Fieldcote is a cultural heritage centre with an emphasis on the collection, preservation and exhibition of local history, the promotion of fine arts and the celebration of natural heritage through beautiful landscaped gardens and walking trails. Adult workshops and children’s activities are available upon request. The site offers rotating exhibitions featuring art and history, a summer concert series, award-winning pesticide-free gardens and a meeting place for local garden, historical and cultural groups.

Bicentennial 1812 Exhibit: Noose, Knife and Fire: The Bloody Assize
Saturday, March 3, 2012 to Monday, September 1, 2014

“You are to be drawn on Hurdles to place of execution, hanged by the neck but not until dead, cut down while alive and your entrails taken out and burnt before your faces, your heads cut off, bodies divided into four quarters, heads and quarters to be at the King’s disposal.” This exhibit explores Ancaster’s experience during the War of 1812, highlighting the Bloody Assize. Against the backdrop of the re-created courtroom of the former Union Hotel, view giant paintings of the prosecutors and accused, explore the evidence and judge for yourself. Discover the impact of the war on local farmers and residents, amidst the surroundings of an 1812 barn interior.

Overlooking the Grand River, under a canopy of majestic oak trees in the Courthouse Park, the Haldimand County Museum and Archives preserves and presents Haldimand’s rich and diverse heritage for the public. Our gallery offers something fascinating and new, with ever-changing historical exhibits.

Also on-site is an authentic log cabin, dating to 1835. Originally located on the Old Plank Road near Caledonia, the cabin was once home to the Nicholas Family, early settlers to the area. Now the building is a perfect setting for interpreting the struggles and rewards of pioneer life. The archives are a valuable resource for researchers and hobbyists alike, with an extensive collection of family histories, local histories, newspapers, church records, cemetery transcripts, census records, some birth, marriage and death records, and much more. Microfiche/microfilm readers and Internet access are available to visitors to maximize the response to their research queries. If unable to visit, museum staff can be hired to do the research! Special events and programs are held year-round at the museum, making it an ideal destination for family outings whether traveling from near or far. Contact the museum for more details. And finally, the beautiful grounds make a lovely spot for a picnic, complete with picnic tables and scenic surroundings. We hope to see you soon!

With an existing network of trails, direct access to the lush Copeland Forest, a lift access bike park and over 800km of pristine paved roads, Horseshoe Resort’s cycling program takes full advantage of its natural assets. Plans are already underway to expand Horseshoe’s current biking trails, with a total of 20km of mixed cross-country and downhill terrain expected for completion mid-summer. The planned addition of a pump track will be ideal for honing fundamental cycling skills such as balance, agility, coordination and speed. Guests and visitors both young and old are encouraged to learn and grow their cycling abilities at Horseshoe. Whether pushing off for the first time or taking on a new cycling challenge, Horseshoe Resort’s program provides varying degrees of difficulty and terrain. Once children master the basic, they can test out and hone their technical skills and endurance on the faster-paced cross-country terrain. More experienced riders will enjoy the network of lengthy forested trails and downhill runs of the lift access bike park. Two Ontario Cup cycling events are planned for 2013, making trails suitable for even the most proficient cyclists. The paved roads in Oro-Medonte Township provide excellent conditions for road cycling, and as a testament to the quality, Centurion Cycling events are staged from Horseshoe Resort.

Discover one of the finest examples of an intact historic home in Canada. Three generations of the McQuesten family lived at Whitehern from 1852 until 1968. Among the last generation were six children who never married. In 1959 the three surviving members of the family bequeathed the home to the City with all its original possessions. It contains elements from many time periods – Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian – dating up to 1939 when the Honourable Thomas McQuesten was Minister of Highways. Explore the heritage of Victorian ideas and possessions that influenced life at Whitehern on the eve of W.W. II.

Bike rack located behind City Hall, across the parking lot from Whitehern.