Featured Exhibition

The Peterborough Museum & Archives is excited to present a special exhibit, "Fall: The Season of Preparation", exploring the significance of autumn for both the Indigenous and early settlers. This season of preparation, reflection, and survival was vital as communities readied themselves for the harsh winter ahead.

For some Indigenous cultures, autumn marked a time not only for harvesting and gathering but also for spiritual reflection. The season was an occasion when ancestors were honoured, and the fall equinox became a time for purification fasting and personal growth.

Settlers, who had to adapt to life in the wilderness, learned survival techniques from the Indigenous, including the importance of the Three Sisters—corn, beans, and squash—key crops that could be stored through the long winter. Without access to modern conveniences, both groups relied on their skills in hunting, preserving food, and preparing shelters to endure the dark, cold months.

This fascinating exhibit showcases artifacts from the PMA’s collection used for harvesting, hunting, and warmth, giving visitors a unique insight into how the Peterborough area's early inhabitants survived and thrived in the winter months.

Admission: By donation.

Don’t miss this opportunity to journey through the past and learn how autumn was the season of preparation for survival.