the time being, we’ll be open on Saturdays only. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone after two long years!

We are also open by appointment, so please contact us if an appointment is required.

The Legends of Newcastle As we ramp up for the Newcastle Community Hall’s 100th Celebration, it is important that we reflect on the history ofNewcastle and the residents who have contributed to the success of the historical building – and the village community. The Newcastle Community Hall, located in the heart of Newcastle, will celebrate … Read more

Thursday, February 17, at 7 p.m. via Zoom All members welcome! Business of the Meeting: We will address the following items at the Annual Meeting (the Meeting): Receiving Annual Financial Statements for the financial years ended December 31 2020 and December 31, 2021 The election of Directors, who will serve until the next Annual Meeting … Read more

The Legends Of Newcastle

Meet Farncomb LeGresley of Newcastle, Ontario. He was born in 1926 and he grew up in Ebor House, located at 573 Mill St S. The house was built in the 1860s by his great grandfather, Frederick Farncomb.

In October, I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Farncomb LeGresley for the first time. To say that he is an interesting gentleman is an understatement. His creativity and wisdom are fascinating, and his ability to recite history like it was yesterday, is even more admirable. I probably could have listened to him for hours…maybe days.

However, I only had a short window of opportunity, so I chose to focus on Farncomb from a personal and business perspective. What could I possibly share, that we don’t already know?

The Dutch in Clarington

Prior to WW2, Dutch Emigration to Canada was minimal. The year 1929 saw about 2,500 emigrants make their way to Canada; many came to farm in the Prairie Provinces. After World War 1, the supply of free or cheap land in the North and the Prairies declined rapidly. Immigration essentially came to a standstill during Second World War. By then, more Canadians were moving from farms and rural communities to the cities, which left a lot of employment opportunities in agriculture for those wishing to come to Canada.

Ray & Mabel Goode

Mabel Lillian Clemence, was born October 8, 1923 at Lot 1, Concession 1 in Darlington Township. This farm property, called “Spruce Grove” was on the north side of Highway 2, just west of the Darlington/Clarke Townline. Her parents were William John Clemence, who was born in Hope Township, and Georgina Allan, who was from Fenelon Falls, Ontario. Mabel had 3 sisters, Mary, Isabelle (Sacerty) and Jean (Holmes) and 3 brothers, Allan, Charlie and Art. Their property was originally owned by William McIntosh. This house was originally built in 1828 and the Bemis family lived there at one time.

Do you live in a house built before 1920? We want to hear from you!

Newcastle, we want your houses on file! We’ve been talking about doing an inventory of our older houses in a more organized manner for some time – so now, as an adjunct to our digitization project, we are asking you to help us kickstart this project.

What can you do to participate?

If your house is from 1920 or earlier, we ask that you send us at least one photo, the address and any pertinent information you have. Fill out the simple form and then we’ll give you instructions for sending photos after you contact us.

Gordon Agnew- Newcastle’s Newspaper Man

George “Gordon” Agnew was born in 1910 in Peterborough, Ontario, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick J.Agnew. When Gordon was six years old the family moved to Orono, Ontario and Gordon attended Orono Public School there. About 1926, Gordon’s mother passed away suddenly and his father Frederick was in poor health so Gordon left school at age 16. He began working for the Peterborough Canoe Company but after about a year had to quit that job because of crippling arthritis. Later, he purchased a printing press and started printing tickets, business cards and other items….