Elgin County Heritage Centre

10/23/2026

A New Addition to the Collection!
Thank you to Suzette Sutton for this exciting donation to the Elgin County Museum!

This month, we received a painting by local artist Carolyn Curtis, depicting a house on Elizabeth Street in St. Thomas.
The painting was originally gifted to the donor’s parents, who received paintings of their home from Carolyn - likely in the 1930s.

We believe the house shown may be 43 Elizabeth Street.
Do you recognize this house?

10/19/2026

The weather is getting colder and that means the Elgin County Museum is moving to our winter hours! Starting this week the Elgin County Heritage Centre will be open Monday-Friday 10-4, and will be closed Saturday and Sunday!

10/18/2026

Commemorative plate, St. Peter's Anglican Church, Tyrconnell, Ontario, 1977.
Commemorates the 150th anniversary of the church, 1827-1977.

In 1827, the church was organized and built out of local white and blue oak timber by early pioneers of the Talbot Settlement. The building underwent significant upgrades in 1834 when Stephen Backus added exterior wood siding and John Pearce finished the interior plastering and permanent seating.
In 1845 the building was expanded with the addition of its iconic square entrance tower and belfry.
In 1903–1908, the congregation saw a new pulpit and communion table, and later raised the church structure to construct a basement.

This is the oldest active church in the county and remains open for services.

The building is located at 29596 Lakeview Line, Tyrconnell, with its historic churchyard cemetery across the road serving as the final resting place of Colonel Thomas Talbot.

Photo: St. Peter's Anglican Church, in Tyrconnell, October 13, 1977. Elgin County Archives.

10/15/2026

10/14/2026

✨ Special Presentation
The public is invited to join guest curator Paul Baldwin for a presentation on Neil Darrach and the new exhibition:
Neil Darrach: Built to Last
📅 Wednesday, October 14
⏰ 7:00 pm
📍 Elgin County Heritage Centre (460 Sunset Drive)
🚗 Please park behind the County Building next door
(entrance off Karen St.)
💵 Donations Appreciated
The presentation is co-sponsored by the Elgin Historical Society.
The exhibition will formally open to the public on October 26, 2026.

REMINDER: This week, Wednesday, Oct 14 we welcome Paul Baldwin, a past president of the Society. Paul has made an extensive study of the architects and architecture of St. Thomas. He will be presenting about his new Elgin County Heritage Centre exhibit on one of St. Thomas' most important and prolific architects, "Built to Last…The Architecture of Neil R. Darrach". He is credited with the design of more than 24 prominent St. Thomas buildings including the Elgin County Courthouse, the Mickleborough building, the Southern Loan Co., St. Thomas City Hall, as well as several churches, schools and outstanding homes.
WHEN: Wednesday, October 14, 7pm
WHERE: Elgin County Heritage Centre
460 Sunset Drive - Plenty of parking in the lot behind the
Elgin County Admin. building; access from Karen St.
Everyone welcome; free admission, and donations are welcome. 2027 memberships, (still only $10!) new and renewals will be available.
Architectural drawing of Neil Darrach's designed Memorial Hospital courtesy of Elgin County Archives

10/13/2026

10/12/2026

Wishing you a Hearty Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Postcard, c. 1910
Gift of Grace Lumbers

10/11/2026

Commemorative Plate, Argyle Presbyterian Church, Crinan, 1986
Issued to celebrate the 125th anniversary

Before the original wooden church was organized, early pioneer families in Crinan were visited by Rev. W. R. Sutherland between 1853 and 1860. Services were held in a log schoolhouse until 1861, when a permanent church was built to serve the growing congregation.

In 1885 the old frame church was remodelled, brick veneered and re-seated; the old pulpit removed and new platform and desk put in.
In 1903, the church property expanded following the sale of the congregation's original 1872 manse. The proceeds from this sale were directly reinvested into the church building to fund the construction of a new vestry
2001 and 2002, a significant modern restoration phase was undertaken to safeguard and refresh the historic building

Argyle Presbyterian Church is located at 14444 Graham Road, West Lorne.

Photo: Argyle Presbyterian Church, Crinan Tweedsmuir.. Elgin County Archives

10/09/2026