ABOYNE – The Wellington County Museum and Archives (WCMA) is the best little museum in Ontario. That’s according to this year’s Ontario’s Choice Awards.
The museum was named the Top Small Museum/Art Gallery/Historic Site in the Attractions Ontario awards, which rely solely on public votes to determine winners across eight categories.
The voting ended on Sept. 8, and winners were announced Sept. 9 at a special event in Toronto celebrating the top attractions in the province.
“It’s unexpected and it’s thrilling,” said Wellington Place administrator Jana Burns, head of the department that oversees the museum.
“It’s always nice to be recognized by the public.”
WCMA was also nominated in the Top Museum/Art Gallery/Historic Site category, in which first place ultimately went to the Aga Khan Museum.
“We are immensely proud to be recognized as the Top Small Museum/Art Galler/Historic Site,” information, heritage and seniors committee chair Mary Lloyd stated in a news release.
“To be on a short list of winners that includes the Aga Khan Museum and the Toronto Zoo reflects the dedication of our team and the ongoing support of our visitors and community. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who voted for use and helped us achieve this honour.”
Burns said the museum received 34,000 visitors in 2023, but has already easily surpassed that number this year, with 38,330 visitors thus far.
Visitors are both local and international, with people expressing a desire to learn more about the culture and history of the area, Burns said.
“We’re definitely seeing international travellers who are interested in a more unique experience,” she said.
The museum is a National Historic Site, the location of the oldest remaining “house of industry and refuge” in Canada. More commonly known as the Poor House, it was built in 1877 to house the destitute.
The brickwork above the door of the Wellington County Museum and Archives still bears the words ‘county house of industry,’ a reminder of the facility’s history.
Photo by Jessica Lovell
Its residents worked on the grounds, which were designed to be a self-sufficient industrial farm.
Some of them died and were buried there, and the cemetery is among the areas people can visit.
The Poor House became the Wellington County Home for the Aged in 1947, and eventually closed in 1971. In 1975, it reopened as the home of the County Museum, and the site has continued to evolve ever since.
The archives wing opened in 2010, and the heritage barn opened as a seasonal exhibit in 2011.
The original poultry house was restored in 2020, and these days kids can enjoy watching the chickens run nearby the playground that was added in 2023.
“We have wonderful grounds,” said Burns, highlighting the playground and the connection to nearby trails.
Inside the main building, the exhibit halls feature a mix of long-term displays and new and travelling exhibitions on a variety of topics, “combining that history with looking into the future,” Burns said.
A current exhibit, titled Not Just Dirt, digs into the science of soil to highlight the work of county residents who work with soil, such as farmers and soil scientists.
Another, called Let’s Party! takes a look at how past generations have gathered to celebrate.
As that exhibit comes to a close, the museum will host a historic gala – the Starlight Ball – where visitors will get to experience a regency-style dance with waltzes, tangos and foxtrots.
The ball is a ticketed event, but many of the events offered throughout the year at the museum are free or by donation.
“We’re really focused on families in the last few years,” said Burns.
Through the summer, museum hosted the county’s Multicultural Festival, the Water Cycles Bikes and Blues Festival, and a Strawberry Festival and Teddy Bear Picnic. All are expected to be annual events.
Pumpkin Day is coming up in October, a Remembrance Day ceremony will take place in November, and later that month the annual Christmas Market will help people get a jump on their holiday shopping.
This month, Burns said the museum is partnering with the History Matters Association to host a First World War history day for more than 300 students.
“Guelph Museums are also going to be on site presenting the history of John McCrae,” she said.
It all helps to raise the profile of the museum and get more people visiting, and that’s a positive thing.
“The more, the merrier,” said Burns.
Other Ontario’s Choice Awards went to City Sightseeing Toronto for Top Touring experience; the Toronto Zoo for Top Outdoor Attraction; Carousel of Nations for Top Festival and Event; Tweed and Company Theatre for Top Performing Arts; Santa’s Village for Top Family Entertainment Centre; and Little Canada for Top Indoor Attraction.
To check out all the winners and nominees, visit attractionsontario.ca/ontarioschoice.
To learn more about the Wellington County Museum and Archives, visit wcma.wellington.ca.
