Written By David Gomez
MIDDLESEX COUNTY - For decades, the idea of a Middlesex County Archives has surfaced in discussions about how the region should preserve its history. A newly completed feasibility study has now given councillors five possible paths forward—and prompted them to put the cost of professional archival expertise on the table for the 2027 budget.
TCI Management Consultants and The Information Management Specialists presented the study to Middlesex County Council on September 8. Their research included consultations with municipalities and heritage organizations, comparisons with eight county-level archives in Ontario and a public survey that received 294 responses. The consultants said the consultation showed strong support for a County Archives and identified a need for professional archival expertise.
Five models were examined: a centralized County-funded service; a shared service or partnership; additional County support for existing organizations; a digital archives model; and maintaining the current system. The study did not recommend one option over another.
Costs vary considerably. A centralized service could eventually require millions of dollars for a permanent facility, while other approaches would rely more heavily on existing organizations, partnerships or digital infrastructure. Consultant Christine Ardern suggested that, if the County moves ahead, it could begin gradually by hiring an archivist and leasing space before considering a permanent facility.
Councillor Allan Mayhew highlighted the pressure facing volunteer-run heritage organizations, noting that local knowledge can be difficult to replace as volunteers age. He said he initially favoured a shared approach that could retain connections with individual communities.
Councillor Mike McGuire urged council not to allow the study to simply “sit on a shelf.” Rather than beginning with the expense of a permanent building, he suggested first understanding what an archives program would mean for the County’s annual operating budget.
Councillor Sharron McMillan subsequently proposed taking a first step by examining the cost of retaining a professional archivist. “My fear is that this will be yet another study that sits on a shelf and nothing happens,” she said.
Not everyone was ready to move as quickly. Councillor Cathy Burghardt-Jesson questioned whether council was skipping a step by considering an archivist before receiving further staff analysis, and raised concerns about the undefined scope of the position.
Following further discussion, council amended the original recommendation. Council received the feasibility study and directed staff to include the cost of an archivist in the draft 2027 budget for consideration. The motion carried.
