Logo designed by Chris Hudzieczko of Hamilton, ON

The Time Machine: The Hamilton Victorian & Steampunk Society

Here is a video about us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLGBtQu8KJQ

Video + article about us: http://hamilton.openfile.ca/hamilton/file/2011/01/steampunk-steel-city

Below: Raychyl Vyctorya Whyte, our organizer, posing with her now-former husband, Dr. John A. Stewart (Biophysica Inc.- www.biophysica.com), at the Workers Arts and Heritage Centre, Hamilton, ON ~

Greetings all 'Past Futurists', anachronisms, those who feel misplaced in time, Steampunks, and Victorian/Edwardian history enthusiasts of Hamilton & the surrounding areas.

***Thanks for sharing my passion for Victoriana, Edwardiana, and the Steampunk movement. This group is open to positive support and assistance, for the mutual benefit + enjoyment of all members. With positive support & commitment, this group can be even better for everyone! I'm a 'one woman' band, so a little solidarity would be appreciated, folks.

This group is neither exclusively 'proper' Victorian, nor is it exclusively Steampunk: We combine both genres in this group. I enjoy both, so why be limiting to only one or the other? Hence the group name: The Hamilton Victorian and Steampunk Society.

I apologize for the website obviously not being up to high technological standards. Admittedly, I'm not tech-savvy, as I am an anachronism who is much better suited to the steam era. : ) Plus as a tiny (i.e.- managed by only one person), not-for-profit group, there is a virtually non-existent budget. So please try to be understanding, as we evolve. Thank you.

Coming soon......" Raychyl's Romantic Reverie". Please stay tuned.

What is "Steampunk"?

The term denotes works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used- usually the 19th century, and often Victorian era England- but with prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy, such as fictional technological inventions like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or real technological developments like the computer occurring at an earlier date.

The City of Hamilton's coat of arms.

Hamilton is a classic, quintessential steampunk city!: It is a fascinating (yet sadly much-maligned) industrial city with abundant, exquisite historical industrial & retail buildings and houses, many beautiful waterfalls, parks, mueums, as well as a special steampunk's paradise: The Steam & Technology Museum. Hamilton is an relatively undiscovered, rich treasure trove of beauty & history. Having relocated here in 2008, I am delighted to call Hamilton my home (with the exception of the city's absurd municipal mismanagement, but that's another story). : (

For the most up-to-date list of our events, please join:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/50441426910/

http://www.meetup.com/The-Time-Machine-Hamilton-Victorian-Steampunk-Society/

http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Time_Machine/

Or ask to be placed on our e-mail list: The_Time_Machine@ymail.com

Canada's national steampunk site:

http://steampunkcanada.ca/

**If you have Ontario-located steampunk/Victorian products or services that you would like to promote, please let us know...I will gladly add your link to our website, if you will add our link to your website in return. I am here to help the subculture flourish. : ) **

Other links of interest:

Hand-made metaphysical steampunk amulets here, made by Dr. Stewart:

http://raydionics.com/sacred.html

The Victorian Studies Association of Ontario:

http://www.yorku.ca/vsao/index.html

Heritage Canada Foundation:

http://www.heritagecanada.org/eng/main.html

Here are a few places I highly recommend visiting:

http://woodgears.ca/steam_museum/

The Ontario Steam Heritage Museum

Puslinch, Ontario

http://www.hcry.org/ab_us.html

The Halton County Radial Railway

Milton, Ontario

The Time Machine: The Hamilton Victorian

& Steampunk Society ~
Membership & 2011-2012 Calendar of Events

Membership

It is FREE to join this group. Please simply contact us (The_Time_Machine@ymail.com) & provide your contact info. to join. I will add you to our e-mail list. All I ask is that you please adhere to the following instructions and conditions:

**PLEASE RSVP** with us directly if you wish to attend any of the events posted, so we can all plan accordingly, and keep well-organized, for everyone's convenience.

~ Often times, if there are enough people (who can pay advance admission so we can book reservations), numerous museums & historic sites can provide a reduced group rate.

~ **Please note that if we do not receive enough RSVPs for an event, I may likely cancel our arrangements to be at that event. I will post any known cancellations as soon as possible. Check back here regularly, for the latest updates.

**It is most important to RSVP.**

~ Sometimes a carpool or return transport can be arranged. Just ask.

RSVP: The_Time_Machine@ymail.com or (289) 389-0512 (office).

**Ultra-important: If you indicate that you will be attending one of the events, please do your best to keep your word. Of course I understand that life has its share of unexpected surprises at times ('I' certainly can attest to that!), but if you are unable to attend, then please be courteous to everyone in the group by notifying us as soon as possible. It causes great inconvenience to everyone when people go AWOL. I thank you in advance for your cooperation.

~ I myself will generally only designate a nominal fee for our events (with some occasional exceptions, which will be noted).

~ When we visit various destinations, their regular admission rates usually apply, based on the destination we visit (unless otherwise noted). You are responsible for paying for your own admission, so please arrive financially prepared. These rates are incurred by the institution, site, or museum etc., that we visit. Each event listing I post will specify the prices. As mentioned: Often times, if there are enough people (who can pay advance admission so we can book reservations), numerous museums & historic sites can provide a reduced group rate.

~ As is typically the case, for reasons of fun, historical merit, and uniqueness (to stand out from the mass crowd of jeans, tracksuits, & T-shirts!), we strongly encourage Victorian & Steampunk costumes at our events, although this is of course not mandatory. If men or ladies require assistance with getting a costume assembled on a budget, Raychyl can be of help.

Our 2012 Calendar of Events so far:

For the most up-to-date list of our events, we strongly recommend that you join these groups:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/50441426910/

http://www.meetup.com/The-Time-Machine-Hamilton-Victorian-Steampunk-Society/

http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Time_Machine/

Or ask to be placed on our e-mail list: The_Time_Machine@ymail.com

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Viewing of "The Woman in Black" + dinner in Hamilton: $4.99 Tuesday admission

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Lloyd D. Jackson Square

King St & James St, Hamilton, ON

See the movie trailer here: www.womaninblack.com

Synopsis of "The Woman in Black":

Arthur Kipps, a widowed lawyer whose grief has put his career in jeopardy, is sent to a remote village to sort out the affairs of a recently deceased eccentric. But upon his arrival, it soon becomes clear that everyone in the town is keeping a deadly secret. Although the townspeople try to keep Kipps from learning their tragic history, he soon discovers that the house belonging to his client is haunted by the ghost of a woman who is determined to find someone and something she lost...and no one, not even the children, are safe from her vengeance.

...Admission at the Empire Cinemas in Jackson Square in downtown Hamilton is only $4.99 on Tuesdays! We're going to see this new 19th century themed mystery/horror film, "The Woman in Black", starring Daniel Radcliffe (who looks mighty handsome in this flick!).

The film is shown at 6:10 PM this Tuesday evening, Feb. 7, so we can meet at the cinema at 6 PM. We will then gather afterwards for dinner & post-film discussion at The Honest Lawyer pub/restaurant, which is also inside Jackson Square.

To get into the spirit of the film, dark Steampunk/Victorian or Edwardian attire...with a Goth touch perhaps... is encouraged, although this is of course optional, as per your wishes.

Any questions? Pls. feel free to ask: (289) 389-0512

Gears & cheers.

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~ SteAmPuNk HaMiLtoN MeeT & gReeT @ BaLtiMoRe HoUsE ~

Saturday February 18, 2012

2 PM - 5 PM

Baltimore House

43 King William Street

Hamilton ON

A special thanks to Don Lamontagne for arranging this event for the Hamilton Victorian & Steampunk Society (HVSS).

The Baltimore House is a new bar/lounge/cafe/art venue located in the heart of downtown Hamilton, at 43 King William Street (King William & Hughson), with stunning 19th century atmosphere, furnishings, & ambiance that has a historic industrial impression, too; very conducive to Steampunk.

A perfect setting to 'Gear Up' for the HVSS Meet & Greet, on Saturday February 18, 2 PM - 5 PM. Steampunk, Victorian & Edwardian finery/attire is enthusiastically encouraged. This will also be an opportunity to show off your own unique, innovative Steampunk creations, and of course mingle with others in the HVSS community.

The parlour room at Baltimore House is now open, and that is where we shall be congregating for this Meet & Greet.

**It is 'very' important to please RSVP with us, so the staff at Baltimore House know how many people to accommodate.** Thanks in advance for being considerate.

See some exquisitely beautiful photos of the Baltimore House here:

http://www.beaux-mondes.com/blog/2011/12/the-baltimore-house.html

This is their Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/thebaltimorehouse

There is no admission fee to attend, although **everyone is responsible for the purchase of their own food & beverages.**

To see all the upcoming events at Hamilton's museums: http://www.hamilton.ca/CultureandRecreation/Arts_Culture_And_Museums/HamiltonCivicMuseums/

Hamilton Steam & Technology Museum events 2011: http://old.hamilton.ca/CultureandRecreation/Arts_Culture_And_Museums/HamiltonCivicMuseums/Events/SteamMuseum.asp?site=STEAM

Battlefield House upcoming events in Stoney Creek: http://old.hamilton.ca/CultureandRecreation/Arts_Culture_And_Museums/HamiltonCivicMuseums/Events/Battlefield.asp?site=BATTLEFIELD

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See upcoming events at Fanshawe Pioneer Village in London, ON here: http://www.fanshawepioneervillage.ca/events

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http://www.oakvillemuseum.ca/events.htm

Oakville Museum events

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Burlington, ON:

Ireland House events here: http://www.museumsofburlington.com/ireland-house

Joseph Brant Museum events here: http://www.museumsofburlington.com/joseph-brant/events

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Halton County Radial Railway Museum events: http://www.hcry.org/specialEvents.html

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Events at Toronto Museums: http://www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/featured-events.htm

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Events at Mississauga's Museums: http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/discover/museumactivities

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Events at the Cottonwood Mansion in Selkirk, ON: http://www.cottonwoodmansion.ca/?page_id=31

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Niagra-on-the-Lake and other Niagra region special events: http://www.tourismniagara.com/festivals.html?&no_cache=1&tx_cabadsearch_pi1[mode]=1

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~ More events will be posted as they become known to me. Stay tuned. ~

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Is there an upcoming Ontario Victorian, Edwardian, or steampunk event that you think should be posted here? Let me know & we will post it free of charge, as a courtesy.

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My paternal grandfather, Carl A. Borgstrom (1886-1951), was the landscape architect of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton.

Carl A. Borgstrom

This website is dedicated to my late father, Bruce W. Borgstrom (1916-2009), yet another victim of reprehensible medical incompetence.

To learn more about the gentleman who was my father, please visit:

www.brucewborgstrom.com

He is forever loved, and forever missed.

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