Once again, this summer, commencing on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, Christ Church Community Museum (CCCM) will open our door to welcome visitors. Open hours are daily, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM until Monday, September 1, 2025.
We are pleased to present some new exhibits and some favourites from the past year this summer season:
Sons and Daughters: The Second Generation Traill family (new this year)
Catharine Parr Traill, one of Canada’s best known 19th century authors and an early settler in the Lakefield area, is prominently featured in our museum. We even have her actual writing desk on display as well as a laminated copy of an original page of her writing. Catharine Parr and her husband, Thomas Traill, had nine children, seven of whom survived infancy. The lives of these “second generation” Traills are generally not well known. Through photos, pictures and brief biographies, we will introduce them to you. In particular, the Hudson Bay Company adventures of William and Walter Traill will be documented, as will the tragic story of the murder of Harry Traill at Kingston Penitentiary.
Sons and Daughters: The Second Generation Strickland family (from 2024)
Samuel Strickland, generally known as the “father of Lakefield” is a man of whom most of us have some knowledge. However, his twelve children who lived to adulthood will be featured once again this year. Many of these second generation Strickland men and women were instrumental in the commercial growth of Lakefield. Their stories will be brought to life through photos and biographical sketches.
Stories in the Stone: A Self-Guided Tour of Christ Church Cemetery (from 2024)
The early pioneer cemetery at Christ Church is a prime attraction for visitors. First of all, the peaceful setting, overlooking the Otonabee River, is incentive enough to linger. So, to help you get to know our well-maintained little cemetery better, we have put together a small booklet you can borrow to embark on a self-guided tour. The booklet will offer brief vignettes on the lives and passing of some of the early settlers in Lakefield from 1855 to 1886.
As an added feature during the summer of 2025, there will be free, guided presentations featuring some of the exhibits at 2:00 PM on July 10 & 24 and August 7 & 21. Details will be provided in the Lakefield Herald closer to the dates.
We are pleased that Reverend John Runza will continue the tradition of supporting three services at Christ Church on Sundays of the summer long weekends – June 30, August 3 and August 31, each commencing at 8:30 AM. We would be delighted to have you attend.
Please accept our warmest invitation to visit Christ Church Community Museum this summer. CCCM is also available for weddings, baptisms and life celebrations or other special events. Please contact Patti McAllister (pattimcallister4@yahoo.ca) for information.
Please note that Christ Church Community Museum is a non-profit registered charitable organization, funded almost entirely by donations. Admission to the museum is free, but contributions to help with the maintenance and operation are gratefully appreciated.
YOU CAN DONATE as follows:
1. Cash in our donation box at the front entrance desk.
2. E-transfer to CCCMlakefield@yahoo.com (please put your name and address on the subject line).
3. Cheque payable to Christ Church Community Museum.
Please mail cheques to: CCCM, Box 1542, Lakefield, ON, K0L 2H0We look forward to seeing you this summer.
Your Christ Church Community Museum Committee
