Events

Upcoming Public Meetings 2025

SPECIAL Screening with Q&A

"We lend a hand"

The forgotten story of Ontario Farmerettes

Sat., Sept. 27th at the Alma Community Centre

Tickets available on EventBrite

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

Sunday, September 28th

Walking Tour - Palmerston - Meet at the Palmerston Railway Heritage Museum for 1:30 PM - Guided by Bob McEachern. Further details in September's newsletter.

Sunday, October 19th

From Venue to Museum - History of the Palmerston Museum. Speaker Rob McEachern. 1:30 pm Aboyne Hall, WCMA

Sunday, November 9th

The Soldiers Project. Speaker Erin Doupe, history teacher, John F. Ross Collegiate Vocational Institute. 1:30 pm Aboyne Hall, WCMA

MEETING DETAILS

Apart from the AGM our public meetings are usually held on Sunday afternoons at the Wellington County Museum & Archives (WCMA). Walking tours meet at the starting point of the walk. There is no charge to attend meetings and the public is always welcome at our events.

past events

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

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

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

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

Plaque explaining "The Letter" triptych, the original artist from 1999. It further explains the recreation in 2025, the organizations and the artists involved .

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 1:30om. 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:

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.

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