Castle Kilbride

10/18/2026

Did you know that a Wilmot Township woman played a major role in midwifery and providing care for those fighting Leprosy? Elsie Cressman, missionary and midwife was born 13 April 1923 in Wilmot Township. She chose nursing as a career and graduated as a registered nurse from St. Mary’s Hospital in Kitchener. Elsie spent two years at Mennonite Children’s Home in Kansas City, Kansas, caring for the medical needs of 70 children. In 1953 the Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities approached Elsie and asked her to establish a leprosarium in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) on the shore of Lake Victoria. Elsie accepted the challenge and was instrumental building huts, medical dispensary, medical wards, and a chapel surrounded by flowers and fruit trees. After 15 years of leprosy work and attending the births of numerous infants, Elsie enrolled at Mothers’ Hospital in London, England, to become a certified midwife. She returned to Africa and managed a medical clinic on Rusinga Island, Kenya, for three years. She supervised the delivery of over 1000 babies there. She also spent several months in Somalia under the Eastern Mennonite Mission Board.

10/14/2026

Are you in need of some Halloween costume ideas? Well, don’t fear because the archives at are back with another idea! How about a Lunar Fairy? Check back next week for your next bit of inspiration!

10/12/2026

Happy Thanksgiving from !

10/11/2026

Did you know that Wilmot Township is home to one of the largest Women's Institute branches?
In 2017, The New Dundee Women’s Institute was the largest branch in Canada with 60 members. It has existed for over 100 years, having begun in 1907. Through the network of branches, they offer high-quality education and support programs; advocate for social and economic change and work towards the personal growth and empowerment of women.

In the mid 1930’s, Lady Tweedsmuir, wife of Lord Tweedsmuir, Governor General of Canada, took a great interest in the Women’s Institutes in the country. She stressed the need for preserving the history of the Canadian people and suggested that Ontario Women’s Institute Branches keep local history books. In 1940, she was delighted to approve these histories, named after her and her husband, and so originated “The Tweedsmuir Village History Books.” The following images are from New Dundee’s WI’s own Tweedsmuir History books. These books are housed at but can also be viewed online at: https://images.ourontario.ca/wilmot/search

10/09/2026

is open this Thanksgiving Weekend and the turkey and cranberry sauce is set! Stop by and explore the museum and see what Livingston’s would have served during the holiday!

10/08/2026

This weekend ’s Vogue Visits are back! Join us for a guided tour by costumed staff of the exhibits the Trip of 1936 and Vogue Voyages: Fashion on the High Seas Travel Clothes 1912 – 1939. Afterwards create a fabulous fascinator or brilliant bow tie!
Dates: Friday September 4, Saturday September 5, and Sunday September 6
Time 10:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $8.25/Adult, $5.25/Child, $25/Family (in advance)
Tickets required:

Guided tour by costumed guide of the Vogue Voyages: Travel Clothes 1912 - 1939. Afterwards make a fascinator or bowtie

10/07/2026

Are you in need of some Halloween costume ideas? Well, don’t fear because the archives at have you covered! This week we start off with the beloved clown! Check back next week for your next bit of inspiration!

10/04/2026

Did you know that a Wilmot Township woman contributed to the history of the Women in Canadian History timeline? Ms. Lavina Kropf enlisted in March 1916 as a Canadian Expeditionary Force Nursing Sister.
Lavina (or “Vine” as she was known as) was born in Baden, Ontario, on September 28, 1882. She was educated in Wilmot Township, followed by nursing training at Guelph General Hospital, and then relocated to a post-graduate hospital in New York City. In March of 1916, at the age of 34, Lavina was one of twenty-seven nurses selected for the Saskatchewan hospital overseas unit.
Lavina served at Helena Hospital in Shorncliffe, England as well as different field hospitals in France. She also followed the 1st and 2nd Canadian Divisions to Bonn, Germany.
After the war, Vine returned to Canada and worked as a nurse at Christie Street Veteran’s Hospital in Toronto, where she met Henry Rothwell Gerrard, a Lieutenant who had been seriously injured multiple times. They were married on August 2, 1924, in Toronto. Her husband Henry died in 1933. Lavina died April 10, 1977, at the age of 95.

10/02/2026

👻Is the Castle haunted? Perhaps.
💀Are some of its artifacts cursed? Absolutely!
We don't always talk about the darker side of the Castle's collection... but tonight, the "gloves" are off. Join us for an evening of ghost stories, campfire legends (weather permitting), cursed artifacts, and mysterious tales from the museum's past.
Then, sip on a signature cocktail/mocktail and enjoy appetizers (catered by EJ's Tavern at The Baden Hotel), soak up the spooky atmosphere, and mingle with medium Brittany Schmidt -because who knows who (or what) might stop by?
Come curious. Leave... well we can't promise everything will stay behind when you leave.
Offered: Friday October 30th from 7- 9 p.m. or 9-11 p.m.
Time: 7-9 p.m. or 9-11 p.m.
Cost: $50/pp
Ages: 16+
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cursed-curiosities-and-cocktails-at-castle-kilbride-tickets-1998545159371?aff=oddtdtcreator?aff=oddtdtcreator

10/02/2026

October is and is excited to bring a spotlight to some of the many outstanding women of history from the Township of Wilmot! Check back every Sunday this month as we highlight a special local!