Trent Valley Archives’ latest annual fundraising theatre production, “The Kid from Simcoe Street,” has brought to light a surprising connection to Empress Gardens, owned by a main sponsor of the play, the Gardens of Peterborough Retirement Living.

Two of the main characters in the play, which will be staged June 4 to 7 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, worked as a waitress and a bellhop at the Empress Hotel, that is now Empress Gardens.

Public and community support is vital for the success of these fundraising productions because, despite a volunteer cast and crew, there are many upfront expenditures.

“That impacts the amount of money we can raise for Trent Valley Archives,” said Madison More, president of the TVA board of directors.

“One hundred per cent of the funds generated from this production go to support TVA and the work it does to preserve our community’s history and make its vast collection of archival fonds........

© Peterborough Examiner