Research, Collect & Preserve: A Brief History of Osgoode Township Museum

The Osgoode Township Historical Society & Museum traces its founding back to November 23, 1972 when the first meeting to organize "The New Horizons Historical Group" was held. Their purpose in establishing this group was to do research, create interest, collect data, preserve and publish the history of Osgoode Township and the genealogy of its residents.

The founding group developed rapidly and were incorporated under the Province of Ontario Statute by Letters Patent issued in the name of the Osgoode Township Historical Society and Museum on the 25th day of November, 1975.

The initial objective was to prepare a story for the Township of Osgoode's 150th Anniversary in 1977. It was on August 8, 1973 that the founding group signed an agreement with the Township of Osgoode covering the use of the building and property known then as the Vernon Public School. The group held their first meeting in the school on August 23, 1973.

The official opening of the Museum was held on September 21, 1973 with many interesting articles of bygone days on display for the first Visitors' Day. The Agricultural Museum building was subsequently built and officially opened on August 12, 1989. It now provides a home for the vast farming and industrial collection held by the Museum.

The Osgoode Township Museum has been serving our community as a museum (formerly as an historical society) since 1973! The OTM tells the story of Ottawa’s agricultural and rural heritage, with a focus on agriculture in the former Osgoode Township. The Museum houses a collection of approximately 10,000 artefacts, ranging from housewares and clothing to full sized tractors and other farming equipment in our two main exhibition spaces. If you visit during the spring, summer, or fall, you’ll get a chance to wander around the grounds, orchard and 10,000 square foot heritage garden modeled after a 1907 School Garden. Inside the museum, our brand new permanent exhibition space displays the incredible story of our township and its people. Learn stories of how Indigenous people and the first European settlers paved a path for our current day rural community members, and how these residents are cultivating their connections with the past, present and future! The museum hosts a variety of family-friendly online workshops, talks and programs, and creates connections through partnerships with other organizations in the community. Our largest event of the year is the Harvest Festival (held in September), a true celebration of our rural heritage.