By: Mike Su, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter
The Comber & District Historical Society Museum recently celebrated 58 years of preserving and sharing local history. Originally opened on Saturday, Sept. 30, 1967, as the Tilbury West Centennial Museum, the site is located about three miles south of Comber on Highway 77, in the former S.S. No. 8 Maple Grove School.
The museum proudly displays a wide range of artifacts — from magneto telephones to farm machinery — with curated sections dedicated to household items, agriculture, medicine, education, military service, carpentry and local government. The first curator, Stan Ford, laid the foundation for the museum’s collection, which has grown steadily thanks to generous donations from area residents.
In 1998, the museum became the property of the Comber & District Historical Society, governed by a board of directors. Today, the society is led by president Mark McKinlay, with board members Betty Wright, Jim Wright, Linda McKinlay and Judy Bridgen. Due to the growing number of donated items, the museum has expanded its physical space, including the addition of a 40-foot shipping container for off-site storage and rotating displays.
Over the past decade, the museum has broadened its outreach efforts to attract more visitors. Annual events include the Comber St. Andrew’s United Church picnic and hosting meetings for local organizations. In 2016, the museum was honoured to receive the British Home Children Memorial Quilt on loan during its Canadian tour from Buckingham Palace. From 2017 to 2020, the museum offered Elder College classes on the history of Comber and farming in Essex County.
The museum also participates in the Comber Legion’s Remembrance Day service each year, placing a wreath at the cenotaph in honour of veterans. In 2017, McKinlay received the Senior of the Year Award from the Good Neighbour Club of Belle River for his contributions to the museum.
Youth engagement has been a growing focus. The Comber Scout Troop visited the museum last year and returned to hold a meeting under the pavilion. The museum also provides pumpkins to the troop each Halloween. A monthly calendar of local events is distributed via email and social media, with the museum’s Facebook group now boasting 1,500 likes and 1,700 followers.
“I think the highlight of all my time volunteering at the Comber Museum was in 2019 when I received the Community Heritage Medal from the Department of History at the University of Windsor for the work our museum has done,” said McKinlay. “This medal recognizes outstanding achievements in raising the profile of local history and heritage in Windsor, and/or surrounding Essex, Lambton and Kent counties as well as in southeast Michigan. This really blew me away!”
Maintaining the museum’s building and grounds remains a challenge. Recent grants have helped fund a new ceiling in the main room and the purchase of a lawn mower to assist volunteers. Like many organizations, the museum faced difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic, including a decline in volunteer support and the loss of senior members.
“I am really looking forward to seeing our annual membership numbers increase this year. We have kept the price down at $15 per membership. I feel it is a small amount to spend and it shows those organizations that provide us with funding that we have the public support to continue our work at the museum for years to come,” added McKinlay.
The museum is open five days a week — Thursday through Monday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. — between the May long weekend and Thanksgiving. Visitors are always welcome to explore the exhibits and connect with the stories that shaped the Comber community.
