The Sororum Presents: A Sunday Afternoon in Downtown Oakville

Step into the stories, people, and places that have shaped the town’s history.

Beginning at the historic Erchless Estate, we’ll spend the afternoon exploring Oakville through the stories of remarkable women, the town’s connections to the Underground Railroad, and the traditions through which history is carried from one generation to the next.

Our afternoon will conclude over lunch at Paradiso Restaurant, where we’ll be joined by acclaimed actress, singer, and storyteller Arlene Duncan for an intimate conversation about family, heritage, and the importance of preserving the stories that came before us.

12:00 PM | Private Tour of the Oakville Museum

We’ll begin at the historic Erchless Estate, home of the Oakville Museum, for a private guided tour.

Together, we’ll discover the stories of the Chisholm sisters and the role they played in shaping Oakville’s history and community. We’ll also visit the museum’s Underground Railroad exhibit, offering us an opportunity to learn more about Oakville’s historical connections to freedom seekers and the families who built lives and communities here.

Historical Walk Through Downtown Oakville

Following our museum visit, and weather permitting, we’ll take a short guided stroll through downtown Oakville on our way to lunch, stopping at several significant sites connected to Oakville’s Black history.

1:30 PM | Lunch & Conversation at Paradiso

We’ll gather at Paradiso Restaurant for lunch and an intimate conversation and Q&A with our special guest, Arlene Duncan.

Born in Oakville, Arlene is an acclaimed actress, singer, and storyteller and a direct descendant of freedom seekers who arrived in Canada via the Underground Railroad.

Through Arlene’s family story, we’ll explore the important role women play in preserving history—not only in museums and history books, but through the songs we sing, the stories we tell, the recipes we pass down, and the traditions we keep alive.

Arlene will also share the remarkable story behind an Oakville heritage plaque that she and her family spent ten years working to bring to life, ensuring an important piece of their family and community history would be remembered.

This will be an informal and intimate conversation, with plenty of opportunity for questions, reflection, and connection around the table.

Following lunch and our conversation, we invite you to linger a little longer and enjoy downtown Oakville at your own pace.

Wander its beautiful tree-lined streets, explore the boutiques and cafés, admire the historic architecture, or take a walk toward the picturesque waterfront.

Consider this an invitation to gift yourself a Sunday afternoon to learn, connect, explore, and simply enjoy.

Date: Sunday, September 27
Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Meeting Location: Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate
Lunch: Paradiso Restaurant, Downtown Oakville

Ticket Price: $55

Your ticket includes:

• Admission to the Oakville Museum
• Private guided museum tour
• Historical walk through downtown Oakville, weather permitting
• Special guest conversation and Q&A with Arlene Duncan
• The Sororum event experience

Please note: Lunch is not included in the ticket price and will be paid for individually by each guest. To make our afternoon as seamless and enjoyable as possible, The Sororum is arranging a special prix fixe menu for our group.

The Sororum is a community created for women who are curious, engaged, and looking for meaningful ways to connect.

Through thoughtfully curated cultural experiences, intimate conversations, and beautiful gatherings, we create opportunities for women to discover something new, hear remarkable stories, and build genuine connections with one another.

Inspire. Empower. Belong.

We hope you’ll join us for this very special Sunday in Oakville

**Interested in partnering with The Sororum? We’d love to connect with like-minded brands and organizations who share our passion for creating meaningful experiences for women.

**Photography & Video Consent

Please note that photography and/or video recording may take place during The Sororum events. By purchasing a ticket and/or attending an event, you acknowledge and consent to being photographed, filmed, or otherwise recorded. You grant The Sororum permission to use photographs and recordings in which you may appear for promotional, marketing, editorial, social media, website, and other communications related to The Sororum, without compensation or further approval.

If you have concerns about being photographed, please speak with a member of The Sororum team at the event and we will make reasonable efforts to accommodate your request.

**Assumption of Risk & Liability

By attending this event, you acknowledge that participation in event activities, including tours, walking portions, dining, and activities taking place at third-party venues, is voluntary and at your own risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, attendees agree to release and hold harmless The Sororum, its founders, organizers, representatives, volunteers, partners, speakers, and affiliates from claims, demands, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, or expenses arising from or related to attendance at or participation in the event, including personal injury, loss or damage to personal property, except where liability cannot legally be excluded.

Info: We’ll begin our afternoon with a private guided tour of the historic Erchless Estate, discovering the stories of the Chisholm sisters and exploring Oakville’s connections to the Underground Railroad and the freedom seekers who made the area home.

Info: Weather permitting, we’ll make our way toward Paradiso Restaurant on foot, stopping along the way at significant sites connected to Oakville’s Black history.

Info: Paradiso Restaurant

We’ll settle in for a relaxed lunch together featuring a special prix fixe menu created for our group. Lunch will be ordered and paid for individually by each guest.

Info: Over lunch, we’ll be joined by acclaimed actress, singer and storyteller Arlene Duncan, an Oakville native and direct descendant of freedom seekers.

Arlene will share pieces of her family’s remarkable story, her connection to Oakville, and the ten-year journey to establish a heritage plaque honouring this important history.

We’ll explore how stories are carried from one generation to the next—and the important role women play in preserving family, culture and community history.

Info: Guests will have an opportunity to ask questions, share reflections and join the conversation with Arlene.

Info: Our official gathering comes to a close, but your Sunday afternoon doesn’t have to. We invite you to linger in downtown Oakville, explore the shops and cafés, or take a stroll along the waterfront.

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