Lambton County will mark its 175th anniversary next year and thanks to waived admission fees at some historic sites, residents will have the opportunity to learn more about the area.
A report detailing the county's history, dating back to the late 1700s, recently went to council.
One of the 17 initiatives approved in the report includes free admission in 2024 for residents to visit Lambton County Archives, Lambton Heritage Museum, and the Oil Museum of Canada.
The impact of waiving admission fees at the specified historic locations may be mitigated by visitor donations. An analysis of donation revenue versus admissions will be done at the end of 2024.
"I don't think museums are as popular as they used to be but this might showcase some of that stuff for people to realize how deep the history runs here," said Lambton County Warden Kevin Marriott, who also said he's excited to mark the upcoming milestone.
"I feel quite honoured to be warden during this time," he said. "I've always been pretty proud of the county, travelling to other parts of the province you realize how lucky we have it here... in many ways, whether it's the geography, the landscape, or the political climate."
Lambton County evolved in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries to include eight incorporated villages, two towns, one city, and 10 rural townships. Following amalgamation in the late 1990s, Lambton now consists of 11 municipalities and three First Nation communities.
Looking at the county's current economic growth and attractions, Marriott said it all started with two sectors, agriculture and oil.
"We have the petrochemical industry, which isn't considered classy with some levels of government now, but I think it's still so important to our history," Marriott said.
"We just have such a good variety of things."
While Lambton County gets ready to celebrate the anniversary, municipalities within the county have or will mark similar occasions.
In June, the Town of Watford commemorated its sesquicentennial and in 2024, the Town of Petrolia will mark its 150th anniversary.
