Embedded Files
Upcoming Public Meetings 2026
Upcoming Public Meetings 2026
MEETING DETAILS
Apart from the AGM, our public meetings are usually held on Sunday afternoons in Aboyne Hall at the Wellington County Museum & Archives (WCMA), 0536 Wellington Rd 18, Fergus.
Walking tours meet at the starting point of the walk.
Confirmation of venues and times are published in the society's newsletter and the Wellington Advertiser newspaper.
There is no charge to attend meetings, and the public is always welcome at our events.
Sunday, MARCH 29th
Sunday, MARCH 29th
"Historical Show & Tell" - Bring an item to share with members. Please register at wchs1928@gmail.com to help us determine space. 1:30 pm Aboyne Hall, WCMA
Sunday, APRIL 26th
Sunday, APRIL 26th
"What's Old is New Again: Erin Grist Mill Library" - Speaker Jeff Duncan, C.P.T.
1:30 pm Aboyne Hall, WCMA
monday, june 15th
monday, june 15th
AGM & Launch of Wellington County History Journal Vol. 39 - Guest Speaker: Ted Arnott
7:00pm Aboyne Hall, WCMA, Doors open 6:30pm for Journal Pickup
DATE TBD
DATE TBD
Walking Tour - Location and further details will be announced closer to the date
Sunday, October 18th
Sunday, October 18th
"A virtual Walk through Guelph's Woodlawn Memorial Park" - Speaker Ken Irvine, Educational Coordinator, Guelph Museum
1:30 pm Aboyne Hall, WCMA
Sunday, November 22nd
Sunday, November 22nd
"Halton County Radial Railway - History of the Museum & 70th Anniversary." Speaker Caroline Rose, Publication Editor and Webmaster, Halton County Radial Railway.
1:30 pm Aboyne Hall, WCMA
2nd Annual WCHS Cemetery Headstone Hunt 2026 -
Elora Cemetery
Information will be released at the Annual General Meeting held on June 15th, 7:00pm Aboyne Hall, WCMA.
Doors open 6:30pm for Journal Pickup
past events
past events
SPECIAL Screening with Q&A
SPECIAL Screening with Q&A
"We lend a hand"
"We lend a hand"
The forgotten story of
The forgotten story of
Ontario Farmerettes
Ontario Farmerettes
Sat., Sept. 27th, Alma Community Centre
SOLD OUT
SOLD OUT
Special Guests include local Farmerette(s), Filmmaker Colin Field, Author Bonnie Sitter, and Senator Rob Black
Doors open at 1:30 PM. Show starts at 2:00 PM
Headstone Hunt in Belsyde Cemetery, Fergus
Contest runs from June 23rd to September 30th, 2025
Harriston Historical Society has run a headstone hunt for several years. These have proved very successful and popular so the WCHS has decided to hold one in the Centre Wellington area. Because there are several cemeteries, we have limited our inaugural headstone hunt to the Belsyde Cemetery in Fergus. Although not the oldest cemetery in Fergus - the oldest is the Auld Burial Ground at St. Andrews Church - Belsyde contains burial plots dating from the mid-nineteenth century and the grave sites of many locally historically significant residents.
There are fourteen questions which can be answered by walking through the Belsyde Cemetery. A map is provided indicating the approximate location of the headstone that is the subject of each question. Many of the questions ask about the dates and facts but others are concerned with symbols used on the headstone to signify the deceased’s occupation. We hope you and your friends and family will enjoy wandering through the tree-lined Belsyde Cemetery (400 Thistle St., Fergus), admiring the different monument styles and reading some of the sad stories that are revealed by the inscriptions.
The contest runs from 23rd June to 30th September 2025. Copies of the questionnaire can be downloaded here. They were available at the June 23rd AGM.
There will be prizes: $100 (1st); $75 (2nd); $50 (3rd). There will be a draw if more than one person gets 100% on the questionnaire. Winners will be announced at the November 9th, 2025 meeting. Completed entries may be returned by mail to the Society’s address (WCHS, P.O. Box 5, Fergus ON N1M 2W7) or by email to wchsheadstonehunt@gmail.com or handed in at any WCHS meeting before October 1st.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The recreated murals "The Letter" was officially installed on Friday, June 20, 2025
“The Letter” is a triptych – three paintings panels – that depict the writing, mailing and reading of letters. This artwork has adorned the exterior wall of the Elora Post Office since its creation in 1999.
Exposure to the elements had taken a toll on this cherished piece of Elora’s cultural heritage, so the Elora Fergus Arts Council and the Wellington County Historical Society have undertaken to have the work recreated for future generations.
Originally created by Elora artist Marilyn Koop (1952-2012), The Letter has been faithfully recreated by local artists Jefferson-Campbell Cooper and Julie René de Cotret.
The restoration project has been generously funded by the Elora Fergus Arts Council, the Wellington County Historical Society, the County of Wellington, the Centre Wellington Community Foundation, the Post Office and individual donors.
The recreated mural was officially installed on Friday, June 20.
Postcards featuring the triptych were used to introduce school children to letter writing workshops. Limited quantities are available at Magic Pebble Books in Elora.
Panel 1
Panel 1
The setting is established – a young woman sits quietly at a table, writing a letter. Her expression is focused perhaps thoughtful or hopeful. This a private moment full of intention.
Panel 2
Panel 2
The heart of the mural – the figure holding the letter, their expression reflective, even sorrowful. She slips the sealed envelope into a red mailbox. The moment is brief, almost unnoticed by the world – yet full of meaning.
Panel 3
Panel 3
A shift – perhaps to reflection, or resolve. A man reads the letter. His face is calm but touched with feeling – maybe surprise, maybe reflection. The figure looks outward, changed by what was read.
Panel 4
Panel 4
Plaque explaining "The Letter" triptych, the original artist from 1999. It further explains the recreation in 2025, the organizations and the artists involved .
Sunday, October 19th Public Meeting
Aboyne Hall, WCMA - Doors open 1:00pm Speaker at 1:30pm. From Venue to Museum - History of the Palmerston Museum.Speaker Rob McEachern.
Walking Tour - Palmerston - Meet at the Palmerston Railway Heritage Museum for 1:30 PM - Guided by Bob McEachern.
Monday, June 23rd - AGM
Aboyne Hall, WCMA - Doors open at 6:30pm for pickup of the annual Journal. Meeting and speaker at 7:00pm. Past Museum Director, Ken Seiling - 50+ Years and Growing, on the founding and development of the Wellington County Museum and Archives.
All are Welcome
Sunday, May 4th Public Meeting
Aboyne Hall, WCMA - Doors open 1:00pm Speaker at 1:30pm. Dale Hamilton performs her one women show - She Won’t Come In From the Fields. Eden Mills resident Dale Hamilton has been touring her latest play across Canada. Created for her Masters in Environmental Studies dissertation, this play promises to inspire conversations and awareness on how regenerative agriculture growing practices can impact food security and create climate solutions.
Sunday, April 13th Public Meeting
Aboyne Hall, WCMA - Doors open 1:00pm Speaker at 1:30pm. Pursuing Play:Women’s Leisure in Small-town Ontario 1870-1914 presented by Author Rebecca Beausaert. University of Guelph Professor, Rebecca Beausaerts’ new book explores small town life in the towns of Dresden, Tillsonburg and Elora and the role women played in creating leisure activities. Ms. Beausaerts presentation promises a glimpse into the fascinating lives of some women in small town Ontario at the turn of the last century.
Unveiling of the restored Richard Pierpoint plaque
Below are photos taken at the unveiling of the restored Richard Pierpoint plaque that took place Thursday May 2nd, 2024 at John Black Public School in Fergus. Photo credit: Lorraine Bride.
Peter Meyler, Rosemary Sadlier from the Pierpoint Community Working Group and the Ontario Black History Society and David Meyler.
The original heritage plaque was an initiative of Peter Meyler and restoring the worn and damaged plaque was a project taken on by the Wellington County Historical Society with the assistance of a grant from the County.
Peter and David Meyler authors of A STOLEN LIFE Searching for Richard Pierpoint.
Kathy Bouma & Raymond Soucy were instrumental in removing the badly damaged 30 year old plaque, having it refurbished and reinstalling it.
TEXT OF THE PLAQUE:
TEXT OF THE PLAQUE:
Richard Pierpoint c. 1744-1838.
Richard Pierpoint, an early pioneer, settled here in 1822.
Born in Bondu (Senegal), Pierpoint was captured and shipped to North America around 1760. He was bought by a British officer, then fought as a free man for Butler's Rangers during the American Revolution.
When the War of 1812 began, Pierpoint petitioned authorities to establish an African militia unit. As a member of the "Coloured Corps" he fought at Queenston Heights and elsewhere.
In 1821 the elderly veteran requested repatriation to Africa as a reward for his military service. Instead he was granted land in the new township of "Garrafraxa". By 1826, Pierpoint - then in his eighties - had cleared five acres and built a house on the east half of lot 6, concession 1.
Erected with assistance from the Ontario Heritage Foundation.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse