Edinburgh Square Heritage and Cultural Centre facts for kids
| Former name | Caledonia Town Hall |
|---|---|
| Established | 1988 |
| Location | 80 Caithness St. E, Caledonia, ON N3W 2G6 |
| Type | Heritage Museum |
| Nearest parking | On site (no charge) |
The Edinburgh Square Heritage and Cultural Centre is a special museum in Caledonia, Ontario. It helps everyone learn about the history of Caledonia and the areas nearby. This amazing building was built way back in 1857.
For many years, it was Caledonia's very first town hall. This is where local leaders met to make important decisions for the community. Around 1955, the building stopped being used as a town hall. Then, in the spring of 1988, it reopened as the Edinburgh Square Heritage and Cultural Centre. In 1982, it was officially recognized as a heritage building, meaning it's an important part of history to be protected.
Contents
What You Can See and Do at Edinburgh Square
The Edinburgh Square Heritage and Cultural Centre is more than just a museum. It's a place where you can learn and discover. It has many interesting things to explore.
Discovering Local History
The centre has a special area that used to be a jail cell. This cell was used in Caledonia for about 70 years. You can also see a display about the gypsum mining industry. Gypsum is a mineral used to make things like drywall. Mining for gypsum brought many big businesses to the Grand River area throughout the 1900s.
The Gillespie Clark Reference Library
Inside the centre, you'll find the Gillespie Clark Reference Library. This library is full of books, files, and documents. They all tell stories about Caledonia's past. You can even find information about the genealogy of its residents. Genealogy is like tracing your family tree to learn about your ancestors. The library also has old copies of a local newspaper called the Grand River Sachem, going all the way back to 1856!
The Building's Journey Through Time
The story of Edinburgh Square began when Caledonia became an official village in 1853. People quickly started talking about needing a town hall.
Building the Town Hall
The first official plan for a town hall was made on February 28, 1854. A person named John Turner from Brantford, Ontario was asked to design the building. He planned a two-story brick building with a stone basement. It was about 30 feet (9.1 m) wide and 50 feet (15 m) long. He started his work on December 23, 1856.
The building was constructed by Bird & Johnson in 1857. It was built to be both a town hall and a "lock-up house," which was a small jail. The first meeting of the town council in the new building happened on January 18, 1858.
Life Inside the Building
When the building first opened, the second floor was used for important council meetings. It also hosted community gatherings and other events. The main floor was designed as a home for the local constable. A constable was like a police officer and also looked after the building.
The basement had the lock-up house (jail) and even a meat market. The entrance to the meat market was under the front steps. The first constable to live and work there was Constable Belford in 1858.
Changes Over the Years
The jail in the basement stopped being used in the 1930s. Prisoners were then taken to the jail in Cayuga, Ontario. However, the constable continued to live in the town hall until 1955. One of the most famous constables was Bill Stotts. People in Caledonia knew him as the "lovable constable."
Constable Stotts had many jobs! He was also the dog catcher, sold dog licenses, and helped return lost pets. He even directed traffic and had a small office in town to keep an eye on things. He lived in Edinburgh Square from 1937 to 1955. During the 1950s, Caledonia grew bigger. It became a town because its population was more than 1,500 people.
Becoming a Heritage Centre
In April 1981, officials from Haldimand County looked at different historic places in Caledonia. They were searching for a good spot for a new museum. They visited both Edinburgh Square and the Caledonia Mill. They decided that Edinburgh Square was the best choice.
On January 25, 1982, Edinburgh Square was officially named a heritage building. This meant it was important to protect its history. After some updates to make the building modern and easy for everyone to access, it reopened in the spring of 1988. That's when it became the Edinburgh Square Heritage & Cultural Centre we know today!
