Plan a Visit

Welcome to the Wellington County Museum and Archives! With so much to see and do, we invite you to plan and make the most of your visit. 

What to See and Do

Discover Our Exhibits

Explore our award winning exhibits on two floors of galleries and see what new exhibits are showing now.

Find Upcoming Events

There’s something for everyone year-round. Find out about special events, festivals, family-friendly activities, programmes and more.

Explore Our Collections

Discover your family tree, the heritage of your home, or delve into a part of Wellington County history in our spacious, Archives facility.

Take a Tour

Hear fascinating, funny, and sometimes sad, but always interesting, stories from our knowledgeable Museum staff.

Explore the Grounds

Bring a picnic and enjoy our beautiful gardens and rolling acres. Sit by the pond, stroll along the Woodland path, or soak up the sun in our Victorian Garden. Winter visitors can enjoy our free outdoor skating rink and superb sledding opportunities on Toboggan Hill. 

Agricultural equipment on display inside heritage barn.

Visit the Heritage Barn

The House of Industry and Refuge was built to run as a self-sufficient farm. Explore the original 1877 Heritage Barn and say hello to our resident chickens.
Older man and women wearing sunhats walk their bikes along a tree lined dirt trail on a sunny late afternoon.

Hit the Trails

Hike the Elora Cataract Trailway. Short, easy hikes loop around the Museum property, featuring stunning views of the Grand River. Feeling more energetic? You can walk or bike to Fergus and Elora.
Overview of the playground structure on the museum grounds, including slides and a play barn structure.

Play on the Playground

A 2023 addition to the WCMA for all our young visitors to enjoy. The playground theme is agriculture to reflects the look and character of the former Poor House Industrial Farm.
Large stone gravestone reading "In memory of the pioneers of this  1877 to 1946county who died in wellington home

Tour the Cemetery

At the edge of the property, a one-acre cemetery was established for Poor House residents who had no family to claim their remains at death. There are 271 men, women and children buried here.

What's Nearby

A cherry blossom in bloom with the Indigenous Gathering Circle pathways and stone pillars in the background

Gathering Circle

A place for healing and education on the land, which allows precontact flora to re-establish back into this natural setting. We're honoured to offer this meeting space as part of our path to Reconciliation. Located next to the Museum & Archives.

Visit Fergus/Elora

While you're here, take in some of the area's charming historic buildings, natural surroundings offering beauty second to none, dynamic festivals and events, vibrant downtowns, and local produce with fantastic flavours.