Brant Museum and Archives
Other Attractions
Brantford has had a museum since the 1890s. Although the history of this first museum is quite sketchy, we do know that is was originally located on the corner of George St. and Dalhousie St. in Brantford, and later moved to the basement of the Public Library in 1905.
When a group of Brantford citizens interested in forming a historical society gathered on May 8th, 1908 it was the beginning of a lifelong commitment. The Brant Historical Society was founded with the purpose to “encourage research into the history of Brant County; to secure an accurate account of its progress and development; and to promote a spirit for the preservation of records and memorials of a local and national character.”
The original nucleus of the Brant Museum was assembled by George Broomfield, one of the earliest Historical Society members and museum curator for 30 years. His private collection of Native and local artifacts would become the first real holdings on which the Brant Museum would grow.
In 1951 the Brant Historical Society purchased the property of our current site (57 Charlotte Street) and in 1952 amalgamated with the existing local museum to form the Brant Historical Society Museum and Cultural Centre.
57 Charlotte Street was originally built in approximately 1870 by Frederick Brendon, a local druggist. It was sold to Rev. William Cochrane, minister of Zion Presbyterian Church, who lived in the home from 1883 until his death in 1898. The property was deeded to the County of Brant by the Historical Society in 1966, and they continue to maintain the building to the present day
Since the original date of purchase, the museum building has undergone many physical changes. Shortly after the 1952 amalgamation, the Royal Ontario Museum donated an Iroquoian False Face Mask that hung on the front of the Museum until August of 1996 when it was given to the Pine Tree Native Centre. In 1964 a two-story addition was erected, and later in 1967, as part of Canada’s Centennial, another two-story addition was added to accommodate growing collections. Storage space continues to be one of the Museum’s most pressing concerns, and further expansion and renovations are sure to be a part of the Museum’s future.
In addition, we have also undergone several name changes (though the Brant Historical Society continues to operate the museum and owns the collections). Shortened from the original “Brant Historical Society Museum and Cultural Centre”, we have also been known as the “Brant County Museum”, “Brant County Museum and Archives”, and most recently the “Brant Museum and Archives.”