WELLINGTON COUNTY – The Wellington County Museum and Archives will commemorate the 145th Anniversary of the Wellington County House of Industry and Refuge or the “Poor House”.
Kyle Smith Museum Activity Programmer says the building that the museum is in now was built in 1877 and was the House of Industry and Refuge or the “Poor House”.
Smith says the 145th anniversary event is open to the public this Saturday, September 24th from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm with admission by donation.
Programming includes:
• 11:00 am – Re-enactment of the Poor House opening ceremonies held in 1877
• 11:35 am and 1:30 pm – Theatrical performances based on the life of House of Industry and Refuge residents (performances have an audience capacity of 50)
• 12:00 pm – The Museum’s Nicholas Keith Room will be transformed into the House of Industry and Refuge dining room for a historical lunch, featuring stew, warm bread, and beverages.
• Unveiling of a database with the names and background information on the people who lived at the house from 1877 to 1922.
“Archives staff and volunteers have spent more than 2 years documenting the men, women, and children who lived at the Wellington County House of Industry and Refuge,” said Karen Wagner, Archivist. “We’re excited to unveil the Admissions Register database and invite feedback from anyone with additional information about former residents.”
For more information, visit www.wellington.ca/museum
