History of the Minden Hills Cultural Centre

1973

Frank Welch, former Reeve, bequeaths his collection of 41 Andre Lapiné paintings to the township if it can be housed properly in a gallery. Born in what is now Latvia and buried in Minden artist André Lapine was a contemporary of members of the Group of Seven. Dr. Agnes Jamieson, Ontario’s first female coroner donates the monies for the building.

1981

The Agnes Jamieson Gallery is named in honour after Dr. Agnes Jamieson. The AJG is entrusted to preserve and present the life, work and ongoing legacy of André Lapine ARCA (1866-1952) and to exhibit work by local and regional visual artists.

1984

The Minden Hills Museum opened in 1984 as a modest one-building facility operated solely by dedicated volunteers.

2000

Now including a small village of buildings, the Minden Hills Museum changed its name to Minden Hills Museum and Heritage Village.

2002

A 2,000 sq ft addition and proper storage for the gallery is added.

2007

Nature’s Place, A straw bale building is designed to have the least amount of impact on the environment while working in harmony with its natural surroundings, is opened. Based on the philosophy of R.D. Lawrence, it is a nature interpretive centre, with a mandate to educate, inspire and expand our understanding of our place in nature.

2010

Cultural Center and new library are opened.