Prologue

Our stories take place in Orillia, Ontario, a proud city nestled along the quaint shores of Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching, referred to locally as Twin Lakes.

A cheerful autumn day overlooking Lake Couchiching and Orillia’s historic Main Street.

Orillia, also known as the Sunshine City, has a long history of remarkable people and incredible community. Well-known figures have made history, not just in the city, but across the country and beyond. Community members like Stephen Leacock, Franklin Carmichael, Gordon Lightfoot, Arthur Shilling, Elizabeth Wyn Wood, and many more have brought recognition to the Sunshine City.

In 1925, Orillia-born artist Franklin Carmichael, painted this vibrant watercolour of Old Barns, Miner’s Bay along the La Cloche Mountains area in Northern Ontario.

But, this exhibition isn’t about the renowned citizens. Their stories have been told a thousand times in a thousand ways. In this exhibition, we explore stories from the change makers and community members of today’s Orillia; the people who don’t have national recognition.

The eighteen people you are about to meet have agreed to share their stories out of a love for the city they call home, even if for just a short time. They are but a few of the thousands of meaningful stories every Orillian carries within themselves.

As you explore these stories, consider this, what’s your story?

A 1967 newspaper clipping discusses the recent placement of a time capsule for future Orillians.