Wallaceburg and District Museum facts for kids
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| Established | June 29, 1984 |
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| Location | 505 King Street, Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada |
| Type | Cultural/Historic Museum |
| Collection size | 85,000 |
The Wallaceburg and District Museum is a cool place to learn about history in Wallaceburg, Ontario. It's located near the Sydenham River. The museum opened its doors on June 29, 1984. It tells the story of Wallaceburg, from its very first settlement in 1804 to its time as a busy industrial town.
Contents
Discovering the Museum's History
How the Museum Started (1974–1984)
In 1974, five friends decided to create the Wallaceburg and District Historical Society. Their names were Doug Thompson, A.G. Fairhead, Tom Chatterton, Frank Mann, and Al Mann. They wanted to save and show off the history of their community.
The group decided to open a public museum. In 1975, they used a special grant to buy equipment. They started interviewing older people in the community. They also began collecting items for future exhibits.
In 1981, the Ontario government joined the project. They helped find possible places for the museum. One great spot was an old building at 505 King Street. This building used to be the Wallaceburg Hydro office. In 1983, the town bought the building for just $1. The museum officially opened on June 29, 1984.
Becoming the Von Ayres Cultural Centre (1997)
In 1997, the museum got a big makeover. They added a larger basement for new exhibits. They also built an upstairs room called an auditorium. This room is used for speakers, concerts, and presentations. People can also rent it for their own events.
The renovations were finished that same year. The auditorium was named the Hydro Electric Auditorium. This name remembered that the building used to belong to Wallaceburg Hydro. The whole building, including the museum and auditorium, was named the Von Ayres Cultural Centre. This honored Sgt. Estell Von Ayres, a local World War I hero.
Growing and Modernizing (2001–2010)
In 2001 and 2002, the museum updated its Glass Gallery. They worked with retired workers from a local glass company. These workers helped collect and confirm new glass pieces for the exhibit.
After a few years, staff and volunteers started a huge new exhibit. This became the Industrial Room. They decided to build special walls that could be moved. This makes it easier to change and update exhibits in the future.
From 2008 to 2010, the museum's basement got even bigger. Three new exhibits were added there. The museum also received a grant from the government. They used this money to buy special software. This software helps them keep track of all their historical items digitally.
In 2010, a local resident named Saundra Vansnick helped fund a mural and a bench. These were placed on the north side of the museum. She did this to remember her husband, George Vansnick. He was one of the people who helped start the museum society.
Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame (2011)
In 2011, the Sports Hall of Fame helped fund a big update to the sports room. They added a cool touchscreen display. You can use it to learn about all the people in the Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame. A digital sign was also put at the front of the museum. The museum's website also got a new, professional look.
The Museum Building
The land where the museum stands was once given to Captain John McGregor. This was for his great service in the War of 1812. In 1876, McGregor gave the land to the Town of Wallaceburg. He said it had to be used for town purposes. It became the site of the first Town Hall and Opera House.
In 1905, a company called Hedgling Brass and Iron Manufacturing started in the building's basement. Later, in 1925, the Wallaceburg Hydro building was built on the site. This is the building that eventually became the museum.
Awesome Exhibits and Collections
The Glass Gallery
The Glass Gallery shows the history of Wallaceburg's glass-making industry. This industry was very successful long ago. The exhibit also teaches about glass blowing art from all over the world.
You can see tiny poison bottles and huge champagne bottles. Some of these were made right in Wallaceburg! The exhibit also has photos and models of glassblowers at work.
The Industrial Room
The Industrial Room tells the story of Wallaceburg's busy industrial past. You can see baseball gear, water taps, and pressure cookers. These are just some of the many products made in local factories. The exhibit also honors the many companies that were once in Wallaceburg. These include Waltec, Dominion Sugar Company, Libbey's, Heinz, and Wallaceburg Dairies.
The Marine Room
The Marine Room is all about Wallaceburg's history with ships and the water. You'll find models of ships that were built in Wallaceburg. There's also a part from a real steamboat. Plus, you can see photos of a famous rescue on Lake Superior.
James Streetscape
The James Streetscape is one of the museum's oldest exhibits. It shows what downtown Wallaceburg looked like in the 1920s.
The exhibit has full recreations of old shops and businesses. These are based on stories from people who lived back then. They also used old photos of the James Street area. Some of the recreated shops have real tools and items from that time. For example, you can see old medical tools in the doctor's office.
Sports Room
This newly updated room is super cool for sports fans. It has records of every person inducted into the local Sports Hall of Fame. This goes all the way back to 1982! You can also see sports equipment and items from famous Wallaceburg athletes.
The room also highlights recent sports stars from Wallaceburg. These include Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham. Another is Toronto Maple Leafs player Seth Griffith.
The Baldoon Mystery
The museum has an interactive exhibit about a local ghost story! It's called The Baldoon Mystery. The story is about a farmer named John T. McDonald and his family. People in the 1830s and 1840s believed a witch was cursing them.
The exhibit has old newspaper articles about the mystery. You can also see items from that time. There's even a model of the supposed witch! A short video helps you learn more about this spooky tale.
Baldoon Pioneer Room
This room teaches you about the first settlers in the Wallaceburg area. These early settlers came from Scotland. The exhibits show what life was like for them. You can see the kinds of clothes they wore. You'll also learn about the tools they used and their daily chores. The room even has a working weaving loom from the 1790s!
Legion Room
The Legion Room honors the Canadian Armed Forces. It has uniforms, equipment, and models. You can also read stories from Canada's efforts in WWI and WWII. The room also features an exhibit about the famous Lee-Enfield rifle. This rifle was invented right in Wallaceburg in 1878!
This exhibit was created with help from local members of the Royal Canadian Legion. It was finished in the spring of 2010.
Images for kids
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Glass display
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More glass items
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Lee-Enfield rifle display
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Giant tap from the Industrial Room
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Old gun sight
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Glass blowing tools
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Old Ford Model T
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Heinz exhibit
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Wally's restaurant recreation
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Rosie's shop recreation
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James Streetscape exhibit
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Sports Hall of Fame display
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Old schoolhouse exhibit
