Top 9 Specialty Museums in Chatham-Kent, Chatham-Kent

THE ELGIN SETTLEMENT, which was for many the last stop on the Underground Railroad, was founded in 1849. THE MUSEUM SITE INCLUDES the Buxton Museum, S.S. #13 Raleigh (Buxton) Schoolhouse (1861), the Colbert/Henderson Cabin (1854), and the Shadd Barn (restoration completed in 2009). Local church cemeteries (1857) are on the grounds adjacent to the museum. Facilities include a large picnic shelter and barbecue, washrooms, a wheelchair access ramp to the museum and plenty of free parking. Of special note is the Research Area, which contains resource materials, pertaining to local history and genealogy.

The Wallaceburg & District Museum is located in the town's former hydro building. The land was donated to the town by the McGregor family, who were alotted it for service during the war of 1812, on the condition that it would always be used for municipal/community purposes. It houses the Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame, the sports room, James Streetscape, marine room, industrial room, glass gallery, research room, art gallery, toy room, pioneer room, Baldoon Mystery room, Legion room and rifle, fire hall and local band exhibits. The museum also has a collection of photos, postcards, maps, documents and geneology. There are a number of interactive displays. Group tours and school programs are available. The museum runs summer camps as well. Adjacent to the museum is the Von Ayres Cultural Centre which is available for rent for special occassions or classes. Plays and other events are also performed there. Our admission charges are $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for students and seniors, $7 for families. Check our Facebook page for details of all our events. There is always something happening!

Dedicated to preserving Blenheim's proud military tradition, the memory of our fallen heroes, and to educate Canadians on the history of the Canadian forces.

For over 60 years, the museum has been selectively acquiring artifacts of local and national significance. The second floor of the museum has been transformed into the Imagination Station as a way to use play-based learning to connect to our past. Through exhibitions, public programs, educational tours, and a museum gift shop, the museum staff provide opportunities for people to engage, interact, and enjoy the community's stories and artifacts. The Chatham-Kent Museum also includes the restored Milner Heritage House that depicts the 1905 lifestyle of a successful industrialist and his family. Visitors go back in time when stereoscopes, gramophones, and magic lanterns were the family's means of entertainment and a "modern" kitchen consisted of a wood stove, ice box and a new, all-purpose "Chatham" cupboard.

Built in 1875, the Ridge House Museum is housed in a typical Gothic revival home with a symmetrical floor plan. Like other houses of this nature, the Ridge House was built with a single front gable above the centre front door. The design was most often built in rural areas, like Ridgetown. Originally built for Mr. and Mrs George Mulholland, the house was completed in the same year that Ridgetown was incorporated as a village, for the cost of $200. With its clapboard siding, gable window, and front and side porches, the Ridge House represents a middle class working man's family home. As Ridgetown was gearing up for its 1975 centennial celebration, the Ridgetown Rotary Club purchased the house as their centennial project. With the guidance of the Ridgetown & District Historical Society, the Ridge House Museum was born. Established in 1975 to ensure that Ridgetown's history would be preserved for future generations the Ridge House structure and grounds have been restored and are maintained to their Victorian roots. Inside the house, period furnishings and accessories are displayed to reveal to visitors the values and lifestyles of a middle class family in the growing Ontario town of Ridgetown. Guests experience the customs and values of 1875 through interactive tours, interpretive programs, and special events carried out by professional costumed staff. In addition to the restored home, the Ridge House also boasts a temporary exhibition space highlighting historically significant events, people, or aspects of our community from all time periods. Outreach exhibitions are also available at the Mary Webb Centre in Highgate, ON. Ridge House Museum is open the first day of spring to the first day of autumn and December 1-23, 7 days a week from 1:00-5:00PM. Admission is by donation. For the most up-to-date information on our programs and special events hosted throughout the year, please visit our website.

Currently CLOSED for the season and not available for group and school tours due to the Covid-19 pandemic.