Aboyne, Ont. – The Wellington County Museum and Archives (WCMA) officially opened its new Children's Play Space today, marking a significant milestone in the Museum's commitment to serving families throughout Wellington County.
The new space on the west side of the first floor features a large, bright and immersive environment where children and families can explore the world around them through pretend play, with themes of the Grand River, local fish, birds, food and fantasy, and exploration woven throughout.
“The Committee has envisioned this space for over a year and to see how stunning it is and the opportunities it presents to our community is exciting.” said Doug Breen, Chair of the Information, Heritage and Seniors Committee.
The renovation transformed a former gallery into a stunning area by uncovering windows, increasing ceiling height, and exposing historic stone walls. The space includes interactive elements such as a tree house climbing structure, a performance stage, a campground with crawl log and tent, and hands-on activities including pretend fishing and cooking.
Floor-to-ceiling murals showcase Wellington County's natural heritage, featuring native plants like morels, ramps, trilliums, and fiddleheads, alongside local animals and butterflies. An oversized interactive book highlights regional fish species including Yellow Perch, Brook Trout, and Northern Pike, while a bird sounds wall allows children to hear the calls of local species such as the Mallard, Barn Swallow, Red-tailed Hawk, and Killdeer.
"As Wellington County grows, the Museum is becoming a prime destination for families to explore, create and learn," said Jana Burns, Wellington Place Administrator. "This dedicated children's space provides an excellent environment to expose children to rich and memorable experiences, provoking imagination and bringing together art, history and science in play."
The project was designed by Martin Simmons Sweers, with the renovation by Dakon Construction and the fabrication by Performance Solutions. The WCMA Children's Play Space is open during regular Museum hours. Admission is included with general Museum admission.
About WCMA
WCMA tells the stories of the people and places of Wellington County. The museum is located on Wellington Road 18 between Fergus and Elora in the oldest remaining rural House of Industry and Refuge (or 'Poor House') in Canada. The galleries are open weekdays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm and 11:30 am to 4:00 pm on weekends and holidays. Admission is by donation.
Media Contact:
Jana Burns, Wellington Place Administrator, 519.846.0916 x5222, jburns@wellington.ca