The Paris Museum & Historical Society is a volunteer run, registered charity founded in 1972 by a small group of heritage minded residents.
Our mission is to collect, preserve, and make accessible the rich cultural heritage of the Town of Paris.
We are one of the few organizations in Ontario that houses a museum, an archive, and a historical society under one roof. Our collection includes more than 40,000 objects and archival documents, including photographs, maps, land records, family histories, newspapers, and extensive files on local buildings and businesses.
We collaborate with community partners across the County of Brant, contribute to public lectures and displays, support historical research, and welcome hundreds of local and international visitors every year.
Our History
Preserving local history takes sustained effort, especially in a growing community like Paris. Since 1972, the Paris Museum & Historical Society has been at the forefront of that work, safeguarding the town’s identity and heritage.
The Museum began in the living room of Fred Bemrose, an amateur historian and salesman for Penman’s Textiles. Concerned that important historical documents would be lost during municipal restructuring, Bemrose and a group of volunteers formed the Paris Museum and Historical Society to protect letters, maps, photographs, surveys, and municipal records.
In recent years, the Museum has expanded digitization efforts, created new exhibits, launched a speaker series, and strengthened partnerships with local organizations. The Museum has no paid staff. Everything you see is made possible by volunteers.
As the collection grew, the Museum moved several times before nearly closing in the early 2000s due to financial challenges. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers, donors, and community supporters, the organization secured a permanent, rent free home inside the Syl Apps Community Centre, where it remains today.
Board of Directors
The Paris Museum & Historical Society is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected by the membership. Board members serve two year terms and provide strategic direction, financial oversight, and stewardship of the Museum’s mission.
Board members meet monthly and support governance, budgeting, fundraising, volunteer engagement, and long term planning.
Current Officers
Chair: Cate Breaugh
Treasasurer: Ursula O’Brien
Secretary: Carol Goar
If you are interested in joining the Board of Directors, the next election will take place on April 26, 2026. Expressions of interest can be sent to info@theparismuseum.com.
Left to right: Marie Williamson, Ursula O’Brien, Bill Allan, Carol Goar, Marg Deans, Darlene Goad, Cate Breaugh, Patrick Draper.
Help Preserve Paris History
The Paris Museum & Historical Society is entirely run by volunteers. Memberships and donations help preserve local history and keep the museum accessible to the community.