Month: February 2026

Congratulations!

February 27, 2026

The staff and board of the Aylmer-Malahide Museum & Archives extend their sincere congratulations to our curator on the safe delivery of a healthy baby! We are so incredibly happy for her, and we wish her and her family all the best.

Please be aware that the curator will be on leave until February 2027. In the meantime, please get in touch with another staff member for assistance. Collections Manager Sarah and Office Manager Kathi will be joined by former summer student and MLIS candidate at Western University, Cassy, who has kindly returned to the museum to lend a hand.

Museum staff would be happy to pass along any well-wishes for the curator!

Relocation Project Update

February 20, 2026

We’re excited to announce that Phase One of the Relocation Project is complete! With the assistance of  Rimkus Consulting, we have building condition reports (including the structure of the building following destructive testing), and our preliminary concept plans. For the results of our building condition reports, check out our previous updates here and here.

With the building’s structure mapped out, Rimkus was able to draft some concept plans. We received a draft of the concept plans in October of 2025. After providing feedback, Rimkus revised the plans, and presented us with a final draft in November 2025. The museum’s board of directors approved the concept plans at our board meeting on December 16, 2025.

Please have a look at the new plans below! (Click for larger images.)

Concept plan for upper floor of new museum. Contains office space and shelving.Concept plan for upper floor of new museum. Contains office space and shelving.
Concept plan for main floor of new museum. Contains four permanent exhibits spaces, one temporary exhibit space, and a research and meeting space.Concept plan for main floor of new museum. Contains four permanent exhibits spaces, one temporary exhibit space, and a research and meeting space.
Concept plan for basement of new museum. Consists of storage space and an extension at the north end.Concept plan for basement of new museum. Consists of storage space and an extension at the north end.

 

Next Steps

In Phase Two, we will be asking an engineering firm to draft a detailed design, including architectural, civil/structural, and MEP design, including site plans, floor plans, building elevations, distinctive architectural features, and an MEP systems outline. In Phase Three, we will require construction assistance in the form of review/approval of contractor submittals, requests for information (RFIs) and final construction review.

We’re currently making incremental payments for Rimkus’ assistance with Phase One, which cost $59,800. We are working on our request for proposals for Phase Two, which we’ll submit for open bidding once complete.

Current Finances

  • The Relocation Fund currently contains $211,539.18
  • We purchased the building for $400,000.
  • Phase One will cost us $59,800.

The Swans Are Coming!

February 11, 2026

The Tundra Swan Line (available at (519) 773-7926 and graciously provided by Eastlink) is live.

The swans are expected to arrive in the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area in late February or early March, on their annual migration from their wintering grounds around Chesapeake Bay to their mating grounds in the high Arctic.

The Swan Line will be updated daily with current numbers of swans, as provided by the Elgin Stewardship Council. The Stewardship Council will also be providing on-site interpretation services on a to-be-determined schedule.

 

For more information and current swan numbers, visit our Tundra Swan Line page.

 

 

 

Featured image courtesy of David Helsdon