NEWS RELEASE
ORILLIA MUSEUM OF ART AND HISTORY
*************************
Throughout the month of August, the Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH) is offering three guided walking tours.
Gangs, Guns and Grog: True Stories of Orillia’s Wild West Days
Every Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m., join OMAH and the Hog N’ Penny for Gangs, Guns and Grog: True Stories of Orillia’s Wild West Days. This 19-plus guided walking tour through downtown Orillia begins at OMAH and concludes at the Hog N’ Penny pub, where your first drink is on the tour guide.
Orillia was dry (no alcohol could be purchased within city limits) for over 40 years. This followed a decades-long campaign by temperance advocates to improve the behaviour of the citizens of Orillia, which was a city in chaos.
Perhaps the worst decade of all was the 1870s. During this period Orillia’s population swelled every summer, overwhelming the small force of constables; it was legal to carry a loaded and concealed firearm (they weren’t considered deadly weapons due to their inaccuracy) and there was one licensed liquor establishment for every 150 citizens.
On this tour we explore the vibrant characters who populated 1870s Orillia, including crooked constables, slippery bootleggers, two brawling gangs, tough-as-nails madams, and the larger-than-life tavern keepers who helped to fuel the antics.
This is an entertaining, engaging, story-based look back at a defining time in our city’s past. One review of the tour states, “It was very enjoyable. The guide was terrific, making the material interesting and humorous. My group would recommend this tour to anyone.”
Book your tour by visiting OMAH’s website at www.orilliamuseum.org/project/ggg.
Historical Orillia: A Guided Walking Tour
Every Friday night from 7 to 8:30 p.m., join OMAH for Historical Orillia: A Guided Walking Tour. This tour through downtown Orillia begins and ends at OMAH.
Orillia has a long history, and throughout much of that time Orillia was on the cutting edge, “the city ahead” (as the community was briefly billed). On this tour we discuss people, places and events that shaped our city in ways that still resound today. We visit such iconic Orillia locations as the Opera House, Central School, and Couchiching Beach Park. On this tour we share stories that can be enjoyed whether you’re a lifelong Orillia citizen or you’re visiting the Sunshine City for the first time.
One review of our tour stated, “The tour guide was excellent, engaging and knowledgeable. There was enough info to inform without overwhelming.”
If you’re looking for, as one visitor put it, “a wonderful way to spend a warm summer evening,” join us at OMAH for Historical Orillia: A Guided Walking Tour. For more information or to register, visit OMAH’s website at www.orilliamuseum.org/project/ho.
Historical Couchiching Beach Park
New this summer, OMAH, in partnership with Sustainable Orillia, developed the tour, Historical Couchiching Beach Park. This one-hour walking tour will run on Saturday, Aug. 13, with four shifts over the course of the day starting at 10 a.m.
On this tour guests will explore the natural and built history of Couchiching Beach Park. Guests can look forward to learning about some important Orillia figures including boat builders and our city’s first millionaire. If you’ve ever wanted to know more about some of the landmarks within Couchiching Beach Park, join us on this tour.
This tour runs for one day only, so don’t miss out. For more information or to register, visit OMAH’s website at www.orilliamuseum.org/project/historical-couchiching-beach-park.
*************************
