Burk's Falls & District Historical Society

Burk's Falls & District Historical Society Visit our 2 heritage centres and learn of local history from Ryerson, Armour, & the Village of Burk's Falls. Immerse yourself in history!

Heritage Festival is an annual celebration and is held on the 2nd Saturday of July at the Burk’s Falls Fairgrounds. Discover the past in two ways with the Burk's Falls and District Historical Society. Go back to school at the Wiseman’s Corner School House in Ryerson Township, a one-room schoolhouse complete with desks, chalkboard, and an antique bell. The original building from 1893 shows what sch

ool life was like in the Burk’s Falls area at the turn of the century. Then, step into another era at the newly opened Watt Century Farmhouse in Armour Township, a re-creation of an early 1900s-homestead. Featured displays include original artifacts from Burk’s Falls’ notables, a research library, and rotating exhibits. Watt Century Farm House - 827 Chetwynd Road, Armour Township, On. Open July to September, Thursday-Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Wiseman's Corner School House - 112 Midlothian Road, Burk's Falls, ON. Open July to September, Thursday-Sunday from noon-3pm. For more information visit www.burksfallsdistricthistoricalsociety.com, call 705-382-6502, or email [email protected].

We are excited to announce that the Burk’s Falls and District Historical Society is creating a special community cookboo...
06/19/2026

We are excited to announce that the Burk’s Falls and District Historical Society is creating a special community cookbook using family recipes, stories, and traditions to document the rich history of our region! 🍳📚

We invite you to contribute a favourite family recipe from years past, alongside a short story or memory about why it matters to you. It doesn’t have to be fancy—what recipes you find meaningful, regardless of complexity, are what we care about the most. Your contribution will
help preserve not just food, but the stories and traditions that make our community unique.

Selected entries will be included in our printed cookbook, with proceeds supporting the
Burk’s Falls and District Historical Society’s ongoing work to preserve local history. Help us
bring history to life, one recipe at a time!

Printed forms can currently be found at:

- Burk’s Falls, Armour and Ryerson Union Public Library
- Armour Township Office
- Burk’s Falls Royal Canadian Legion Branch 405

(With many more pickup locations to come!)

Please submit your completed submission form by September 30, 2026. To do so, please return it to one of our drop-off points (the Burk’s Falls, Armour and Ryerson Union Public Library and the Armour Township Office) or go to our
website (burksfallsdistricthistoricalsociety.com) for a digital version, which can be emailed to
[email protected].

Check out our blog post for more information and to find a digital form copy here: https://www.burksfallsdistricthistoricalsociety.com/submissions-open-for-the-heritage-cookbook

We can’t wait to see what our community helps us cook up!😍

Ah, Victoria Day, the unofficial start of summer in Canada and more affectionately known as the “May 2-4” — for good rea...
05/15/2026

Ah, Victoria Day, the unofficial start of summer in Canada and more affectionately known as the “May 2-4” — for good reason. The holiday traces its roots back to 1845, when the Province of Canada declared Queen Victoria’s May 24 birthday a public holiday. Following her death in 1901, the observance became a permanent national celebration. Victoria Day is celebrated on the Monday preceding May 25, giving Canadians a long weekend often associated with opening cottages, gathering for barbecues, and enjoying fireworks displays.

In 1952, the federal government officially changed the holiday from a fixed May 24 celebration to the last Monday before May 25, ensuring that most Canadians would consistently enjoy a three-day weekend.

Queen Victoria remains an important figure in Canadian history. She was the reigning monarch when Canada became a country through Confederation in 1867, and for that reason she is sometimes referred to as the “Mother of Confederation.” During her reign, Canada underwent significant political and territorial growth, helping shape the foundations of the modern nation.

The holiday also reflected the political and cultural climate of 19th-century British North America. After Upper and Lower Canada were united into the Province of Canada in 1841, public celebrations tied to the monarchy were promoted as occasions that could be shared by both English- and French-speaking communities. Loyalty to the Crown was widely viewed as an important part of Canadian identity and helped distinguish Canada from the republican traditions of the United States.

Over time, Victoria Day evolved from a celebration of the monarch’s birthday into a broader Canadian tradition. While its historical roots remain tied to the Crown, for many Canadians the holiday now marks the beginning of warmer weather, outdoor gatherings, and the unofficial start of summer.

Heritage Festival 2026 has been cancelled.The Township of Armour’s event partnership agreement with the Burk’s Falls and...
05/04/2026

Heritage Festival 2026 has been cancelled.
The Township of Armour’s event partnership agreement with the Burk’s Falls and District Historical Society remains in place; however, the festival will not take place this year. We appreciate your understanding and continued support, and we look forward to sharing future event plans with you.

Address

827 Chetwynd Road, Armour Township
Burks Falls, ON
P0A1C0

Telephone

+17053826502

Website

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