Past Exhibits

From District to County: Celebrating Lambton 175

Embark on a journey through 175 years of Lambton County governance with a joint exhibit by Lambton County Archives and Lambton Heritage Museum. This exciting display is located on the second floor of the Sarnia Library and features a set of artifacts and documents spanning Lambton County’s history including Long Term Care, Cultural Services, Infrastructure, Public Health, and more.

Marie Prevost: From Sarnia to Stardom

Learn of Marie Prevost's rise to fame in the film industry from humble beginnings in Sarnia. Discover how Marie's legacy lives on in health centres for those struggling with mental health and addiction in the entertainment industry. This will be displayed at the Archives until Fall 2024.

Sarnia's First World War in 15 Objects

Sarnia’s First World War in 15 Objects invites you to explore how the people, places and industries of Sarnia joined the global conflict of 1914-1918. Through fifteen carefully chosen objects — from uniforms and medals to community artefacts and home-front memorabilia — this digital exhibit reveals personal stories of sacrifice, service and innovation. Follow the journey of local soldiers overseas, see how factories and refineries redirected their efforts for the war, and discover how life at home changed in kitchens, factories and farms. It’s a powerful reminder that the Great War touched every corner of our community — and that even the smallest item can capture a big part of our shared history.

The content for virtual exhibition is courtesy of the Ley and Lois Smith Collection, History Department, Western University, London, Ontario.

Sarnia Library Exhibit

Learn about Sarnia's first library all the way to the current library in Downtown Sarnia and all the locations and building that brought the library to where it is today. The exhibit is on the second floor of the Sarnia Library.

Documenting the Past: Holland Paisley Photo Collection

Explore the impactful work of Mr. Holland and Mr. Paisley, who collected and re-photographed old pictures. Their collection started with hopes of one exhibition, but grew to include thousands of photos that came to mean much more. This will be displayed at the Archives until Spring 2024.

Florence Chicks

This exhibit, previously displayed at the Florence Library, tells the story of the Florence Chicks and their journey to make it into the Provincial Women's Softball playoffs as a small town team. This exhibit, displayed the whole month of June in 2023, details the story of women persevering in sports in the 1950s.

You've Got Mail

This exhibit explores postcards through the years of different locations around Lambton County including Victoria Hall in Petrolia, Front Street in Sarnia and more. Explore this 2017 exhibit to learn more about these postcards and how they changed through the years. 

Groundbreaking Librarians

In this 2018 nook exhibit about Lambton County's Library Headquarters, learn about the origins of the first county library association in Ontario, the first Lambton County Library, the librarians behind these incredible feats and Library Headquarters today. 

Lambton Libraries Nook

This 2019 nook exhibit walks you through the history of Sarnia's first library, Sarnia's Mechanics Institute and Library Headquarters beginnings and expansions into what you see today.

Bear Creek Bridge, Warwick Village

Learn about the Village of Warwick, Bear Creek Bridge and its many different designs and replacements throughout the 1800's and into the 1930's. This 2019 exhibit details the settling and importance of Warwick to the Great Western Railway and surrounding towns of Sarnia and London.

History of Community Concert Bands in Lambton County

The exhibit, accompanied by a digital exhibit, explored the history of community concert bands across Lambton County. Alvinston, Inwood, Watford, Petrolia, Arkona, Thedford, Forest, Oil Springs, Walpole, and Sarnia all had concert bands. 

History of The Oil Can

This 2021 exhibit goes into the many different materials and shapes the oil can was made in over the years. Learn how the oil can changed throughout wars and about all the different companies that contributed to the transformation of the oil can and oil industry.