June 12 – Heritage Daytripping in North Middlesex
June 12
June 12 – Mark your calendar, call up your friends and fill up your car(s).
Registration is recommended but not required – https://www.ailsacraigmuseum.ca/event-details/a-heritage-day-in-north-middlesex
Exploring history, land, memory, and community
Instructions – Plan your own itinerary for a lovely summer day trip celebrating the rich heritage of Ailsa Craig and North Middlesex—a region known for its remarkable commitment to preserving archives, stories, artifacts, and community history. This will be an opportunity to visit several unique local sites, meet devoted volunteers, and explore some of the most meaningful places in our rural landscape.
There are a number of options, so study the list of stops, prepare your route, and fill up your car for a Friday day trip on June 12th.
The Presbyterian Heritage Centre
19 Falkirk Street, Carlisle, ON N0M 1P0
Open 10 – 4:00 p.m.
A dedicated volunteer group has transformed space within a historic Presbyterian church into a new Heritage Centre, providing a permanent home for a significant national collection of Presbyterian artifacts after it was required to leave its former location in Toronto.
This project reflects years of commitment and care and offers visitors insight into faith history, congregational life, and the evolution of rural Presbyterian communities.
Host: Ian Mason
The Marg & Leroy Walker Research Room
158 Church Street, Ailsa Craig, ON
Open 10 – 4:00 p.m.
The former Trinity Anglican Church houses the Marg & Leroy Walker Research Room. The Research Room contains all of the Historical Society’s archives, including thousands of historical documents, photographs, and scrapbooks documenting the people and places of North Middlesex.
Reference: https://www.ailsacraigmuseum.ca/trinity-chapel
Donald Hughes Annex Museum
159 George Street, Ailsa Craig, ON
Open 10 – 4:00 p.m.
Located in what was once the village’s Baptist church, the Donald Hughes Annex Museum serves as a central hub for Ailsa Craig’s local history. The building now functions as a gallery and collections space.
With more than 10,000 artifacts, the exhibits feature an eclectic mix of local—and occasionally not-so-local—objects. There is always something new being brought out for display.
Ailsa Craig Arts Centre (ACAC)
160D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON N0M 1A0 (Located at the back of Ye Olde Towne Hall)
Open: Friday, June 12 10 – 4
The Ailsa Craig Arts Centre is a membership based, intergenerational learning centre where people can explore and further their creative potential.
We host drop-in groups such as cardmaking, knitting, and crocheting; special interest art-based groups such as watercolour; a writer’s group, a book club, and several youth programs. A wide range of classes are scheduled year round.
Every six weeks we have a new exhibit featuring artists from the community and surrounding area. On June 12 we are especially pleased to present a collaboration between our writers’ group and the “Canadian Embroiderers’ Guild, London” where original poems have been interpreted by textile artists.
The ACAC is a legacy of the Ailsa Craig Quilt and Fibre Festival and completely volunteer run.
Website: https://ailsacraigartscentre.wildapricot.org
Email: ailsacraigartscentre@gmail.com
Host: Rebecca Bender (519) 870-1974 rabender@execulink.com
Parkhill Artisan Collective
Open: 10 – 4
We are a membership based art centre, offering a showcase for local artisans, a teaching area for workshops/classes and a group meeting space for local groups in the area of North Middlesex, Ontario.
The recognizable Carnegie Library architectural features of the former Parkhill Carnegie Gallery, with its central steps leading you into the building – the wood floors and trim – and high ceilings, make a great setting for concerts, special events and displaying works of art.
One aspect of our mandate is to preserve this building for arts and cultural purposes; another is to offer opportunities for emerging artists.
https://www.parkhillgallery.ca/about-us
Contact People: https://www.parkhillgallery.ca/supportjoin
Rebecca Bender (519) 870-1974 rabender@execulink.com
New Moon Community Homestead
27093 New Ontario Road, Ailsa Craig, ON N0M 1A0
Open 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
The former Sunnivue Farm—long known as a centre for agricultural innovation and cooperative thinking—is now home to New Moon Community Homestead, a regenerative community focused on land-based living, education, and sustainability.
New Moon is inviting us to end our day at the farm where they will serve us a meal and we can buy vegetables and their special products. We are also hoping for:
- Farm or garden tours
- Stories of Sunnivue’s past and present
Additional Stops & Points of Interest
Historic Cemeteries
Ailsa Craig Cemetery
26458 Bear Creek Road, Ailsa Craig, ON N0M 1A0
First Nairn Cemetery
4430 Mill Crescent, Ailsa Craig, ON N0M 1A0
Carlisle United Church Cemetery
1432 Centre Road, Carlisle, ON L0R 1H1
Siddallville Cemetery Cairn
12439 Siddall Road (#12341), Exeter, ON N0M 1P0
Walking tour of Ailsa Craig & Parkhill (available on our website)
North Middlesex Barn Quilt Trail
The North Middlesex Barn Quilt Trail highlights the region’s agricultural heritage and community storytelling through public art.
Website https://barnquilttrails.ca/trails/north-middlesex/
and map https://barnquilttrails.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Barn-Quilts-of-North-Middlesex.pdf
Or
The Heritage Trail – North Middlesex
An interactive heritage map for North Middlesex and surrounding Middlesex municipalities:
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/374be4d414af4e9d881abde57158e2cb
Lunch Options for Visitors
Parkhill — casual dining and cafés (list to be developed)
Ilderton — several restaurants, depending on the day
North Star Restaurant
14368 Elginfield Road, Lucan, ON N0M 2J0