121 Essex Co. Rd. # 14, Albuna
(The former Albuna United Church)
phone: (519) 326-7252      fax: (519) 326-0533     e-mail: csh@wincom.net

Leamington and Mersea Historical Museum

About the Museum:

     Formed in 1979, the Leamington and Mersea Historical Society is a group of public spirited volunteers who are dedicated to the preservation of our local heritage and to communicating the value of that heritage to our local community.  The Historical Society is a non-profit, registered, charitable organization.

Should you be interested in history?

        We all have "histories" and "roots".  Knowledge of our history provides us with a sense of "place" in time.  The "place" we call Home; the people we call "Family" and "Friends"  - our memories, our experiences - these collectively amount to our "Heritage".

We can appreciate our present and our future much better if we understand our "past".  Our past in this region goes back over 200 years.  Mersea Township was surveyed in 1792 and Wilkinson's Corners, now Leamington, was established in 1850.

Our heritage can be found in many locations - agriculture, farming, home life, industry, sport, professions, religion, language, nature and our ever present Lake Erie and Point Pelee.

The Historical Society is anxious to ensure that every aspect of the Community's heritage is included both in the Museum and its continuously changing array of displays and in the growing collection of family records with which the Society has been entrusted.

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Founded in 1979, the Leamington and Mersea Historical Society long sought a permanent location wherein historic artifacts could be collected, catalogued and displayed while offering a secure location for the preservation of historic records and documents.

In 1993, the Historical Society was able to purchase the historic former Albuna United Church and begin its conversion to a museum which has become a major centre for recording the history and lives of those who pioneered southwestern Ontario.

Special Events / Activities:

Note: please call ahead to verify exact dates and times for events (519) 326-7252

  Hands On Heritage:

An annual learning experience designed for the "young-at-heart"; an opportunity to participate in rope-making, corn shelling, knot tying, lassoing and more!
(March, or youth groups by appointment)

  Easters Past:

Museum displays of traditional Easter celebration artifacts.
(April)

  Traditional Strawberry Social:

The Museum hosts a delicious "old-time" community strawberry social just as local berries reach their juicy best!
(Saturday, June 26, 1:30-4:30 PM ... at the museum)

  Canada Remembers:

An annual Museum display as tribute to those of our community who fought for Canada.
(October  30-31, November 6-7, 13-14)

  Christmas Past:

Nostalgic memories of when Christmas was an old-time family event.
Features a soup and sandwich luncheon
(Sunday, December 5, )

  Displays:

The Museum offers a continuously changing array of displays during the year:
"Home Life" (runs through May 30)
"Doctors, Dentists, Druggists" (June 5 to July 18)
"Photography" (July 25 to August 29)
"(Village of) Staples" (September 3 to October 24)

  Genealogy:

The Museum is becoming a centre for local family records.   Visitors are invited to add to that record and to learn about their families from our available records.

  Annual Roast Beef Dinner:

Guest speaker Lt. Bob McGirr will talk about "WW II Experiences in the Canadian Army" - (Wednesday, November 3, ... further details forthcoming)

  Annual Award Dinner:

Friday, October 1, $ 25 per ticket (includes $ 10 income tax receipt)
(6:15 pm pre-meal, 7 pm meal)

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The Leamington & Mersea Historical Society will be on the road with some of their displays:

They'll be at Ernie's TV in Kingsville May 21, 22 for the "Victorian Days", then at the 151st Leamington Fair where their displays can be viewed inside the gymnastics building (from the main gate go straight ahead, the building will be between the midway and the racetrack)
Our second annual YARD SALE will be held Saturday July 17 at  27 Selkirk Ave., Leamington 8 am-1 pm.
Our July 28 meeting will feature a 6 pm Potluck meal prior to the meeting and special guest speakers Bill and Shirley Masters, retired photographers from Master's Studios  (Leamington). Their topic will be "Experiences in Photography".

Picture Gallery:

(click on images below to enlarge)

"Canada Remembers"

(Exhibit)

     The museum is also home to the Leamington District Weavers' Guild.

     Don't forget that unique gift at the museum Gift Shop: museum mugs, articles in the Essex Tartan, history booklets & more!

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOUR HERITAGE

Become a member of the Leamington and Mersea Historical Society.  Only $10 annually.  Drop in to the Museum or call (519) 326-7252

You might also wish to consider a donation or a bequest for which tax receipts will be given

You are always welcome to visit the Museum, as well as attend the Society's regular meetings.
  Monthly Meetings: 4th Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Museum

The Society's EXECUTIVE is:

President: Bob McCracken  Vice-President: Margaret Cowan Teasurer: Bob McGirr Recording: Scott Holland   Corresponding Secretary: Joyce Minhinnick.
Board of Directors: Dr. Lloyd Brown-John, Bob McGirr, Roger Roney, Bob McCracken and Harris Reid represent the society; Ellery Carder and Clair Cowan are appointed members.

Museum Hours:

1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Saturday & Sunday
(closed January & February)
or by prior appointment

Admission by Donation

Directions:

Location:
No. 121 Essex Road 14
(9th Conc. Mersea Township)
(¼ km East of Albuna Townline)

Mailing Address:

Leamington and Mersea Historical Museum
P.O. Box 59,
Blytheswood, Ontario, Canada
N0P 1B0

phone: (519) 326-7252
fax: (519) 326-0533

E-mail: csh@wincom.net

Remember, membership in the Historical Society is open to any person interested in history and its preservation and promotion!