News & Updates

Plan a visit to the Watt Farmhouse from August 6 - 9, 2019! We will have a pair of combat boots on display from Veterans Canada which were part of the 100th anniversary ceremony at Vimy Ridge! Combat boots provided a powerful symbol of remembrance during the ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France on April 9, 2017. Thousands of modern day combat boots surrounded the Vimy monument on April 9, 2017, in memory of the almost 3,600 Canadian soldiers who lost their lives during the battle. Students from Canada and France took part in laying four rows of boots, representing the four divisions of the Canadian Corps that fought for the first time as one formation at Vimy a century ago. ..

Heritage Day 2019 was all about survival.  It was a huge success and included numerous representatives to promote emergency preparedness.  The emergency services and agencies that participated in the event interacted with the community and provided people with the opportunity to learn more about the agencies that provide disaster relief and general support. Visitors learned how to build their own preparedness kit and participated in activities for chances to win prizes, including a gift from the Survivorman himself, Les Stroud.  At high noon, five fire departments converged on a farm field for a firefighter’s challenge. (Burk’s Falls, Perry, Kearney, Magnetawan and McMurrich/Monteith Fire Departments). This was the second annual challenge and resulted in a win for the Burk's Falls Fire Department for 2019!  Congratulations!  Attractions that entertained the crowd for the date included UFC Fighter, Kyle “The Monster” Nelson. Kyle is extremely supportive of promoting local events and always draws a crowd. We will also had free face painting, free inflatables, reptile adventure camp, and winning techniques sports camp. There was plenty of food and refreshments for sale by local sporting organizations and the Girl Guides. ..

The Burk's Falls & District Historical Society and the Township of Armour are proud to host the second annual Firefighter Challenge on Saturday, July 13, 2019.  This event will be held in conjunction with our Heritage Day Celebration.   ..

It's Survival Day on July 13, 2019 and we are celebrating our 25th Anniversary!! The Township of Armour, the Burk’s Falls and District Historical Society and the Archives on Ontario will be partnering to celebrate Heritage Day on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at the Watt Century Farm House Heritage Centre, 827 Chetwynd Road, Burk’s Falls, Ontario. The event will run from 11 am to 3 pm.   This community event is free for all to attend and will include numerous representatives to promote emergency preparedness with the assistance of the Red Cross, emergency services, Ontario Fire Marshal, MNRF, Ontario 211 and many more.

Last year many municipalities were impacted by Parry Sound Forest Fire #33 with smoke and brought the reality of wildfires to our region. This spring many residents were impacted by flooding. This year’s Heritage Day Celebration will have a Survival Day theme, recognize the importance of healthcare and promote emergency preparedness. 

At high noon, five fire departments will converge on a farm field for a firefighter’s challenge. (Burk’s Falls, Perry, Kearney, Magnetawan and McMurrich/Monteith Fire Departments). This will be the second annual firefighter’s challenge for our local fire departments. This event alone brought in a large crowd to Heritage Day last year.

Attractions to date include Kyle “The Monster” Nelson - UFC Fighter, free face painting, free inflatables, reptile camp, free promotional material, etc. There will be plenty of food and refreshments to keep everyone hydrated.

The Army is coming too! The Algonquin Regiment will be in attendance to showcase military weapons and equipment. SHERP ATV has also committed to attending, this is an amazing machine for emergency services to see in action.

Keep your eyes to the sky, Ornge Helicopter plans to land a helicopter on the field and participate in Survival Day.  ..

The Burk's Falls and District Historical Society is accepting applications for a HERITAGE ASSISTANT for a full time student.

Applications will be accepted until Friday, May 17, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.

Submit your resume and cover letter to:
Township of Armour
Attn: Charlene Watt, Deputy Clerk
PO Box 533, 56 Ontario Street
Burk's Falls, Ontario P0A 1C0

Email: deputyclerk@armourtownship.ca

Please identify "HERITAGE ASSISTANT" on the envelope or in the email subject line.  ..

Cast your vote to name the Theatre at the Land of Lake Public School to recognize Dr. M.A. Wittick! ..

Our old-fashioned cookie decorating afternoon with Mrs. Claus was filled with music, laughter, and the excitement of Christmas. Santa Claus and his elf made a jolly appearance and visited with all the children, young and old.  The Historical Society would like to thank the Village of Burk’s Falls, The Township of Armour, The Burk’s Falls Arena, Tim Horton’s, Nancy Kyte, and all of our cookie makers: Danielle Hall, Jennifer Talbot, Bruce Campbell and Judy Ransome for sponsoring the event.  A special thank you to all of our volunteers for the afternoon.  Most of all, thank you to our community for supporting this event. It is a wonderful time of year to get together with friends and family. We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! ..

BURK’S FALLS – Lorne Main, 92, says while Remembrance Day has always held a special place in his heart over the years, he will be feeling it a little more deeply in 2018 – the 100th anniversary of the end of First World War – because of his father. ..

On November 11, at the going down of the sun, communities across Canada will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War with the ringing of 100 bells. The ringing of bells emulates the moment in 1918 when church bells across Europe tolled as four years of war had come to an end.  ..

Our third annual Halloween Party was a pumpkin smashing success with almost 90 children in attendance!  Visitors tested their bravery, had some fun and got a little spooked in our haunted farm house.  Children of all ages trick or treated as they travelled through the house and carved pumpkins beside an antique horse drawn hearse.  A special thank you to our Haunted House Specialists, Jason and Diana Warriner and Alyssa and Sara Johnson for decorating the house and setting the scenes.  Thank you to our sponsor, Collins' Valu-Mart for donating the pumpkins for the celebration and to all of our volunteers for the afternoon. ..