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Museum logo1981
Museum of Ontario Archaeology, London Ontario
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The Museum of Indian Archaeology and Pioneer Life was founded by Wilfred Jury in 1933 as an affiliate of the University of Western Ontario, and was first established at the Lawson Memorial Library. Wilfred Jury had studied archaeology and archaeological field methods as an amateur, and collected artifacts from numerous sites throughout southwestern Ontario. In the late 1920's, his collection had grown to over 6,000 artifacts. In 1970, Jury retired from conducting archaeological fieldwork and turned his attention to finding permanent housing for his artifacts. He encouraged Col. Tom Lawson to donate the Lawson site property to the University of Western Ontario, and arranged for the Fuller family to donate a piece of property adjacent to the Lawson site. Jury had planned to build a log cabin in which to display his artifacts next to the Lawson site.Dr. William Finlayson was appointed director of the museum in 1976. The museum's name was changed to the Museum of Indian Archaeology (London) that same year, and a gallery was opened in Somerville House on the UWO campus. Displays included artifacts collected from various archaeological sites around Southwestern Ontario, and the Jury models of a Neutral Iroquoian village and a pioneer farmsted. In 1978, plans began for the construction of a museum building beside the Lawson site. A ground-breaking ceremony for the new museum building was held in 1980.
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Wilfrid Jury turning sod for opening at Lawson-Jury building1980
Museum of Ontario Archaeology, London Ontario
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Opening ceremony for Lawson-Jury building1980
Museum of Ontario Archaeology, London Ontario
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Construction of museum wall1980
Museum of Ontario Archaeology, London Ontario
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Museum in winter - mid-construction1980
Museum of Ontario Archaeology, London Ontario
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Murals painted by Ivan Kocsis1981
Museum of Ontario Archaeology, London Ontario
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Over the years, thousands of visitors have passed through the museum's doors, including such notable public figures as HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.9
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh arriving at the museum1983
Museum of Ontario Archaeology, London Ontario
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Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh touring the museum1983
Museum of Ontario Archaeology, London Ontario
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Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh accepting a calumet (peace pipe)1983
Museum of Ontario Archaeology, London Ontario
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A museum visitor examining artifacts2006
Museum of Ontario Archaeology, London Ontario
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A quilt created by a First Nations artist2006
Museum of Ontario Archaeology, London Ontario
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The museum holds many special events throughout the year. Our signature event, the Native Harvest Festival, is celebrated each September on the partially reconstructed Neutral Iroquoian Village site. Dancers, singers, drummers, storytellers and various artisans bring alive the culture and traditions of this village. The museum began hosting the festival in the early 1980's to 1990. With a short hiatus, the museum has reintroduced this event in 2001 with great success. |
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