Woodside National Historic Site, Parks Canada

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Woodside National Historic Site, Parks Canada An official Parks Canada page. Français: http://ow.ly/bV1H50M2vA0 Cette page est aussi disponible en français à https://www.facebook.com/LHNWoodside

in the original “Jack of the Lantern” myth in Irish folklore, “Stingy Jack” is often depicted carrying a carved turnip...
10/28/2026

in the original “Jack of the Lantern” myth in Irish folklore, “Stingy Jack” is often depicted carrying a carved turnip lit with an ember as his lantern?

Vegetable carving goes back thousands of years in Irish tradition and became an important part of the celebration of Samhain, on November 1.

Irish immigrants brought these traditions to the United States and Canada and quickly discovered that pumpkins were much easier to carve than turnips, creating the modern Jack o’ Lantern that we know today!

Want to learn more?

Head to for Victorian Halloween this weekend: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/woodside/activ/calendrier-calendar/

William Lyon Mackenzie King had a lifelong interest in spiritualism? Spiritualism was not new to the King family. Lett...
10/27/2026

William Lyon Mackenzie King had a lifelong interest in spiritualism?

Spiritualism was not new to the King family. Letters from as early as 1890 mention members of the family having their fortunes told. Later in life, following the deaths of several close family members, including his mother Isabel, King’s interest in spiritualism deepened as he sought comfort and connection.

He read extensively on the subject and attended séances, recording many of these experiences in his personal diary.

His interest remained largely private during his lifetime and only became widely known after his death in 1950.

This Halloween season, discover another side of the boy who once called home.

William Lyon Mackenzie King wasn’t the only King child who called Woodside home. His sisters, Isabel “Bella” King and Ja...
10/19/2026

William Lyon Mackenzie King wasn’t the only King child who called Woodside home.

His sisters, Isabel “Bella” King and Janet “Jennie” King, spent their childhood here too, along with their younger brother Max.

Bella later pursued nursing training and dedicated much of her life to church work, social activities, and caring for her parents. Jennie remained closely connected to Woodside’s story, later providing photographs and family objects that helped tell the story of the King family.

Celebrate at and learn more about the women who grew up in this heritage home.

Plan your visit: Woodside National Historic Site

Credit: Library and Archives Canada

William Lyon Mackenzie King played a role in the early history of the National Film Board of Canada? In 1938, after re...
10/15/2026

William Lyon Mackenzie King played a role in the early history of the National Film Board of Canada?

In 1938, after receiving the Massey Report on the state of film in Canada, King invited British documentary filmmaker John Grierson to Canada.

In October 1939, Grierson became the NFB’s first Government Film Commissioner. The NFB would go on to produce and distribute Canadian films, including films during the Second World War, and make lasting contributions to Canadian film and culture.

Explore the NFB’s online collection: www.nfb.ca

Credit: National Film Board of Canada

Nicholas Morant / National Film Board of Canada. Phototheque / Library and Archives Canada / C-026989

Ready to celebrate Oktoberfest with a Victorian twist? This Saturday, October 17, travel back to the days when Kitchener...
10/14/2026

Ready to celebrate Oktoberfest with a Victorian twist?

This Saturday, October 17, travel back to the days when Kitchener was known as Berlin at Oktoberfest in Berlin at !

Play Victorian-era games on Woodside’s beautiful grounds and visit the historic King family home.

The outdoor event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free to attend. Regular admission applies to enter the historic home.

Learn more: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/woodside/activ/calendrier-calendar/a9e31b8a-9a93-4570-9375-50840601efb2

Happy Thanksgiving! Fall was an important time in a Victorian household, with the changing season bringing harvest tradi...
10/12/2026

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fall was an important time in a Victorian household, with the changing season bringing harvest traditions and preparations for the colder months ahead.

Today, Woodside’s fall colours offer a beautiful backdrop for discovering this historic family home.

will be open again this week, Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Address

528 Wellington Street N
Kitchener, ON
N2H5L5

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+15195715684

Website

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