Waterford Heritage and Agricultural Museum

Tourism Region: Norfolk County

Located in Norfolk County, the Spruce Row Museum represents the rural history of small towns in Ontario. Found in a 1930's Pickle Factory, the museum exhibits reflect the rich agricultural history of the area as well as on the settlement of the community.

About the Collections

WHAM features a variety of permanent exhibits and temporary exhibition areas. Throughout our galleries you’ll be able to explore the rich and diverse heritage of Waterford and its surrounding communities. Discover our cultural and institutional history as well as our past as an industrial force once boasting the largest canning factory in the nation, the foundry which revolutionized harvesting and our important link with the railroad - Lake Erie & Northern, Canada Southern, Canadian Pacific and the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo lines.
The newly renovated Agricultural Gallery features exhibits on the Cockshutt Plow Company with various examples of early Cockshutt machinery, explores the art of buggy and sleigh manufacturing and highlights Norfolk’s leadership in being the principal producer of over twenty crops nationwide. The Agricultural Gallery is also home to Norfolk County’s newly established Agricultural Hall of Fame.

Approximate number of objects in the collections: 20000

Archives

-Photographic material from Waterford, Old Townsend Township and surround areas
-Local architectural history, the railway, and local business
-Norfolk County Land Records from 1850-1953
-Norfolk County Women's Institute Tweedsmuir History's

Architectural Records • Prints and Drawings • Manuscripts • Microforms • Photographs • Textual Records
Other: Land Registry Records.

Decorative Arts

Ceramics, Porcelain or Pottery • Costumes • Furniture or Furnishings • Glass • Metalwork, Silverwork or Goldwork • Musical Instruments • Textiles or Tapestries

Human History

WHAM is located in one of Waterford’s best known industrial landmarks “The Pickle Factory”. The museum exhibits the rich social, industrial, and agricultural history of the area through the use of interactive and engaging exhibits. Visitors can sort cucumbers for processing in the pickle factory or try their hand at milking our moo-seum cow, Bessie.
For researchers, we offer an extensive archival collection which includes several genealogical databases, microfilmed Waterford Star newspaper records, cemetery records and hundreds of early photographic images. We also house all of the Norfolk County Land Records dating from 1851 to 1953

Agriculture • Animal Husbandry • Archaeological Objects • Communications Devices • Costumes and Accessories • Electricity • Furniture or Furnishings • Household Objects or Domestic Technology • Industrial Technology and History • Local History • Memorabilia • Sports Equipment • Toys and Games • Transportation : Non-motorized ground : Railway

Services & Activities

Research Services

Research files and books available to researchers with research area. Some geneology information and a Norfolk County Land Registry Records from 1896 to 1960s.

Archival Records • Genealogical Research • Information Centre

Educational Programs

We offer a range of educational programs for both elementary and secondary levels. They are curriculum based and compliment the current teaching guidelines.

Classes or Workshops • Demonstrations • Family Programs • School Programs : Age 0-4 (Pre-School) : Age 5-11 (k-6) : Age 12-17 (7-13)(Quebec: Secondary 1-CEGEP) • Seniors Programs • Professional Development
Other: March Break, PA Day Camps, and Summer Programming.

Visitor Services

Information Centre or Desk • Meeting Room Rental • Nature Trails, Walks or Gardens • Parking Facilities : Free • Washrooms • Special Needs Facilities : Wheelchair access

Volunteer Services

Volunteer Services Available • Volunteer Training Offered

Number of Volunteers: 60+

Activities: An active volunteer base does everything from accessioning and cataloguing artifacts, build exhibits, research, school programming, and assist with fundraising.

Member Privileges

WHAM Membership benefits include: Quarterly newsletter, a 10% discount in our gift shop, advertised discounts on select events, and advance notice of upcoming programs and exhibit openings.

Internet Services

General Information • Events • Directions or Map

Local Tourism Links

Local Attractions

Publications and Products

Brochures • Newsletters

Map

Visit the Website

Location

Address:	159 Nichol Street Waterford, Ontario N0E 1Y0 See Map
Telephone:	519-443-4211
Fax:	519-443-5640
Mailing Address:	Waterford Heritage and Agricultural Museum P.O. Box 457, Waterford, Ontario N0E 1Y0
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