The likenesses of those individuals from Wellington County who have been inducted in to the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame Likenesses will be unveiled at Wellington County Museum and Archives on Oct. 2 at 1pm.
The Wellington County Historical Society, the Wellington Federation of Agriculture and the Wellington County Museum and Archives are collaborating on a project to bring the likenesses of 14 people from Wellington County who have been inducted in to the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame (OAHF) home to the Wellington County Museum and Archives.
The honorees are:
– John Benham;
– James Bowman;
– Alexander Peden Connell;
– Adam Fergusson;
– Donald N. Huntley;
– Ross Weston Irwin;
– C.C. James;
– Gintarius (Ginty) Jocius;
– George Edwin Jones;
– Ernest Andrew Kerr;
– Frederick William Stone;
– Clayton Macfie Switzer;
– William Attwood Young; and
– William Stanley Young.
Those people have had a significant impact on agriculture and rural communities in Wellington County and at the provincial level and beyond. Not only will they be recognized locally, they will form a new exhibit area at the Wellington County Museum and Archives.
Representatives from the Wellington County Historical Society; the Wellington Federation of Agriculture; Wellington County Council; the Museum and Archives; Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame Association, Hall of Fame inductees and family members will be attending the unveiling.
The event will be a part of the annual Harvest Home Festival at the museum.
The Wellington County Museum and Archives is on County Road 18 between Fergus and Elora.
The Wellington County Historical Society was founded in 1928 through the initiative and efforts of the many Women’s Institutes in this county.
The Society’s original purpose was to preserve our county’s historical records and to collect and display artifacts. Now in its eighth decade of activity, the society continues to support the work of the Museum & Archives.
Together, the society works to:
– stimulate public interest in the history and heritage of Wellington County;
– bring together people who are interested in the history of Wellington County;
– encourage individuals to undertake research and writing on County history; and
– cooperate with the museum in the acquisition of historical records, documents and artifacts.
The Wellington County Museum and Archives was established in 1954 by the Wellington County Historical Research Society and in 1957 The County of Wellington assumed ownership and operation. Twelve galleries of Museum exhibits reflect the life stories of Wellington County people over the past centuries. The gallery displays and ever-changing exhibits are complemented by special festivals and events such as Heritage Day, Herb Fair, Antique and Classic Car Show, Harvest Home, Christmas Festival, musical concerts and Insights Juried Art Show in association with the Elora Arts Council.
The Archival Collection consists of rare historical records which document the history of Wellington County from its first settlement.
The Museum and Archives also offers internet users a chance to see virtual exhibits and on-line collections research.
Wellington Federation of Agriculture was established in 1939, and works for farmers’ economic, environmental and social well-being through programs, information, services, and collective action.
The WFA promotes a wide range of agricultural and rural community activities.
This year, it gave four scholarships to agriculture students from the county who will most likely be future agricultural leaders. It has also provided agricultural firefighter training to each municipality, sponsored all agricultural societies, been an active participant with Pizza Perfect, and partnered in the Rural Water Quality program.
