Exploration Days will be back for the 2025 summer season!
Explore the history of Loyalist with fun, interactive learning experiences this summer at the Bath Museum and Visitor Centre and the historic Babcock Mill. With the help of local artists, artisans, and community organizations, each activity is completely different from the next, allowing you to gain all types of new skills and learn so much!
Join us for a weekly summer activity!
Exploration Days takes place every week in the summer season, rotating between Thursdays at the Babcock Mill and Fridays at the Bath Museum and Visitors Centre. All Exploration Day activities run from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
All activities are free to attend and are suited for all ages!
Dates: Summer 2025 Dates TBD
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Place: Babcock Mill, 100 Bridge Street, Odessa
Dates: Summer 2025 Dates TBD
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Place: Bath Museum & Visitors Centre, 434 Main Street
Check out the 2024 Exploration Days Activities List
Babcock Mill 2024 Exploration Days
| Thursday, July 4 - Better Baskets by Babcock |
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Join us at the Babcock Mill with the Babcock brothers, Ross and Donald, for an oral history of Odessa that will share the different uses of the mill over time, and a lesson in family trees and family heritage. The brothers are the grandsons of J.H Babcock, original owner of the mill starting in 1907, who developed it into the basket mill we know today. The family has kept an extensive collection of records related to the mill, and we cannot wait to share them with you! Come explore with us on Thursday mornings from 10am to 12pm at the Babcock Mill! Our Exploration Day series offers a new learning opportunity linked to our local history weekly throughout July and August. No preregistration is necessary, all ages are welcome, and activities are free of charge! We look forward to seeing you there! |
| Thursday, July 11 - Handwoven Basket Workshop with Naneen Tyner |
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Join us at the Babcock Mill with Naneen Tyner from Baskets by Naneen for a morning of learning how to handcraft your very own basket! Naneen will demonstrate how to make a basket and provide opportunities for visitors to try the craft. Come explore with us on Thursday mornings from 10am to 12pm at the Babcock Mill! Our Exploration Day series offers a new learning opportunity linked to our local history weekly throughout July and August. No preregistration is necessary, all ages are welcome, and activities are free of charge! We look forward to seeing you there! |
| Thursday, July 18 - Creek Walk with the Wilton Creek Association |
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Join us at the Babcock Mill with volunteers from the Wilton Creek Association for an Outdoor Exploration! During this activity, we will be observing and identifying the many plants and animals native to the Odessa area on a relaxing walkthrough the Babcock Mill Park alongside Millhaven Creek. Come explore with us on Thursday mornings from 10am to 12pm at the Babcock Mill! Our Exploration Day series offers a new learning opportunity linked to our local history weekly throughout July and August. No preregistration is necessary, all ages are welcome, and activities are free of charge! We look forward to seeing you there! |
| Thursday, July 25 - Building, Buildings! with Pineapple Toolbox |
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Join us at the Babcock Mill with Pineapple Toolbox to recreate mini versions of the Bicentennial project historic buildings, found on the Mill's second floor! Wooden blocks will be prepared for you to paint into whichever historic building is your favourite. Come explore with us on Thursday mornings from 10am to 12pm at the Babcock Mill! Our Exploration Day series offers a new learning opportunity linked to our local history weekly throughout July and August. No preregistration is necessary, all ages are welcome, and activities are free of charge! We look forward to seeing you there! |
| Thursday, August 1 - Train Day with the Belleville Model Railroad Club |
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Join us at the Babcock Mill with the Belleville Model Railroad Club, for a very special Train Day! From 10am to 2pm, several train displays and a hands-on model train set complete with controllable trains and local model buildings will be set up in the Mill and outside in the park. You may even get an opportunity to be a conductor. All aboard the Babcock Mill! Come explore with us on Thursday mornings from 10am to 12pm at the Babcock Mill! Our Exploration Day series offers a new learning opportunity linked to our local history weekly throughout July and August. No preregistration is necessary, all ages are welcome, and activities are free of charge! We look forward to seeing you there! |
| Thursday, August 8 - Storytime in the Park with Peggy Collins |
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Join us at the Babcock Mill for a story in the park with Peggy Collins, a local award-winning illustrator. Peggy will be reading a number of her books and visitors will be able to take part in an illustration activity with her. Come explore with us on Thursday mornings from 10am to 12pm at the Babcock Mill! Our Exploration Day series offers a new learning opportunity linked to our local history weekly throughout July and August. No preregistration is necessary, all ages are welcome, and activities are free of charge! We look forward to seeing you there! |
| Thursday, August 15 - Antique Cars with the Odessa Car Club |
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Join us at the Babcock Mill with the Odessa Car Club, for a special antique car show! Did you know the Babcock Mill was for a short time J.H. Babcock and Sons truck body manufacturer? Learn more about antique cars and this part of the Mills history for this very special Exploration Day at the Mill. Come explore with us on Thursday mornings from 10am to 12pm at the Babcock Mill! Our Exploration Day series offers a new learning opportunity linked to our local history weekly throughout July and August. No preregistration is necessary, all ages are welcome, and activities are free of charge! We look forward to seeing you there! |
| Thursday, August 22 - Honest Frankie's Shoreline Review with The Paddling Puppeteers |
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Join us at the Babcock Mill with The Paddling Puppeteers for a children’s puppet show! Canada is a land of lakes and rivers! This show introduces audiences to a cast of characters including; a Michi Saagiig Nishnabeg First Nations character, a Voyageur, a Lumberjack and a host of colourful and musical animals. Come explore with us on Thursday mornings from 10am to 12pm at the Babcock Mill! Our Exploration Day series offers a new learning opportunity linked to our local history weekly throughout July and August. No preregistration is necessary, all ages are welcome, and activities are free of charge! We look forward to seeing you there! |
Bath Museum 2024 Exploration Days
| Friday, July 5 - Yarn Bowl Activity with Linda Fraser |
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Join us at the Bath Museum for the first Exploration Day of the season! Local artist Linda Fraser will be leading us through the activity as we create yarn bowls with the aid of recycled plastic containers, yarn and paper maché paste. This hand-made souvenir will not only create memories but will also serve a purpose; use it as a catch-all basket, a trinket dish, or a key holder! Come explore with us on Friday mornings from 10am to 12pm at the Bath Museum! Our Exploration Day series offers a new learning opportunity linked to our local history weekly throughout July and August. No preregistration is necessary, all ages are welcome, and activities are free of charge! We look forward to seeing you there! |
| Friday, July 12 - Toasted Metal Forge with Mathieu Larocque |
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Join us at the Bath Museum with local blacksmith Mathieu Larocque! Mathieu talk about the detailed craftmanship of blacksmith work and how the process is much the same as when some of the artifacts in the museum were created. He will also be bringing some tools for you to explore the trade and try your hand at blacksmithing using a hands-on clay activity. Come explore with us on Friday mornings from 10am to 12pm at the Bath Museum! Our Exploration Day series offers a new learning opportunity linked to our local history weekly throughout July and August. No preregistration is necessary, all ages are welcome, and activities are free of charge! We look forward to seeing you there! |
| Friday, July 19 - Upcycled Windchimes & Lanterns with Linda Fraser |
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Join us at the Bath Museum where Linda Fraser will return to teach us how to create windchimes and lanterns from recycled materials. Bring clean bottle caps and other small items you would like to keep out of the landfill to create a hand crafted windchime out of a small plastic jar. Let’s reuse, recycle and reduce all while having fun and creating something beautiful! Come explore with us on Friday mornings from 10am to 12pm at the Bath Museum! Our Exploration Day series offers a new learning opportunity linked to our local history weekly throughout July and August. No preregistration is necessary, all ages are welcome, and activities are free of charge! We look forward to seeing you there!
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| Friday, July 26 - Genealogy & Family Trees with Leigh LeBlanc |
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Join us at the Bath Museum to hear from the Bath Museums genealogist, Leigh Leblanc. If you are interested in your family history or how to research and capture your families stories, this Exploration Day is for you! Leigh will be sharing her own genealogy research on Bath’s founding families and share tips and aids to support your own research on your family. There will also be a family tree activity for the younger visitors. Come explore with us on Friday mornings from 10am to 12pm at the Bath Museum! Our Exploration Day series offers a new learning opportunity linked to our local history weekly throughout July and August. No preregistration is necessary, all ages are welcome, and activities are free of charge! We look forward to seeing you there! |
| Friday, August 2 - Finger Puppets & Rag Dolls with Pineapple Toolbox |
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Join us at the Bath Museum with the artist and creator behind Pineapple Toolbox. Visitors will be making their very own rag doll figurines or finger puppets using pipe cleaners, rags and craft materials, just like the dolls in our Museum collection! Come explore with us on Friday mornings from 10am to 12pm at the Bath Museum! Our Exploration Day series offers a new learning opportunity linked to our local history weekly throughout July and August. No preregistration is necessary, all ages are welcome, and activities are free of charge! We look forward to seeing you there! |
| Friday, August 9 - Boat Building |
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Join us at the Bath Museum for a boat building activity with Loyalist Cove Marina. Water vessels and marine history are rich in our area, and a big part of our museum collection. Visitors can experience our collection depicting life on the water and hear some local sailors' tales. While you’re at it, we challenge you to build your own boat out of recycled material and test which one will outlast them all! Come explore with us on Friday mornings from 10am to 12pm at the Bath Museum! Our Exploration Day series offers a new learning opportunity linked to our local history weekly throughout July and August. No preregistration is necessary, all ages are welcome, and activities are free of charge! We look forward to seeing you there! |
| Friday, August 16 - Drawing History with Tim Nimigan |
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Join us at the Bath Museum and learn from Tim Nimigan, local caricaturist, about the techniques behind drawing. Tim will also be leading a class on creating your own drawing. Caricaturing is a fun art form that captures a piece of history in a fun and whimsical way. Come explore with us on Friday mornings from 10am to 12pm at the Bath Museum! Our Exploration Day series offers a new learning opportunity linked to our local history weekly throughout July and August. No preregistration is necessary, all ages are welcome, and activities are free of charge! We look forward to seeing you there! |
| Friday, August 23 - Historic Downtown Bath with Chantal Ellingwood |
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Join us at the Bath Museum and hear all about the history of Downtown Bath from local researcher and Bath Museum Volunteer, Chantal Ellingwood. Chantal will be sharing stories of businesses, fires, tragedies and buildings that make up a part of our local history. Younger visitors can join us in our exploration zone where we will have our own Main Street activities. Come explore with us on Friday mornings from 10am to 12pm at the Bath Museum! Our Exploration Day series offers a new learning opportunity linked to our local history weekly throughout July and August. No preregistration is necessary, all ages are welcome, and activities are free of charge! We look forward to seeing you there! |
More upcoming events
Contact Us
Municipal Office
263 Main Street, Box 70
Odessa, ON K0H 2H0
T. 613-386-7351
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