Ask the Archivist!

Ask the Archivist!

by | Mar 5, 2026

Thinking about researching your property, your home or your family with Huron County roots, but not sure where to start? Wondering what kind of resources are held at an archives? Why isn’t everything digitized? How to a get a high quality copy of a historical photograph? Does copyright limit access to archival materials? Does the archives want my stuff? Ask the Archivist! In celebration of Archives Awareness Week, Huron County archivist Michael Molnar will answer your questions and provide a behind the scenes tour and open house of the archival stacks and reading room.

Send questions in advance! Let us know what  you are most curious to know about the archives! Submit your questions on social media or email museum [@] huroncounty.ca with the subject line “Ask the Archivist.” Questions sent in advance will be entered in a random draw for a Reading Room pass and complimentary passes to the Huron County Museum and Huron Historic Gaol.

Registration not required. Included with regular admission to the museum (FREE with your Huron County Library card or Museum Membership).

Archivists assess, collect, organize, preserve and provide access to the documentary heritage held in archival collections. Municipal archival collections contain historical documents specific to a certain geographical location and may include the following: by-laws, council minutes, land registry copy books, maps, personal papers and diaries, photographs, property tax assessment rolls, scrapbooks and minute books of former volunteer organizations, voters lists, etc. The Archivist at the Huron County Museum provides access to the archival collection in a variety of ways and processes research requests received by telephone, email and mail as well as in-person through scheduled appointments that are conducted in the Reading Room located within the Huron County Museum or virtually – fees may apply.

Celebrated each year during the first week of April, Archives Awareness Week provides the opportunity to highlight the importance of preserving the documentary heritage of Ontario’s communities. The theme for 2026 is: “Archives Activism: Advocating for Archives Survival.”

For more information about the Huron County Archives & Reading Room, visit:
https://www.huroncountymuseum.ca/huron-county-archives/

Collecting Memories for the Future: COVID-19

Collecting Memories for the Future: COVID-19

by | Apr 9, 2020 | Archives, Artefacts, Media Releases/Announcements

Huron County Museum staff may not be working at the physical location of the Museum but we are still working for the Museum and thinking about our collections, exhibitions and programmes.   Much of what we do relies on the words and collecting habits of others past and present.  With that mindset it is important now for us to think about the current Coronavirus pandemic and the future of collecting items relevant to Huron County throughout this time.

The collecting mandate for the Huron County Museum is to collect the stories and artifacts of our local area, with particular emphasis on items that were made by or used by Huron County people.   We are looking for your help to document and illustrate how Coronoavirus has affected us close to home.

When this crisis is over we will be putting together a collection of items relating to the Coronavirus pandemic to keep in our archives for future use and research.    Items could include: photographs, journals, letters, signs, or documents that tell the story of COVID-19 and its effects on the lives of those living in Huron County.

We understand that this is a difficult time for many so participation is voluntary and has no timeline.  Items may come today, 2 months from now, or even years from now.  The purpose of the collection will be to document and will be used for future research and exhibition.

If you are interested in helping create a documentary history of the pandemic in our community you may mail items to the Huron County Museum, 110 North St., Goderich; email to museum@huroncounty.ca; or bring your items directly to the Museum after the site re-opens to the public.  Staff are available by email to answer your questions.

Stay safe and healthy,

Elizabeth French-Gibson

Senior Curator

Huron County Museum & Historic Gaol