Come explore our feature 2024 exhibit, "The Loyalist Era" opening at Wellington Heritage Museum on May 18th.

The Loyalist story is well known in Prince Edward County. Thousands of County residents claim Loyalist roots, descendants of the first white settlers to arrive in what is now Ontario after the conclusion of the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). It is a story of great hardship, but also resilience and ambition – traits the Loyalists exhibited when they were forced from their homes in the new United States. However, the Loyalist experience was not universal, and there were many non-Loyalist people living in (and migrating to) Prince Edward County at that time.

This exhibit will explore the diversity of experiences had by residents of Prince Edward County in the “Loyalist Era”, and the ways in which that period of settlement impacted the development of the County into the place we recognize today.

Original 18th century artifacts have been beautifully presented in the museum's new display cases, funded by the Friends of Wellington Heritage Museum and our community. We can't wait to show them to you all!

Wellington Heritage Museum, 290 Main Street , Wellington