Torbay History House

Torbay Festival of Trees is an annual fundraiser for the Northeast Avalon Foodbank hosted by the Torbay History House. This is a friendly competition of 25 decorated trees from community partners, retail outlets, or individual community members to promote the spirit of Christmas and holiday cheer! 

The Town of Torbay and Torbay History House would like to thank our amazing participants and everyone who came out to support this year's Festival of Trees! This year's Festival of Trees raised $1274 and numerous non-perishable food items; all proceeds will go to the Northeast Avalon Foodbank! 

The Town of Torbay and Torbay History House would like to thank all staff and volunteers who helped coordinate and prepare this year's Festival of Trees. The Town of Torbay and Torbay History House would like to additionally thank NTV News and CBC News for their help in promoting and reporting on the Torbay Festival of Trees and Northeast Avalon Foodbank!

The Town of Torbay and Torbay History House would like to thank the following sponsors for our prizes and donations:

Collision Clinic
District Drugs PharmaChoice
O'Reilly's & Yellowbelly Brewery
The Battery Café
East Coast Trail Association
Patsy Dymond
Heather Coughlan
Art Cansel - Bev Newhook Campbell
Shopper's Drug Mart
Roberta Hicks
Hope Martin
Torbay Folk Arts Council
Reid Music 

Congratulations to this year's winners:

The Family Deckerated Tree - 3rd Place
East Coast Trail Association - 2nd Place
Torbay Lion's Club - 1st Place

Full List of 2025 Tree Participants

Torbay Folk Arts Council
Rocky Isle Singers
50+ Active Group
Torbay Minor Softball
Northeast Avalon Foodbank
Torbay Public Library
Torbay Knitwits
Torbay Quilters
Made to Move Physio + Wellness

Torbay Guitar Group
Carroll Traditional Tree
Torbay Lion's Club
M&M BFF
St. John's Guild of Embroiders
Lorina's Restaurant
East Coast Trail Association
The Family Deckerated Tree 
Carroll Gingerbread Tree
Ancestor Gingerbread Tree
Grounds Cafe Hookers (Ornaments for sale and all proceeds go to the Northeast Avalon Foodbank)

 

In 2017, the Town of Torbay purchased the Roman Catholic Presbytery House in an effort to create a museum that meets both professional standards and community needs. Today, the Torbay History House serves as a community and heritage space encouraging visitors to learn more about the community and its significant history!

Exhibits

Of Corn & Codfish: A Recipe for Disaster in the 1840's: The Indian Meal Line Project
The Torbay History House is proud to present the research of our former summer student, Hannah, on how the Indian Meal Line in Torbay got its name!

Duration: Open until January 31
When: Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Where: Torbay History House First Floor

School of Cod
The St. John’s Guild of Embroiderers Members of the Guild were challenged to stitch an image of a cod fish in an embroidery technique of their choice. Working from the same drawing, members signed up for a specific technique. The show also displays various works by guild members stitched using the methods illustrated in the cod.

Duration: January 10 to February 14
Where: Torbay History House Second Floor Art Gallery
Opening Reception: January 10, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Workshops & Demonstrations

Storytelling with Gary Green
Learning the craft of storytelling is more involved than you may think, so this workshop will introduce you to the craft and teach you skills for memorization, comfort with speaking in front of a crowd, and creating the story.

Duration: February 27 & 28
When: February 27, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Lunch will be included on Saturday), February 28, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Where: Torbay History House
Ages: Open to Ages 16+
Fees: $100.00 +HST for the series (Pre-registration Required)
Contact: Donna Norvey at dnorvey@torbay.ca

Writer's Workshop: A 3 Part Series
This workshop will be aimed at participants who have a project in mind but have not completed it yet. Open to writers in all disciplines—whether fiction, nonfiction, poetry, theatre, or anything in between—the goal of this three-session workshop is to look at tools and methods that can spur your writing on and help you to complete and refine a writing project.

Instructor: Karin Murray-Berquist 

Duration: January 24, February 7, and February 21
When: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Where: Torbay History House Community Room
Ages: Open to Ages 16+
Fees: $45.00 +HST (Pre-registration Required)
Contact: Donna Norvey at dnorvey@torbay.ca

Spinning Demonstration
Angora Borealis owner/creator Beth Howley will be here to speak about the art of spinning, beginning techniques, and provide a demonstration of her craft.

Duration: To Be Determined, Update to be Provided at Later Date Online
Where: Torbay History House
Ages: All Ages
Fees: Free
Contact: Donna Norvey at dnorvey@torbay.ca

Programs

Registration for History House Programs and Events can be done through e-Services, by phone at (709) 437-6532 ext. 270, or in person at Torbay History House during business hours (Monday - Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

Tin Whistle Lessons
Tin whistle lessons from Terri Lyn — these 10 weekly lessons will introduce you to the art of playing the tin whistle. You will need to provide your own whistle in the key of D. Long & McQuade and Reid Music have them.

Instructor: Terri Lyn Hickey

Duration: January 5 - March 9
When: Mondays, 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Where: Torbay History House
Ages: Open to Ages 16+
Fees: $120.00 +HST for 10 weeks. TFAC members receive a 25% discount but have to contact HH Staff to Receive Discount. (Pre-registration Required)
Contact: Donna Norvey at dnorvey@torbay.ca

Torbay Knitwits
A group of people that like to knit together, bounce ideas off each other but welcome anyone who would like to bring their own project or learn more about knitting.

Duration: January 12 - April 30
When: Mondays from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Where: Torbay History House
Ages: Open to Ages 16+
Fees: Free
Contact: Donna Norvey at dnorvey@torbay.ca

Creative Minds Tuesday Group
Creative Minds is the History House's STEAM-based art program for children in Kindergarten through Grade 8. Each week, we will explore a new medium, technique, or craft, encouraging children to learn, build, and create with confidence. This is the perfect program for children who love arts and crafts!

Duration: January 13 - March 31
When: Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Where: Torbay History House
Ages: Open to Anyone in Kindergarten - Grade 2
Fees: $2.00 (Pre-registration Encouraged)
Contact: Katelyn Banks at kbanks@torbay.ca or Hannah Cooper at hcooper@torbay.ca

Creative Minds Wednesday Group
Creative Minds is the History House's STEAM-based art program for children in Kindergarten through Grade 8. Each week, we will explore a new medium, technique, or craft, encouraging children to learn, build, and create with confidence. This is the perfect program for children who love arts and crafts!

Duration: January 14 - April 1
When: Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Where: Torbay History House
Ages: Open to Anyone in Grades 3 - 8
Fees: $2.00 (Pre-registration Encouraged)
Contact: Katelyn Banks at kbanks@torbay.ca or Hannah Cooper at hcooper@torbay.ca

Art Appreciation
This workshop series for adults is a hands-on exploration of the visual arts. Each week participants will enjoy a guided workshop in an artistic discipline such as acrylic or watercolour painting, printmaking, drawing, pastel, collage, and more. Join us for a cup of coffee or tea and nurture your creativity.

Duration: January 21 - April 30
When: Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Where: Torbay History House
Ages: Open to Ages 50+
Fees: Free
Contact: Katelyn Banks at kbanks@torbay.ca or Hannah Cooper at hcooper@torbay.ca

Discover Your Family History
Whether you're just starting or you've been doing this for years, our Family History series has something for everyone. Join each week as we explore the world of genealogy—each week will dive into something new. Plus, we'll even explore new trends like using DNA or AI in your genealogical research. Come for one class or join us for all! Each session is designed to be welcoming, informative, and fun—whether you're building a tree from scratch or adding new branches.

For a complete list of topics and more information, visit Torbay eServices or email us at museum@torbay.ca. We can't wait to see what you discover!

Instructor: JoAnn Murphy

Duration: January 15 to April 30
When: Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Where: Torbay History House
Ages: All Ages
Fees: $5.00 +HST (Pre-registration Required)

Open Studio with Heather Coughlan
This workshop series is a space to explore new mediums, be creative and work alongside other creators. Each week, Heather will lead participants through project-based workshops in a variety of mediums to encourage experimentation with new techniques and processes.

Beginners and advanced painters are welcome to enjoy learning and creating art, to be inspired to pick it up on your own.

Duration: September 25 - December 4
When: Thursdays from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Where: Torbay History House
Ages: Open to Ages 16+
Fees: $15.00 +HST
Contact: Donna Norvey at dnorvey@torbay.ca

Photograph Donations

Torbay History House is seeking donations of old photographs you may have of Torbay and the surrounding areas, all photographs of old buildings, events, individuals, and around the community are welcome!

Oral History Project

We want to know your story!

Share your stories and memories with the History House staff! If you would like to volunteer to help with this project, we welcome you and will provide any training needed.

Torbay History House is inviting you to become a volunteer!

We have many different needs, your skills may be a great fit with what we are seeking! In addition to our traditional and historical programs offered to elementary students, we are looking for people who like to work behind the scenes and help with our ongoing projects and exhibits!

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please contact (709) 437-6532 ext.270 or email DNorvey@torbay.ca

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