2025 Exhibit and Events
2025 Exhibit- Handcrafted History from A to Z
The love and energy that goes into handcrafted items spans centuries. Castle Kilbride has a huge collection of handcrafted items, some are on permanent display like the wall and ceiling murals however many of these items are kept in storage. This is their time to enjoy the spotlight. From items dating to 1820 to today from fashion to furniture, from functional to fun every item has a story to tell. This exhibit highlights the hard work and love that has gone into creating works of art whether it was for practical reasons or just for show.
Begins March 12th!
Are you a local artisan? Castle Kilbride would love to hear from you! Contact us!
In Bloom (exhibit)
What is Victorian Floriography?
Floriography is a coded communication where each flower and color hold symbolic meaning. Stemming back thousands of years, the language of flowers reached a pinnacle of popularity in the Victorian era. Intentional flower combinations allow the giver to communicate without uttering a word. This exhibit features floral artifacts from Castle Kilbride’s collection.
On exhibit in the Belvedere Gallery until May 30th
Whimsical Weekends: Handmade Hobbies Edition
Date: Select Weekends throughout the year
Time 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.
Cost: $8/Adult, $5/Child, $25/Family (in advance)
Whimsy and wonder are planned for these days to pair with our special exhibit Handcrafted History from A to Z. Visitors will enjoy a guided tour of the Castle and exhibit. After, make a themed based craft to take home!
April 12 & 13- Decoupage Easter Eggs
May 17 & 18 – Embroidery Butterflies
June 14 & 15- Origami Animals
August 23 & 24– Beadwork-Nith River Monster
September 20 & 21– Watercolour Bookmark
October 11 &12– Bats
November22 &23 – Kirigami Snowflakes (Paper cutting)
December – Stamped Card Making
TICKETS COMING SOON
Heritage Day
Join us to celebrate Wilmot's families: 1850 to 2025.
Saturday April 26, 2025 from 10am to 2pm at the New Dundee Community Centre.
Admission is free.
Program:
We have a fabulous line up of exhibitors including a few people presenting their own family histories.
Program for the day
- 10:00 a.m. Event opens to the public
- 10:30 a.m. Speaker: History of the Canadian Flag
- 11:00 a.m. Speaker: The Historic Buildings of New Hamburg: Writing the Genealogy of a Town
- 11:00 - 1:00 Lunch available for purchase (two kinds of soups, subs and croissants)
- 1:00 p.m. Speaker: History of the Canadian Flag
- 2:00 p.m. Close of show
Exhibitors: Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigade, ACO North Waterloo Branch, Waterloo Historical Society, Mennonite Historical Society, Historic Buildings of New Hamburg and the People Who Lived in Them, Oasis in the Centre (25th), Wellesley Township Heritage and Historical Society and Wilmot Ecumenical Working Group on Indigenous/Settler Relationships and the Maryhill Historical Society.
Family Histories: Wagler Family, Roth Family, Gascho Family, Wagler Family, Cressman Family and Al Junker’s Family. The Castle is creating stories for the Bettschen Family, the Roth/Heldemann Family and the Livingston Family.
Mother's Day Tours
May 11, 2025
Time: 10-3 (hourly slots)
Children of all ages are invited to treat their mom to a 30-minute guided tour of the Castle by costumed staff. Tour includes the Handcrafted History and In Bloom exhibits. Special rate if booked in advance $8/Adult, $5/Child, $22/Family (2adults,3children). Regular rates at door.
Homeschool Days-Spring
Dates: Thursday May 15, Friday May 30, June 12 or June 13
10 a.m., 11 a.m.,1 p.m. or 2 p.m.
$5 per person
Homeschool Days at Castle Kilbride include a guided tour, activities and take-home craft. This year we are focusing on Handcrafted Histories which features one-of-a-kind toys that students can play with. For students 5 years and older.
*New for 2025: Junior Curators Camp
Calling all young history buffs and collectors! Do you love visiting museums? Do you have your very own collection at home? Take your collection to the next level at Castle Kilbride’s Junior Curator Camp and step behind the scenes and into the world of museums! Learn how to handle artifacts, create fun crafts, design your own mini collection exhibit, and become an honorary curator!
Date: week of July 21 - 25
Ages: 9 - 14 years
Cost: $275/week
Registration opens February 4th on Wilmot Rec Web
Ghost Walks
They’re back………
Take a walk on Castle Kilbride’s eerie side. The tour features frescoes from an artist who should have been dead, playful kids throughout, including Kilbride’s resident spirit and haunted antiques that have found their way back to the Castle. Participants secluded inside the house with their guide creates a perfect environment for experiences. This indoor tour has not disappointed it has been Ghost Walks most active.
Tour with costume guide as they present an out of the ordinary tour. In partnership with Ghost Walks.
Upcoming Dates...
Saturday April 12
Saturday May 10
Saturday June 7
Saturday June 21
For tickets please go to ghostwalks.com and click on the Castle Kilbride tile.
My oh My and a Slice of Pie Tea and Tour
Dates: May 23 & 24,
June 20, 21 & 22,
July 11, 12 & 13
August 8 & 9, 15 & 16
Time: 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Enjoy a delightful tour of Castle Kilbride by costumed staff including the special exhibit “Handcrafted History from A to Z”, afterwards sip on lemon chiffon tea while you indulge in a taste of the homemade with a slice of seasonal pie from Anna Mae’s. Cost: $22/p.p. Tickets required.
Get tickets for the tea and tour
Castle Kilbride Book
Castle Kilbride: The House That Flax Built is the definitive book about Wilmot Township's beloved National Historic Site, written and compiled by the Castle Kilbride Advisory Committee. For the first time in full colour, this gorgeously illustrated book recounts the history of the house back to its very beginnings in 1877 and illustrates that history with stunning photographs dating from over a century ago to today. For anyone who is curious about the eye-catching mansion in the middle of a quiet village, and for visitors who simply can't see everything in just one tour, this book will be a treasured keepsake. Cost $26 including tax. Available in the Castle's Gift Shop
Contacts