Our love of the automobile keeps the annual Wellington County Museum and Archives’s Antique and Classic Car Show polished and revved up and it’s quite the spectacle to see all those classic cars, muscle machines and trucks lined up across the big lawn.
The Wellington County Museum and Archives isn’t just another landmark building – it’s one of the most stunning and historically significant buildings in our area, set high atop a hill, stoically perched in the center of Fergus and Elora.
The building itself is a testament to time. Built in 1877, the Poor House and Industrial Farm offered lodging for the homeless and poor in Wellington County. It operated until 1947. It is the oldest remaining House of Industry and Refuge in Canada, earning its status as a National Historic Site.
If genealogy is your hobby, the modern archives are a treasure trove of history from communities across Wellington County. Inside the museum, a host of exhibits, some that travel and others that proudly share the artifacts and personal mementos that tell the stories of the people who shaped this land. Explorers and pioneers. Innovators and aggravators. Those who sought refuge and those who gave it. Heroes and heroines. Legends in time.
Tour the exhibit halls, gallery space, the gift shop and step back in time, into the meticulously restored heritage barn. Wander through the fragrant blooms of the many gardens including the Victorian garden, and Butterfly Garden, Woodland and Cottage Garden, bringing the flora and fauna of the past into the present.
Walk the path into a forest that lends land to the Poor House Cemetery, a tribute that honours the almost 300 souls who were buried on the grounds of the former Poor House. If you listen, you may hear their voices in the wind. The ghost stories of this grand old building are legendary. And true. Boo! Cool, right?
This is also a great place to park the car and tour the Elora Cataract Trails, walking/cycling trails that lead you to Elora, Fergus and beyond. Be sure to experience the Aboyne Trail adjacent to the museum, leading you through the forest to the riverbanks of the Grand River, with spectacular views atop the Trestle Bridge over the Grand River. From this vantage point, you can imagine the grand structure of the former Poor House and Industrial Farm as it was stood, before the towns around it were built up to modern day. www.wellington.ca
November 11th – Remembrance Day is honoured in many ways locally each year and if you find yourself in Fergus or Elora over this weekend, we invite you to take part in our many events.
Without a doubt, the most spectacular display to honour our fallen takes place on front lawn of the Wellington County Museum and Archives. In partnership with our local Legions, we honour the 526 fallen from Wellington County. Those who died in the First World War, World War Two, Korea and Afghanistan are remembered with a marker on the front lawn.
This informal and poignant tribute takes place at dusk on November 10, (5:30pm) and the candles will remain lit until November 12. Candles are provided by the Museum and everyone is encouraged to attend.
Early on Sunday, November 11th, members of the Fergus Pipe Band will be taking part in the 100th Anniversary of Armistice by performing at the Fergus Legion.
At 6am pipers will perform the piece Battle’s O’er to commemorate the end of World War One and pay tribute our fallen. All our welcome to start the morning of Remembrance with this important event.
Elora – Remembrance parade Nov. 11 starting at 11am, followed by a ceremony at the cenotaph in front of our municipal offices.
Fergus – Remembrance parade Nov. 11 starting at 10:30am, followed by a cenotaph service.
Salem – Remembrance parade, Nov. 11, starting at 9:30am; with a service at the cenotaph.
This Remembrance Day marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
On Nov. 11 1918, after four long years, the guns had fallen silent. In their place, across Canada church bells rang out to share the news that the Great War, regarded at the time as “the war to end all wars,” was finally over.
To commemorate the occasion, The Royal Canadian Legion, in partnership with the Government of Canada, is encouraging all communities across the country to participate in the Bells of Peace initiative.
Elora – Knox Presbyterian Church will ring its bell on Nov. 11 at dusk.
The Legion is awaiting confirmation from other churches in Elora.
Fergus – The Fergus Legion will ring the bell from the WWII corvette HMCS Fergus, usually on display in the club hall, in front of the Legion at 5pm on Nov. 11.
St. James Anglican Church will also ring their bells.
We invite you to join us as we gather to remember. #LestWeForget
Photo credit to Bill Longshaw and Olivia Rutt.
Enjoy music under the stars with the finest voices in town, the Elora Singers. Curated by Michael Cressman (Bass), the Elora Singers let their hair down in this rocking “house party” showcase. Performing Broadway tunes and other personal favourites, they present a casual “this is us” showcase that will bring you closer to your Singers than ever.
Hosted by the Wellington County Museum, in the Exhibit Hall, this show is perfect for the whole family.
Tickets available via: Elora Festival
Get ready to sing along …
Bring the kids, pack a picnic and introduce them to inspiration of Mozart’s most famous opera!
This is an ideal introduction to the beauty of this musical art form. Through the power of music and make-believe, Allegra and Papageno embark on a magical adventure of sharing and self-discovery.
The Wellington County Museum and Archives will open the doors of the Heritage Barn for a special family-friendly production of The Shoestring Magic Flute.
Free pre-concert activities at 10 am! Bring a picnic lunch, visit the Aboyne Library and at 1 pm tour the Wellington County Museum at no extra cost.
Tickets are available at: Elora Festival
Join in the celebration of the opening of one of the most celebrated art shows of the year!
The Insights Juried Art Exhibition will be returning to the Wellington County Museum and Archives this summer from June 13 to September 3, 2018. Admission is by donation.
Organized and sponsored by the Elora Arts Council Insights Committee, this juried art exhibit displays a wide range of original art in a variety of mediums, showcasing the works of well-established artists with emerging artists.
Now celebrating 39 years, Insights remains one of the largest and longest-running art shows in Ontario.
Come out and enjoy the gallery space, the creative exhibition and the ceremonies to follow at 8pm, with live music and light refreshments.
As an added feature, the Insights Committee has organized a Walk with the Jurors for Sunday, June 17 from 1:30 to 3:00 pm. Jurors John Kissick, Janice Mason Steeves and Tammy Ratcliff will share how their ideas and sensibilities shaped the exhibit. Admission for this event is $5.00.
