Moore Museum
Mooretown, Ont.
July 25, 2026
History
Opening in 1975, the Moore Museum consisted of the old schoolhouse, the log cabin and the Reilly Cottage. Over the years, 10 more buildings were added to the property. Today, the museum has 12 historic and exhibit buildings that visitors can wander through and immerse themselves in.
Main Building
Main Building - Former SS #2 Moore Township
Built in 1942, the main building was once the former SS #2 Moore Township school. This building replaced the former school that was built in 1867, that had been destroyed by fire in February of 1942. This new building was a two-story red brick structure. In 1952 a wing was added to create a second classroom. Grades 1 to 4 occupied the original structure, while grades 5 to 8 occupied the newly built wing. The upper level housed the office.
In 1963, students were then moved to the newly built Mooretown Central School on the neighbouring property. Two years later, with student numbers rising, the old school was put back into use. This only lasted a few years, as an addition was then constructed on the new school which would allow enough space for all students. The former school was then used for storage. In the early 1970s, the school was then selected as the location for the newly established Moore Museum. Today, the main building has exhibits that showcase the Shipping industry and local history collections, such as toys, the great wars, hair salons and other local businesses.
In 1963, students were then moved to the newly built Mooretown Central School on the neighbouring property. Two years later, with student numbers rising, the old school was put back into use. This only lasted a few years, as an addition was then constructed on the new school which would allow enough space for all students. The former school was then used for storage. In the early 1970s, the school was then selected as the location for the newly established Moore Museum. Today, the main building has exhibits that showcase the Shipping industry and local history collections, such as toys, the great wars, hair salons and other local businesses.
Log Cabin, 1874
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Originally located on Lot 13, Concession 7 (about 3kms from the museum), this log cabin was built as a family home. Constructed in 1874 by Michael Courtney II, the cabin would eventually become a drive shed before being moved to its current location and restored as a family home.
Michael Courtney II (1848 - 1917) was a member of the Sixth Line Methodist Church. A lot of singing and bible studies took place in his home. In 1872 he married Annie Booth (1855 - 1886). Together they would have three sons - William Frederick (1874 - 1950), George Herbert (1878 - ?) and Robert (1882 - 1882). When Annie died, Michael remarried Elizabeth Anderson (1859 - 1932) five months later. together they would also have three children: Arthur Harold (1887 - 1969), Lulu May (1889 - 1974), and Annie Elizabeth "Pearl" (1901 - 1925). |
Log Cabin, 1874
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One Room Schoolhouse
One-Room School House - Bell's School.
Built in 1887 for SS #13 Dawn Township, it was known as Bell's School. It was built as a "3 Window" school, which meant that it had three windows down each side. It was later extended to a "4 Window" school as the population grew. When Dawn Township schools were being centralized in the 1960's, Bell's School was closed. In 1991, the building was moved to the museum site and was renovated to its former appearance.
Trinity St. Clair Chapel
Trinity St. Clair Chapel
Commonly known as Sutherland Church, it was built between Courtright and Mooretown. The church was erected in 1842, after the Rebellion of 1837 caused its delay. In the 1860s, the oak log foundation was rotting away, so a new church put into motion. In 1863, the cornerstone for the new church was laid at the corner of Pulteney and Napoleon Streets in Mooretown, and shortly thereafter one was erected. In 1918, lightning struck the steeple and the Church burned to the ground.
The new church was then built on the site in 1919. The windows and choir stall rails were saved from the 1863 church and reused. In the early 1980's, the congregation began to decline. This led the to church closing its doors. In 1998 it was moved to the Museum site, renovated and re-named Trinity St. Clair Chapel.
Blacksmith Shop
The original portion of the shop was used by Robert Mason on his farm in Sarnia Township. Robert Richardson Mason was born in 1874. In 1901 he married Margaret Agnes Cole (187 - 1965). Together they had six children: Myrtle Isabella (1902 - 1902), Florence Priscilla (1903 - 1984), Eldon Edmund (1906 - 2000), Della Mae (1908 - 2000), William Tennyson (1914 - 1990), and Bruce Herbert (1923 - 1989). Robert Mason would pass away in 1952, with a cause of death listed as Coronary Thrombosis.
Blacksmith Shop
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Robert Mason and Margaret Cole Wedding Photo - 1901
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Basswood Block
Built in the mid 1800's in Oil Springs, this building originally was a hotel. Then in the early 1870's it was moved to Brigden. By the early 1900's the building housed four businesses - a tailor shop, a tin shop, a barbershop/pool hall, and the municipal office. In 1909, Frank Carroll purchased the building. He added a second floor addition which served as a roller rink, dancehall and community hall. It then became known as "Carroll's Hall".
In 1946 the Hall became the Steadman Brothers funeral home and furniture store. The upper floor was later removed. In 1991, the building was set to be torn down. The Steadman Brothers offered the museum the opportunity to salvage the facade of the structure. The museum took the opportunity and salvaged materials to reconstruct the building with three shops instead of its original four. Today, the block houses a carpentry shop, a print shop, and a harness-making shop.
In 1946 the Hall became the Steadman Brothers funeral home and furniture store. The upper floor was later removed. In 1991, the building was set to be torn down. The Steadman Brothers offered the museum the opportunity to salvage the facade of the structure. The museum took the opportunity and salvaged materials to reconstruct the building with three shops instead of its original four. Today, the block houses a carpentry shop, a print shop, and a harness-making shop.
Basswood Block
Railroad Station, 1893
Railroad Station, 1893
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In 1886, the Erie & Huron Railroad finished the construction of a rail line that provided round trips daily between Chatham and Sarnia. This route offered both freight and passenger service, while also serving Mooretown. In 1893, the rail station was building on on the corner of Napoleon and Poultney Streets for passengers to use instead of the porch of the local hotel.
Eventually, with the increasing popularity of travelling by car, the need for passenger service decreased, leading the the closure of the station. The building was then relocated to the St. Clair Parkway, where it was used as a residential building, being rented out to tenants. In 1988, the owners decided to build a new house on the lot and donated the station to the museum. It was once again relocated to its current spot on the museum grounds. |
Reilley Cottage, 1893
Reilley Cottage, 1893
In 1862, Charles Reilley purchased 87 acres of land. This encompassed much of the current village of Mooretown, including the museum property. In 1867, Charles Reilley donated land for community use. A school house (the museums main building) and a jail (the museum's parking lot) were constructed. Charles then built a 13-room house on his land (the current site of the St. Clair Parkway Golf Course). In 1893, he then constructed the cottage, which still is located on its originally site. When the cottage was built it had a walkway directly to the river, as there was no other houses or buildings between it and the water. The large family home was demolished in 1941.
The Cottage was used by two of Charles Reilley's daughters - Hortense and Philomena. Hortense and Philomena, loving referred to as Aunt Hootie and Aunt Phyllis, were half sisters (same father, different mother's). They moved into the cottage after living in the large family home for almost 70 years. Neither woman had married, or had children. Aunt Hootie's bedroom was the small room to the left of the living room, while Aunt Phyllis's bedroom was on the right, on the way to the kitchen.
Philomena Bridget Reilley was born on March 6, 1868. She would pass away on February 20, 1944. Her listed cause of death was Carcinoma cardiac & of stomach. Hortense Eva Reilley was born on October 26, 1872. She would pass away on June 1, 1953. Her listed cause of death is Cerebral Hemorrhage.
The Cottage was used by two of Charles Reilley's daughters - Hortense and Philomena. Hortense and Philomena, loving referred to as Aunt Hootie and Aunt Phyllis, were half sisters (same father, different mother's). They moved into the cottage after living in the large family home for almost 70 years. Neither woman had married, or had children. Aunt Hootie's bedroom was the small room to the left of the living room, while Aunt Phyllis's bedroom was on the right, on the way to the kitchen.
Philomena Bridget Reilley was born on March 6, 1868. She would pass away on February 20, 1944. Her listed cause of death was Carcinoma cardiac & of stomach. Hortense Eva Reilley was born on October 26, 1872. She would pass away on June 1, 1953. Her listed cause of death is Cerebral Hemorrhage.
General Store
Moore Museum General Store
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The Moore Museum village wouldn't be complete without a General Store. General Stores were the pillar in many new and growing communities. When a suitable building could not be found, the museum volunteers took on the goal of building their own. The general store on the museum grounds is a replica, however the artifacts inside were donated from the community and surrounding area. |
Fire Hall
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Just like the General Store, museum volunteers took on the task of building a Firehall to house the museums collection of firefighting equipment and apparatuses. Constructed in 2005, it has an authentic heritage look that often is mistaken an an original building. It was built with two floors, to accommodate a hose tower and to show that many early commercial and public buildings had a dual purpose, with upper floors serving as community rooms and meeting halls. |
Fire Hall, 2005
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