Today, the Board of the Association of Canadian Archivists sent a letter detailing the ACA’s concerns about the program review of the Museum of Dufferin, specifically the County of Dufferin Archives program, and the proposed elimination of Archives staff.

According to the County’s meeting agenda and supporting documents, the program review considers three options:

• Archives Program
• Museum of Dufferin Dissolution
• Programming & Outreach Coordinator Positions

Of particular concern is the Museum of Dufferin Dissolution section, which proposes the elimination of personnel and operating costs and raises significant concerns about the future stewardship of more than 48,000 artifacts and archival records.

The Museum of Dufferin has been in operation since 1994 and serves a county of more than 66,000 residents. The museum includes four galleries, two artifact storage rooms, one archival storage area, and four heritage buildings. In 2025, it delivered more than 80 programs and welcomed over 7,000 onsite visitors. Since 2019, the Museum has seen significant increases in general admission, school program attendance, and event participation. It also administers a volunteer program involving more than 30 local residents.

The Museum of Dufferin provides a wide range of programs and care for important collections, including:

• programs and tours for seniors
• weekly toddler programs
• six weeks of summer camp for children aged 5 to 12
• curriculum-based programming for local school groups
• programs for community organizations and interest groups, including Guides, Embers, Scouts, local heritage groups, quilting guilds, and others
• stewardship of more than 48,000 artifacts and archival records
• care for more than 80 Indigenous artifacts
• stewardship of the largest public collection of Canadian Corn Flower Glass
• care for the County of Dufferin’s municipal records
• preservation of rare documents and photographs relating to the history of the region
• rental space for events, meetings, and programs
• events and markets featuring local artists and makers, supporting more than 100 small businesses annually

The ACA is particularly concerned by the potential loss of archival staff capacity and by the implications of any proposal that could weaken stewardship, access, and long-term care for the records and collections.

Readers who wish to review the County’s agenda can do so here. 

Read the ACA’s letter here.

Board of Directors
Association of Canadian Archivists