Located just south of the town of Grand Bend, Ontario, is the Lambton Heritage Museum! This community museum, established in 1978, preserves, interprets and presents the heritage, artifacts, culture, and history of Lambton County. Fun fact: The museum's collection started with a donation from two private donors and has continued to grow by accepting donations of artifacts that help tell the history of the area.
Over half a million visitors have come through the doors since opening. It's not hard to see why as this museum is equipped with two main galleries, a hiking trail, as well as 7 outdoor buildings. Visitors can explore the main two galleries year-round, and the outdoor buildings mid-May to mid- December.
Begin your visit by checking out Canada's Waterscapes, which will be on display until September 30, 2019. This interactive exhibit allows visitors to dive deep and understand how to take care of Canada’s aquatic ecosystems. This limited time only exhibit comes from the Canadian Museum of Nature! This family-friendly attraction is perfect for school-aged children to come to check out during the PA Day in September (27th!)
Unwind a little and take a scenic walk through the Woodland Heritage Trail! What better way to explore the oak savanna habitat around the main museum and historic buildings. This 1km trail is accessible year-round. During the wintertime, you can even go snowshoeing on the Woodland Heritage Trail. Snowshoes of all sizes are available for rent at the museum.
The Lambton Fall Colour & Craft Festival is back again this year at Lambton Heritage Museum. Come October 19th and 20th to enjoy a whole weekend full of great shopping. Experience people from all over Southwestern Ontario showcase their wide variety of crafts. This festival is your perfect chance to pick up original gifts and decorations from over 80 vendors!
Although not at the museum yet, you won't want to miss out on these upcoming exhibits: History of Photography and Listen to the Night: Bats of Ontario
The History of Photography Exhibit will open to visitors in November 2019 and run until September 2020. Join us to examine the evolution of photography and the changes in technology that have taken place throughout time. The exhibit will also highlight artifacts and prints from local photographers. The goal of this exploration is to encourage guests to think about the way that they use photos in everyday life. History of Photography will be accompanied by a series of lectures and hands-on workshops that will take place from May - September 2020. Mark your calendars as you won't want to miss out on this thrilling exhibit!
"Listen to the Night: Bats of Ontario" from the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is adventuring out to Lambton Heritage Museum this upcoming July-August 2020. Along with this traveling exhibit the museum will also host a special series of programs delivered by researchers from Pinery Provincial Park. This programming includes family crafts, lectures, and an opportunity to venture into the night to try to "hear" the bats by using specialized equipment! Organized and curated by the Ontario Royal Museum through its Travelling Exhibitions Program. The Royal Ontario Museum is an agency of the Government of Ontario.
Whether you’re a local or visiting from another town, come out and discover the rich heritage surrounding Lambton County that is an authentic cultural experience for the whole family!