History is one of those amazing topics that brings you into its story and helps you to appreciate where we’ve been and exactly how we’ve reached the place we’re in now.

The Sifton-Cook Heritage Centre is housed in one long stone building, commonly called “the barracks” and an 1870s workman’s cottage. The volunteers that help keep the place running will tell you that they don’t have a lot of space and they like it that way because everywhere you look is part of the story.

The land on which the museum stands was once owned by James Calcutt, an Irishman who immigrated to Canada in 1832 and built a brewery to successfully meet the needs of thirsty Cobourgers. Whether he built “the barracks” or just took it over from the local military remains a mystery.

In 1999 a local group, including Doug Sifton and David Cook, formed the Cobourg Museum Foundation to rescue the building before it completely collapsed and was demolished.

The Centre opened to the public in 2012 and each year since a different part of the area’s history has been told. When you stop in be sure to bring the kids for a chance to see the 1/20 scale model of the historic Cobourg and Peterborough Railway and its famous Rice Lake Bridge.

18 Spencer St.

Cobourg’s oldest surviving house retaining its original exterior, this fine house was built by the area’s first sheriff, John Kelly Spencer, a United Empire Loyalist.

Built 1832
100 University Ave. E.

This handsome Greek Revival structure with its Doric-columned portico, temple details and tall cupola was opened by the Wesleyan Methodists as a school in 1836. It was originally called Upper Canada Academy.

Built 1848
212 King St. W.

This handsome Ontario cottage, long known as the birthplace of Oscar-winning actress Marie Dressler, has been completely restored and contains memorabilia and video clips on the actress’ life and career.

Built 1860
55 King St. W.

The visual culmination of Cobourg’s early aspirations to become the province’s leading city is Cobourg’s municipal building, the center of political, legal and cultural life of the town for over 150 years. It stands as a testament of the drive of the town’s forebears.

Built 1878
202 Church St.

One of Cobourg’s most architecturally exuberant houses, this ‘Tuscan Villa’ house was built for Robert Mulholland, a merchant who made a small fortune in western land and grain speculation.

Built 1901
7 Fitzhugh Lane

Built by American General Charles Lane Fitzhugh, Ravensworth was inspired by a family plantation of the same name in Virginia. Changing hands several times over the years, it recently underwent a thoughtful revitalization to preserve its full beauty.