Uxbridge Historical Centre

Displays

Experience Our Heritage

This display in the museum’s main office gallery highlights the town’s heritage sites.

The Disappearing Wooden Barns of Southern Ontario

Opening on July 30, 2010 is the Uxbridge Historical Centre’s newest exhibit, “The Disappearing Wooden Barns of Southern Ontario.” On display are photographs from local artist Norman Mansfield, a commercial photographer for more than thirty years. Norman learned his trade under the renowned war photographer Ken Bell and has worked in Sydney, Australia and London, England as well as in Toronto. Norman retired to the Goodwood area. Here, Norman noticed the lovely old wooden barns throughout the township. Over the years he watched as many of them disappeared. Our hope is that this exhibition will foster an appreciation for the beauty of these time-worn buildings and encourage their preservation.

Included in the exhibit are heritage tools from the museum’s collection and a scale model of a hip roof barn built by Mr. Clarence Brown and donated to the Uxbridge Historical Centre. The exhibition is co-sponsored by the Uxbridge-Scott Historical Society and will continue until mid-October when tours end for the 2010 season.

Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874 - 1942)

Ms. Montgomery, a native of Prince Edward Island, is famous for the book, Anne of Green Gables, the Avonlea and Emily stories and other books. In 1911, she moved to Ontario where she lived with her husband, Rev. Ewan Macdonald. Her most productive years were spent in the manse at nearby Leaskdale, Ontario, from 1911 - 1926.

For more information about L.M. Montgomery please visit the Lucy Maud Montgomery Leaksdale Manse Museum website.

Glenn Gould (1932-1982)

The musical roots of the late pianist, Glenn Gould, are in the Uxbridge area where his parents and grandparents lived. A unique collection of photos depicts him as a child and young man.

David Milne (1882-1953)

The Canadian artist David Milne lived and painted in Uxbridge in the 1940's, and the museum display provides a glimpse into his Uxbridge years. He is represented in the McMichael Collection at Kleinburg, Ontario.

Thomas Foster and the Foster Memorial Temple

Thomas Foster, a millionaire, was mayor of Toronto from 1925-27. In 1935-36, he built a Byzantine memorial "temple" just north of Uxbridge. This display outlines his life and depicts the beautiful and unique building which he left us. www.fostermemorial.com

Our Quaker Heritage

This display outlines some of the history of Quakerism, and features the Uxbridge Quaker (Friends) pioneer settlement.

For more information please visit the Uxbridge Quaker Meeting House website.

The Museum Collection

The museum maintains eight heritage buildings and two replica buildings. Many artifacts are on display within the buildings, while others are preserved in storage. Some of our extensive collection includes:

  • 4 organs and two pianos which were made in Uxbridge.
  • an ox cart dating from the 1840's.
  • a stump puller made by a local blacksmith.
  • a gramophone and radio made in the Gold Medal factory in Uxbridge in the 1920's.
  • a Davidson fanning mill, a Harman plow, an Etwell cutter and a Lasher sleigh, all made locally.