Opened in 1922, Windsor's Masonic Temple is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Designed by architect J.C. Pennington in the neoclassical revival style, it was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1995. Many of the furnishings in the lodge rooms date back to the late 1800s. The Temple has a large ballroom and is a popular spot for banquets and meetings.

The Local History Branch is an important link to Windsor’s rich and diverse heritage. Located in historical Sandwich, the archives contains information that dates from the late 1700s – including newspapers, magazines, photographs, city directories, yearbooks and a rich collection of published material on the history of Windsor and area. The multimedia collection also includes paper documents (journals, letters, diaries), posters, audio tapes and memorabilia. The branch also contains a variety of genealogical resources – census records, birth, marriage and death records, passenger lists, church registers, cemetery listings and baptismal records. The holdings of the Essex County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society are housed here, too. While this branch is currently closed to the public, the archives remain available so that you can continue to do your research. Simply email us for assistance. As part of Digital Doors Open, watch the video below for an introduction to the genealogist and archivist who are both onsite to answer your questions.

Founded in 1728 to serve the Huron Indians, Assumption is the oldest Catholic parish west of Montreal. Construction of the current building started in 1842 and the church opened in 1845. The architect, Robert Thomas Elliot, received $10 for his work. Once an endangered heritage building, Assumption Church is currently undergoing a massive restoration project that began in 2019.