In this episode we explore the rise and eventual decline of Collingwood’s Grand Opera House, a vibrant venue that welcomed international stars to local talent alike, hosting everything from plays and musicals to public meetings and community fundraisers.

Following the story we invite our listeners to join us in celebrating Archive Awareness Week, and call for your assistance in a very special opportunity connected to it. We also invite everyone to come to the museum and take in our newest Community Collectors Exhibit “Hidden for A Century: Inside Collingwood Collegiate’s Time Capsule.” You won't want to miss this one!

Episode Picture:

An interior view of the Grand Opera House. Date unknown. [Collingwood Museum Collection, X969.636.2]Research:

The Bulletin, June 29 1890

Cowley, Christine. Butchers, Bakers, & Building the Lakers. p.16.

Arp, Barbara. Reflections. p 110.

Collingwood Public Library Local History Files

Collingwood Bulletin May 31, 1917.

Enterprise Bulletin May 1, 1947.

Links:

"A Day of Tall Work and Many Tears" Season 1, Episode 10 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/cwoodstories/episodes/A-Day-of-Tall-Work-and-Many-Tears-e18694q

"Preserving the Past and Ensuring the Future" Season 5, Episode 7 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/cwoodstories/episodes/Preserving-the-Past-and-Ensuring-the-Future-The-Birnie-Sisters-e3fgf18

"The Kiltie Band" Season 2, Episode 8 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/cwoodstories/episodes/The-Kiltie-Band-e21c3f4

"Letters to Mother" Season 3, Episode 3 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/cwoodstories/episodes/Letters-To-Mother-e2bajjv

"A School on the Move" Season 5, Episode 4 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/cwoodstories/episodes/A-School-on-the-Move-The-Story-of-Collingwood-Collegiate-Institute-e3bfckr

"Eddie Bush" Season 4, Episode 5 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/cwoodstories/episodes/Eddie-Bush-e2t0dsm

In this episode we invite you to step back in time and discover the remarkable story of two sisters whose lives left a lasting mark on their community and beyond. Elizabeth “Annie” Birnie, a beloved Collingwood teacher and accomplished artist, and Amelia “Jessie” Birnie, a medical doctor and pioneer in infant health. Each followed a different path, and both left a powerful, lasting mark on the world around them.

Research:

The Saturday News. September 3, 1910.

Collingwood Bulletin, July 28, 1921.

“These Mural Paintings are from the brush of Elizabeth Annie Birnie” informational pamphlet accompanying the brass tablet erected at the Collingwood Carnegie Library in 1921.

https://sites.rootsweb.com/~canqbogs/pdf_files/Brearley_Female_Physicians_Toronto.pdf

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1214952287303228&id=100063654036098&set=a.501284082003389

Episode Picture:

Several members of the Birnie family pose for a photograph outside of their family home on Pine Street. [Collingwood Museum Collection, X969.509.1]

Links: "The Museum that Wasn't" Season 1 Episode 23 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/cwoodstories/episodes/The-Museum-That-Wasnt-e1ig37a

"Lilies for the Soul" Season 2 Episode 7 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/cwoodstories/episodes/Lilies-For-The-Soul-e1vqft3

"The One that Flew Away" Season 2 Episode 9 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/cwoodstories/episodes/The-One-That-Flew-Away-e2336ii

The death of young Gloria “Glory” Whalen in May 1903 sent shockwaves through Collingwood and drew widespread attention throughout Ontario, with newspapers across the province reporting on the investigation into her death. In this episode we examine the community impact of one of Ontario’s longest running cold cases.

Episode Picture

This illustration of Gloria Whalen was published in a 1903 newspaper.

Research

Collingwood Bulletin. June 4 1903.

Enterprise Messenger,June 11, 1903.

Toronto Star October 17, 1903.

Adams, Morgan Ian. Glory: A Lamentable Condition of Affairs. McNulty Printing, Collingwood ON. 2007

Enterprise Messenger. November 19, 1903.

Links

The Country Doctor who Organized a Town. Season 3 Episode 6 https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/nuHKh11mc0b

The Elegant Lady who Built our Town Season 2 Episode 1 https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/uQRN9y9mc0b

Off the Rails Season 2 Episode 10 https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/LhXUt78mc0b