Haldimand County is pleased to announce the re-opening of its remaining two museums to the public following recent pandemic closures. As of Tuesday, September 8, Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum in Selkirk and Edinburgh Square Heritage and Cultural Centre in Caledonia will be open, along with the already reopened Heritage Centre located within the Cayuga Library.

To welcome back visitors, Haldimand Museums have planned a diverse range of exhibitions for the fall including:

Heritage Centre Exhibit: You’ve Come a Long Way Baby – Defining the Roles of Women
Now on display at the Heritage Centre (19 Talbot Street, Cayuga) this exhibit showcases female clothing from the 1870s to the 2000s. From corsets to bloomers and pants, what women wore said more about their place in society than anything else. Items are displayed in the context of women’s social, political and cultural experiences.

Edinburgh Square Heritage and Cultural Centre Exhibit: The Beauty of the World Through my Eyes
On September 8, Edinburgh Square Heritage and Cultural Centre (80 Caithness Street, Caledonia) will debut a new exhibition by Selkirk artist Fred Bulbeck. The Beauty of the World Through My Eyes exhibit showcases Fred’s extraordinary ability to capture a moment in time and tell a story featuring Canadian wildlife such as owls, eagles, moose, small creatures and more.

Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum Exhibit: The Life and Times of Lyric Poet Wilson MacDonald
Stop by the Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum to experience The Life and Times of Lyric Poet Wilson MacDonald, with displays highlighting the history of rural education and the heritage of the surrounding community. This original one-room school house is located at 3513 Rainham Road, Selkirk.

It is important to note that all three museums have made modifications to their operations including new pandemic-related protocols which allow patrons to safely explore local arts, heritage and culture. Specifically, visitors to Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum and Edinburgh Square Heritage and Cultural Centre will be required to reserve their visit online to ensure proper physical distancing. At this time, a maximum number of four patrons may be admitted at one time, with each visit limited to 45 minutes. Visitors without a prior reservation may be admitted if capacity allows.

Registration is now open and residents and visitors may reserve time slots using the County’s online reservation system (link.haldimandcounty.ca) or by calling Haldimand County customer service at 905-318-5932.

In accordance with Haldimand County By-law 2191/20, all patrons are required to wear non-medical face masks within all three museums.

At this time, the archives and reference collections located within the Haldimand Museums sites and all in-person services will remain closed until further notice. These services continue to be available upon request through email at museums@haldimandcounty.on.ca. Museum staff are happy to offer research assistance via phone or e-mail.

Above: The Cayuga Library + Heritage Centre

Above: Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum

Above: Edinburgh Square Heritage & Cultural Centre