The Foundation produces the Vintage Film Festival every year on a weekend in October. 
The Hon. Daiene Vernile, Minister of Tourism, Culture & Sport came to Cobourg on February 5th and visited the Marie Dressler Museum. The occasion was the announcement of a program of events in 2018 celebrating Marie Dressler’s 150th birthday. Daiene was suitably impressed with the Museum and with the efforts made by Cobourg to preserve our Heritage and provide things for tourists and residents to do. Also at the event were MPP Lou Rinaldi, Town of Cobourg Director Dean Hustwick and the County’s Tourism manager Eileen Lum. Marie Dressler Foundation Chair, Rick Miller, showed the Minister the features of the Museum and finished with a video about how it came to be plus an announcement of upcoming events. Daiene remarked that we need to make our treasures work and Lou commented that it’s good to preserve our history.
Dean Hustwick, Director of Tourism and Culture added that there are many amazing stories in Cobourg. Last year Cobourg had many events because of the 150th Anniversary of the founding of Canada but in 2018, Cobourg will celebrate the 150th birthday of Marie Dressler. The Marie Dressler Foundation was originally formed to restore Dressler House after it burned down in 1989 (more details here) and for many years was simply the sponsor of the Vintage Film Festival and provided scholarships to students in the arts. But in the last two years, the Foundation has made major Renovations to the Museum, has created the annual ReaЯView DocFest in April and this year is staging additional events while continuing with the Annual Vintage Film Festival and student bursaries.
2018 Marie Dressler Foundation - 150th Birthday Events
| April 21 -22 | Second Annual ReaЯView DocFest | Cobourg Loft |
| July 7 | Student Bursary Presentations | Marie Dressler House |
| September thru October | Cobourg’s Sweetheart: Celebrating Marie Dressler | Art Gallery of Northumberland |
| September 14 | Women and Hollywood – Speakers: Biographer Matthew Kennedy and Author Cari Beauchamp | Victoria Hall |
| September 29 | Hollywood North Celebrates Marie Dressler – Fundraiser | Best Western |
| October 12 thru 14 | Vintage Film Festival | Capitol Theatre |
| November 9 | Marie Dressler Birthday Celebration (Details TBA) | Victoria Hall |
In addition to the above, Marie Dressler banners will be placed on King Street in the months leading up to the Vintage Film Festival.
Below is a collection of photos showing the visit.
Mouse over to access manual controls and start the slide shows.
Additional news items will follow and will give details of these events about a month or so before they occur.