Written By Carol Small, Middlesex Centre Archives
The Committee To Establish A Middlesex County Archives (CEMCA) exists because there is no County Archives in Middlesex County. CEMCA’s membership involves Historical Societies, interested citizens and the Middlesex Centre Archives. CEMCA has support from some lower-tier municipal councils, plus county, provincial, national and international organisations, as well as historians world-wide. Unlike most Southwestern Ontario counties, Middlesex County Council has chosen not to establish a county-wide, total-concept archives that collects and preserves records of enduring historical value in both private and public hands.
Today, many historic documents of enduring value are in private hands, or are being preserved through volunteers in historical societies and Middlesex Centre’s Archives. Many more are being lost to dumpsters, fires, floods, insects etc. Middlesex County is rich in heritage. Its documented history is being preserved on the backs of aging volunteers. Some public historical documents are stored in arenas and garages. Many are not accessible to the public. The “Freedom of Information Act” is garnering more and more requests for information. As a result, more municipal government staff members are taken away from their regular duties to fulfil these requests.
Historical facilities, scattered across the large County of Middlesex, are run by volunteers, and only open for short time-periods, which is very inconvenient for anyone wishing to do research. Studies have proven that institutions, such as archives, add to local culture and heritage, which is the backbone of tourism. An Archives for the entire County in a single location is what is needed.
Lobbying attempts have consistently met opposition since the early 2000s. Since its formation, CEMCA has made three presentations (January 25, 2011, September 28, 2021 and March 14, 2023) to Middlesex County Council. The latter two asked for County Council to set up an ad hoc committee, including CEMCA representation, to examine the issue through a feasibility study. Council approved funding for this study, but was told an archives did not fall within the mandate of County legislative requirements. At its March 26, 2024 meeting, Mayor Colin Grantham of Strathroy-Caradoc told County Council of his intention to bring forth a Notice of Motion to ask Council to approve a feasibility study that examines all aspects of building a Middlesex County Archives. Recently, Huron College students completed a study on behalf of CEMCA. The study recognised the efforts to-date of CEMCA and identified the inhibitor as a feasibility study required to determine the needs and costs for a Middlesex County Archives. The study recognised:
- The value of an archives to the tourism industry in Middlesex County;
- The importance of an archives to the documenting of local history, protection of heritage, community identity and preventing further loss of documented history;
- The disadvantage to Middlesex County for not having a County Archives due to historical prevention disparity; missed opportunities for community engagement; economic and tourism impact; limited access to information and perception of neglect of oversight.
- The need for a feasibility study to determine the needs and cost of an Archives.
Despite roadblocks, CEMCA continues to work on behalf of Middlesex County residents and the saving of its documented history. Local organisations, individuals and media are advocating for a Middlesex County Archives. CEMCA will continue to advocate for a Middlesex County Archives such as those in its neighbouring Counties.
More information is available through our Facebook page A Committee To Establish a Middlesex County Archives or email us at proposedmiddlesexcountyarchive@gmail.com.
What can you do? Let your Middlesex County Council representative know that you favour a Middlesex
County Archives. Details available at https://www.middlesex.ca/gov-ernment/warden-and-councillors.
