LEACOCK MUSEUM NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE – For over fifty years the Leacock Museum has been welcoming visitors to the Old Brewery Bay on the shores of Lake Couchiching. This stately, 19-room summer home represents Stephen Leacock’s lifetime love affair with Orillia, a town he immortalized as the mythical Mariposa in his quintessential best-seller Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town.
Included in the nearly 10- acre site are Leacock House, the Boathouse, and the museum archives and administration building. Don’t forget to stop by the Leacock Cafe and enjoy some amazing food and beverages, or stop through on the trails for some ice cream! The museum grounds feature gardens and trails such as the Orillia Millenium Trail or the Lightfoot Trail that travels throughout Orillia along the waterfront, through the property! These trails are ideal for a stroll, especially in their summer fullness or during fall colours. Enjoy the amazing waterfront, located on Lake Couchiching makes for some amazing views and a convenient spot to take a break from paddling and enjoy this local historic site! Open year round and available for rentals, meetings and special events.
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Gatsby Garden Party
Looking for an event to start your summer off right? Join us for a family-friendly Gatsby Garden Party combining the decadence of the 1920s with the simplicity of a picnic style outing. Pack a picnic lunch and join us on the Leacock lawn. There will be live entertainment for adults and children, lawn games, and a silent auction. Guests who attend the event are also welcomed to participate in the awards ceremony and reading for the K. Valerie Connor Memorial…
Find out more »Market in the Garden
The Orillia Farmers' Market presents a unique pop-up market on the historic and scenic Leacock Museum Grounds. This special event coincides with a variety of outdoor exhibits, including the Montreal Melon in Leacock's garden. Shop for sweet treats, freshly-farmed and homemade goods, one-of-a-kind gifts, and take in the scenery of beautiful Old Brewery Bay!
Find out more »Ghost Walks on the Leacock Museum Grounds
Ghost Walks on the Leacock Museum Grounds is back after a successful run in 2022! Join one of our spooky tour guides to learn about the haunted happenings on Old Brewery Bay. Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies after the tour is over. Offered October 20, 21, 27 and 28, 2023 with select times. Stay up to date at LeacockMuseum.ca
Find out more »Fall High Tea
Back by popular demand! Fall high teas return this fall with six different dates. Enjoy a three-tiered treat selection prepared by FARE Restaurant with unlimited tea while seated on the porch or in the comfort of the living room. Reservations are required. Offered October 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 & 28, 2023, at 2:00p.m. Get tickets.
Find out more »Nutcracker Tea
Just in time for the holidays; the Nutcracker Tea returns to the Leacock Museum. Enjoy a three-tiered selection of festive delicacies with bottomless tea along with a self-guided tour of the decorated home and up to 25% off select items in the gift shop. Limited seating available! First come, first served. Purchase your tickets on OrilliaOperaHouse.ca
Find out more »Paint your PRIDE
Join us for the opening celebration of the "Decoding Anne Lister: History's First Modern Lesbian" exhibit. The event will begin with an introduction by museum staff, a self-guided tour of the museum and the opportunity to explore the new exhibit, followed by an artist-led painting workshop featuring a lecture from a guest speaker. Stay tuned to our social media as we reveal the identity of our artist and speakers leading up to the event. A limited number of spots are…
Find out more »Decoding Anne Lister: History’s First Modern Lesbian
Reviled and hidden away for decades because of the stories they contained, Anne Lister’s diaries and her life will be the focus of an exhibit opening this September at the Leacock Museum. Now famously known as history’s first modern lesbian and the focus of a popular TV show, Anne Lister meticulously captured the details of her life including love affairs, business deals, and politics in a partially encoded diary that scholars have worked for decades to transcribe. The exhibit will…
Find out more »Roses and Rosé – Holiday Centrepiece Workshop
The roses and rosé package is back! This special collaboration with Fare Restaurant and Florillia Floral Design is a great way to relax and get creative with friends! This package includes: A specialized holiday centrepiece arranging class, courtesy of Florillia Floral Design A flower bouquet to take home that guests make themselves A full tour of the Leacock Museum including our newest exhibit, "Decoding Anne Lister: History's First Modern Lesbian" A specially-crafted holiday cocktail at Orillia's only waterfront dining experience, Fare Restaurant, to end…
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