Gala Event Celebrates Restoration of Roy Studio Films
Peterborough, ON - The Peterborough Museum & Archives (PMA) is pleased to announce a special film premiere and gala event, presented by CIBC Private Wealth, Schiller Investment Group, on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, 140 Charlotte St.
The event will showcase newly restored archival films captured by local film pioneer Frederick Lewis Roy. Gala participants will enjoy an exclusive first look at never-before-seen footage documenting life, people, and landmarks in Peterborough and the surrounding region from the 1930s through the 1950s. Guests will also learn about the history of the Roy Studio and the innovative preservation work that made the films accessible once again.
During Peterborough’s flood of 2004, 46 films owned and held by the Roy family sustained water damage and were at risk of being lost. In response, conservators at the PMA froze the films to stabilize and preserve them while a long-term conservation solution could be developed.
In 2025, the Roy family formally gifted the films to the PMA, which then partnered with Toronto Metropolitan University master's student Bo Pickett to undertake an ambitious restoration project. Together, the team developed an innovative process to safely thaw, clean, restore and digitize the damaged films. Their work has made it possible to preserve these important historical records and share them with the community for the first time in decades.
“This project represents an extraordinary effort to preserve and share Peterborough’s visual history,” says Susan Neale, Director of the Peterborough Museum & Archives. “These films offer a unique window into our community's past, and we are excited to celebrate both the collection itself and the innovative work that brought it back to life." The Film Premiere and Gala event will raise funds in support of ongoing digitization and preservation efforts for the PMA’s motion picture film collection. Proceeds will help ensure the remaining films are restored and protected for future generations. Tickets will be available in September through the Market Hall box office. Visit markethall.org, call the box office at 705-749-1146 or visit the Market Hall box office located at 140 Charlotte St.
In addition to the gala event, the Peterborough Museum & Archives will host a complementary exhibition this Fall that explores the history of the Roy Studio, the restoration process, and highlights from the collection, allowing the broader community to engage with this important local story.
Event Date: October 8, 2026
Location: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, Peterborough, ON
Tickets: Available through the Market Hall box office. Tickets will go on sale in September.
About the Peterborough Museum & Archives (PMA)
The Peterborough Museum & Archives (PMA) opened in Ashburnham Memorial Park in 1967. The PMA is committed to inspiring, educating and bringing people closer to Peterborough’s rich heritage.
Visit the Peterborough Museum & Archives website at peterborough.ca/museum or follow @PtboMuseumArchives on Instagram and Facebook for updates and information.