Rotary Club of Dryden ($10,000)
Research & Collections
Every object has a story to tell.
At the Dryden & District Museum, our collection of artifacts, photographs, and documents reveals how people lived, worked, and built community in Dryden and the surrounding area. From cherished family heirlooms to rare archival records, these pieces help us connect the past to the present.
Artifacts & Archives
Our collection spans a wide range of themes, giving a glimpse into daily life, culture, and change across the decades. Highlights include:
- Pioneer life
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Agriculture
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Military history
- Indigenous history
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Technology
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Sports, games, and toys
Our archives preserve the paper trail of Dryden’s past, including:
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Photographs
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Maps
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Ledgers
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Books
Digital Resources
Step into the past from wherever you are. Our digital collections let you flip through old photographs, read historic newspapers, and hear community stories, all at the click of a button
Digitization Donors
We are grateful to the donors and organizations who made our digitization of the Dryden Observer Newspaper Collection possible.
Columnist status ($1,000.00 – $4,999.00)
Domtar ($3,000)
Willem Vermeer ($1,000)
Friends of the Dryden Public Library ($1,000)
Pam Cooper ($1,000)
Pat Rigey ($1,000)
Subscriber status ($500.00 – $999.00)
Retired Teachers of Ontario District 35
Dryden Genealogical Society
Amy Paget
Susan Reany-Iskra
Reader status ($25.00 – $499.00)
Egli's Sheep Farm
Justus Leschied
Marg Bonham
Lucille Ayers
Laura Sfreddo
Janet Alexander
Judy Alexander
Bruce Cook
Michelle Milanese
Janis Carter
Don & Lynn Wilton
Department of Canadian Heritage
Thank you to the Department of Canadian Heritage Museum Assistance Program for their grant which made this project possible.
*The views and opinions stated in the archival collection of The Dryden Observer newspapers are those of the authors who wrote them. This information does not necessarily reflect the position of the City of Dryden, Dryden & District Museum or Dryden Public Library. Some content may be dated, sensitive, or no longer socially acceptable. Please use the information acquired respectfully.
Virtual Transcription Project
With the help of local volunteers, we’ve made historic land and family records from the late 1800s and early 1900s easier to explore. These transcriptions open a window into the early days of Dryden and the surrounding townships.
In 2020 and 2021, volunteers helped us bring two important registers to life by transcribing them from home:
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Land Register (1896–1908): Includes the townships of Van Horne, Wainwright, Eton, Dryden, Zealand, Aubrey, Sanford, Rugby, Southworth, Melgund, Mutrie, Britton, Rowell, Hartwall, and Revell.
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Births, Marriages, and Deaths Register (1897–1908): Records from the Dryden Division.
These transcriptions make the information easier to access for researchers while preserving the fragile originals. If you would like to see photographs of the original registers, please email us with the pages you’re interested in.
Oral Histories
History is more than dates and facts. History can be found in voices, memories, and lived experience. Explore our oral history collection to hear first-hand stories from the people who helped shape Dryden and the surrounding area.
Coming Soon!
Thank you for your patience while we work on uploading these pieces of history for you.
Looking to dig deeper into Dryden’s past?
Research Services
The museum welcomes researchers by appointment. Staff can help guide your search and provide access to our archives.
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30 minutes of complimentary research provided
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Additional research: $25 per hour
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Photocopies and scans available for a fee
Plan your visit to the museum
Contact the Museum
Location
Hours
Tuesday - Friday
9am - 5pm
Daily closure from 12pm - 1pm
Contact to arrange an after hours visit.
Admission
General Admission - $4.00 per person
Children Ages 6 and Younger - FREE
Museum Members - FREE