Stories From Another Day

How do you remember a father you didn’t know? In today’s bonus summer episode we look at the story behind an important local memorial overlooking the harbour. See how one man’s attempt to give honour to his father, would only be fulfilled by similarly honouring more than fifty other families at the same time. What is the one local monument or memorial that moves you most? Is it connected to your f...

Join us as we tell the story of one local family who grew a business from a small market-farm and a dream, to (at the time) Ontario’s largest fruit and vegetable farming operation. A family run company that also helped to grow their community. A pillar of the community that touched the lives of nearly every other Collingwood family over the eighty years of the Smart Brothers business. Following th...

A beautiful summer day on the lake turns into a troubling mystery with a tragic ending. In this episode we tell the story of the day Collingwood was rocked by the sudden loss of eight young men and women, and the response of the community to a shared grief. Following the story we invite the listeners to join us in all the activities we have planned for May is Museum month. From Our Climate Quest,...

In this episode, we tell the tale of the HMCS Moose Jaw, a flower class corvette built in Collingwood for transatlantic duty during WWII. Learn about the pivotal role Canadian civilian dockyards, including the Collingwood Shipyards, played in the construction of these important naval ships and listen to the riveting story of the HMCS Moose Jaw’s first battle against enemy U-boats. After the story...

In this episode we explore the life of Collingwood daughter Madge Watt and the global movement among rural women that would result from her unwavering drive and determination. Join us as we look at this important figure in Canadian history and her pivotal role in the formation of the Women’s Institute and the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW). After the story we invite the listeners to...

In this month’s Stories from Another Day podcast episode, host Ken Maher introduces Dr. A.R. Stephen, a caring country doctor, soldier, and civic leader who moved to the tiny settlement that would become Collingwood in 1853, before the first train arrived in town. Dr. Stephen would spend more than 50 years organizing, protecting, serving, and caring for the residents and town he loved. The marks o...

What makes a house into a home? There are nearly as many different answers to that question as there are different kinds of families to ask it. In this episode we look at one historic Collingwood house, and just how very differently (and wonderfully) it has served as a true home for thousands of lives over its long and storied history. After the story we invite your house stories. We would love to...

From the front lines of battle to the bright lights of Broadway, we follow the story of Canada’s early kings of comedy. The Dumbells, formed as a musical comedy troupe to entertain the men and women serving overseas during WW1, became so much more than just a welcome distraction in a very tense time. They would go on to become an international sensation and a Canada wide comedy hit. Join us as we...

No news is good news unless you are a mother waiting to hear from your child serving overseas. In this episode we follow the story E.L. Knight and Gordon Sinclair serving in the South African War at the turn of the twentieth century. The harrowing and heroic stories told by Knight and Sinclair in personal letters to family members, were also shared with the entire town through the local newspaper....

For well over a century some of the most important men and women for the ongoing safety and well-being of our community were also the most isolated and in danger themselves. Yet their indomitable spirit shone as brightly in the story of Collingwood as the light they maintained shone over the waters of the bay. Join us in our latest episode as we recount some of the personal stories connected to ov...

We begin season three with a sweet treat as we tell you the story of a cookie empire founded right here in Collingwood. Join us for the story of the Telfer Brothers and their famous Cream Soda Biscuits. Cookie of choice for Kings and Canadians from coast to coast. Witness a half-century of business and innovation, that began here, but stretched right across the country bringing the Collingwood nam...

In this bonus summer episode we take a break for the heat to remember winter and snow as we hear the harrowing (and hilarious) tale of a horse and sleigh, and a young girl and her bloomers. Are you old enough to remember bloomers? Did you wear them? Did you like them? Should they make a comeback? (Not right now ... for winter weather of course.) We would love to hear what you think! Episode Pictur...

Have you heard all the back to school ads yet? They are a sure sign that the seasons are soon changing. But they also can’t compare to the flare, fun, and marketing genius of a long time Collingwood store owner Mr. T. N. Brown from many long years ago. And because the fall will soon be upon us, this will be the final bonus episode of the summer, as we look forward to our fast approaching third sea...

Flag raisings are an important part of our Collingwood culture and community even to this day. In this bonus summer episode we travel more than a century into the past to tell the tale of a flag raising that nearly sparked an international incident right here on our main street. Or so one young lad would later say. Episode Picture: United States Consulate Office in Collingwood in the 1890s. [Colli...

For many people, July and fireworks go together like peanut butter and jelly. So what better time to share the story of youthful fireworks gone very wrong. And the best part of this bonus summer episode? It is a story told by the son of a former town’s fire chief. Do you have a story of something you thought was a good idea at the time, but which turned into something very different than you had p...

In this special bonus episode of the Collingwood Museum's Stories from Another Day podcast we turn the microphone over to local student, Grace Johnson, who shares with us a story she researched and wrote for the Simcoe County Heritage Fair which was held in May at the Simcoe County Museum. The touching history of Grace’s ancestors may be familiar to many families who now call Canada home.   Gr...

In the last episode of our second season we revisit the story of the railroad in Collingwood, this time to trace its slow and steady decline and eventual disappearance from our town. Along the way we will discuss some of the wonderful and wild ideas proposed to keep the role of the railways a going concern for Collingwood, and the lasting impact the now removed railways still have on our little to...

The work of museums in preserving the past is sometimes fraught with loss and disappointment. Despite everyone’s best efforts sometimes a piece of our history still gets away and is lost in time. In today’s episode we look at two such losses connected by a strong sense of irony. We also end with a note of hope for the same currents of time and circumstance sometimes work in the museum’s favour. Jo...

For more than seven decades of our town’s history the Kiltie Band provided the soundtrack to Collingwood’s joys and celebrations. They were also present to mark many a special occasion and more than a few sombre moments. This community band provided a welcoming stage to many local musicians and encouraged many a young boy and girl to learn an instrument and give back to the community. In their sma...

In this episode we reflect on the life and times of an amazing woman who brought “lilies for the soul” to our community through beauty and colour. Mary McKay’s story and her connection to Collingwood is both as vibrant and inspiring as her artwork. After the story we invite everyone to check out our sidewalk exhibit on Hurontario Street, celebrating women in local history. A joint project with the...

The quiet routine of daily work and life is shattered by an explosion that rocks the shipyards and surrounding area. Windows are shattered, and a huge piece of the ship crashes down outside of the shipyards. The press of questions come raining down almost immediately. What caused it? Could it have been prevented? Was anyone hurt? And what happened after the dust and debris settled?  Join us t...

A second-hand sign with a risque past and a paragon of family entertainment for nearly a century come together to tell the story of "bright lights, small town." Join us as we look at the history of a cherished local landmark of downtown Collingwood, the historic Gayety Theatre. After the story we invite our listeners to share their questions, comments, or suggestions for a future story we should t...

While the festive mood of Christmas has been a constant for the people of Collingwood, the shape of their celebrations has seen some interesting changes through the years. Like when the town’s Christmas tree wasn’t a tree at all! Join us as we travel back to the lean years between the two world wars to see what shape the holiday season took when times were difficult. We hope you will find the stor...

Just in time for Remembrance Day, we look into the story of not just one local man, but six – and all of them brothers – who took up the call to serve King and country in the First World War. One will have the distinction of serving as honour guard to the King himself on one of Canada’s most important days. But each man’s story is equally important and will range from close to home to Azerbaijan a...

Sometimes the most fascinating history is hidden in plain sight. In this episode we look at a tragic and pivotal moment of our town’s early history through the lens of an underappreciated building in our downtown. A building you have probably walked past and looked past many times already. Come back in time with us as we talk about the day that could have brought an end to our town, but instead on...