Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre

Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre

The Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre is a remarkable establishment that exhibits the irrepressible inventiveness of its people. This gallery features the work of local artists and hosts juried exhibitions to highlight their talents. For individuals interested in local art history or who simply want to show their appreciation for the talent in their own community, this exceptional organization also offers classes and seminars for those looking to develop their artistic skills.

One hundred and twenty years ago, the first settlers came in a vast forest with nothing more than an ax, a cross-cut saw, a plow, some wheat and maize seeds, a cow, and two horses. On the Canadian side of Lake Ontario, there was simply a rough path known as The Street (today known as the Dundas highway). Each property was surveyed into 100-acre plots after the land was purchased from the Mississauga Indians under a treaty. The people of Trafalgar Township were known as United Empire Loyalists after the United States and the British Empire fought in the War of 1812. There is a small cemetery close to Munn's Church with headstones with names like Biggar, Featherstone, Fish, Bowbeer, and Post. There are still many of their descendants alive today.

Sybil Salvin Rampen has been the center's managing director for a number of decades. Growing up in this region gave her plenty of opportunities to read Loyalist stories, which sparked a lifelong passion for collecting. Please get in touch with us if you know anything interesting about the past or present of your community.