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

June 17, 2021 Tonie Szymanski

Discover the best top things to do in Chatham-Kent, United States including Buxton National Historic Site & Museum, RM Classic Car Exhibit, Fairfield Museum, Wallaceburg & District Museum, Blenheim Freedom Library & Military Museum, Chatham-Kent Museum, Ridge House Museum, Chatham Railroad Museum, Milner Heritage House.
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1. Buxton National Historic Site & Museum

21975 Ad Shadd Rd N0P 1Y0, Chatham, Chatham-Kent, Ontario N0P 1Y0 Canada +1 519-352-4799 [email protected] http://www.buxtonmuseum.com/
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
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5.0 based on 44 reviews

Buxton National Historic Site & Museum

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.

Reviewed By LorneM107

We were fortunate to arrive at a time where the Curator, Shannon Prince was able to guide us around, answering our questions so personably, articulately and ably. She is as much a centrepiece of this cultural 'must' as the artifacts. She brings it alive! Without a docent such as she to bring each stop in the museum to attention, we would have missed a great deal. The objects on display are markers on the journey, but beyond the item itself, each has a story Shannon told so vividly, opening our eyes to this chapter in Canadian history so often ignored in learning environments. Both of us have lived our seven decades in Ontario and had benefit of higher educations but were only dimly aware of the breadth of this Underground Railroad effort in support of the freed slaves, liberated by the Emancipation Proclamation in the USA, which in part sparked the Civil War. Our son teaches high school in a city nearby and has been made aware of the rich experience offered here in a compact setting and only an hour's drive from his home. His school catchment area features a growing diversity of late and it will certainly now be a stop his classes will journey to on their way to understanding this aspect of Canadian history. Our deepest thanks to the Municipality of Chatham-Kent for funding this museum. It is a story that needs to be told; particularly when we two residents of 70 years learned so much, it can only benefit the waves of new Canadians to know the history of this country from a cultural perspective. Shannon Prince brings this story to life and we highly recommend it to cultural groups integrating into Canada, knowing how it was accomplished a century ago and can be today. Canadian history has had its cultural inequities and outright failures, but this is not one of them. Buxton and the Underground Railroad is a Canadian story that needs to be told to those newly arrived in Canada, fleeing oppression, war, famine and tragedy.

2. RM Classic Car Exhibit

One Classic Car Drive This location no longer offers tours., Blenheim, Chatham-Kent, Ontario N0P 1A0 Canada +1 877-523-2684 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/rmcarscoffee/
Excellent
79%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
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Poor
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Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 29 reviews

RM Classic Car Exhibit

Reviewed By CdnSunChaser - Blenheim, Canada

The variety of cars in fully restored condition was such a pleasure to view. I had no idea this area was the Classic Car Capital of Canada! Being able to view cars in the process of being restored was a real treat.

3. Fairfield Museum

14878 Longwoods Rd, Moraviantown, Chatham-Kent, Ontario N0P 1C0 Canada +1 519-692-4397 [email protected] http://www.friendsoffairfieldmuseum.ca/Friends%20of%20Fairfield/The_Museum.html
Excellent
43%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

Fairfield Museum

4. Wallaceburg & District Museum

505 King St N8A 1J1, Wallaceburg, Chatham-Kent, Ontario N8A 1J1 Canada +1 519-627-8962 http://www.kent.net/wallaceburg-museum
Excellent
36%
Good
64%
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4.5 based on 14 reviews

Wallaceburg & District Museum

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!

5. Blenheim Freedom Library & Military Museum

27 George Street Box 2309, Blenheim, Chatham-Kent, Ontario N0P 1A0 Canada +1 519-676-4222 [email protected]
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4.0 based on 1 reviews

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.

6. Chatham-Kent Museum

75 William St N, Chatham, Chatham-Kent, Ontario N7M 4L4 Canada +1 519-360-1998 [email protected] http://www.chatham-kent.ca/Chatham-KentMuseum/
Excellent
27%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
33%
Poor
7%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 15 reviews

Chatham-Kent Museum

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.

Reviewed By boomgraham - Toronto, Canada

A very interesting exhibit featuring pinhole camera photos greets you as you enter the Museum. Fascinating pictures of buildings used to house those traveling through the Underground Railroad... and, did you know Chatham made cars!? I didn't know and I enjoyed learning about the local history of the region and actually seeing actual models. Upstairs there is an excellent exhibit all about Rocks!

7. Ridge House Museum

53 Erie Street South, Ridgetown, Chatham-Kent, Ontario N0P 2C0 Canada +1 519-674-2223 [email protected] http://www.chatham-kent.ca/ridgehousemuseum/Pages/Ridge%20House%20Museum%20Home%20Page.aspx
Excellent
50%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
30%
Poor
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Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 10 reviews

Ridge House Museum

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.

8. Chatham Railroad Museum

2 McLean Street, Chatham, Chatham-Kent, Ontario N7M 3T7 Canada +1 519-352-3097 http://www.chathamrailroadmuseum.ca/
Excellent
17%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
50%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 6 reviews

Chatham Railroad Museum

9. Milner Heritage House

59 William St N, Chatham, Chatham-Kent, Ontario N7M 4L3 Canada +1 519-360-1998 [email protected] http://www.chatham-kent.ca/tourism-culture/milner-heritage-house

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

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