Halton Region Museum facts for kids
The Halton Region Heritage Services is like a special team that looks after the history of the Halton Region in Ontario, Canada. They collect old things, share stories, and teach people about the past. They help keep the region's history and natural world safe and understood.
This service is based at the Kelso Conservation Area in Milton. They offer different exhibits and fun programs throughout the year. They also work with other museums, archives, and historical groups to help everyone learn about Halton's amazing heritage.
How Halton Heritage Services Started
The story of Halton Heritage Services began with the Halton County Museum. This museum was created in 1962. Before that, in 1961, the land it was on was bought by the Halton Region Conservation Authority. The museum was built on a large, 200-acre farm that was once owned by a Scottish settler named Adam Alexander. This farm had been around for 125 years!
In 1974, the museum became part of the new Regional Municipality of Halton. This meant the region took over its care. Later, in 1998, the Halton Museum Foundation was set up to help support the museum.
In 2014, a new plan was made for the museum. It was decided that the museum would change into what is now known as Halton Heritage Services. This new service focuses on helping other heritage groups in the region and taking care of historical items owned by the region.
By the end of 2016, the old Halton Region Museum site at Kelso Conservation Area closed its doors to the public. However, the building is still used by staff for offices, workshops, and to store the collections. You can still arrange to visit by appointment if you need to do research.
What's in the Collection?
Over the years, many interesting items have been given to the museum's collection. Some of these items were even shown on local TV and in newspapers!
- One special item is the bell tower from the Bruce Street school in Milton. It was donated in 1975. The bell itself went to the central library.
- Another cool set of items are the tools that belonged to Adam Alexander. He was a stone mason and the original owner of the Kelso property. These tools were donated in 1976 or earlier.
By 1976, the museum's collection had grown to include about 15,000 different items!
The Alexander Family's Historic Buildings
The Alexander family's barn, built in 1860, was very special. It was the first building in Halton County to have electricity! Adam Alexander III, a later member of the family, met the famous inventor Thomas Edison in 1903. They talked about electricity, and because of that, Alexander III installed a water wheel to make his own power. This happened fifteen years before Ontario Hydro brought electricity to the area.
