Exploration Days

Exploration Days is 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: 2025 - Thursdays July/August (see below)
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Place: Babcock Mill, 100 Bridge Street, Odessa

Dates: 2025 - Fridays July/August (see below)
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Place: Bath Museum & Visitors Centre, 434 Main Street

Check out the 2025 Exploration Days Activities List

Babcock Mill 2025 Exploration Days - Thursdays

Join us at the Babcock Mill for an exciting series of Exploration Days, where history and creativity collide! These free, accessible activities are designed to bring the fascinating history of the Mill, and its role in our community, to life through hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) activities. Dive into the mechanics of early industry with engineering challenges, learn about the science of milling, and explore the intersection of art, nature, and technology that helped shape the Babcock Mill’s legacy. Whether building waterwheels, creating art inspired by the mill’s history, or testing engineering principles, these activities offer a fun and educational experience for all ages. Don’t miss the chance to explore the innovation and creativity that made this local treasure a cornerstone of our community!

Thursday, July 3 - Waterwheel Engineering Challenge with ResiLient Action Team

Join us on July 3 at the Babcock Mill where members of Loyalist Township’s ResiLient Action team will be talking all about waterpower! Kids will learn about the mechanics of the Babcock Mill’s waterwheel and then be challenged to build their own small-scale waterwheel using craft materials, such as cardboard, popsicle sticks, and recyclables.

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 10 - Train Day with the Belleville Model Railroad Club

Join us on July 10 at the Babcock Mill for Train Day with the Belleville Model Railroad Club! 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!

Thursday, July 17 - Antique Cars & Motorcycles with the Odessa Car Club and the Canadian Antique Motorcycle Group

Join us on July 17 at the Babcock Mill for a special Exploration Day with the Odessa Car Club and the Canadian Antique Motorcycle Group! 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 motorcycles and this part of the mill's history for this very special Exploration Day.

Thursday, July 24 - Button Making, Art Through Industry with Burke's Printing

Inspired by the industrial history of the mill, join us on July 24 at the Babcock Mill for Button Making with Burke’s Printing. Visitors can create prints using techniques inspired by the Babcock Mill’s manufacturing era. Every basket made at the Mill was printed with a special stamp, so customers knew it was a true “Basket by Babcock”. Kids will create their own button design inspired by the history of the Babcock Mill then try their hand at the button press. This activity ties in the history of early industrial art with hands-on creativity.

Thursday, July 31 - Indigenous Basket Making with Carol Anne Maracle

Join us on July 31 at the Babcock Mill for a special exploration day with Carol Anne Maracle, a basket maker from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Visitors will be given an opportunity to try their hand at weaving baskets, and learn about the importance of baskets within the Indigenous community.

Thursday, August 7 - Flour Power, Milling and Mechanics with the Hive and the Hearthstone

Join us on August 7 at the Babcock Mill for a fun hands-on activity, led by a local bread maker, he Hive and the Hearthstone. Tammy will be demonstrating the science of grinding grain into flour, mirroring the process used at the Babcock Mill in its original days as a grist mill. Participants will be able to try their hand at the milling process and then make their own fresh butter to enjoy as a tasty treat for all their hard work.

Thursday, August 14 - Nature Talk about Invasive Species with Cataraqui Conservation

Join us on August 14 at the Babcock Mill for an engaging talk and activity with Cataraqui Conservation Authority. The mill’s operations were intricately tied to its natural surroundings, including the plants and animals that lived near the water and the mill. Children can learn about local ecosystems, plant life, and the role of biodiversity in sustaining the mill’s operation. Cataraqui Conservation will be talking with visitors about the impact of invasive species and then leading an art activity using natural materials from the Mill’s park space.

Thursday, August 21 - Weaving Works with Beth Fisher

Join us on August 21 at the Babcock Mill for a hands-on weaving activity with Beth Fisher from Stone Spindle Farms. Visitors will learn about some of the traditional fabric dyeing techniques used by early settlers in the Loyalist era and have the opportunity to experiment with these historic methods, creating beautiful, handmade items while gaining an appreciation for the craftsmanship that was essential to early Canadian life.

Bath Museum 2025 Exploration Days - Fridays

Step into the Exploration Zone at the Bath Museum, where kids can dive into hands-on learning all summer long! This year we are inviting young minds to uncover the secrets of how we connect and share information across time. From decoding secret messages and learning Braille to experimenting with photography and other innovative forms of expression, the Exploration Zone is packed with interactive activities to inspire curiosity and creativity. This engaging space is perfect for kids to explore, play, and discover the fascinating history and evolution of communication.

Friday, July 4 - Pottery with Linda Fraser

Join us on July 4 at the Bath Museum for a fun morning playing with Clay! Step into the shoes of early settlers with a pottery and clay sculpture activity, led by local potter Linda Fraser, that teaches the art of Loyalist-era ceramics. Participants will craft their own pottery using traditional techniques, creating both functional and decorative items inspired by the past.

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 11 - Tiny Wings & Buggy Things with the Bath Gardening Club

Come and join us for a fun and informative session at the Bath Museum on July 11.  Visitors will learn all about pollinator gardens, the Bath Gardening Club Bugtel, Monarch butterflies and historical information related to bee-keeping. The Gardening Club will also be leading make-and-take activities inspired by insects such as butterfly puddles, ladybug rock painting, 3D insect art and a sensory butterfly pasta sensory project.  Mark your calendars now - you don’t want to miss this!

The Gardening Club members are excited to share their knowledge.  Carol and Kim are the caretakers of our Bugtel and Pollinator Garden, which contains a variety of native flowers and provides a safe home for bees and other pollinator insects to live.  Sue is our butterfly expert, providing foster homes to Monarch butterflies.

Friday, July 18 - Cat and Dog Posca Art with Angela Smith Pollard

Join us on July 18 at the Bath Museum where local artist Angela Smith Pollard will lead a paws-itively creative afternoon, where furry friends and bold colours collide! In this hands-on art activity, participants are invited to grab a Posca marker and unleash their imagination to design their very own Pop Art Dog or Cat.

Inspired by the vibrant world of pop art, this playful session encourages both children and adults to express themselves through bold lines, bright hues, and unique pet personalities. Whether you're team cat or team dog, Angela will guide you step-by-step in transforming a blank canvas into a four-legged masterpiece.

Friday, July 25 - Artifact Detective Challenge with the Bath Museum

On July 25, step into the shoes of a history detective at the Bath Museum! Families are invited to participate in an interactive scavenger hunt through the museum's fascinating collection of artifacts. Solve riddles, decipher clues, and uncover the stories behind objects from Loyalist Township’s rich past. This hands-on activity encourages curiosity and critical thinking while teaching participants about the everyday tools, treasures, and tales that shaped the local community. Perfect for all ages, this activity is a fun way to learn about history together!

Friday, August 1 - Beeswax Candle Making with Linda Fraser

Join us on August 1 at the Bath Museum where local artist Linda Fraser will be leading a beeswax candle-making workshop. In this hands-on session, Linda will guide you through the process of making your own beautiful, hand-rolled candles. This activity is perfect for all ages!

Friday, August 8 - Lights, Camera, Action! Stop Motion Animation with Peggy Collins

Step into the magical world of stop motion animation in this dynamic, hands-on workshop with Peggy Collins on August 8 at the Bath Museum. In this exciting session, participants will learn the basics of stop motion storytelling — from planning scenes and crafting simple characters to bringing them to life one frame at a time. Using a mix of everyday materials and digital tools, Peggy will guide you through the process of creating your very own mini animated masterpiece. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, a curious creative, or simply love animation, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to explore the art of motion in a fun and engaging way.

Friday, August 15 - Indigenous Beading with Judi Montgomery

Get ready to be creative and learn something special! Join Indigenous artist Judi Montgomery on August 15 at the Bath Museum for a fun and colourful beading workshop. In this hands-on activity, Judi will show you how to make beautiful designs using tiny beads — just like the ones used in traditional Indigenous art. You'll learn where the designs come from, what the colours mean, and how to create your very own beaded piece to take home. It’s a great way to explore art, learn about Indigenous culture, and make something amazing with your hands!

Friday, August 22 - Calligraphy Class with Nada Calligraphy

Step back in time and try your hand at the art of calligraphy, using techniques that Loyalist settlers would have used for important documents like land grants and letters. Participants will use specialized calligraphy pens to create beautiful handwritten artwork, writing out parts of a historic letter or create your own.

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