This day offers a chance to:

• Celebrate the volunteers and organizations who safeguard our local history
• Encourage visitors to explore North Middlesex’s cultural and archival riches
• Strengthen relationships among museums, heritage centres, homesteads, and the wider community
• Share stories that have shaped this place, from early settlement to the present

 

Exploring history, land, memory, and community

Date: Friday, June 12, 2026

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.  

Registration encouraged but not required.  The organizers would like to have an idea of how many to expect. 

https://www.ailsacraigmuseum.ca/event-details/a-heritage-day-in-north-middlesex

 

Finding your Way

Plan your trip with a Google Map with multiple stops and supplement it with a paper map from your archives.  (We still need maps in order to appreciate the geography of our communities).  Or just roam around the countryside and try to get lost.

Here are some additional on-line maps you can use. 

North Middlesex Barn Quilt Trail

The North Middlesex Barn Quilt Trail highlights the region’s agricultural heritage and community storytelling through public art.  Go to  https://barnquilttrails.ca/trails/north-middlesex/  and printable map   or  this one

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

Crown and Fox Pub, 143 Ailsa Craig Main St, Ailsa Craig, ON N0M 1A0.  Facebook Page

Winnie’s Road House, 245 Parkhill Main St, Parkhill, ON N0M 2K0

North Star Restaurant, 14368 Elginfield Road, Lucan, ON N0M 2J0

 

The Presbyterian Heritage Centre

19 Falkirk Street, Carlisle, ON N0M 1P0  Carlisle United Church

Open 10 – 5:00 p.m. 

Website – http://pcheritagecentre.ca/ 

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, (647) 494-4559,   pcheritagecentre [at] gmail.com   

 

The Marg & Leroy Walker Research Room

158 Church Street, Ailsa Craig, ON

Open 10 – 5:00 p.m. 

Website –  https://www.ailsacraigmuseum.ca/trinity-chapel

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.

Host: Shawna Pickering northmiddlesexhs@gmail.com 

 

Donald Hughes Annex Museum

159 George Street, Ailsa Craig, ON

Open 10 – 5:00 p.m. 

Website – 

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.

Host:  Shawna Pickering northmiddlesexhs@gmail.com 

 

Ailsa Craig Arts Centre (ACAC)

160D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON N0M 1A0   (Located at the back of Ye Olde Towne Hall)

Open 10 – 4 p.m.   Regular Hours: Tuesday, Thursdays & Saturdays 1 – 4 pm

Website: https://ailsacraigartscentre.wildapricot.org

The Ailsa Craig Arts Centre is a membership based, intergenerational learning centre where people can explore and further their creative potential.

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.

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. 

The ACAC is a legacy project by the Ailsa Craig Quilt and Fibre Festival and completely volunteer run.

Host: Rebecca Bender  (519) 870-1974 ailsacraigartscentre@gmail.com

 

Parkhill Artisan Collective 

233 Parkhill Main St, Parkhill, ON N0M 2K0

Open 10 – 4 p.m.

Website – https://www.parkhillgallery.ca/about-us 

We are a membership based art centre located at the Parkhill Carnegie Gallery.  We  offer 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.  

This beautiful building with its central steps, 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. 

Website – https://www.parkhillgallery.ca/about-us 

Host: Rebecca Bender  (519) 870-1974    carnegiegalleryparkhill@gmail.com

 

New Moon Community Homestead at the end of the day to eat and celebrate

27093 New Ontario Road, Ailsa Craig, ON N0M 1A0

Open 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. 

Website – https://newmooncommunityhomestead.ca/ 

Food and drink!  At the end of your day, drive to this beautiful farm to be a part of Farm Gate Friday, a foodie celebration of local agriculture!  

On the  second Friday of each month from June to September there is an evening filled with delicious farm-fresh dinners, live music, and an array of amazing local vendors. The store will be open, so after enjoying your meal, you can grab fresh groceries and make it a one-stop shop for all things tasty. It will be an evening full of fun, community, and great times you won’t want to miss!

 

Additional Stops & Points of Interest

• • Walking Tours of Ailsa Craig and Parkhill
    • Download the maps here.  
  • The Church at Nairn Cemetery
    26459 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

• Parkhill Library

• • 229 B Parkhill Main St, Parkhill, ON N0M 2K0
  • Open Friday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • Website: https://library.middlesex.ca/locations  Search for Parkhill