George Gibson's Schooner - February 10, 2026 - Brighton Public Library The Brighton Public Library will host Dan Buchanan, the History Guy of Brighton, for another talk at the library on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 6:30 pm. The topic this time will be "George Gibson's Schooner", the fascinating story of the only direct military action on Presqu'ile Bay during the War of 1812 when a schooner George Gibson and his sons were building was burned by an American raiding party. Recent research has revealed the true nature of this event, which was curiously told in a very different way in our local lore. Learn the real story and understand the role of Presqu'ile Bay in the war. This is not a book, but might be one day! I hope to see you there.
Peterborough Historical Society - February 17, 2026 - 38 Hours to Montreal The Peterborough Historical Society will host Dan Buchanan as the guest speaker at their meeting on February 17, 2026. The topic will be "38 Hours to Montreal", the story of the sleigh ride in 1840 from Toronto to Montreal in under 38 Hours that was done by William Weller, the Stagecoach King. The event takes place at the Peterborough Lions Community Centre at 347 Burnham St., Peterborough, starts at 7:30 p.m.
Pickering Historical Society - April 7, 2026 - HMS Speedy The Pickering Historical Society will host Dan Buchanan as guest speaker for their meeting on April 7, 2026. The presentation will be "HMS Speedy: Tragedy and Mystery", the story of the British gunboat that was lost off Presqu'ile Point in October 1804, with the loss of all twenty souls on board. Based on the author's book in 2020, "The Wreck of HMS Speedy: the Tragedy That Shook Upper Canada", the speaker will explain why the HMS Speedy sailed from York to Newcastle in risky October weather and who were the people on the ship. It was a murder that inserted itself into raw politics and conflict with horrible results. The mystery will be revealed with direct information about the surveys done in the early 1990s when certain folks were sure they had found the remains of the ship. But, did they? Join us and find out.