Wellington County Museum and Archives

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Wellington County Museum and Archives The WCMA is a National Historic Site, located in what was originally a House of Industry and Refuge
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The Wellington County Museum and Archives is a National Historic Site, located in a building that stands as the oldest remaining House of Industry in Canada. The site now serves as a cultural centre that tells the stories of the people and places in Wellington County through exhibits, galleries, and programmes.

Our October Employee of the Month, Slim, was back in the Archives this week. This time, he was spotted doing some resear...
10/20/2026

Our October Employee of the Month, Slim, was back in the Archives this week. This time, he was spotted doing some research. Look at that proper glove procedure!

Fall is officially in full swing! This week’s featured item from our Archives is a photograph from the Couling slide co...
10/16/2026

Fall is officially in full swing! This week’s featured item from our Archives is a photograph from the Couling slide collection. This colour slide was taken by Gordon Couling in October of 1973 and depicts the Eden Mills village sign surrounded by autumn foliage.

Four our next spooky , we thought we’d share a few of the coffin plates in out collection.Coffin plates are most often ...
10/15/2026

Four our next spooky , we thought we’d share a few of the coffin plates in out collection.

Coffin plates are most often inscribed with the name and death dates of the deceases, though they can also feature intricate embellishments and designs.

This first coffin plate dates to around 1889 and reads, “John Currie / Died Nov. 13th, 1889 / Aged 19 years.” It features a raised plain oval centre and a raised floral design at each corner.

The second coffin plate is from 1892 and reads, “Robert Cromar/ Died Feb. 25th 1892/ Aged 78 Years” at its centre. Along the top of the plate is a raised depiction of gates slightly ajar with the inscription, “The Gates Ajar.”

The third coffin plate is from 1889 and reads, “Mary Campbell / Died / October 25th 1889 / Aged / 69 Years." The silver-plated surface has an engraved floral border.

👀SPOTTED: Slim, our October Employee of the Month, was spotted helping out in the Archives this week! Thanks, Slim!
10/13/2026

👀SPOTTED: Slim, our October Employee of the Month, was spotted helping out in the Archives this week! Thanks, Slim!

Happy Thanksgiving ! This week’s featured item from our Archives is a family photograph of the Daymond family of Erin T...
10/10/2026

Happy Thanksgiving !

This week’s featured item from our Archives is a family photograph of the Daymond family of Erin Township and their dog taken on Thanksgiving Day in 1919. [Ph 33407] Wishing everyone a fun and safe long weekend with their loved ones. 🧡🦃🍂

Only 2 weeks until cemetery tours start! Register now so you don’t miss out!Join us on a guided tour to explore the more...
10/09/2026

Only 2 weeks until cemetery tours start!
Register now so you don’t miss out!

Join us on a guided tour to explore the more macabre history of the County Poor House. Discover the darker secrets of the staff and inmates while walking to the House Cemetery.

🗓️October 23 and 24 (rain or shine)
⏲️Two time slots: 7:00-8:00pm and 9:00-10:00pm
🚶‍➡️$15 + HST per participant (must be aged 14+)

Learn more and register today at https://ow.ly/TfxE50ZWuvm

For this week's spooky , we thought we’d share some of the mourning bonnets in our collection! These objects are exampl...
10/09/2026

For this week's spooky , we thought we’d share some of the mourning bonnets in our collection! These objects are examples of the head-coverings worn by women in the various stages of mourning practiced during the Victorian and Edwardian periods.

🔹During deep mourning, which customarily spanned the first year, women wore mourning bonnets with heavy face veils. This first bonnet dates to around 1906 and features gathered black fabric on its back which forms the veil.

🔹The second stage of mourning, or the “ordinary stage” takes place after several months. The veil and the amount of crape were often reduced. This second bonnet dates to around 1890 and features both an ostrich plume and taffeta ribbon fasteners.

🔹The last stage of mourning, also called “half-mourning” takes place in the final months of the mourning process. Soft colours would return to the woman’s wardrobe and the headwear became much lighter and simpler. The third object is a black and purple cap made of netting. It’s dated to around 1880 and features black and purple ribbons.

Object numbers in order of appearance: 1972.7.2; 1974.4.13; 1984.56.5

MEDIA RELEASE - This morning, the County of Wellington officially unveiled two new commemorative signs on the Wellington...
10/07/2026

MEDIA RELEASE - This morning, the County of Wellington officially unveiled two new commemorative signs on the Wellington Place campus in Aboyne. The new signage panels honour local First World War heroes and Victoria Cross recipients, Captain Frederick William Campbell and Lieutenant Samuel Lewis Honey.

For additional details, please read the full media release 🔗https://ow.ly/65z850ZVvoR

It’s officially spooky season, which means our October Employee of the Month, Slim, is out and about at the Museum and A...
10/06/2026

It’s officially spooky season, which means our October Employee of the Month, Slim, is out and about at the Museum and Archives! Here he can be seen helping our maintenance team with the boiler upgrades we got earlier this year. Great work, Slim! 💀

Registration for our Hallo’Tots program is NOW OPEN!🎃 October 30 from 10:;00 - 11:00 a.m 👻Perfect for ages 0 – 5🦇Admissi...
10/05/2026

Registration for our Hallo’Tots program is NOW OPEN!

🎃 October 30 from 10:;00 - 11:00 a.m
👻Perfect for ages 0 – 5
🦇Admission by donation

Get dressed up and join us for an hour of crafts, sensory play, and trick-or-treating! There are 50 registration spots available for this event. Register early so you don’t miss out!

Learn more and register your little ghouls and goblins at https://ow.ly/uvco50ZUI3g

Address

0536 Wellington Road 18
Fergus, ON
N1M2W3

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday 11:30am - 4pm
Sunday 11:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+15198460916

Website

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