Elgin County Heritage Centre

10/15/2026

10/14/2026

✨ Special Presentation
The public is invited to join guest curator Paul Baldwin for a presentation on Neil Darrach and the new exhibition:
Neil Darrach: Built to Last
📅 Wednesday, October 14
⏰ 7:00 pm
📍 Elgin County Heritage Centre (460 Sunset Drive)
🚗 Please park behind the County Building next door
(entrance off Karen St.)
💵 Donations Appreciated
The presentation is co-sponsored by the Elgin Historical Society.
The exhibition will formally open to the public on October 26, 2026.

REMINDER: This week, Wednesday, Oct 14 we welcome Paul Baldwin, a past president of the Society. Paul has made an extensive study of the architects and architecture of St. Thomas. He will be presenting about his new Elgin County Heritage Centre exhibit on one of St. Thomas' most important and prolific architects, "Built to Last…The Architecture of Neil R. Darrach". He is credited with the design of more than 24 prominent St. Thomas buildings including the Elgin County Courthouse, the Mickleborough building, the Southern Loan Co., St. Thomas City Hall, as well as several churches, schools and outstanding homes.
WHEN: Wednesday, October 14, 7pm
WHERE: Elgin County Heritage Centre
460 Sunset Drive - Plenty of parking in the lot behind the
Elgin County Admin. building; access from Karen St.
Everyone welcome; free admission, and donations are welcome. 2027 memberships, (still only $10!) new and renewals will be available.
Architectural drawing of Neil Darrach's designed Memorial Hospital courtesy of Elgin County Archives

10/13/2026

10/12/2026

Wishing you a Hearty Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Postcard, c. 1910
Gift of Grace Lumbers

10/11/2026

Commemorative Plate, Argyle Presbyterian Church, Crinan, 1986
Issued to celebrate the 125th anniversary

Before the original wooden church was organized, early pioneer families in Crinan were visited by Rev. W. R. Sutherland between 1853 and 1860. Services were held in a log schoolhouse until 1861, when a permanent church was built to serve the growing congregation.

In 1885 the old frame church was remodelled, brick veneered and re-seated; the old pulpit removed and new platform and desk put in.
In 1903, the church property expanded following the sale of the congregation's original 1872 manse. The proceeds from this sale were directly reinvested into the church building to fund the construction of a new vestry
2001 and 2002, a significant modern restoration phase was undertaken to safeguard and refresh the historic building

Argyle Presbyterian Church is located at 14444 Graham Road, West Lorne.

Photo: Argyle Presbyterian Church, Crinan Tweedsmuir.. Elgin County Archives

10/09/2026

10/08/2026

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗲𝗶𝗹 𝗥. 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗵

The Elgin County Museum is preparing to open Neil R. Darrach: Built to Last, a new exhibition exploring the life and work of the self-taught architect whose designs helped shape St. Thomas and Elgin County.

Darrach designed many recognizable local landmarks, including St. Thomas City Hall and the historic Elgin County Courthouse, as well as schools, churches, businesses, and homes throughout the region. The exhibition will feature photographs exploring Darrach’s architectural legacy, alongside artifacts discovered during construction of the consolidated courthouse.

Before the exhibition opens, join guest curator Paul Baldwin for a special presentation about Darrach’s architectural legacy:

📅 Wednesday, October 14
🕖 7:00 p.m.
📍 Elgin County Heritage Centre, 460 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas
🎟️ Admission by donation

The presentation is co-sponsored by the Elgin Historical Society and the Elgin County Museum.

Neil R. Darrach: Built to Last opens October 26 and will remain on display until March 25, 2027.

Learn more: https://www.elgincounty.ca/2026/10/new-exhibition-celebrates-the-architectural-legacy-of-neil-r-darrach/

10/08/2026

Eyes on Skies has officially taken off!
Thank to everyone that came to learn about air traffic control in Canada.
Stay tuned for information on our next exhibit!