WELLINGTON COUNTY – The Wellington County Museum and Archives (WCMA) reopened to the public Monday with some restrictions in place.
“We’re glad to finally be open even with restrictions in place and not at full capacity at our exhibits,” said Janice Hindley, WCMA and Wellington Place administrator. “We’re hoping people will come out and enjoy the museum, archives and trails.”
WCMA has resumed regular business hours, 9:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, but some areas will remain closed.
Hindley explained that a traveling exhibit from Quebec was scheduled to be in exhibit hall this summer but was postponed to next summer because it is a highly interactive feature. The hall will be closed for the time being.
The heritage barn and movie theatre are also closed because their size makes enforcing physical distancing requirements impossible.
All programming, day camps, events, weddings and festivals are also cancelled until the end of August.
Hindley said all visitors will go through a standard health screening questionnaire at the museum and archives entrance. Programming staff have been redeployed to act as screeners.
“You’ll be required to sanitize your hands, complete the form and wear a face covering,” Hindley said. “Then you’re welcome to come inside the museum.”
Hindley added that they have a capacity limit of 20 guests at a given time, so household or social bubble groups are encouraged to call ahead to reserve a time to come.
Tours can’t be booked and the museum is entirely self-guided.
“We’re not offering tours at this point in time,” Hindley said. “Hopefully in the fall things will change and we’ll be able to offer more programs, events and tours.”
Hindley said the public has been making great use of outdoor trails and exhibits at Wellington Place during the pandemic but she is hopeful for visitors to come to the museum.
“We just had our first two visitors come through the door so that’s great,” Hindley said.
