Exhibits
Woodstock 125th Anniversary Exhibit
On view July 2, 2026 – January 2027
Woodstock is a city where industry, infrastructure, and population are growing at an impressive pace. Rooted in traditions of manufacturing excellence and rich agricultural heritage, Woodstock offers a blend of history and innovation that continues to attract residents, businesses and visitors alike.
As we celebrate the City of Woodstock's 125th anniversary, it’s the perfect time to connect with the moments that shaped this community into what it is today. This exhibit invites you to step back in time and experience the defining milestones, stories and achievements that have fueled our growth.
Main Galleries
The History of Woodstock
This 1,200 square foot gallery space features over 400 artifacts and 125 Images. Explore Woodstock's rich history through artifacts, photos and stories as you move through the space.
Council Chambers
Prior to changing locations, Woodstock's city hall was located in the present-day site of the Woodstock Museum NHS. City council met on the first floor in the council chambers. In 1980, the entire old city hall was refurbished back to its original state. The council chambers looks the same way it did when the building was constructed in 1879.
Micro-Exhibits
Barber Shop Display
Les McKerral owned several prominent barber shops in Woodstock throughout his lengthy career. His third and final barbershop was once considered one of the foremost barber shops in western Ontario. This micro-exhibit features one of the chairs from the barbershop, complete with tools, awards that belonged to Les, and accessories. It's just like a walk into the past!
Brick by Brick: The Heritage Architecture of Woodstock
Discover Woodstock's heritage architecture and learn more about the history behind some of the city's oldest buildings. This micro-exhibit includes historic and present-day photographs of buildings located in downtown Woodstock, as well as architectural information and terms.
Great Murder Trial Case
The Great Murder Trial took place in the Museum's Grand Hall and was considered the greatest murder trial of the 1890s. This micro-exhibit tells the complete story of the case and features artifacts from the trial.
Woodstock Firefighting Display
This micro-exhibit is built around a 1920 hand-drawn fire cart that was used at Oxford Regional Centre. The exhibit also contains other early firefighting equipment used in Woodstock, as well as a collection of fire safety posters.
Captured Under Glass
In the early years of photography, making an image was painstaking work. One of the earliest photographic processes was to capture a negative image through a camera on a chemical treated glass plate, which in turn was used to develop a paper positive print. This micro-exhibit features reproductions of glass plate photographs from Woodstock's history.