About Us
History of the Oxford County Archives
The Oxford County Archives was established January 1, 2000. Originally located at the old St. Anthony’s School in Beachville until 2011 when it moved to its current location at 82 Light Street, Woodstock.
The Archives is primarily responsible for overseeing the archival needs of the County. Within Oxford County, there are eight area municipalities: Ingersoll, Tillsonburg, Woodstock, Blandford-Blenheim, East Zorra-Tavistock, Norwich, S.W. Oxford and Zorra.
Collection
The Oxford County Archives acquires, preserves, and makes accessible inactive public records created by, for, and about Oxford County. These records include Administrative, legal, fiscal, genealogical, and historical and cultural records of Oxford County 1850 to the present, and its predecessor, the District of Brock, 1842 to 1849.
If you have some materials that you are considering donating, please contact the archivists. Staff are always interested in receiving new acquisitions, provided that the materials meet the terms of our mandate for collecting materials relating to the people, places, and history of Oxford County. Archives staff facilitate and monitor public access to the archival information as prescribed by the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 1990.
For more information about our collection and how you can add to it, please visit our Collection Page.
We welcome volunteers of all ages who have a passion for history and lifelong learning, and who would like to assist in preserving our community's archival heritage. Volunteer positions at the archives are ideal for students who are interested in gaining experience in an office/administrative setting and have an interest in history, education or research.
Examples of volunteer work include: arranging and describing archival collections, conducting historical research, transcribing historical journals, ledgers, and letters, digitization, helping with outreach programs, creating children's activity pages and crafts, and conservation work.
The Oxford County Archives welcomes all visitors who are interested in using our research facilities. There are some rules our staff, volunteers and visitors must follow in order to meet archival standards and to ensure the safekeeping of our records. We want to make your visit to the archives as positive as possible; please read through these guidelines to using the archives prior to your visit so you know what to expect when you arrive.
Visit Using the Archives page for more information.
We are committed to preserving Oxford County's archival heritage for future generations and making it available to the public.
Read the Archives 2023 Community Impact Report
Includes information on the Archives' mandate, collection updates, events, and community engagement over the course of 2023
Read the Archives 2024 Community Impact Report
Includes information on the Archive's mandate, collection updates, events, and community engagement over the course of 2024
Location Information
Second Floor (of the Governor's house)
82 Light Street (located within the County Courthouse Square)
Woodstock, Ontario
*The entrances to the building are locked at all times. Please ring doorbell for assistance.
Parking
- The Archives has three parking lots with designated accessible parking space including the lots off of Buller Street, Graham Street and Light Street.
Entrance/Exit
- The Archives’ accessible entrance can be accessed from the parking lot off of Buller Street at the back of the building.
- Accessible pathway from the parking lot to entrance with access ramp to door.
Interior
- A lift is available which allows access to the second floor where the Archives is located.
- Accessible washroom located on the second floor.
- Please ask staff for assistance to access the lift.
As the Gaoler, Turnkey, and Matron were expected to live at the gaol, residence was provided. The Governor’s house was attached to the back of the gaol wall facing the courthouse, with a door leaning from the house into the jail yard. Originally, the Turkey has a two-room apartment on the second floor of the gaol. However, in 1897, at the persistence of his wife, permission was given to build a house for the Turnkey and his family on the property beside the jail. Later, when John B. Calder was appointed Gaol Governor (1955-1960), his wife preferred the house on Buller Street, so they moved there. The former Turkey’s house was eventually demolished in the 1960’s.
Parking
Please be aware that parking off of Light Street and Buller Street are employee parking only. To ensure that you do not receive a parking ticket, please park in the lots off of Graham Street or use street parking where available.
*This does not apply to designated accessible parking spaces.
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday: 10 am – 4:00 pm.
Email: archives@oxfordcounty.ca
Instagram: @oxfordcountyarchives
Contact Us |
|
|
County Archivist: Liz Dommasch 519-539-9800 x 3071
Archival Technician: Tysha Rieger 519-539-9800 x 3070 nrieger@oxcfordcounty.ca |
Mailing Address Oxford County Archives |
Please Contact us ahead of time - Scheduling an appointment allows our archivists time to process your request, find what you need and retrieve the required records. This also saves you a trip to the Archives if the records you are looking for are inaccessible or located elsewhere.
Booking an appointment
To book a research appointment please fill out the online form through the link below.