Month: October 2023

The Return of the Tour of Homes

October 15, 2023

The 19th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes

The volunteers of the Aylmer-Malahide Museum & Archives are pleased to announce that the Annual Christmas Tour of Homes will be returning in November of 2023 after a three-year hiatus. We’re so excited to show you what we have in store! Learn more on the Tour of Homes webpage here.

The 2023 Christmas Tour of Homes is scheduled for Friday, November 17ᵗʰ, from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and Saturday, November 18ᵗʰ, from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Tickets will be for sale in advance on this website, at 14 East St., or through participating retailers, and for sale during the tour itself at 14 East St. and at each of the four participating homes. Tickets will be for sale for $20 each.

Friday, November 17ᵗʰ
4:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Saturday, November 18ᵗʰ
1:00 pm to 9:00 pm

$20 each
Kids aged 12 and under free!

Buy your tickets here or add them to your cart below!

$25.00Read more

The Homes

456 Talbot Street West

This home was custom-built in the mid-1960s. The current homeowners purchased the house in 2002, and have spent the last 20 years making it their home. Enjoy this home’s lovingly scaped property and serene gardens.

80 South Street West

A craftsman-inspired home, constructed in 2019 with extensive use of local trades and supplies. This property features beautiful timber framing and exhaustive attention to detail. The homeowners recently settled on this property as their retirement home.

170 Caverly Road

This home was constructed in 1955 under the Veterans’ Land Act. The homeowner lived just down the street from this property, and dreamed of one day owning it. She and her husband purchased it in 2003. They enjoy the privacy of their backyard and its towering pines.

8394 Imperial Road

This home was constructed by DeSutter Homes in 2019, in a popular modern farmhouse style. It was built with family in mind, boasting an open concept and four bedrooms. The homeowners enjoy hosting friends and family, especially in the downstairs family space with its giant screen and wet bar.

About the Tour of Homes

The Aylmer-Malahide Museum Volunteers’ annual Christmas Tour of Homes began in 2001. This fundraiser was developed to benefit the museum’s operation and raise awareness of local businesses. It is now a Christmas tradition for many locals and visitors from all over Ontario and beyond. Four unique, interesting and/or historical homes are chosen in the Aylmer Area. These homes are decorated for Christmas and then opened for participants to tour. This is a major fundraiser for the museum. Many volunteer hours and support from homeowners and local businesses go into making this an annual success.

At the Going Down of The Sun

We are pleased to announce the publication of At the Going Down of the Sun: The Fallen of Aylmer and Malahide, 1939 to 1945, written by James L. McCallum.

At the Going Down of the Sun aims to honour and biograph the soldiers of Aylmer and Malahide who lost their lives during WWII. It pays tribute to those listed on the Aylmer Cenotaph, those whose casualties were reported in the Aylmer Express, and those who died at the No. 14 Service Flying Training School in Aylmer.

This book was researched and written by James L. McCallum, who graciously gave his work to the Aylmer-Malahide Museum & Archives to profit from its publication.

Copies sell for $35 for non-members and for $30 to members.

The Aylmer Express is currently printing this publication! Check back here to find out when it’s in stock.

View the book in our online shop here or add it to your cart below!

$35.00Read more

We will be hosting a book launch on Thursday, October 26th, from 7 PM to 9 PM, at 75 Talbot St. E. The launch will coincide with the opening reception of our complimentary exhibit, which examines the impact of WWII on our community. We hope to see you there!

James L. McCallum is a genealogist and historian with extensive family ties to Malahide Township. James is a member and past chair of the Elgin County Branch of the Elgin Genealogical Society, and sits on the Board of Directors of the Aylmer-Malahide Museum & Archives. At the Going Down of the Sun is his sixth book, and he plans to publish a seventh in 2024.

The Aylmer-Malahide Museum & Archives extends its sincere and enthusiastic thanks to author James McCallum. Jim has been an unyielding source of support since he joined our organization in 2022. We are so very grateful for his insight, passion, and unwavering commitment to the preservation of our heritage. The museum thanks Jim for the opportunity to collaborate on this publication, and for his offer to contribute its proceeds to our charitable cause. 

This project was sponsored by the Aylmer Express, the Royal Canadian Legion Colonel Talbot Branch No. 81, the Springfield Swans, Rosemary Kennedy, and James L. McCallum.