Located in the historic hamlet of Vandorf, the Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum & Community Centre was established in 1971. The museum has a permanent collection of over 16000 artifacts, five historic buildings containing more than 5000 artifacts, and a 4-acre site.
This is believed to be the oldest brick school in southern Ontario, dating back to 1857, and was constructed by a local builder; Designed by James Brown in 1857, the Brown House is a Victorian farmhouse that reflects the 1880s; A barn raised by local community members, dismantled and rebuilt at the museum in 1983, featuring a square dance, dinner, and a barn raising bee; and Located in Vandorf, the Vandorf Public School was built in 1870, renovated in 1905, and served as the regional police headquarters from 1957 to 1971.
In 2012, the Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum opened its new Community Centre, exploring the ancient and the modern. As a result of the renovations and expansion of the newly constructed facility, a research room, dedicated exhibit gallery, a discovery room, as well as two rental spaces are now available. Through the Museum’s heritage buildings, discover the local lifestyle of the 19th century. A Museum guided tour of the Log Cabin and Barn is available. It will run from mid-May to mid-October. Other permanent exhibits include the Victorian Farmhouse, the Bogarttown Schoolhouse, and the new Vandorf Public School exhibit, set to open by the end of 2015.
In Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum & Community Centre, the tour begins in the heritage buildings and continues to the Community Centre where you can check out the current exhibit in the Exhibit Gallery as well as our themed hands-on baskets. Do you want to learn more about your genealogy or research a certain property? Are you interested in learning more about your community? Research can be carried out in the Museum’s family reference library and archives, a setting where intellectual pursuits will be pursued in a private setting.
Visit the Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum & Community Centre Gift Shop to find the hard-to-find items you’re looking for. A selection of items including books, craft kits, hand-made clothing, maps, and souvenir items are available at the store. There are unique toys to be found here, including Jacob’s ladder, slate boards, knitting needles, wooden acrobats, and more! Also available are Victorian-style Christmas gifts throughout the year.
Is your next event around Whitchurch-Stouffville going to require a rental space? If you’re in need of rental space, the Museum & Community Centre provides three options: Main Hall, half Main Hall, and Community Room. The rental facilities we offer are perfect for corporate events, weddings, and any other special occasion. It is the perfect spot for your photoshoot too, with the tranquility of the museum grounds and its historic buildings.
Special occasions are held at the Museum throughout the year! Find out more about the Museum’s events here! Antique & Classic Car Show, Victorian Tea, and Candlelight Tour are some of the biggest events of the year! A variety of programs are run throughout the year, including summer camps, PA Day workshops, and March break camps. You can also participate in a variety of one-day activities!
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