Local art, handcrafted goods and Whitby history came together at Lynde House Museum as the seventh annual Art in the Garden Show & Sale returned to the historic property.
The Whitby Art in the Garden festival was held Saturday, Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 900 Brock Street South.
Hosted by the Whitby Historical Society, the event brought local artists, artisans and visitors together in the grounds surrounding one of Durham Region’s most significant heritage properties.
The festival included local vendors, live music, refreshments and opportunities to tour both Lynde House Museum and its heritage garden.
Local artists and makers gather in Whitby
Art in the Garden was designed to showcase work from artists, artisans and makers while giving residents another reason to explore the historic museum grounds.
The 2026 vendor lineup included Diores Candles, Cellophuong Co, Fibre Arts & Treasures, Handmade Simplify, Haughty Hats, O.K. Art Gallery, Sally’s Baubles, Sue’s Gnomes and Veronica’s Glass Creations, among others.
The Durham Heritage Gas & Steam Society was also included in the event lineup.
Photos from the festival show visitors exploring the grounds and interacting with participating makers, including a display from Diores Candles.
The mix of visual art, handmade products and heritage programming allowed the festival to combine Whitby’s creative community with its local history.
Seventh year for Art in the Garden
The Aug. 22 event marked the seventh annual Whitby Art in the Garden show.
The festival has grown into a recurring summer program at Lynde House Museum.
Previous editions have also featured local makers, musical entertainment, museum tours and access to the Heritage Kitchen Garden.
The Whitby Historical Society organizes a variety of events throughout the year as part of its work to promote public interest in local heritage.
The organization was founded in 1967 and operates Lynde House Museum through an agreement with the Town of Whitby.
It also maintains historical collections and archives documenting Whitby and the surrounding area.
Festival held at Durham’s oldest home
The setting gives Art in the Garden an additional historical dimension.
Lynde House is described by the Whitby Historical Society as the oldest home in Durham Region.
The Georgian-style house was originally located on a 200-acre farm beside Lynde Creek.
Jabez Lynde and his family were among the area’s early settlers, and the property later played a role during the War of 1812 when the home was used as an inn, tavern and supply location.
The historic building was moved to Cullen Gardens in 1986 and then relocated again in 2013 to its current home at 900 Brock Street South.
Today, it operates as a museum where visitors can learn about the Lynde family and Whitby’s early history.
Heritage garden adds to festival setting
Behind the museum is Clarissa Lynde’s Heritage Kitchen Garden.
The garden includes multiple plots featuring medicinal plants, herbs, vegetables and other plants connected with historical household life.
That setting makes the annual Art in the Garden event more than simply an artisan market, combining present-day creative work with a location dedicated to preserving Whitby’s past.
The Aug. 22 festival continued that tradition by bringing artists, makers, music and local heritage together at one of Whitby’s best-known historical sites.
