The Reuben R. Sallows Gallery

The Reuben R. Sallows Gallery The Reuben R. Sallows Gallery is home to the largest public collection of this renowned photographer

The Sallows Gallery is home to the largest public collection of this renowned artist's work and offers changing exhibits two times a year. Displays include objects of historical interest and present his studio shots and an amazing collection of landscape, agricultural and commercial photographs.

Who says play is only for children? In this photograph, taken by Reuben R. Sallows, two women in bathing costumes pose i...
06/11/2026

Who says play is only for children? In this photograph, taken by Reuben R. Sallows, two women in bathing costumes pose in a field beside an inland lake. Date of photo is unknown. Any guesses as to where in Huron County this photo may have been taken?

Play is not just a luxury; it is necessary for childhood development. International Day of Play, observed on June 11, ma...
06/09/2026

Play is not just a luxury; it is necessary for childhood development. International Day of Play, observed on June 11, marks efforts to preserve, promote and prioritize playing. One can only hope that it was a playful spirit that was captured in this iconic R.R. Sallows photograph titled “Do It Now,” where a mischievous lad holding a stick contemplates hitting the backside of Jonathan Miller, who weighed over 400 pounds.

This advertisement from 1881 shows the name that Reuben Sallows stamped on the photographs he produced after purchasing ...
06/07/2026

This advertisement from 1881 shows the name that Reuben Sallows stamped on the photographs he produced after purchasing R.R. Thompson's photography business. In 1887, Reuben changed the name of his studio R.R. Sallows. Some say that Reuben had no middle name and simply added the middle initial so that he could be distinguished from his brother Robert, who tended to use R. Sallows as his signature. In reality, Reuben's full name was Reuben Robert Sallows as he was named for his grandfather.

Happy World Bicycle Day! Annually observed on June 3, this celebration highlights the bicycle as a simple, affordable, r...
06/02/2026

Happy World Bicycle Day! Annually observed on June 3, this celebration highlights the bicycle as a simple, affordable, reliable, and sustainable mode of transportation. In 1885, Reuben R. Sallows captured this photograph of cyclists on Penny Farthing bicycles, on The Square, in Goderich. His photography studio, located at the corner of Montreal Street and The Square, can be seen in the background. This photo of the "High Bicycle Parade" became part of his series of photo cards called "Views of Goderich and Vicinity."

More photographs, like this, can be viewed by visiting The Sallows Gallery located in the Goderich Library.

Have you ever wondered why people in Victorian (1837-1901) photos always look so serious & rarely smiled for photos? Hav...
06/01/2026

Have you ever wondered why people in Victorian (1837-1901) photos always look so serious & rarely smiled for photos? Having a portrait taken by photographers such as Reuben R. Sallows, his predecessors, & peers was a formal, expensive & deliberate event.

A stern, dignified expression emulated painted art & was seen as a marker of respectability, good character & intelligence. Also, very early cameras required subjects to hold still for several minutes & it was easier to hold a serious pose. For some, poor dental hygiene & missing teeth were common during this period & one might be self-conscious about showing their teeth in a permanent image.

Definitely something to think about when you look at old family photos from this period, & wondering why no one smiled.

Did you know that May 30 is International Day of the Potato? Potatoes come in many different sizes, shapes, and colours ...
05/30/2026

Did you know that May 30 is International Day of the Potato? Potatoes come in many different sizes, shapes, and colours as there are 5,000 varieties. This food staple is grown commercially in every province in Canada. Throughout his career, Reuben R. Sallows documented Ontario life, farming practices, and rural landscapes. Perhaps among the many “seeding” crops photographs he captured, there may be a photograph of an Ontario farmer seeding potatoes!

May is National Bike Month 🚴
05/28/2026

May is National Bike Month 🚴

05/27/2026

bridal wreath is in bloom !
Sweet

World Soccer Day
05/25/2026

World Soccer Day

May 22 marks Canadian Immigrants Day. In May, 1913, Reuben R. Sallows met with W.D. Scott, Superintendent of the Departm...
05/22/2026

May 22 marks Canadian Immigrants Day. In May, 1913, Reuben R. Sallows met with W.D. Scott, Superintendent of the Department of Immigration for Canada. Scott engaged Sallows to travel to the Prairie Provinces to capture promotional photographs of pioneer and agricultural life for use in the Department’s publicity work.

Sallows produced a series of images showing farming methods, harvests and landscapes to attract immigrants from Europe. Among his images are some of the earliest photographs of Doukhobor and Galatian immigrants. It is said that the Doukhobors “wanted nothing to do with the box that made the pictures, nor the man who operated it.” Sallows persisted; talking to them, playing with the children, and finally obtaining some of the earliest photographs of Doukhobors standing by their mud homes with thatched roofs.

Address

52 Montreal Street
Goderich, ON
N7A2G4

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5am
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

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