Built in 1895, the Meaford Museum is located in the old pumping station which supplied water to most of Meaford and was transformed to the present day museum in 1961.
An application to the Superbuild program in 1998 started a large undertaking to renovate the museum which was completed in 2006. The museum was re-opened to the public on May 12, 2007. “Then, in June 2009, thanks to support from the Rick Hansen Foundation, the Apple Harvest Craft Show and the Trillium Foundation, a vestibule was added to the South end of the building to create a more prominent entrance and complete making the building accessible,” explains Pam Woolner, Museum Curator.
The museum’s collection was started by large donations from two pioneer families in Meaford – the Sings and the Godfreys. You’ll find all kinds of treasures and interesting facts among over 10,000 individual artifacts which relate the history and heritage of the former Town of Meaford and the amalgamated townships of St. Vincent and Sydenham since its earliest settlement.
The museum includes a wide variety of artifacts including the Tom Thomson family cradle and christening gown, a giglée reproduction of a painting by Thomson, bicycles dating back to the 20’s, fossiliferous shale that formed 488 million years ago from the Ordovician sea, John Muir’s writings (founder of the Sierra Club), historical documentation, quilt’s and much more!
The “Farm Shed” located at the North end of the museum grounds was made possible by a donation from the late Joe Walker’s estate; it houses many of the larger farm tools. The museum rotates their exhibit’s, so there’s always something new when you visit. “In September, you’ll be able to enjoy our new audio tour,” says John Kerr (Board Chair).
Coming soon to Meaford Hall – “Meaford Honours the Queen” Exhibit from Tuesday, May 1st to Thursday, May 24th: the Meaford Museum presents a fascinating exhibit about the history of British Royalty and Meaford’s historical connections with England. This exhibit is being held to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and her 60 years on the throne in 2012.
For more information about the Museum or to speak with the exhibit Curator, please visit www.meafordmuseum.ca.
