Recent Publications

Land of Many Shores: Perspectives from a Diverse Newfoundland and Labrador

Upcoming Events

March of the Plague Doctors

Join the plague doctors this Hallowe'en for their annual march through St. John's downtown core! To participate, meet in costume at the Anglican Cathedral, 16 Church Hill, at 1:30 p.m., or find a spot on Duckworth or Water Street to watch.

Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Location: St. John's, NL

Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories

Christmas, not Hallowe'en, was once considered the spookiest time of year. Four spectral storytellers will revive the Victorian tradition of telling ghost stories at Christmas, hosted by St. John's Storytelling.

Date: Sunday, December 27, 2026

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Location: Winterholme, 79 Rennies Mill Road, St. John's, NL

Christmas Markets along the Rhine

Sail down the Rhine River to some of oldest Christmas markets in Europe while you learn about the region and the season from experts Ainsley Hawthorn and Barbara Whitehead. A Smithsonian Journeys tour.

Date: December 3-10, 2028

Location: The Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland

About the Author

Ainsley Hawthorn, PhD, is a cultural historian and sensory scholar who writes about forgotten events, curious folklore, and the surprising connections between past and present. She has contributed to National Geographic, The Washington Post, CBC, and Psychology Today and has been quoted by media outlets around the world, including Newsweek, El Mundo, Bored Panda, Us Weekly, and Breakfast Television. Dr. Hawthorn is available for interviews, speaking engagements, writing assignments, and workshops.

Book Me

Photo of Ainsley Hawthorn. She is a white woman with short brown hair and brown eyes. She wears a dress with a print in autumn colours and sits in front of a bookcase.

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