Capturing Elgin’s History Through Photos
Fresh Tulips, Fresh Smiles The Perfect Gift for Any Spring Occasion! Stop in today or call for delivery! As she settled into her role at the museum, Madeleine noticed the abundance of cameras in the collection and realized a photography exhibit had never been done before. “With how many photographs are digitized at the archives, I thought, ‘Why not do it now?’” she says. The exhibit highlights the photographic equipment used over the years and the vast collection of images housed in the Elgin County Archives. Professional photography played a significant role in Elgin County’s history, and two major studios are prominently featured in the exhibit. “The two big ones that we have are the Scott Studio and the Stollery Studio,” Madeleine says. The Scott Studio, in particular, made a large donation to the museum, including artifacts from its children’s studio and the original Scott Studio camera. The exhibit also includes works The Elgin County Heritage Museum (located at 460 Sunset Dr., St. Thomas) is offering visitors a glimpse into the county’s past through its latest exhibit, Through the Lens: Photography in Elgin County . Running until June 14, the exhibit explores the region’s photographic history, featuring images, artifacts, and equipment that capture moments of local life across generations. Curator Madeleine Howard, explains that the inspiration for the exhibit was deeply personal: “I actually got my start in Elgin County working at the archives. Digitizing the negatives from the Stollery Studio was first project I worked on with the county, so Stollery has always had a special place in my heart.”
from Ron Nelson, an aerial photographer from London who captured many rare aerial images of the county. The collection showcases a range of photographs, from formal portraits to candid snapshots capturing daily life. Madeleine found it difficult to choose just one favourite image. “One of them is a band playing at a dance across the street at the psychiatric hospital when it was a training school. The band was called The Corn Cobblers, which I just find delightful,” she says with a laugh.
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Page 16 Hometown St. Thomas • March 2025
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